Incredible collection of cars, gas pumps, motorcycles and random memorabilia. Had the opportunity…read moreto meet Vaughn and he made our experience even more special with his narratives on the story behind each car. As random as some of the spaces look, there's actually a great deal of thought and work behind each display. There's a bunch of expansion work coming up...so I can see this area being quite the tourist destination, by MN standards

This was amazing!!! My son and I went with our Cub Scout pack and had a tour. We couldn't be more…read morepleasantly surprised by all the automotive collectibles that were there. We saw restored gas pumps, cars, vintage oil cans and more and they are still adding on. Heidi and Jarrid our tour guides were friendly and very knowledgeable on every piece in the collection. If you are in the Buffalo or Monticello, Minnesota area or you want a really cool day trip, be sure to check out Veit Automotive Foundation.

I'm a sucker for the historical society sites and this is no exception. They have some great…read moredisplays in the building and the tour of the fort was informative. The staff was friendly and quite tolerant of curious children. We had the tour to ourselves when we went so had no issues hearing and asking questions. Afterwards we took some trails down by the river and back to the building. Their t-shirts were cute and cheap so we bought one for each member of the family.

The North West Company Fur Post is located west of Pine City proper off of Exit 169. It is an…read moreofficial museum of the Minnesota Historical Society. Apparently, a local farmer found remnants of a fur trading post on his land and contacted the Canadian branch of the North West Trading Company, to get the official plans; and from there, a complete replica of the fur trading post was built. In the interpretive center, the story was told from the perspectives of the Native peoples who hunted and skinned the pelts; the British traders who brought together goods from all throughout the world to trade for the fur they wanted, and the French-Canadian Voyageurs who were the brawn behind the whole apparatus. The story also doesn't shy away from the fact that several intermarraiges took place and how they were resolved for the wives and children when the overseers left their posts and married within the church. (Apparently intermarraige was frowned upon by the Hudson Bay company but allowed and even encouraged by the North West Company and the XY Company whch they acquired). From the museum, we were led out by a person reenacting the Native perspective. She showed us the various animal pelts caught at the post, and how the Native people travelled a 100-mile radius throughout the seasons to fish in summer, hunt and trap in fall, survive the winter, and obtain sugar bush in the spring. She then led us down the path to the fur trading post, explaining room by room, how the post was run, from the youngest 14-year old voyageurs to the junior accountants to the post managers. It was amazing how many moving parts there were in the fur trade, and how the business was run down to every little detail. There is a chance to walk down to the river, or go on a 1/2 mile nature walk. Events also take place at the post all year long -- there are even snowshoes hanging for winter events. It was a very interesting museum and a year-round event center. It is certainly worth the detour if you want something to do in the area.

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.

Drove 20 miles to visit and although the website said it was open when we arrived it was closed.read more

Historic 1855 home in Hudson, WI, just miles from the Twin Cities. With COVID restrictions lifted,…read morethe house is back open and ready to be toured. Come learn about the history of the Moffat family that built this unique home as a group, with friends or even solo! There is something to learn for all ages. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. The Octagon House also serves tea. Be sure to check out their website or give them a call directly to setup tea time. There is even a gift shop on-site where you can purchase glassware, ornaments, and garden decor. My family had a magical day out of the entire experience.

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.

The facility is supposed to be open for visiting and tours. It wasn't until after we arrived and…read moresaw that the house is not open during the week. Very disappointing

Excellent. They do a fantastic job here. Look, there is not much to look at if all you 'see' is an…read moreold house. You need to get to know the old wood and reeds here. The storytelling work they put into their tours is top-notch. I highly recommend for young kids who will enjoy re-tracing Lindbergh's boyhood past. Tours run regularly and run about 45 minutes. You should get there a little bit early to walk around the museum and soak up the narratives. Allow 15-30 minutes at least. From a museum management perspective you can tell the marks of excellent work. The tour is well thought-out and the guides are prepared to answer questions. They draw upon sensations (taste, sight, sound, etc.) to help you experience the home. The cookies are delicious.

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.