We got a family membership as a gift last year (2024) and both of our kids love coming here…read more There are a variety of interactive activities for kids (and adults) of all ages. Our boys' favorite activity is the one you get to race against professional athletes, T-Rex or TC Bear! It's great that the Omnitheater shows are included in our membership.

One star less only because the science museum had "event rates" for the Grand Casino Arena, when…read moreyou're clearly going to the Science Museum as a family... Anyway, it was a great day with plenty of old staples like viruses and physics and weather. We visited the Skin exhibit which was pretty cool and they had a new sports exhibit too that the kids and adults had a blast at. Perfect for a winter escape!

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.

James J. Hill House is spectacular. It is a feat of ingenious to see all the beauty that went into…read morethis home. I have been on a tour here twice and have enjoyed each one. The tours were in different seasons, so we were able to see different parts of the home. Thank you to everyone that works on the upkeep of this magnificent home and spreads the history of how it came to be. Go support them and learn more about MN history!

Visiting my college roommate in St. Paul. She's a member of the Minnesota Historical Society so she…read morebrought me to this amazing historical landmark for free today. We enjoyed our docent-led tour by Peter, who mostly told stories, about James and Mary Hill and their family, while interspersing interesting historical facts throughout. My favorite rooms were by far the library/study where I would've chosen to sit on a sun bench to read by natural light and gaze out at Summit Street to people watch and admire the magnificent Cathedral of St Paul across the street; and the art gallery which houses a grandiose organ with pipies up to the ceiling. I also appreciated the ingenius laundry drying rack system they had contrived back then. If you're in the area, it's well worth a visit and 1 hour 15 min of your time!

Absolutely wonderful museum in an historical building with free admission. The staff were friendly…read moreand informative. The museum tour was excellent and the art collection wonderful. It was a great way to spend a winter day! Highly recommended!

Beautiful museum and lives up to its name : American Art!…read more Nicely curated objects representing people of all colors and different heritages - from native Americans to new Asian immigrants, and many more! From big names like Paul Manship (he did the Prometheus in front of the Rockefeller Center) and Grant Wood, to local artists like George Morrison, to new Hmong artists who are eager to make their works seen, this museum has a great collection and the juxtaposition of their works present a scene none less amazing than the American culture today! FREE!

I have been to the history center multiple times in my life, starting with the classic minnesotan…read morefield trip in grade school. I have been back a few times for a few of their special exhibits. We went when the peanuts exhibit was here, I went with the Junior League of Minneapolis when there was a womens exhibit and we just went to see the Julia Child exhibit that ends at the end of May. Every Thursday evening admission is free which is absolute treat (Parking too!). We found ourselves here for the final game of round 1 for the Wild (GO WILD) and discovered they were allowing parking for the game and there was a line to get in (I think they charged $20). I called as there was a line to see if they had different parking for museum guests, which they did reserve several for museum guests, so we got to park for free which was amazing. The History Center does a really great job of mixing the educational and interactive aspects. On the day we attended we discovered they also had a music series going on (starting at 6:30) so we were able to sit and hear some beautiful music as well which was a added bonus and something we didn't know they did. There are exhibits that are totally kid friendly which is great as it caters to such a wide variety of people.

Revised Version Bon…read moreAppétit. This exhibit at the Minnesota History Center tells the story of Julia Child's life, from college to the Office of Strategic Services (the precursor to the Central Intelligence Agency) to becoming one of television's first celebrity chefs. Julia's life story is one of adaptation and surprise. She grew up wealthy, went to Smith College, and joined the Office of Strategic Services because she was too tall for the Women's Army Corps (WAC). She was promoted from typist to the Secret Intelligence division. It was in this role that she met her husband, Paul Child, who also worked for the OSS. She later worked in several restaurants, developed recipes, and wrote best-selling cookbooks. Eventually, she became the host of the television show The French Chef, which debuted in 1962. She appeared on television until near the end of her life in 2004. The exhibit at the Minnesota History Center does an excellent job of presenting her entire life story, mostly through photographs and descriptions. It includes many of her cooking implements, handwritten notes, letters, and recipes. There are also several video displays showing episodes of The French Chef. However, I think the highlight of the exhibit is the giant (and I mean GIANT) cookbook display that scrolls through pages of the book. Another highlight is a replica of the kitchen studio she used on her TV show, which was designed by her husband, Paul. When we visited, there were many school groups. However, I don't feel this exhibit is really designed for kids, since most of them would have no idea who Julia Child was--even as a TV chef--since she died more than 20 years ago. I also don't think the exhibit is interactive enough to hold the attention of anyone in high school or younger. That's not really a criticism--just an observation. If I were a parent or school volunteer, I would probably steer kids toward some of the other exhibits in the History Center. One amusing moment came from a kid standing in the kitchen display and yelling, "I'm Gordon Ramsay!" I suspect Julia would have been disappointed in how some cooking shows have evolved since her time--but I have to admit, it was pretty funny.

