Literary tourism is a wonderful hobby. It gives you an excuse to travel to far-flung and…read morelittle-visited spots, not to mention buying unusual souvenirs. In the past, it's motivated me to visit Cambridge, England and Savannah, Georgia. (If you can guess the authors that motivated those trips, you will win a free subscription to my Yelp reviews.) So, when my daughter suggested touring the home of the writer of the Betsy-Tacy books, which we both read and re-read avidly in our girlhoods, of course the answer was yes. Anyone who's read these books knows the story of a life-long friendship between two girls and the realistic depictions of their life growing up in the early 1900's in a small Midwestern town (Deep Valley in the books, Mankato irl.) Not only does the author accurately depict life at that time, she also describes the emotional dynamics and situations of childhood and adolescence in a timeless way. Mankato is about 1 1/2 hours by car from Minneapolis where I was staying. The drive is lovely, especially in fall: maples and sumac in red and orange, cattails waving in the wind. And when you get to your destination, Betsy's house right across the street from Tacy's house, you are rewarded with the sensation that "It's just like in the books!". Aside from the sheer pleasure of visiting an actual early-20th century home which has been beautifully restored, if you are a fan of Maud Hart Lovelace's books, you will have the unique opportunity of seeing many of the familiar settings and items described in her books. As with many authors of fiction, Ms. Lovelace was heavily inspired by her own life but adapted details as needed. However, she had a strong devotion to depicting her hometown as authentically as possible and it shows. You will find many familiar landmarks on the map provided by the museum. If you are a Betsy-Tacy fan, and even if you're not, it's worth a trip to Mankato if only to see a lovely Midwestern small town and a beautifully restored home. Am I over-enthused because I'm a Betsy-Tacy fan? If so, let's just say it's like "Betsy In Spite of Herself." If you want to know why, find out more here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betsy-Tacy and here http://www.betsy-tacysociety.org.

The childhood home of author Maud Hart Lovelace is the fabulous Betsy-Tacy Museum. A wonderful…read moreliterary pilgrimage!

My wife and I visited the Museum of Illusions at the Mall of America and had a pretty fun time!…read moreIt's definitely one of those places where your camera is your best friend--there are tons of cool photo ops and optical illusions that will make you laugh and scratch your head. Some of the illusions are things you've probably seen online, and my wife got dizzy from a few. We had the entire Museum to ourselves and enjoyed taking our time. Staff was very helpful with camera position recommendations and explanations. That said, I do wish there was a bit more to do. The space isn't very big, and it took less than an hour to go through everything. For the price, I expected a few more interactive elements or unique illusions. Overall, I'd recommend it if you're already at the Mall of America and want to do something a little different--especially with friends or family. It's a good spot to laugh, take creative pictures, and see some reality-bending visuals. Just go in knowing it's a short experience and maybe plan something else afterward to make the most of your day!

It's not a huge space, and you can get through it fairly quickly if it's not too crowded. If little…read morebusy, you may have to wait your turn for certain exhibits or to get your photos. Also, while it's cool, the price point might feel a bit high for the length of the visit. Overall, it's a unique stop if you're at MOA and looking for something different and interactive. Great for families, quick entertainment, and fun photo ops for insta influencers or grandmas looking to be hip - just go in knowing it's more of a short experience than a half-day outing. Big shout out to Kimberly. A very kind staff member for helping to understand displays and take pictures.

Small and compact children's museum and I think it's great for little kids. We have 3 & 1 year old…read moreand they are enjoying themselves for hours. They spent the most time in the sandbox. The museum is full of sitting spots for the parents (whos lack of energy like me) to sit. The museum also has a cafe and very reasonable priced drinks. We holds other children museum memberships and the tickets are 50% discounts.

Went there when my 11 year old was 8 and it was a great day we had so much fun between this spot…read moreand Sibley park.

FAMILY FUN DAY at the The Bakken Museum!!! We had an unexpectedly great time. Each of us enjoyed a…read moredifferent aspect of this unique place: - My teen son loved the interactive, tech-inspired exhibits - I loved the beautiful Gothic/Tudor architecture and the history of the families that lived in the mansion throughout the years -Hubby loved the calming outdoor spaces and medicinal gardens - Our tween daughter loved her scavenger hunt for Lego people that were hidden throughout the museum From their website: The Bakken Museum inspires a passion for innovation by exploring the potential for science, technology, and the humanities to make the world a better place. Located on the West shore of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis, the museum features interactive exhibits for all ages and exceptional STEM education programs. Make movies in the Spark exhibit, meet the mother of science fiction in Mary & Her Monster, and test out some of Ben Franklin's favorite experiments in the Electricity Party Room.

