A beautiful sunrise across from the light
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Boom Island Lighthouse

4.6
·95 reviews·Minneapolis, United States

Iconic lighthouse in Minneapolis's Boom Island Park, offering stunning Mississippi River and skyline views.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Fewer crowds, peaceful exploration

CrowdLow
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A beautiful sunrise across from the light

Boom Island Lighthouse

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Fewer crowds, peaceful exploration

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Iconic lighthouse in Minneapolis's Boom Island Park, offering stunning Mississippi River and skyline views.

4.6
(95 reviews)

"Such a gorgeous view of the lighthouse. Surrounded by stunning views of the Mississippi River."

Vertical photo
TIP

🚶‍♀️ Park Trails & Views

Explore the vast park trails for great river and skyline views.

🛶 Kayak Adventure

Rent kayaks via Paddle Share for a unique river perspective of the lighthouse.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 95 reviews

Type

Park

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Boom Island Lighthouse

Boom Island Lighthouse

Boom Island Park

Iconic lighthouse offering stunning views of the Mississippi River and Minneapolis skyline.

Mississippi Riverfront Views

Mississippi Riverfront Views

Boom Island Park

Enjoy expansive river vistas and the Minneapolis skyline from the park's walking trails.

Stone Arch Bridge Connection

Stone Arch Bridge Connection

Boom Island Park

Easily walk from the park to the historic Stone Arch Bridge for more scenic perspectives.

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Planning Your Visit

Timing Your Visit for the Best Views

While Boom Island Lighthouse is accessible year-round, consider visiting during warmer months for pleasant park strolls and river activities. Weekday mornings offer fewer crowds, allowing for more peaceful exploration of the park and its scenic Mississippi River views. Reddit

Accessing the Lighthouse and Park

The Boom Island Lighthouse itself is not accessible by foot, and the area around its base can be overgrown. However, the surrounding Boom Island Park offers excellent vantage points and walking trails. Parking is available for a fee. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, peaceful exploration
Crowd
Low
When
Late Afternoon
Why
Golden hour light on skyline
Crowd
Medium
When
Summer Evenings
Why
Pleasant park atmosphere
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

The World’s only nuclear powered lighthouse #bodkinpointseafood #fvsoutherngirl #youaintnocrabber #Maryland #crabbing #chesapeakebay #seafood #SmallBusiness #commercialfishing #crabber #DIY #crab #crabfishing #buylocal #maintenance #canitcatch #crabbingseason #bluecrabs #tipsandtricks #interesting #DidYouKnow #learn #education #lighthouse #baltimore
@fvsoutherngirl
72.1K likes • 1M views

🚶‍♀️ Park Trails & Views

Explore the vast park trails for great river and skyline views. InstagramReddit

🛶 Kayak Adventure

Rent kayaks via Paddle Share for a unique river perspective of the lighthouse. Reddit

Baptiste lamp lineups - Ilios Lighthouse #overwatch #ow2 #overwatchtips #overwatchguide
@natr_ow
15.7K likes • 130.2K views
There’s no question Minneapolis is a gorgeous city! Here are 16 places where we take some time to enjoy the view! @guthrietheater Amber Box Stone Arch Bridge @millcitymuseum Prospect Park @wminneapolis (Foshay Tower) Boom Island Lighthouse The Commons IDS Center @windowsatmarquette Minneapolis Sculpture Garden Lake of the Isles St. Anthony Main Space Tower @mnstatefair Mississi...
kristeninmn
1.1K likes • 27.2K views

📸 Drone Photography

Bring your drone for aerial shots of the lighthouse and skyline (check park regulations). Instagram

🅿️ Parking Fee

A surface lot is available for parking, but there is a fee. Reddit

Today I had two sessions about an hour apart, both at the same location. Boom Island Park, Minneapolis MN. Home of the famous lighthouse and some amazing views of the #mpls skyline. Knowing I'd have a full hour to play around between sessions, I brought the drone. The last two times I brought the drone with me it wouldn't take off, kept giving me an error message. But today I woke up at 5am, goog...
dmorgan.photo
0 likes • 314 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🚶‍♀️ Park Trails & Views

Explore the vast park trails for great river and skyline views. InstagramReddit

🛶 Kayak Adventure

Rent kayaks via Paddle Share for a unique river perspective of the lighthouse. Reddit

📸 Drone Photography

Bring your drone for aerial shots of the lighthouse and skyline (check park regulations). Instagram

