A must see if you are in the Twin Cities and the whole region. This cultural center serves as a…read moremuseum and a community center for the nation. The gift shop has art and other products all from small businesses. Once you arrive there is a small introduction from the staff and you are allow to learn at your leisure. There is a free parking lot but you can also take a ride share, just be mindful of surge pricing.

This cultural center is a sight to behold! I love the architecture- both the exterior and interior…read moreare modern and flowing, yet so thoughtful in how it connects with the greater meaning of the Dakota people (who find symbolism in circles and cycles). The sky-light in the ceiling mirrors the tribe's logo. The lower level is specifically members-only, so if you are visiting, you will not be able to view the lower level. We discovered that there was a fun masquerade happening after-hours the day we visited; it's nice to know there is involvement all the time from community members! The upper level is where visitors can come to explore the museum and learn about this region's specific segment of the Dakota tribe and the dialect they speak. You will get to see authentic and historic pieces that were unearthed in the burial mounds right here in the Shakopee area! Wow! Also many outfits worn by men and women. Two painted murals are very impressive as well. There are many exhibits to read from and interact with, many of which also include Dakota language read aloud so you can listen along. I especially liked learning that the tribe had specific words for older and younger brothers/sisters. My favorite exhibit was the teepee lined with real buffalo skins that you could sit inside and listen to recordings of oral history stories that might've been told back in the day while pretending to be next to a warm bonfire! Very immersive. I also really liked the origin story told at the beginning of the self-guided tour; the video played in 360 degrees as well as directly above you as if you were looking up at the sky/stars. It really made it special and memorable. Another fun experience for younger visitors is the bead stringing simulation with colored wooden blocks- choose a fun pattern and assemble like a puzzle! You will also be exposed to the tragedies that befell the tribe with the invasion of European settlers and learn the harsh struggles the community had in retaining its culture during that time. Further, there are exhibits of more contemporary times as the community has been able to secure more land, grow, and look toward providing for its future generations. Really remarkable the strength and hope showcased at the end of the tour and really wraps up the experience nicely. The rate for adults/general admission is $8. Seniors, educators, and students get a discount for $5. There is an occupancy limit of fifty individuals at a time. Be sure to stop at the giftshop to purchase unique gifts that benefit the community and the artists themselves that create the crafts. You'll find lotions, balms, incense, food items, maple syrup, incredible quilts, blankets, plushies, keychains, beanies, jewelry, pins, postcards, decorative pieces, books, and more. There is also a library full of great literature to learn even more if you choose, free of charge. Honestly, if you are in the area, this place is a must-go! Wonderful experience, and the employees are very friendly and knowledgeable too.

Rosalux Gallery focuses on contemporary art. The work displayed is well curated, interesting and…read morechallenging (in a good way). The gallery space is beautiful, spare and relaxing. Well worth a look-see.

This place is an art Mecca located here in MPLS! A creative…read morespace showcasing outstanding work From artists both domestic and International! Founded by a pair of very gifted, local artists! 2 Enthusiastic thumbs up!

Light Grey Art Lab is a charming little gallery! I've never been to an actual show, but I love this…read moreplace because they showcase a lot of local talent and the art prints are so unique and affordable. Artists include a wide range, such as jewelry, print makers, painters, graphic, etc. I've bought several prints from the gallery for around $20-$30. I love to visit Light Grey Art Lab because it gets me inspired!

Beautifully preserved prairie school style home. MIA manages this property and the guide was…read moreincredibly knowledgeable and thorough in helping bring the home alive. Our tour had about 10 people which was a good amount. I had a fun time trying to find the subtle differences in the stained glass windows. On street parking was easy. I will have to come back in the summer to see more of the outside and gardens. I'd also like to walk around the neighborhood. Beautiful area. Enjoyed this tour very much.

