Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

An aerial view taken from above Wirth Golf Course shows the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway surrounded by rich reds and golds.

One building at the Wirth Golf Course in Theodore Wirth Park on the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway in Minneapolis resembles a Swiss chalet building, and is known as "The Chalet." It is at the entrance to the Wirth Golf Course and is popular for weddings and receptions.

Minneapolis citizens enjoy an unseasonably warm April afternoon on Lake Harriet.

This 1873 portrait shows Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, premier American Poet and author of the famous epic poems "Evangeline" and "Hiawatha".

A child runs toward the running rabbit sculpture in the Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis.

The glass walls of the Conservatory rise from the grounds of the Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis.

A family strolls past the Hiawatha and Minnehaha Statue one April morning in Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis.

A famous sculpture in the Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis rests in a small pond surrounded by trees in early spring.

The Basilica in Minneapolis and the city skyline form a backdrop to an early spring view of this famous sculpture in the Sculpture Garden.

Lights from the Minneapolis skyline reflect in Loring Park's pond as evening falls one April day.

A multi-colored map of the Grand Rounds orients visitors to the entire Byway.

A visitor to the Grand Rounds orients herself at one of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board's fine orientation kiosks.

A multi-colored map of the Grand Rounds orients visitors to a segment of the Byway.

The many skyscrapers of the Minneapolis skyline rise above the Sculpture Gardens in November. The trees in the garden have turned russet and gold for autumn.

Cyclists admire the view from the historic Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Minneapolis' Riverfront Walkway meanders alongside the river toward the Hennepin Ave. Bridge.

The historic Stone Arch Bridge from the river's edge.

Even with the trees and grass not yet green, this statue stands out in Minneapolis' Minnehaha Park.

Scenic Byway funds helped build this Byway Hospitality Center in the Longfellow House, near Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis.

The Princess Depot at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis is closed for winter.

The byway passes Princess Depot at Minnehaha Park on a wintery day.

This is a close-up of a typical 2-panel byway sign on Grand Rounds Scenic Byway.

This is a typical 4-panel byway kiosk for Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, showing nearby trees, bicycle rack and some railings.

This shows a typical 2-panel byway sign at Minnehaha Park on the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway.

This is a shot of a typical 4-panel byway kiosk for Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, showing a nearby parking area and walkway.

This is a shot of a typical 4-panel byway kiosk for Grand Rounds Scenic Byway.

Visitor reads a typical Grand Rounds orientation sign on a wintery day in Minneapolis.

Visitor reads a typical Grand Rounds orientation sign on a wintery day in Minneapolis

The nature trail winds its way to the Martha Crone Nature Center at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minneapolis.

The Byway road opposite the University of Minnesota bridge is also used as a bike trail route.

Lost on the Grand Rounds? Get re-oriented by checking out this panel.

The layout of this aerial photo panel allows travelers to easily read directions.

A closer look at the aerial photo panel shows the detailed information.

Chilly spring temperatures don't reach this bright red bloom inside the glass conservatory in the Sculpture Garden in Minneapolis.

A photo of a newly opened piece of the byway.

The Byway curves around a newly opened part of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway.

Folks gather at the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byways Dedication in 1998.

Visitors enjoy a newly opened piece of the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway.

The Mississippi River passes under an arched bridge in Minneapolis, creating a polished reflection of the city.

Frosty trees line the the Great River Road in winter.

Visitors and residents alike enjoy a walk along the Mississippi Mile in Minneapolis.

The Hiawatha and Minnehaha Statue stands on a small island in the Minnehaha River in Minnehaha Park.

The Ard Godfrey House is the oldest house in Minneapolis and can be found on the St. Anthony Falls Trail.

Visitors stroll the streets of Anthony's Whart on Main Street S.E. on the St. Anthony Heritage Trail. The historic buildings are used for a number of things now. The building in the background is now the Quackery Museum. (As of 2002 or so, the Quackery Museum has moved.)

Umbrellas and tables of an outdoor cafe on the St. Anthony Heritage Trail among some of the oldest buildings in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Modern Art at Cedar Lake on the Cedar Lake Parkway on the Grand Rounds.