🅿️ Parking Fee

A surface lot is available for parking, but there is a fee. Reddit

☀️ Shade Options

Find shade on the east side of the park if needed. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.6
(95 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about the gorgeous views of the Boom Island Lighthouse and the surrounding Mississippi River. The vast park offers ample walking and running trails, picnic areas, and shady spots, making it a great place for exercise and relaxation. Some note the lighthouse itself is inaccessible, but the park's scenic beauty and connection to other downtown attractions are highly praised. Reddit+2

"Such a gorgeous view of the lighthouse. Surrounded by stunning views of the Mississippi River. The Boom Island Park is vast and there are plenty of walking/running trails. There are Picnic areas and lots of shady areas and bridges to walk through. I walked from the lighthouse through most of the park to reach the Stone Arch Bridge - from there, went through the downtown area of shops and restaurants - then past the St. Anthony waterfall. A great exercising day!"

tiffany

"Enjoyed my morning jog at Boom Island Park. The lighthouse is inaccessible by foot and area is overgrown at the base. But good views from the park and the bridge."

The K Green Show

"Look for this lighthouse if you rented Kayaks through Paddle Share. There will be an employee waiting for you that will assist you with your gear once you have finished. Highly recommend Paddle Share. This was my first time doing it and it was quick and easy and a nice, leisurely paddle with some nice skyline views of Minneapolis."

Nicholas “Nick” Berry

What People Like

Gorgeous river views
Spacious park trails
Skyline backdrops

What People Dislike

Lighthouse inaccessible
Overgrown base area

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Boom Island Lighthouse is located within Boom Island Park in Minneapolis. You can drive to the park and use the available paid parking lot. It's also accessible via walking and biking trails, including a connection to the Stone Arch Bridge. InstagramReddit

While direct public transport to the lighthouse itself isn't common, Minneapolis has a robust bus system that can get you close to the downtown area, from where you can walk or bike to Boom Island Park. Check local transit schedules for routes near the Mississippi Riverfront. Instagram

The lighthouse structure itself is not accessible by foot, and the immediate base area is overgrown. However, you can get excellent views from the surrounding Boom Island Park. Reddit

Yes, there is a surface parking lot available at Boom Island Park. Please note that there is a fee for parking. Reddit

Yes, Boom Island Park features a boat launch accessible to the Mississippi River, making it a convenient spot for boaters. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No, there are no tickets required to visit Boom Island Lighthouse or Boom Island Park. The park is open to the public. Instagram

Boom Island Park generally follows Minneapolis park hours, which are typically from 6 AM to 10 PM daily. It's always a good idea to check the official Minneapolis Parks and Recreation website for any specific seasonal or event-related changes. Reddit

There is no entrance fee for Boom Island Park itself. However, parking in the surface lot does incur a fee. Reddit

The interior of the Boom Island Lighthouse is not accessible to the public. Visitors can admire it from the park grounds. Reddit

Standard park rules apply, such as respecting wildlife, proper waste disposal, and adhering to designated trail areas. Drone usage may have specific regulations, so it's advisable to check with park authorities. Instagram

📸 📸 Photography

The best photo opportunities are from within Boom Island Park, offering views of the lighthouse with the Minneapolis skyline as a backdrop. The Nicollet-Boom Island Bridge also provides great vantage points. Instagram+1

Drone photography is generally permitted in Minneapolis parks, but it's always best to check the latest regulations with the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Department to ensure compliance. Some areas might have restrictions. Instagram

Late afternoon and early evening offer beautiful golden hour light that illuminates the lighthouse and skyline. Sunrise can also provide stunning, less crowded photo opportunities. Instagram

Absolutely! The Stone Arch Bridge offers fantastic panoramic views of the Mississippi River, St. Anthony Falls, and the Minneapolis skyline, including glimpses of Boom Island Lighthouse. Reddit

Commercial photography or filming may require permits. For personal use, general park rules apply. Always be mindful of other visitors and avoid blocking pathways. Instagram

🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience

Boom Island Park is perfect for walking, jogging, picnicking, and enjoying scenic views. You can also rent kayaks for a paddle on the Mississippi River. Reddit+1

Yes, Boom Island Park offers several picnic areas, providing lovely spots to relax and enjoy a meal with a view of the river. Reddit

Definitely! The park features extensive walking and running trails, making it a popular spot for a great workout with scenic surroundings. Reddit

Amenities include walking trails, picnic areas, a boat launch, and parking facilities. Some areas offer shade, while others are more open to the sun. Reddit+1

You can spend anywhere from an hour to a full afternoon exploring Boom Island Park, depending on your pace and whether you plan to picnic or kayak. Walking from the lighthouse to the Stone Arch Bridge and back is a popular route. Reddit

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