If you are looking for something to do, or entertaining an art lover from out of town, the MIA is…read moreone of those overlooked treasures. I will start with a story. My cousin, a New York City native, was flying from Italy to New York, but couldn't get to NYC because of huge snowstorm, so she was diverted to Minneapolis (ironic, huh?). She happens to be an art teacher with a masters in Art History. Since she was "stuck" here, she asked if she could visit one of the art museums. She told me later that she thought it was probably going to be a 15 minute trip because "Who would believe that Minneapolis could have any art worth seeing, or at least in any quantity." That 15-minute planned visit took FOUR HOURS. She was impressed with not only the artists that are represented, but the quality of the artist's work that is displayed at the MIA. According to her, many museums have the famous-name artists, but not necessarily their "A" rated works. She raved about the diversity of artists, styles, time periods, etc. and kept calling it a min-version of Metropolitan Museum of Art. I explained to her that the museum is filled with donations from wealthy Minnesotans such as the MacMillans, the Daytons, as well as many corporate companies that are headquartered here such as Target, Medtronic, Ameriprise, Wells Fargo, and US Bank. When she got home, she kept telling me how she couldn't believe that it was free and that we actually parked (for free) right in front of the museum. She also told me that it gave her ideas for lesson plans for the next several months. This story exemplifies what we often take for granted. Minneapolis has several world-class museums and this is definitely in the top five. In addition to the permanent collections, there are always special exhibits (which do cost extra) that travel from museum to museum. For example, the Terracotta Warriors, Silver Treasures from Bergen, Norway, Native Photography, 1890 to Now, Ancient Egyptian Art from the British Museum, and a massive showcase of Impressionist masters that attracted 155,198 visitors. Also impressive is the variety of exhibits, such as Star Wars: The Magic of Myth, Dale Chihuly: Glass Installations 1964-1997, and Royal Bronzes: Cambodian Art of the Divine, which included The Reclining Vishnu: The centerpiece was a monumental, thousand-year-old bronze sculpture of the Hindu god Vishnu, which is considered a Cambodian national treasure. This 7-foot-long figure was reconstructed from fragments for the first time in centuries which too a years-long restoration project.

I loved thier special exhibit ( Modern Art and Politics ) and the Tibetan Meditation Room. The…read moreLayout is bizarre and some of my favorite artists weren't represented. The Minneapolis Art Institute is free. The Special exhibit is a special ticket that costs $$ unless you're a member. I went two days and I found free street parking not too far away. When I visited the Prairie Movement featuring Grant Wood and Frank Lolyd Wright I looked for Thomas Hart Benton... He was Missing in Action. MIA has several museum caliber pieces ( by Benton ), in storage. When I asked if they have any American Pop Art, the answer is Yes, but they were all MIA. In MIA's Not on View exhibit. When I asked about surrealism, they said if they have it, it's probably on the second floor. The Layout of MIA is by region and time period. The staff is very helpful at guiding me, but exact answers were challenging. Art is supposed to be for all. MIA has a massive collection, ten percent is on view at any given time. When you visit, you can type in the artist you are looking for on the website. Hopefully you'll be able to see what you seek.

Our family has had an annual pass for several years and both of our boys love coming here…read more Their favorites are the big slides and laser game. They also enjoy the variety of rooms/areas and rotating exhibits that the Minnesota Children's Museum has. Great place for kids of many ages!

Always such a fun time here! My kids are 5 and 7 and have been coming here for years. We got the…read moremembership so it's worth it. We don't live too far so we can come quite often. They usually have deals around the holidays. $20-$30 off so that's what we usually do for memberships. Parking is pretty simple here, I like that they have a ramp, it does cost a few dollars and you have to get it validated but it beats having to find street parking. It's usually not too crowded when we go so finding parking is not bad. The ramp goes right to the elevator. We like how they have multiple levels of fun. They switch it up enough that the kids like exploring the new exhibit. They like their familiar exhibits too. We usually spend 2-3 hours here and it tires the kids out. If it's your first time there you may want to bring extra clothes and shoes in case the kids get wet. They have a few areas where kids can play with water and depending on how messy the kid is you might need spare clothes. My kids love the art exhibit and always spend a lot of time creating masterpieces there. They also have a baby area so if you have little ones feel free to bring them! They do have a small cafe with snacks and drinks so if you do get hungry you can buy food. There is also a subway right outside the museum. A lot of people will pack lunches and snacks and you are free to eat in the museum. It's a nice location by lots of restaurants so if you want to go out after it's a good option too.

The name, "Minnesota Transportation Museum" is an umbrella name for three locations: the Osceola…read moreand St. Croix Valley Railway, which gives 90-minute rides; The Minnehaha Depot, which was restored to its 1890s appearance, and this location, the Jackson Street Roundhouse, which is a museum with indoor and outdoor trains. The event I signed up for is called Tots and Trains is geared for ages two to five. It includes full access to the museum (but not actual train rides), Story Time readings, a small snack, and crafts ($11 for adults, $6 for ages 3 to 6). The normal adult admission is $16.05. I would say there are two audiences for this museum. If you have a small child and are looking for a 2 hours or so of entertainment, your toddler will have a blast playing with all of the levers and buttons on the actual trains, as well as watching the model railroad, the various play areas, and the built-in story time and snack. My toddler had a blast. The second very different audience would be older teen through adults who are train buffs. They are at least half a dozen (or more) actual train engines inside the museum and volunteers who are happy to give you as much detail as you could possibly want. If you are model railroad person, this is also a good place to check out their very large exhibit. I'm glad this part of history has been preserved by this museum and the hard-working volunteers.

Nice railroad historical museum with a short train ride included with entrance fee…read more Run by very enthusiastic volunteers. Had to say thank you four times and escape to the bathroom to get out of a couple lectures we didn't ask for. Love the enthusiasm but wanted to just look at stuff ourselves after 5 minutes. We're more readers and enjoyed the plaques and write ups discovering info ourselves. Interesting for kids a bit older but saw lots of toddlers exploring. Interesting for a couple hours. Some awkward stairs into some of the outdoor exhibits that could be difficult.

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!

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.