Historical sites and museums

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.

Seated elevator presents the history of the mill and factory works in an engaging way. The museum offers many exhibits on milling production and the city's past, with an outdoor courtyard and glass façade that evoke the area's historical atmosphere.

Gallery space showcases powerful imagery and graphic photography that tell a compelling story about social justice and community resilience. Atmosphere feels warm and welcoming, fostering a sense of hope and remembrance. Visitors engage with educational exhibits that celebrate Black history and shared voices.

Exhibits focus on powerful visual storytelling about community trauma and transformation. The gallery offers a space of hope and remembrance with important photos and artwork honoring Mr. Floyd's memory.

Powerful photojournalism captures key moments in recent U.S. history. The studio acts as a time capsule preserving stories after the cosmic shift following George Floyd's death.

Massive tepee structures and stunning architecture create a visually striking cultural center. Exhibits offer an interactive, well-designed experience that shares the true history and culture of the Dakota people. A gift shop features a wide variety of Native-made art, jewelry, books, and foods.

Exhibits offer a deep look into Dakota history with informative and artistic displays. The building and exhibit design create a powerful, educational journey through indigenous past, present, and future.

Displays offer rich historical and cultural facts about the Dakota people and their land. Staff share Dakota culture, traditions, and values in an interactive way that goes beyond typical history lessons.

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.

Displays feature a stunning amount of artifacts and detailed storytelling about the Vikings' history. Exhibits blend culture, football, and tradition in a classy, well-curated way.

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.

Displays include many artifacts from broadcast and communication history and a developing exhibit on computer history. Staff lead engaging tours and hands-on classes that cover the evolution of technology in detail.

Gallery space displays biblical artifacts and historical paintings with meaningful stories. Atmosphere feels inspiring and educational, welcoming both individuals and groups. Exhibits combine faith-based history with art, creating a unique and thoughtful experience.

Displays include Bible artifacts and stories of faith in action, alongside a gallery of meaningful paintings. The museum is small but offers a knowledgeable guide and a variety of intriguing exhibits.

Displays feature historical facts and paintings focused on missions. Artwork and exhibits highlight key moments in history.

Small museum on a hotel third floor showcases aircraft models, vintage airline seats, and flight attendant uniforms. Quiet and focused atmosphere appeals to aviation enthusiasts and history buffs. Minimal signage makes it a hidden spot with a labor of love feel.

A small, free museum focuses on the history of commercial aviation with dozens of aircraft models and airline memorabilia like dishware and souvenirs. Staff are knowledgeable, and the displays include unique items like the gong from classic airline commercials.

Small museum focuses on the history of commercial aviation with displays on airlines and airports. Exhibits include flight attendant uniforms from different eras and various memorabilia.

Historic building showcases phenomenal architecture and original courtrooms with rich details. Atmosphere blends elegant charm with a magical, romantic vibe, making it ideal for weddings and events. Spaces include upper-level balconies and areas for music and dancing, creating a festive yet refined experience.

Permanent exhibits include the Schubert Club Museum, musical instruments, and woodturning art. The architecture and historical displays add to the experience.

A beautifully restored historic building with detailed signage explaining its significance. Permanent exhibits include the Schubert Club Museum and displays on local history, making it a rich spot for learning and appreciating architecture.

Museum occupies a hanger next to an active runway with historic aircraft mostly airworthy and recently flown. Atmosphere is family friendly and packed with Minnesota aviation history, offering informative tours that cover local aviation from its origins to today.

Small but packed with historic aircraft and rich Minnesota aviation history, the museum sits next to an active runway that began as a WW2 training ground. Staff are passionate about flight history and offer detailed tours that bring aviation pioneers to life.

Packed with historic aircraft and rich Minnesota aviation history, the museum offers a deep dive into local flight lore. Guides share personal stories that bring the history to life from the early days to today.

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.

Guided tours feature volunteers in period clothing who explain historical roles. The site covers Native American history and government dealings, including stories of Dred and Harriet Scott. A visitor center offers detailed history, and living history displays engage kids with reenactments.

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.

