
Take a Mighty Ducks-Themed Tour of Minnesota
Take a Mighty Ducks-Themed Tour of Minnesota
By Caitlin Hannah
Calling all fans of The Mighty Ducks franchise! It's time to skate your way across the State of Hockey on a self-guided tour of Minnesota that even Gordon Bombay would approve of, starting with the 1991 movie that spawned two sequels and a Disney+ series.
"THE MIGHTY DUCKS"
Gaviidae Common & Skyways
Minneapolis
In one of the most memorable scenes of the movie, the Mighty Ducks rollerblade through the world-famous skyways of downtown Minneapolis. When the Ducks visit the skyway, they skate over Nicollet Mall and Fulton Reed memorably rolls down the glass steps of Gaviidae Common.
These days you may barely recognize Nicollet (which received a dramatic face lift and dropped the "mall" from its name a few years back) but the steps at Gaviidae Common are still just like you remember.

The Landmark Center in the heart of downtown St. Paul / Visit Saint Paul
Landmark Center
St. Paul
During the scene where Coach Bombay and Charlie’s mom stroll through a winter festival and admire the ice sculptures, the “ice castle” overlooking the park is actually the Landmark Center, a popular event center that hosts a variety of events throughout the year (including the annual Saint Paul Winter Carnival the movie seems to be imitating).
Mickey's Diner
St. Paul
Ducks fans will recognize Mickey’s as the 24-hour diner in downtown St. Paul where Charlie’s mom works. The historic, red and yellow dining car is the most-filmed location in Minnesota and one of America's first Art Deco-styled diners. But despite its impressive pedigree, Mickey's remains one of the city's best spots for a cheap and tasty meal. Whether you're on a Ducks tour or simply looking for the best hash browns in town, Mickey's has you covered.

A local hockey team lines up at Parade Ice Garden / Credit: Vintage Minnesota Hockey
Parade Ice Garden
Minneapolis
The first meeting between the District Five team and the Hawks takes place at this indoor rink near the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

Coach Bombay and the Mighty Ducks at Peavey Park / Walt Disney Pictures
Peavey Park
Minneapolis
Shortly after agreeing to coach the team, Coach Bombay takes his limousine onto the ice at Peavey Park to meet up with a group of soon-to-be Ducks players. Located just south of downtown Minneapolis, the park has a playground, walking paths, picnic areas and more—but no hockey rink. That was pure movie magic.
"D2: THE MIGHTY DUCKS"
Band Box Diner
Minneapolis
After their memorable rollerblade tour across the Twin Cities, the team reunites with Coach Bombay in front of the Band Box Diner in the Elliot Park neighborhood. The Band Box is one of our favorite Minneapolis restaurants, and has been serving up greasy spoon delights since 1939. The building even was designated a local landmark by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission in 2000.

The Mighty Ducks pose for a photo while rollerblading around Lake Harriet in Minneapolis / Walt Disney Pictures
Chain of Lakes
Minneapolis
Collectively known as the Chain of Lakes, these five Minneapolis lakes are some of the best places to spend time outside in the Twin Cities and boast miles of paved paths for outdoor activities like running, walking, biking and, of course, roller blading, The Ducks can be seen blading around Lake Harriet and Lake of the Isles.

A couple overlooks the St. Croix River from a rock cliff in Interstate State Park / Paul Vincent
Interstate State Park
Taylors Falls
The team can be found weaving through roads near Interstate State Park. On the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin, this park has spectacular views of the St. Croix River, rock formations, a scenic river boat tour and great spots to hike.

Credit: Kramarczuk's
Kramarczuk Sausage Company
Minneapolis
As the team's rollerblading group grows, it crosses over the mighty Mississippi River to grab Goldberg at his family’s deli. Detail-oriented viewers may notice the Goldberg family business looks an awful lot like Kramarcuzk Sausage Company in Northeast Minneapolis. That's because the scene was filmed inside of this popular Polish deli and restaurant. You probably won’t find Goldberg behind the counter if you visit today, but you'll still leave happy after seeing the incredible variety of meats, cheeses, baked goods and Eastern European foods.

Nickelodeon Universe's carousel ride at Mall of America
Mall of America
Bloomington
Thanks to this iconic scene, every Mighty Ducks fan dreams of skating through Mall of America: After convincing Averman to ditch his post at the mall's movie theater, the group blades through the mall's in-house amusement park, which was known as Camp Snoopy when the movie was filmed and has since rebranded as Nickelodeon Universe. Much of the park has changed since "D2" was released, but the carousel and log flume are both practically untouched, perfect if you're seeking Ducks-era nostalgia.

Bike or walk across the Mississippi River on the Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis / Paul Vincent
Stone Arch Bridge
Minneapolis
As the rollerblading group grows, they make their way to the Stone Arch Bridge and are reunited with Connie and Guy who share a romantic moment high above the Mississippi River.
"D3: THE MIGHTY DUCKS"
Herbie's on the Park
St. Paul
D3 focuses mostly on the team’s time at school but still manages to visit a few local spots including Herbie’s on the Park, where the Ducks go to dine with the varsity hockey team. Named for Minnesota hockey player and coach Herb Brooks, the restaurant is full of impressive hockey memorabilia and conveniently located just a short walk from the Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild.
Shattuck St. Mary's
Faribault
The Ducks' fictional prep school, Eden Hall, is a composite of four Minnesota facilities: Shattuck St. Mary’s in Faribault, Carleton College in Northfield, and Cretin-Derham High School and St. Catherine's University in St. Paul.
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