Ruins of an old flour mill create a historic atmosphere with breathtaking views of the river, city, and Stone Arch Bridge from the rooftop deck. Interactive exhibits, including an elevator ride and water features, engage families and visitors. The space feels small and cozy, offering a relaxed experience without crowds.
Towering remains of the Washburn “A” Mill greet visitors, setting a historic tone. Exhibits cover milling production history and the city's past, supported by engaging presentations and helpful staff.
Integration of the old building into a new exhibit creates a cool interactive experience. The unique elevator ride and test kitchen add to the overall cool vibe.
"The interactive exhibits at the museums were really interesting."
"I learned so much about the history of flour milling here."
"The elevator tour to the flour tower was really cool."
Good to know
Adult tickets cost $15 and children's tickets cost $8.
The museum offers a Flour Tower elevator show every 30 minutes.
Parking is available nearby, but it can fill up quickly during events.
Space features cool illusions, mirror tricks, and flashing lights that create a fun and trippy atmosphere. Visitors find many photo opportunities with helpful guides to capture unique shots. The environment stays easy-going and not overcrowded, encouraging relaxed exploration.
Mind-bending exhibits create a captivating experience that challenges perception. Staff explain everything clearly, and the space stays clean and well-maintained for interactive fun.
Super cool sensory and visual experiences create a trippy vibe. The upside-down illusion exhibit and funny illusions make it very entertaining for unique photos.
Good to know
The ticket price is $28 per person, excluding toddlers and babies.
The museum is located on the second floor down past H&M.
Expect a fun experience for all ages, especially kids.
Museum occupies one big room filled with interactive exhibits and historical electronics. Atmosphere blends nostalgia with educational hands-on activities suitable for all ages. Visitors engage with artifacts from telegraphy to early television, making it a compact yet rich experience.
Exhibits cover telecommunication history, including Morse code and old phones, with many interactive and tactile elements for all ages. Hands-on activities and a scavenger hunt make the experience engaging and educational.
Unique exhibits and interactive displays create a cool vibe throughout the museum. The focus on electronic communication adds a distinctive edge that stands out.
Good to know
Admission is $10-12 per person, with student discounts available.
Expect to spend 2-4 hours exploring the museum's exhibits.
The museum features hands-on activities for kids and tactile elements for younger audiences.
Old star fort stands with gorgeous river views and extensive hiking trails nearby. Exhibits and guided tours cover 19th-century soldier life and include Native American and WWII history. Accessibility features like golf cart rides and wheelchair availability support diverse visitors.
Exhibits offer a clear view of the United States' settlement impact on Minnesota, showing both good and bad aspects. Guided tours and displays provide an excellent opportunity to understand history, supported by a well done setup and operation.
Historic buildings stand out with rich history. The fort and the tour offer a really cool experience.
Good to know
Tours or shows occur every 30 minutes, especially on weekends.
Veterans receive free admission to the museum and fort.
Parking is free at Historic Fort Snelling.
Three levels of museum-style displays create a vast, well-organized space filled with historic memorabilia and a wide variety of antiques. The atmosphere feels cool and clean, with wide aisles and many unique collections arranged into small museums. Visitors can explore rich exhibits like Winter Carnival artifacts alongside diverse vintage items.
Collections of antiques fill several small museums upstairs, showcasing preserved history and informative exhibits. One section focuses entirely on the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
Extremely cool with a deceptively huge layout full of little nooks and crannies. Offers a wide variety of items and many cool things to see.
Good to know
The store features a wide variety of antiques, from furniture to collectibles.
A museum section showcases historical items related to the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.
Expect to spend hours exploring the well-organized aisles filled with unique items.
Building showcases stunning contemporary architecture with a quirky facade that draws attention. Interior offers a quiet, peaceful atmosphere with thoughtfully curated art in a spacious, relaxed setting. Visitors enjoy free admission and a great city view from the balcony.
Free admission allows easy access to contemporary art exhibits that change frequently. The museum features thought-provoking curation and a unique architectural design that enhances the experience.
