Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Park

Large urban sculpture park adjoining Walker Art Center

Adjacent to the Walker Art Center, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden displays large-scale works such as Spoonbridge and Cherry; visitors stroll paths, picnic and photograph public sculpture.

Artist Sam Durant addresses a question about his sculpture, "Scaffold" at a press conference at the Walker Art Center.jpg
Artist Sam Durant speaking about his sculpture, "Scaffold" at a press conference at the Walker Art Center 1.jpg
Artist Sam Durant speaking about his sculpture, "Scaffold" at a press conference at the Walker Art Center 2.jpg
Cheyanne St. John, a member of the Lower Sioux Indian Community & Tribal Historical Preservation Office Site Manager read a statement addressing Sam Durant’s sculpture, "Scaffold" at the Walker Art Center 1.jpg
Cheyanne St. John, a member of the Lower Sioux Indian Community & Tribal Historical Preservation Office Site Manager read a statement addressing Sam Durant’s sculpture, "Scaffold" at the Walker Art Center 2.jpg
Cowles Conservatory interior.jpg
Cowles Conservatory Minneapolis 1.jpg
Filmmaker, Sheldon Wolfchild speaks at the Walker Art Center to address Sam Durant's sculpture "Scaffold" The artist, Sam Durant sits listening in the foreground.jpg
Grand Rounds Scenic Byway - Conservatory in Sculpture Garden - NARA - 7718711.jpg
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden 01.jpg

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at a Glance#

Address: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403, United States

Website: https://walkerart.org/visit/sculpture-garden

Hours: Daily sunrise to sunset; Walker Art Center operates on separate hours for indoor galleries

Admission: Free (some special exhibitions or events at the Walker Art Center may charge)

About Minneapolis Sculpture Garden#

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is a public park of outdoor sculpture adjacent to the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The site is a major regional cultural attraction combining large-scale works with designed landscape over roughly 11 acres.

Large-format sculptures dotted across lawns and paths, with one of the best-known works being the Spoonbridge and Cherry fountain. The garden presents a mix of permanent installations and rotating exhibitions and is used for strolling, photography, picnicking, and public programs.

The garden opened as a public sculpture park in the late 20th century and was redesigned and expanded in the 2010s to strengthen its connection with the Walker Art Center and improve visitor facilities. Since the redesign it has continued to host temporary installations alongside its permanent collection.

The garden sits adjacent to the Walker Art Center and Loring Park, within close walking distance of downtown Minneapolis and easily reached by local transit and pedestrian routes.

  • Size and access: Open year-round and free to the public, the garden covers about 11 acres and contains a mix of permanent and rotating outdoor sculptures.
  • Best time to visit: Most visitors prefer late spring to early fall for the full outdoor experience and to see seasonal plantings and outdoor events.

What to See#

  • Spoonbridge and Cherry: An iconic fountain sculpture by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen that functions as both art and water feature and is the garden’s signature work.

How to Get to Minneapolis Sculpture Garden#

The garden is adjacent to the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis and is walkable from the Uptown and Loring Park neighborhoods. Public transit options include Metro Transit buses; downtown and nearby neighborhoods are a short bus ride or bike away.

Tips for Visiting Minneapolis Sculpture Garden#

  • The garden is best visited in the early morning or late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds.
  • Look for the popular Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture - it's a park landmark and a good meeting point.
  • Combine a visit with the Walker Art Center across the street for indoor exhibitions and restrooms.

Best Time to Visit Minneapolis Sculpture Garden#

Summer for programming and long days; shoulder seasons for comfortable weather and fewer visitors.

Summer
June-August · 18-28°C
Longest days and outdoor programming; the garden is busiest.
Spring/Autumn
April-May / September-October · 5-20°C
Cooler temps and fewer crowds; good for slow walks and photography.
Winter
November-March · -20 to 5°C
Cold and often snowy; the garden is picturesque but much quieter.

Weather & Climate near Minneapolis Sculpture Garden#

Climate

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -16°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (756 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 34 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
-16°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -16° - -5° -17° 24 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
February - -12° - -1° -12° 19 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
March - -5° - 5° -4° 46 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
April - 2° - 15° 6° 59 mm - - 3.9 m/s - -
May - 9° - 22° 16° 86 mm - - 3.8 m/s - -
June - 14° - 27° 21° 110 mm - - 3.2 m/s - -
July - 17° - 29° 23° 104 mm - - 2.7 m/s - -
August - 16° - 28° 22° 105 mm - - 2.6 m/s - -
September - 10° - 22° 16° 75 mm - - 3.0 m/s - -
October - 4° - 16° 8° 56 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
November - -4° - 5° -3° 47 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
December - -12° - -3° -13° 25 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -

Nearby Attractions to Minneapolis Sculpture Garden#