Mendota MinnesotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Mendota, Minnesota.
1. Historic Fort Snelling
HISTORIC MILITARY OUTPOST
Historic Fort Snelling stands as a restored 1820s military outpost at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, offering visitors a glimpse into Minnesota's early territorial days. Visitors can explore the stone fort with its barracks, officers' quarters, and demonstrations of daily military life from the 19th century. The site hosts regular living history events where interpreters in period costumes bring the fort's past to life through military drills, cooking demonstrations, and storytelling.
2. Sibley Historic Site
MINNESOTA'S FIRST GOVERNOR'S HOME
The Sibley Historic Site preserves the limestone home of Henry Hastings Sibley, Minnesota's first governor, built in the 1830s. This National Historic Landmark features four limestone buildings including the Sibley House, Faribault House, DuPuis House, and a cold storage building, all showcasing life in pre-territorial Minnesota. Guided tours take visitors through the well-preserved structures with period furnishings and artifacts that tell the story of the region's early European settlement and interactions with Dakota people.
3. Confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota River
HISTORIC NATURAL JUNCTION
The Confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota River represents a significant geographical and cultural landmark known as Bdote in Dakota culture, considered the center of the earth by Native peoples. This natural wonder offers scenic views where two major waterways meet, creating a peaceful setting for photography, contemplation, and understanding the area's natural history. Visitors can access viewing areas that provide educational plaques explaining the confluence's importance to transportation, trade, and the development of the Twin Cities region.
4. Fort Snelling State Park
RIVERSIDE NATURAL HAVEN
Fort Snelling State Park encompasses 2,931 acres of diverse landscapes including forests, meadows, and lakes nestled at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. The park offers extensive hiking and biking trails, fishing spots, and wildlife observation areas where visitors might spot deer, foxes, and over 200 bird species throughout the year. Winter transforms the park into a playground for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding, making it a year-round recreational destination.
5. Crosby Farm Regional Park
RIVERSIDE TRAILS AND LAKES
Crosby Farm Regional Park offers a natural sanctuary along the Mississippi River with 6.7 miles of paved trails winding through wetlands, woods, and along two small lakes. This 736-acre park was once a working farm in the 1850s and now serves as an important habitat for migratory birds, aquatic wildlife, and native plant species. Visitors can enjoy fishing in Crosby Lake, picnicking in designated areas, or connecting to the larger Mississippi River trail system for extended cycling or hiking adventures.
6. Mississippi River Paddle Share
SELF-GUIDED KAYAKING ADVENTURE
Mississippi River Paddle Share offers a unique self-guided kayaking experience on the mighty Mississippi River without needing to own equipment. This innovative program allows visitors to reserve kayaks online, pick them up at designated stations, and paddle along scenic routes with predetermined put-in and take-out locations. Paddlers can experience the river from a new perspective, observing urban wildlife, historic sites, and the natural beauty of the river valley during their journey downstream.
7. Overlook At Quarry Island
SCENIC RIVER VIEWS
The Overlook At Quarry Island provides visitors with breathtaking panoramic views of the Mississippi River valley from a former quarry site. This hidden gem features walking paths that lead to viewing platforms where the Minneapolis skyline can be seen in the distance beyond the river's winding path. The location is particularly stunning during sunset and fall foliage seasons, making it a popular spot for photographers and nature enthusiasts seeking tranquility close to the Twin Cities.
8. Ivy Hills Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD PARK
Ivy Hills Park serves as a beloved community gathering space in Mendota Heights with modern playground equipment, sports fields, and picnic areas for families to enjoy. The park features well-maintained walking paths through mature trees, providing shade during summer months and colorful displays during autumn. Its accessible design and quiet neighborhood setting make it an ideal spot for children's birthday parties, casual sports games, or peaceful afternoon outings.
9. Lake Nokomis Trail
URBAN LAKESIDE PATHWAY
The Lake Nokomis Trail is a 7.3-mile paved path that connects Minneapolis, Richfield, and Bloomington, offering beautiful views of one of Minneapolis' popular lakes. This 10-foot-wide multi-use trail accommodates cyclists, runners, and walkers year-round, with access to beaches, picnic areas, and the Lake Nokomis Community Center along the route. As part of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway system, the trail provides connections to other regional pathways, allowing users to create longer recreational routes throughout the Twin Cities area.
10. Martin Olav Sabo Bridge
ICONIC CYCLING SUSPENSION BRIDGE
The Martin Olav Sabo Bridge stands as Minnesota's first cable-stayed suspension bridge, designed exclusively for cyclists and pedestrians crossing over Hiawatha Avenue in Minneapolis. This striking architectural landmark, with its 215-foot central pylon and radiating cables, provides a safe passage for users of the Midtown Greenway trail system while offering impressive views of the Minneapolis skyline. Illuminated at night with blue LED lights, the bridge has become both a functional transportation link and a beloved icon of Minneapolis' commitment to alternative transportation infrastructure.
11. Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway
HISTORIC URBAN PARKWAY SYSTEM
The Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway forms a 100-mile continuous parkway system encircling Minneapolis, connecting lakes, creeks, woodlands, and the Mississippi River into one magnificent recreational corridor. This visionary urban design, conceived in the late 19th century, includes seven distinct districts: Downtown Riverfront, Mississippi, Northeast, Southeast, Minnehaha, Chain of Lakes, and Theodore Wirth. Visitors can experience diverse landscapes and historic sites by car, bicycle, or on foot while enjoying seasonal activities from swimming and boating in summer to cross-country skiing and ice skating in winter.
12. Minnesota Genealogical Society
FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH CENTER
The Minnesota Genealogical Society serves as a premier resource center for family historians researching Minnesota and upper Midwest ancestry. This specialized library houses extensive collections of historical records, maps, newspapers, and digital databases that help visitors trace their family roots across generations. The society regularly hosts workshops, lectures, and research assistance sessions led by experienced genealogists who guide both beginners and advanced researchers through the fascinating process of discovering their family histories.
13. Mendakota Country Club
PRESTIGIOUS GOLF DESTINATION
Mendakota Country Club features a meticulously maintained 18-hole golf course designed with strategic challenges and scenic beauty throughout its layout. The historic clubhouse offers elegant dining facilities, event spaces, and panoramic views of the course's rolling terrain and mature trees. Members and guests enjoy additional amenities including tennis courts, swimming facilities, and a robust calendar of social events throughout the year.
14. Acacia Cemetery
HISTORIC FINAL RESTING PLACE
Acacia Cemetery serves as a peaceful historic burial ground with connections to Mendota's earliest European settlers and prominent Minnesota families. The cemetery's well-preserved gravestones and monuments date back to the mid-1800s, providing a tangible connection to the region's past through their inscriptions and symbolic carvings. Visitors can take self-guided tours through the grounds to appreciate the cemetery's park-like setting with mature trees, while learning about local history through interpretive materials available on-site.
15. Minneapolis River Walk
SCENIC URBAN WATERFRONT PATH
The Minneapolis River Walk offers an engaging urban trail experience along the banks of the Mississippi River through the heart of Minneapolis. This well-maintained pathway takes visitors past historic mill ruins, underneath striking stone arch bridges, and alongside interpretive displays explaining the city's relationship with the river that powered its early industries. The route provides numerous access points to downtown attractions, restaurants with river views, and connections to other trail systems, making it a popular choice for both tourists exploring the city and locals enjoying daily recreation.