The building stands out with its really cool architecture. Inside, the art and apartment exhibit catch attention, and the gift shop adds a very cool touch.
Good to know
The Weisman Art Museum is free to enter.
Parking is available by reservation only near the museum.
Several rooms at the museum may be closed during your visit.
Museum offers hands-on fire truck exhibits with climbable engines and interactive firefighter gear for kids. Atmosphere is kid-friendly and engaging, blending historical firefighting artifacts with playful experiences. Space includes a large party room suitable for group events.
Hands-on exhibits with mini firefighter outfits and real fire engines make it very kid-friendly. The museum features about eight meticulously restored fire engines and a detailed exhibit on the 35W bridge collapse.
Exhibits about the bridge collapse response stand out. The museum features cool apparatus and offers engaging learning moments for kids.
Good to know
The museum is only open one weekend day every two weeks.
The fee is $250 for the first 35 attendees, plus $5 for each additional person.
The museum has many interactive experiences, like going down a pole and cranking a pump.
Mansion combines historic architecture with contemporary art for a seamless visual experience. Atmosphere feels friendly and spacious, with holiday decor enhancing the setting. Unique features include an authentic Swedish cafe and an amazing kids' play area.
The museum features a well curated mansion as its main attraction, beautifully maintained and engaging. Exhibits bring history to life with detailed displays and tours, all accessible within an hour or less.
The mansion features tile stoves that stand out as especially cool. The space feels airy and fancy, making it a good spot to spend a few hours exploring.
Good to know
Admission to the American Swedish Institute is free on Thursdays from 3-8 pm.
Tickets for events at the American Swedish Institute can sell out quickly.
Kids under 6 can enter for free at the American Swedish Institute.
Museum offers a compact space filled with interactive exhibits and detailed memorabilia celebrating football history and local pride. Outdoor area features beer tent, ice rink, and light show, creating a lively atmosphere. Visitors find it engaging for all ages with a mix of education and entertainment.
Exhibits blend football history, Minnesota pride, and interactive displays. Hall of fame features include footballs with player handprints and memorabilia honoring Vikings legends.
Small size does not stop it from having cool exhibits. The museum offers a compact but interesting look at the Vikings.
Good to know
Admission is $15 for adults, with discounts available for children.
The museum features interactive exhibits that engage visitors of all ages.
Expect a quieter experience during weekday visits compared to weekends.
Museum and recording studio showcase Prince's personal spaces and custom memorabilia like over 300 pairs of shoes. Atmosphere blends intimate emotion with somber awe, creating a unique connection to the artist. Interactive exhibits, live music, and a cafe with signature treats add to the experience.
Tours offer an unforgettable experience with deep insights into Prince's life and work. The museum stands out as a unique cultural space that engages visitors beyond typical exhibits.
The tour highlights include the stage and recording studio A, which stand out as really cool spots. The place showcases a musical legacy that appeals even beyond Prince fans.
Good to know
Tickets for tours must be purchased in advance as they sell out quickly.
Participants must have their phones locked in Yondr bags during the tour.
The admission fee is $75 plus additional fees for tours.
Rail museum offers historic trains and detailed railroad exhibits in a family-friendly setting. Visitors enjoy a free caboose ride and interactive experiences like exploring engines. The space feels cool and cute, suitable for all ages interested in trains and history.
Exhibits focus on big trains and railroad history. The space is stroller-friendly and works well for kids and families.
Space and trains create a cool vibe that feels both kid friendly and cute. Exhibits add to the overall coolness of the venue.
Good to know
The entry fee is $15 for adults, which includes a free 15-minute train ride.
There is plenty of parking available at the venue.
The museum is family-friendly and great for kids of all ages.
Building features impressive architecture and beautiful lighting design that makes glass disappear. Atmosphere shifts from peaceful and relaxed to loud and lively depending on events. Interactive exhibits include a spacious planetarium, hands-on labs, and native species displays, attracting families and educational groups.