The Purcell-Cutts house is owned by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and is open for tours the…read moresecond weekend of every month. It was built in the early 1900s, and has been preserved (with the replacement of some of the original furniture with look-alikes) almost entirely as it was back then. The tours are very informative, and cheap too; $5 for non-members, free if you're a member of the MIA. Being that it's a turn-of-the-century house, it wasn't built to accommodate wheelchairs, unfortunately. Also, you should call ahead if someone in your party has trouble walking up stairs or standing for long periods of time.

Beautiful historical building with grey photo opportunities and a few small but exquisite museums…read moreinside! I walked into this center while attending a conference in the Saint Paul hotel across the street. I was so pleasantly surprised by how beautiful the inside is, how nice the two museums (a musical instrument museum, with amazingly beautiful old pianos, and a woodwork museum with a great collection of carved wood items) are, and how friendly and helpful the staff/volunteers were inside the center. And all of that is free to the visitors! What a wonderful opportunity to see the region's history and culture , and meet some friendly locals! I can't recommend this place enough!

Gorgeous historical building with a variety of exhibits and restored courtrooms. The woodwork…read morethroughout the building was all hand-carved, as was the stonework. A wonderful space in which to wander!

Nice little free museum on UMN campus! I walked past this museum so many times during grad school…read moreand working here, but never went in until now. It has such an iconic exterior I'm glad I finally went in! This is a pretty small collection, easily doable in under an hour. They have some nice collections: my favorites were the Turkish rugs/rug exhibition and the Korean cabinets and dressers. It's all on one floor so very accessible and easy to get around. Bathrooms on the second floor with a deck view too. We loved their gift shop - so many unique and awesome things there that would be perfect for gifting!

In town visiting relatives and looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon. Despite the…read moreGopher football game that afternoon we ventured onto campus and easily found parking in the art museum's parking lot. The museum's exterior is typical Frank Gehry and very interesting. The museum itself is free and actually rather small. Given its size I am guessing much of their collection cannot be displayed. What they did have displayed was mildly interesting. I think we spent maybe 30 minutes or so exploring. Bottom line I wouldn't go out of my way to visit this unless you are a big fan of Frank Gehry's architecture.

We had driven by this museum countless times over the years and were so glad to finally check it…read moreout. The museum used to be an old San Antonio mission style church constructed in the 1920's. It was really cool how it was converted into a museum. The museum houses art from both pre and post Soviet Era. They had a really amazing visiting exhibit called the Violins of Hope that featured violins crafted and played by Holocaust Jews. It was a great day to spend the morning.

I have had this museum on my list for a long time. My first visit was on my own and I brought my…read moresketchbook. My second was with the Urban Sketchers group. It's an old church redesigned as a museum so the architecture is open and airy. When I visited, nesting dolls were the main feature. So many dolls. I appreciated being able to play with some on my own. A special exhibit of botanical mushrooms were an outstanding display of watercolors. In the lower level, the Milkmaids Novela is a wonderful painting. Three milkmaids are enjoying a break from work and huge laugh. It made me so happy I couldn't stop looking at it. There is a parking by lot across the street for free parking and there was also plenty of street parking. Staff was wonderful. So glad I finally visited.

I have been purchasing art from Janella at art resourses for many years. I had a modern home that…read moreneeded colorful abstract art and I was able to get both large pieces and some smaller less expensive pieces, too. We now have a more traditional home and I'm sure we will find exactly what we need there as well. Janella is highly knowledgeable with a great eye and always takes great care to insure every detail is just perfect. I would highly recommend Art Resourses to anyone in the twin cities

I absolutely love this gallery. It's a very inviting setting giving me a sense of peace and warmth…read moreas I explore the works of art. I've had a number of pieces framed there and have been pleased with every single item. The staff is helpful and friendly, but not overbearing, giving me the space and time I need to explore. Not everything there appeals to me, but that's not what I expect. There's enough variety that I can always find some pieces that I can connect with. I highly recommend this gallery!