Major city · United States
Burnsville
Skip Burnsville unless you have a specific reason (skiing at Buck Hill, shopping at Burnsville Center, or visiting family). Use it as a quick stop on I-35 between Minneapolis and the south, not a base.
Burnsville is a suburban city 15 minutes south of Minneapolis, best known for the Buck Hill ski area and the Burnsville Center mall. Most travellers pass through on I-35 without stopping. If you come, half a day covers the main attractions; one night works if you are skiing or visiting family.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug (outdoor activities), Dec–Feb (skiing at Buck Hill)
- avoid Mar–Apr (mud season, no snow, not yet warm)
- Airport
- MSP
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Burnsville911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Burnsville, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyBurnsville is a safe suburban city.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (About 15–20 min drive north on I-35W; taxi or rideshare about US$30–45 (check).).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (Starbucks or local café)$3–5
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner (chain restaurant, one entrée)$15–25
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi / rideshare 5 km (3.1 mi)Taxi / rideshare 3.1 mi (5 km)$12–18
- Budget bedSki lodge near Buck Hill, a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedBudget chain hotel (Super 8, Motel 6), a night, per roomUS$100
- High-end bedBudget chain hotel (Super 8, Motel 6), a night, per roomUS$130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (About 15–20 min drive north on I-35W; taxi or rideshare about US$30–45 (check).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Best
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Mar
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
Avoid
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
Best
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: Jun–Aug, Dec–Feb. Avoid: Mar–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Burnsville: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
8 rd
Feb
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
7 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
8 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Burnsville is spread out along I-35W and County Road 42. Metro Transit bus 465 connects to Minneapolis, but service is infrequent. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) works.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 20–30 min
I-35W north, about 15 min
Museums, lakes, Mill City Museum, Walker Art Center.
Door to door: 25–35 min
I-35E north, about 20 min
Cathedral, Science Museum, Minnesota History Center.
Door to door: 15–20 min
I-35W north, about 10 min
Mall of America, IKEA, Nickelodeon Universe.
Door to door: 20–25 min
County Road 5 west, about 15 min
Lake Minnetonka waterfront, shops, restaurants.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Near I-35W / Burnsville Center
Chain hotels (Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, etc.) clustered around the mall and highway; easy access to the freeway.
Buck Hill area
A few lodges and cabins near the ski hill; best for winter sports.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range chain (Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn)1 × 1 night × US$150 | US$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Buck Hill lift ticket (weekend, full day)2 × US$55 · check | US$110 |
| Rideshare MSP → Burnsville2 × US$40 · check | US$80 |
| Gas for a day of driving (about 50 km)1 × US$8 | US$8 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$59 |
| Trip total≈ US$324 per person per day, bed included | US$647 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (Starbucks or local café) | $3–5 |
| Fast-food meal (McDonald's, Chipotle) | $8–12 |
| Sit-down dinner (chain restaurant, one entrée) | $15–25 |
| Buck Hill lift ticket (weekend)check | $45–65 |
| Gas (per gallon)check | $3.00–3.50 |
| Taxi / rideshare 5 km | $12–18 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Buck Hill is a small local hill, not a destination resort; check snow conditions before driving.
- Burnsville Center has lost some anchor stores; call ahead if you are after a specific brand.
- I-35W can back up at rush hour (7:00–9:00, 16:00–18:30).I-35W can back up at rush hour (7:00 AM–9:00 AM, 4:00 PM–6:30 PM).
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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BurnsvilleBurnsville
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MSP → Burnsville (rideshare): about $30–45, 15–20 min (check)
- Burnsville → Minneapolis (rideshare): about $20–30, 15 min (check)
- Burnsville Center → Buck Hill (rideshare): about $10–15, 10 min (check)
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom?
English is universal; no local phrase needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Burnsville. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug (outdoor activities), Dec–Feb (skiing at Buck Hill) · avoid Mar–Apr (mud season, no snow, not yet warm) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialCity of Burnsville official website
- officialBuck Hill official site
- officialBurnsville Center
- secondaryWikivoyage: Burnsville, revision 4767189 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Burnsville
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