Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Little Falls, MN

Explore on a Budget

Little Falls has a wide variety of things to do to entertain any visitor or resident. Check out our ideas to see as much of our incredible city as possible while being budget-friendly.

First Things First

With so many wonderful things in Little Falls, it’s best to start by talking to an expert. The Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is located in the historic Cass Gilbert Depot. The staff can help you find things that you’ll enjoy, give you information on events and other fun happenings in the area, and answer any questions you might have about the city. They can assist you with planning a trip for all seasons and occasions whether you’re visiting with a couple of people or a large group. They have lots of pamphlets and guides to help you explore the city, and you can check out the Cass Gilbert Depot while you’re at it. The Little Falls Chamber and Tourism is open Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

History and Museums

Little Falls has a wide variety of museums and historic locations to check out. If you stopped in at the Little Falls Chamber and Tourism, you may have picked up a copy of the Little Falls Historic Downtown Walking and Driving Tour which details the history of Little Falls’ historic downtown buildings. Take the self-guided tour and visit lots of fun, budget-friendly locations including the Cass Gilbert Depot and the Little Falls Carnegie Library which has a number of fun things to do including reading books, piecing together puzzles, playing checkers, public computers, toys in the children’s section, and so much more!

If you’d like to check out some museums in Little Falls, the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum is a great stop. Found along the Mississippi River and just next door to the Charles Lindbergh House and Museum, the Weyerhaeuser Museum is free to enter and is open year-round. Learn about the county’s history, explore their exhibits, and take in the spectacular view of the river at this wonderful museum.

The Minnesota Military Museum is another great stop for those on a budget. Tickets are free for currently serving military personal, $2 for kids, and $5 for adults. Here you’ll find indoor and outdoor exhibits depicting the stories and contributions of Minnesotans who served in all branches of service in times of peace and war, from Minnesota’s early years, through the World Wars, leading up to current conflicts.

Other museums in Little Falls include the MN Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame and Linden Hill Historic Estate.

Art and Culture

Little Falls is very fortunate to have a wide range of public art including a public art gallery. With two galleries that are free and open to the public year-round, Great River Arts is a great stop for those on a budget. The galleries are rotated out every couple of months so there’s always something new to see and Great River Arts offers a wide variety of events and classes, some of which are free or have a low cost.

Around the city, visitors can find lots of public art including incredible indoor and outdoor murals, window clings, garbage can art, bike racks, benches, and a couple sculptures. Explore the city and see how many you can find!

Outdoors and Recreation

Another great, budget-friendly way to check out Little Falls is by exploring the great outdoors! Little Falls has an amazing selection of parks, trails, and a number of other fun outdoor activities for all seasons. If you’re looking for playground equipment, the Pine Grove Zoo Park and the Little Falls Area Recreation Complex are great spots. Pine Grove Zoo Park has lots of fun playground equipment including swings and slides. There’s also a Fitness Course just next door for anyone looking for a challenge and, of course, the zoo if you want to stop in and see all the wonderful animals including otters, zebras, tigers, and so much more! The Little Falls Recreation Complex has lots of great equipment too like the zipline as well as a gazebo for those interested in having a picnic.

For anyone looking to go for a scenic walk, check out Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge or Maple Island Park. Crane Meadows has several loops ranging in distance for all kinds of hikers. There’s a small loop with a scavenger hunt and a great look out over the Platte River for those looking for something easy and short as well as a few other loops ranging in length depending on how far you’d like to go. These trails are also groomed in the winter for people who enjoy skiing or snowshoeing. Maple Island is another great spot for those wanting to take in nature. The park has paths along the Mississippi River, around the park, and by the dam. It has a gazebo which provides a nice shady spot for a picnic. It also has some great hills for sledding in the winter and beautiful leaves that change color in the fall.

Other great locations include Blanchard Dam where visitors can look for the ever coveted fairy cross rocks, Mill Park which is a trailhead for the Camp Ripley Veterans State Trail, and Charles A. Lindbergh State Park which has great trails for those who enjoy hiking.

Exploring Little Falls

Start planning your visit today with the 2024 Travel Guide.

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