Exhibits focus on Minnesota's natural history with dioramas and hands-on learning activities. A planetarium offers educational shows, making it engaging for all ages.
Interactive exhibits and a planetarium create a hands-on experience. Animal mounts and dioramas add to the cool vibe for nature and space fans.
Good to know
The planetarium offers shows that are both educational and entertaining.
Parking is available but not free; it's affordable for visitors.
The museum hosts various events, including the Native Round dance, which is free and open to the public.
Historic mansion showcases magnificent woodwork and intricate architecture with original features from 1890. Atmosphere feels opulent and rich in history, enhanced by detailed craftsmanship and early technological innovations. Visitors encounter a quiet, immersive experience that transports them back in time through guided tours and preserved interiors.
A stunning museum from the gilded age, this place offers a huge and fascinating house museum experience with pristine exhibits. It focuses on history and is not geared toward young kids.
Hidden servant door in the dining room stands out as a cool feature. The flaming dragon sconces add a unique touch. The house offers a hauntingly cool atmosphere that makes the museum experience interesting.
Good to know
Tickets for the James J. Hill House must be purchased online in advance to avoid sellouts.
Expect limited street parking, especially on Sundays due to nearby events.
The holiday tour features beautifully decorated trees and runs during the festive season.
Roundhouse setting hosts a cozy, casual space filled with train cars to walk through and model trains. Atmosphere stays quiet and friendly, welcoming families and solo visitors alike. Interactive features like a kids' zone and caboose ride keep children engaged for hours.
Several restored train cars invite exploration inside a historic roundhouse building. Exhibits cover streetcars and buses, showing how people moved before cars. The museum offers a hands-on, historical experience that appeals to kids and rail enthusiasts alike.
Several restored train cars invite exploration inside a historic roundhouse building filled with interesting sights. The place holds a very cool history tied to transportation.
Good to know
The museum hosts 'Tots and Trains' events on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 10:30 am.
Parking is very limited, so arriving early is advisable.
Admission includes train rides, making it a great value for families.
Hangar houses restored WWII aircraft and vintage memorabilia with an active workshop atmosphere where mechanics maintain planes. Volunteers share aviation history and operate an interactive flight simulator. Space feels like stepping back to the 1940s with hands-on exhibits and a small gift shop.
Living history comes alive with hands-on access to aircraft and detailed tours. Small but well-done exhibits focus on WWII pilot training and feature many interesting artifacts.
Lots of cool planes and memorabilia fill the space. The PX inside the hanger offers a unique shopping experience.
Good to know
Admission is free, but a $5 donation is suggested.
The museum is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The facility is wheelchair accessible and all on one level.
Massive dome and detailed stonework define the building's classical architecture and stunning murals. Interior spaces feel regal and somber, with marble finishes and elegant painted designs. Roof access offers views of golden sculptures and the city skyline, while the surrounding plaza hosts community events and memorials.
Exhibits focus on Minnesota history and Native American culture with powerful, informative displays. The building preserves historical features like original swinging bathroom doors and offers public galleries to watch the legislative process.
Very cool architecture stands out with historic statues and paintings inside. Touching the building gives a unique, cool feeling.
Good to know
Entry to the Minnesota State Capitol is free for all visitors.
Guided tours start at the beginning of every hour.
The Capitol closes at 3 pm on Saturdays.
Observation deck offers spectacular city views with stationary binocular stations on each corner for extended sightlines. The space features an Art Deco ambiance that evokes a sense of stepping back to the 1920s. A small museum shares the building's history, complementing the visual experience above the city.
Art deco design shapes the museum's exhibits, which tell the story of a historic landmark and its family. The observation deck offers a 360° view that complements the educational history presented below.
The observation deck offers a 360-degree view of the city that feels both cool and a bit thrilling. The museum showcases art deco style and scandal stories, while a bar on the 27th floor adds to the unique vibe.
Good to know
The Foshay Museum participates in Doors Open Minneapolis every year.
Expect over 30-minute wait times during the Doors Open event.
Entry to the observation deck costs $10 for non-hotel guests.