Franconia Sculpture Park Tour Program
Franconia Sculpture Park invites groups to explore the 50-acre outdoor contemporary art exhibition with the help of our trained tour guides. There are a variety of tour options intended to fit each group’s needs and engage visitors in a variety of ways.
Planning a visit with your school or community group? Please fill out the Group Visit Form below.
Franconia General Tour Information
One-Hour Artist-Led Guided Exhibition Tour
Participate in an artist-led tour of the contemporary outdoor exhibition of over 100 works of art. This tour will provide your group with an overview of the park’s mission and history and help you learn more about the artists and sculptures. Tour guides are trained to encourage group discussion and facilitate active participation as well as critical thinking from visitors. Tours can be themed, if desired, to cover specific topics of interest relevant to your group.
Guided Tours are $5 per participant. Limit 100 participants.
Observe and Interpret Tour
Observe and Interpret tours are designed for children ages K-12. Schools, community organizations, scouts, and more are welcome to schedule these 1.5 hour tours. Your group will be led on a 45-minute tour through the sculpture exhibition by one of our resident artists. During the tour, your group will have the opportunity to view and interact with artwork and visit the outdoor studio space. The tour concludes with a 45-minute art-making activity designed to encourage participants to reflect upon what they saw and learned in the Park.
Observe and Interpret tours are $10 per participant. Limit 50 participants.
Self-Guided Tours
Franconia is open from 8am-8pm, 365 days a year for free self-guided exploration of the outdoor contemporary exhibition. We ask that groups arriving in oversized vehicles (bus, coach, etc.) and groups of 25 or more notify Franconia staff of their visit in advance. Please email info@franconia.org or call the office at 651-257-6668.
Suggested Activities:
- Visit Franconia Commons for more information on current artists and programs.
- Read the posted signs at each sculpture to find out information about the sculpture and the artist(s).
- Check out our online activities. Print out a scavenger hunt or sculpture crossword puzzle and bring it with on your visit.
Special Tours
Periodically Franconia Sculpture Park offers special tours. Join our mailing list to be notified of upcoming events!
Accessibility
The grounds are flat with gravel trails and mowed paths. All trails are passable by electrically powered chairs, but some trails are strenuous for manual chairs. We offer accessible parking and restroom facilities. We also have golf carts available April 15 – October 15 for those who require mobility assistance touring the exhibition. Please visit Franconia Commons to rent a golf cart during your visit.
Do you have an idea for a tour that isn’t listed here? Email info@franconia.org – we can work together to make a tour that fits your group’s needs!
General Guidelines
Guided Tours must be scheduled at least one week in advance to ensure availability and preparation.
For groups larger than 20 participants, we will divide into smaller manageable groups. For K-12 aged tours, we ask that there be two chaperones per twenty participants.
Please supervise children at all times. The tall grass can become a labyrinth in the summer months.
Franconia Sculpture Park bans weapons of any type on the premises.
Franconia’s Tour Facilities
The entire tour is outdoors. Please prepare for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
There are public restrooms in Franconia Commons and bottled water for sale at the front desk.
We offer several picnic tables at the Park. Bring a lunch or snack for before or after your tour.
Cancellations, Delays, or Rescheduling
Franconia provides tours rain, snow, or shine. Tours must be cancelled at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled visit. If a tour is cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice, or you do not show up, then you will be sent an invoice for the full amount. There will be no charge for tours that are cancelled or rescheduled with more than 48 hours notice. Should weather become dangerous, the tour can be rescheduled within that 48 hour period with no fee. Please email info@franconia.org or call our office at 651-257-6668 for assistance.
Groups that arrive late will receive a condensed tour at the originally quoted price. If you are running late, please let us know that you are on your way by calling our office at 651-257-6668. Tour guides will wait 15 minutes for your group to arrive. Groups later than 15 minutes will have their tour cancelled, and will be encouraged to do a self-guided tour of the park.
Tour Fees
Payments can be made via cash, check, or card at Franconia Commons the day of the tour. Chaperones and teachers are exempt from the tour fee.
Location
29836 St. Croix Trail
Shafer, MN 55074
Franconia Sculpture Park resides on the ancestral Dakota lands of the Wahpekute in Mni Sota Makoce, along the St. Croix River which also holds significance by the Ojibwe and other Native peoples. We recognize, support and advocate for all Native nations and will actively center Native voices in our work.
Hours
The grounds of Franconia Sculpture Park are open 365 days a year from 8am-8pm.
The Franconia Commons building is open:
Apr. 15 – Nov. 14:
Closed Mondays
Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm
Nov. 15 – Apr. 14: Friday-Sunday, 10am-4pm
Closed on National Holidays
Parking
Learn the differences between land art, public art, and sculpture!