You have to stop in here if you are at art-a-whirl. This is a huge building with multiple levels of…read moreart and shops. We wanted to buy everything here. Lots to look at here! The employees who worked at the gallery were very friendly and helpful explaining the artists work and we were easily able to buy even though it was very busy.

It's always a fun time coming here especially during events and open studios. This place is a…read morelandmark in the northeast arts district and is filled to the brim of local art to admire and take home. I've come here multiple times and have left with quite a few pieces now especially from DC Ice and AMF. Artists art friendly and are happy to chat or give you space, accommodating your desired experience. I would highly recommend coming during one of their major events during the fall or during art a whirl when the place is bustling with crowds to really add to the warmth of the space this place exudes.

This was an awesome little art gallery. Just happened to stop in on the way to meet my bro for…read morehappy hour at pajarito. There's lots of shops in the area so was fun to pause and see some unique art!! The place is a little worn but in a way just adds to the character of the place! It was cool to hear that it's one of the oldest art gallery companies in Mpls. If you're in the area or shopping on 50th stop in and see what's on display!

Curated art for all budges available to purchase in Uptown!…read more Douglas Flanders & Associates is a fabulous addition to the Uptown art scene. I stumbled upon the gallery earlier this week and was blown away by the unique collection of art they are curating from local and national artists. Of course some art was a bit out of my price range, but I was encouraged to see they also carry art that is very affordable and moderately sized for us apartment dwellers in the area. Everyone in the gallery was welcoming and very knowledgeable! I'll for sure be coming back here when I'm ready to make a few investments in great art. It's a must visit if you're in the area and the shop is a quick walk from Calhoun Square.

Hosted a fabulous Richie Furay concert. Great venue, beautifully done. Friendly staff and…read morevolunteers. Very nice people. Excellent concert! Would love to see more from Richie's era.

Coworker Sal and I attended a Christmas event last night. We are not from the area, but it was…read morepretty easy to find off the TC freeway system. And parking was free in the lot across the street. Upon leaving, I noticed that there is also a parking ramp 1 block over too. The event didn't attract a real big crowd, so it was quieter than expected. So getting our tickets at will-call was fast. Walking into the theater, I was pleased to see the auditorium space. Any seat is going to be a good seat, and we happened to have 2 row tickets. The only downfall was proximity to the speakers. The show happened to be a comedy show, but I had a hard time hearing fast talk because of the microphone reverb. I was missing punchlines and not laughing. It was just too loud for "talking" when the mic was at your mouth. Now, there was a singing quartet in the show, and that was much better since they were standing about 2 feet away from the mics. Next time, I'd pick a middle row. After the show, we hit the restroom. Plenty of stalls for the ladies. It was clean and well stocked.

What a beautiful museum!! The volunteers they had were so…read morelovely, especially the 90 year-old lady named Edna Irma!! So fun at Christmas time!!

First of all there are a lot of people (staff and volunteers) to walk with you and engage with you…read moreto talk about the history of the building, architecture, history of the family, where some of these furniture acquired and more. It is breathtaking woodwork and plaster work. According to staff they are all hand carved and painted. They also have a small gift shop and a cafeteria to enjoy. You can walk through quickly if you want to see something that is intriguing or you can spend hours admiring the woodwork, stonework, masonry as well as the furniture...

We took our granddaughter to the Mn History Center thinking that it would be fun. We were right…read more The exhibits are interactive enough to keep her entertained and informative enough to keep our attention. My favorite exhibit was a reenactment of the 1965 Fridley Tornado with radio coverage from WCCO's Boone and Erickson. You get to sit in a "basement" and feel what they felt...it was a lot of fun.

- Minnesota History Center…read more The Minnesota History Center was an interesting and worthwhile stop, especially for anyone who enjoys learning about state and regional history. Most of the main exhibits were located on the third floor, and I believe there were around five in total during my visit. The exhibits appealed to a wide range of ages, with some sections designed for children, others for young adults, and plenty of material that adults would appreciate as well. The museum covers a broad range of Minnesota history, including major weather events, the Greatest Generation, and different decades from the 1920s through the modern era. There was a good balance of historical information, artifacts, and interactive displays. Some of the more memorable items included a pair of the first original water skis ever invented and the steering wheel from the USS Minnesota. There were many other artifacts throughout the museum that helped connect Minnesota's history to larger events in American history. Overall, there is a lot to see and learn here. I would highly recommend the Minnesota History Center to anyone interested in history or wanting to better understand the people, events, and innovations that shaped the state.

Located right by the MIA...this is a very unique and interesting museum...that I didn't even know…read moreabout until I came here for an art workshop. Came here actually for an interesting art workshop called "Create 'Unexpected Art' with Becka Rahn" which involved creating images and computers and the final product would be a swatch of material from an image that I created!Which is to be mailed to the participant via mail.. which I haven't yet received...I took this workshop with a past participant who was raving about it ... I really did enjoy my experience and I am so looking forward to my finished product! $5 gets you in and also a tour of the museum/mansion.. oh what a deal.. and like Rhonda G. says below... it's really like having a Downtown Abbey right here in Minneapolis! FREE Parking that's connected to the museum, too! Look forward to attending more interesting events here in the future!

If you are a native Minneapolite - or even just a transplant / convert - check this place out. It's…read morekitty-corner from the MIA so you can make a day of museum hopping followed by a meal at one of the many restaurants along nearby Eat Street (Nicollet Ave). For a minimal fee, you'll be able to check out the fantastically-curated exhibits that explore different topics relevant to Hennepin County's history through photographs, textiles, paintings, videos, audio-recordings, sculptures, artifacts, and more. It is a full-sensory experience in a historic mansion that cannot and should not be missed. In addition to traditional exhibitions, they have unique and fun programming - which sounds like it will be more frequent according to an article I read recently about the new director! Plus, the mansion is available as a venue rental. I even considered it for my upcoming wedding! The biggest downsides (and biggest complaints I had while working there) are 1) the fact that the building is not handicap accessible and 2) the lack of air conditioning in the summertime. It's an unfortunate reality about many historic buildings but even more so for HHM...as a non-profit and lesser-known museum, lots of funding is needed to facilitate the appropriate and allowed retrofitting while still protecting the historic integrity. Admittedly, I am a bit biased in my love of this place. When I graduated with my B.A. in cultural studies and comparative literature, I began scouring the Twin Cities for non-profit gigs, especially those in the Arts. I landed my first post-college job as a museum administrator at the Hennepin History Museum despite having never stepped foot in the mansion or even knowing of its existence. It was an amazing experience and I learned a lot, but the most valuable thing I learned was what an exceptional gem HHM is. Please do not miss out on the opportunity to explore!

This is tucked into the University of Minnesota campus and isn't the fancy Weisman Art Museum, so I…read moredidn't have high expectations. However, while this might be contained within the art building, the gallery space itself is huge. This is not a 20x20 room off the lobby (or the lobby) with some student work like lots of campus art galleries, this is a proper space with real curation. If you've been to MIA and are still looking for some more art, this is very much worth visiting. The gallery holds one show per semester, so if the topic isn't of interest to you, you're out of luck. It seems like they also have events corresponding to each exhibition, so check out the calendar.

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.