A total gem - The Bakken Museum hits hard, not only from…read morethe buzz of learning something new but from how fresh everything feels. Never thought I'd skip this spot for years, even though it's near my usual bike trail. Not just another exhibit hall - it sparks real wonder, like flipping on a light in a dark room. You walk out seeing things differently, especially those hidden powers running behind everyday life. Finding it tucked where it is? Unexpected. Sure, I've passed by loads of times, pedaling right past without stopping. But now? No way am I sleeping on it again. Right when I walked in, it hit me - this place was different, almost magnetic. No question about it, the highlight had to be the West Wing Mansion. It's more than just walls and floors - it's like a snapshot from the past, carefully kept alive. As I moved through the graceful halls, packed with old tools and exhibits, history came alive. Best part? Learning stuff didn't feel forced - it flowed naturally with everything around. The museum isn't about flashy displays - it shows what makes each item tick, telling stories of wild breakthroughs or the clever people who made them happen. Then comes power - yeah, electric juice. Those sections on how electricity works? Totally mind-blowing. Sure, I liked science before, yet this place cranked up my curiosity big time. They break down tricky ideas using simple words, fun visuals, so you actually get it without zoning out. One moment I'm looking at basic ideas, next I'm stuck on complex setups - each exhibit pulled me in. Not just scanning signs, but actually sensing electricity through sound, touch, sight. Walked out knowing way more about how this invisible push shapes everything - from turning on lights to nerves firing in your arms. Totally didn't expect to run into something that matched a story from my English lesson. Keeping details quiet so you can discover it yourself, yet realizing then and there: stories, creativity, facts - they're all tangled up in real life. On top of that, it deepened how I saw things, making the experience stick in my mind like a real-life story. What stands out is how well everything's put together - clearly, care went into reaching different kinds of people. At The Bakken Museum, you get what good exhibit planning looks like in action. Things to touch and try, but nothing flashy or fake-feeling; facts served straight, never too much at once - it just works. Workers knew their stuff, genuinely excited, which lifted the whole vibe. Curious about how science shaped life? Head to The Bakken Museum - it'll grab your attention no matter who you are. It might just do it better than school, it sure did for me! This isn't just for nerds or kids; it's for anyone who likes surprises. You'll learn stuff without feeling like you're studying, laugh a bit, maybe jump when something zaps. Honestly, few places deliver this much fun with electricity - real and metaphorical. Skip waiting around like I did. Just go.

We stopped at the SPAM Museum on a whim after seeing several signs for it while driving through the…read morearea, and we're glad we did. Admission is free, and while the museum isn't very large, it's surprisingly fun, engaging, and well put together. The exhibits cover the history of SPAM, its cultural impact, and include an impressive collection of memorabilia from throughout the years. Everything is presented in a lighthearted and interactive way, making it enjoyable even if you're not a die-hard SPAM fan. One unexpected highlight was trying the SPAMples, which we thought were delicious and a fun twist on the classic product. If you're passing through the area, this museum is definitely worth the stop. It's a unique roadside attraction that's entertaining, educational, and easy to enjoy in an hour or two.

No foolin', I took my family to the Spam Museum on April 1 for a fun day trip to Austin. I feel it…read morehas to be a write a passage as a homegrown Minnesotan to experience the Spam Museum once in your life. This free museum is right in the heart of downtown Austin and offers a fun little escape from cruddy weather outside or just to step into something historically and culturally unique in our world. I mean, a whole museum dedicated to canned meat? Weird! You can tell that a lot of creativity and thoughtful care went into the design and creation of this museum. So many bright and fun exhibits, there is not a corner left untouched. Lots of unique, hands-on opportunities for kids as well as some very cool historical offerings make this a great place for all ages. All of the exhibits are of high quality and very thought out. After your visit, you might just be inspired to stop at the grocery store afterwards and try your hand at "spiced canned ham" or in other words SPAM!

The Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum is located next to the Amusement Park and also contains an…read moreIowa Welcome Center and a Gift Shop. The Iowa Rock n' Roll museum and the Queen II Excursion Boat are also a short walk away for those who want to experience a historical Lakes "trifecta". And when I stopped by a few weeks ago, there was also a Victory motorcycle rally and exhibition in progress, which made this area the central place for a lot of interesting things see and do. The Museum itself contains historic memorabilia of the Iowa Great Lakes, which includes Spirit Lake, Big Spirit Lake, and both Okoboji Lakes. It has on display restored wooden boats, historical photographs, and other artifacts. Multimedia presentations have been developed to illustrate the nautical and ecological history of this area of Iowa. Premier exhibits include the Old Okoboji store, a resurrected wooden boat and hundreds of riveting photos of past lakes area vacationers. I'm now old enough to have seen some of these historical exhibits outside of the museum! And when I look at old Fun House pictures of the Sugar Bowl, I wonder how I escaped injury! The other interesting learning experience are the stories of all the water craft that sank on West Okoboji (e.g. #30 Boat), and those of which that are still down there. And every summer that I return, I learn something new.

First time came here on Sunday!! we looked around to find some info and the area events, then we…read morelook around the museum!! I recommend this place and friendly staff!!

So much fun! Lots of learning and fun activities. Went for an event…read more Had a child with me. So many activities for kids! She had so much fun, learned a lot about animals, constellations, the environment and more Food: catered by event- Delicious tacos and dessert. Multiple meat options, veggie, Vegan options and gluten friendly as well Parking: Metered parking - had discounted parking. There are a few lots you can park at. One at museum and a few others. We had a shuttle pick up available at the further lots through the events Highly recommend for children but also very interesting for adults! Don't miss the planetarium or the Woolly Mammoth!

The staff was so kind, and my nephew loved all the animals, skulls, and reptiles. The ticket…read moreservice was excellent, and the layout made sense. My nephew and I spent over an hour there, and he had so many questions and wanted to go back!