Heart of Minneapolis Kayaking Tour

Heart of Minneapolis Kayak Tour – Mississippi River, MN

What puts "Minne" in Minneapolis? You'll find the answer on the water. This 2.5-hour out-and-back paddle on the Mississippi River traces the historic heart of the city from a perspective most residents have never seen — at river level, beneath the bridges, alongside the bluffs, and face to face with the skyline that grew up on the banks of this mighty river.

Your tour begins and ends at Boom Island Marina, a former railroad tie factory turned beloved green space just northeast of downtown. After a paddling skill introduction on land, you'll set off upriver past Nicollet Island, under a succession of bridges old and new — including the 8th Avenue and Broadway Street bridges — and toward the old industrial Port of Minneapolis on the Northside. Your guide will peel back the layers of history visible on the banks, pointing out landmarks written, washed away, and sometimes still standing along the shore.

On the return leg, the river's current carries you back downstream, treating you to one of the most distinctive close-up skyline views from anywhere in the city. Depending on conditions, the tour finishes with either a visit to the scenic Bassett Creek lagoon or a stretch down toward Owámniyomni — the falls of St. Anthony — the only true waterfall on the entire Mississippi River and the geographical reason Minneapolis exists at all. Your guide will bring the history and folklore of this remarkable place to life from start to finish.

This is a great all-around tour for locals and visitors alike — accessible to beginners, rich in history, and finished with a skyline view that's impossible to find anywhere else in town.

Duration

• Approximately 2.5 hours total, including a land-based paddling introduction and the out-and-back paddle
  

Location / Where to Meet

Boom Island Park — 724 Sibley St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413

Please plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time. Paid parking is available in the Boom Island Park lot. Free street parking is available on Sibley St NE, across from the park entrance. Restrooms are available at Boom Island Park.

Ages & Requirements

• Age 5+ (16 years for single (solo) kayaks)
  
• Tandem (double) kayaks: at least one paddler must be 18 or older
  
• No prior kayaking experience required — a land-based paddling introduction is included with every tour
  
• Guides reserve the right to arrange boat types based on inventory, weather, and water conditions
  

What's Included

• All paddling gear: kayak, paddle, and US Coast Guard-approved life jacket (PFD)
  
• Land-based paddling skill introduction before launching
  
• Dry bag for small items you'd like to keep dry
  
• Cell phone cases available for use during the tour
  
• Tour photos taken by your guide with a waterproof camera
  
• Expert narration on river history, ecology, and local landmarks throughout the paddle
  
• Extra water and snacks carried by guides
  

Not Included

• Gratuity — never expected, but if you have a great experience, please consider tipping your guide; cash is easiest and many guides also accept Venmo or PayPal. Guests typically tip 15–20%.
  

What to Bring / Wear

• Lightweight clothing and footwear you wouldn't mind getting wet (no cotton — it stays cold when wet)
  
• A dry layer left in your car to change into afterward
  
• Hat and sunglasses for glare off the water
  
• Sunscreen
  
• Reusable water bottle and snacks to stay hydrated and energized