The Old Mill Ruins was undergoing restoration on the Grand Rounds.

Flag of the Victory War Memorial at the north end of the Victory Memorial Parkway on the Grand Rounds.

Historic Longfellow and Stevens House on the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway in November.

This section of the lower St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail is viewed from the Stone Arch Bridge on the Grand Rounds.

The Stone Arch Bridge with buildings and the city in the background on the Grand Rounds.

The Kenwood Water Tower is a historic site built in 1910 and still in use in Minneapolis today.

Visitors get ready for a ride in a horsedrawn carriage near the Nicollet Island Inn on Merriam Street on the Grand Rounds.

The Nicollet Island Inn is found on Nicollet Island on the Grand Rounds.

The charming architecture of the Lake Harriet Refectory stands out against the water's edge on the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway.

A colorful giant Lego display stands in the Mall of America.

Kids and adults alike will wonder at this impressive Lego World at the Mall of America.

Brightly colored Lego masterpieces stand on display for visitors at the Mall of America.

Visitors amble around the amusement park at the Mall of America.

Shoppers visit under one of the curves of a rollercoaster at the Mall of America.

The ultimate in amusement park fun is available in the Mall of America.

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, the oldest continuously used church in Minneapolis, can be found on the St. Anthony Heritage Trail on the Grand Rounds.

A riverboat known as the Betsy Northrop comes through the lock and dam on the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail on the Grand Rounds.

Shoppers stroll past a pillar with a helpful story directory and map for this mega-mall south of Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN.

Spring grasses creep up to the Hennepin Avenue Bridge.

Shoppers enjoy the amusement park at the Mall of America.

A rollercoaster twists over other fun rides.

Children would delight at this huge monument built entirely of legos.

A lego spaceman hovers in the air above mall walkers.

This is one of the many old gadgets in the Questionable Medical Device display at the Science Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Years ago, doctors might determine your personality by examining the bumps on your head with this machine. Even today, there are folks who swear by this method, but most conventional doctors dismiss it as "quackery."

Shoppers can browse merchandise on many levels at the country's biggest mall.

A visitor emerges from the Martha Crone Visitor Shelter at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden on the Grand Rounds.

Minnehaha Falls rushes over an edge in Minnehaha Park on the Grand Rounds.

Near the entrance to the Sculpture Gardens, barren trees frame Claes Oldenburg's famous sculpture, "Spoonbridge and Cherry."

Ever in motion, visitors peruse striking works of art inside the Walker Art Center.

Visitors walk amongst dramatic paintings inside the Walker Art Center.

Visitors pause on a stone bridge to gaze at the plummeting Minnehaha Falls in Hiawatha State Park in Minneapolis.

Even closed, the blue buds of this Bottle Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii) glow amidst the greenery at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minneapolis.

These round lakes are part of the 10,000 lakes for which Minnesota is famous.

This lovely orange Prairie Lily (also known as Wood Lily) (Lilium philadelphicum). opened its petals to the delight of visitors to the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden's nature hike one Thursday evening in August.

A botanist explains the herbal qualities of many wildflowers and plants to two visitors to the Eloise Wildflower Gardens in Minneapolis one evening in August.

A single trillium blossoms in the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden on the Grand Rounds.

Yellow Lady Slippers bloom at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden on the Grand Rounds.

Underneath an arch of the Old Stone Bridge in Minneapolis can be seen the old mill ruins.

Two hardy teenagers wade in the Minnehaha River below the Minnehaha Falls on a warm April afternoon.

Minneapolis families stroll before the Minneapolis skyline on an unseasonably warm April afternoon on Lake Calhoun.

A cyclist tows a child in a bike trailer past an onlooker on an unexpectedly warm April afternoon on Lake Calhoun..

A closeup of the statue shows the expressions on Hiawatha and Minnehaha's faces.

The Mississippi waters flow under the Stone Arch Bridge along the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway.

Located in the Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, this statue shows Hiawatha carrying his bride Minnehaha "over wide and rushing rivers."

Golfers enjoy a glorious fall day at the third tee of the Wirth Golf Course in Theodore Wirth Park with the Minneapolis Skyline on the horizon.