Historical architecture and detailed woodwork fill the space, showcasing Swedish and Northern European heritage. Knowledgeable volunteers share stories about local history and immigrant experiences, making the exhibits both authentic and engaging.

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.

The museum showcases a wealth of firefighting history with detailed exhibits on Minnesota's fire department. Employees share expert knowledge about the equipment and stories from the past.

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.

Informative exhibits showcase a wide range of historic items. The upstairs museum preserves a lot of history, making it easy to spend hours learning about the past.

1906 Tudor-style depot stands as a perfectly preserved time capsule with native perennial gardens and benches offering shaded spots. Outdoor displays include a mini train exhibit and railroad equipment that invite hands-on interaction. The site sits beside scenic lake shores, blending historical ambiance with natural beauty.

A 1906 Tudor-style building houses exhibits on the local history of the Lake Minnetonka area. The museum offers a nostalgic experience with informative displays and a scavenger hunt for kids.

A perfectly preserved time capsule, the museum showcases the history of the local area and the train depot. Exhibits highlight the story of two individuals who revived the space, making it a historic fragment untouched by time.

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.

Rich history fills the house, especially tied to the original owners and Minnesota's past. Knowledgeable staff share stories about the railroad legacy and the home's architectural beauty.

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.

Walking the halls where he once walked brings a deep connection to music history. The tour offers unbelievable insights and shows great respect for Prince's legacy.

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.

Detailed exhibits showcase railroad history with a focus on trains and their development. The area features historic trains and offers a clear view into the past of rail transportation.

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.

A beautiful historic building with deep significance, preserved with great care. Tours offer rich history and architecture insights, making it a great spot to learn about the state's legacy.

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 sit inside a historic roundhouse, letting visitors walk through and explore. Staff and volunteers share extensive local rail history and explain the gauges, levers, and engineer seats that bring the railroad past to life.

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.

Living history comes alive with WWII aviation artifacts and stories from passionate volunteers. Staff share deep knowledge beyond the displays, highlighting the bravery of those who served for freedom.

Historic train station features magnificent architecture and dramatic light that create a romantic, old-fashioned atmosphere. The great hall echoes loudly, making it difficult to hear conversations or announcements. Amenities include a large lending library, a bar, a bike shop, and free ping pong, with spaces often hosting lively events like prom photo sessions.

A mini museum on the second floor offers a brief history of the depot and trains. A rail car tour and a train exhibit provide a hands-on experience, especially for kids new to trains.

A beautifully restored train station with a historic feel and a mini museum showcasing its past. The building includes a rail car to tour and dining options within its preserved history.

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.

A museum below the observation deck shares the history of the landmark and the Foshay family. The 30th floor features a history room that highlights turn of the century high society before reaching the outdoor deck with city views.

State park combines historic buildings with woodsy trails and river valley views. Atmosphere stays quiet and peaceful despite proximity to highway and airport. Visitors find secluded spots for picnics and wildlife watching amid well-maintained amenities.

Exhibits cover early 1800s history, native people, and military topics. Living demonstrations include blacksmithing and clothes washing. The museum combines archeological displays with historical room representations.

Historic forts and museums reveal complex history, including Native American treatment and slavery. Devoted historians keep the past alive with detailed exhibits and extensive trails for exploration.

Visitor center offers great views and a well-presented museum with a mix of historical exhibits. The atmosphere is educational and impactful, featuring stories of marginalized groups woven into the Fort's history. Knowledgeable staff provide detailed information and guided tours.

Exhibits offer a mix of everything with a well presented layout. Walking tours add an educational and impactful layer, though time feels tight to explore all displays fully.

Gripping history comes alive through detailed tours and exhibits. Stories of the Dakota people and enslaved Black Americans are woven into the fort's role during wars, offering a rich historical perspective.

Giant spoon and cherry sculptures create a vibrant focal point in a well-designed open-air museum. The space offers panoramic skyline views and maintains a peaceful atmosphere despite its urban setting.

Sculpture garden features the Spoonbridge and Cherry installation, surrounded by a contemporary art museum and other galleries. Interactive exhibits like miniature golf poles appear regularly, adding a playful touch to the outdoor space.

A large sculpture garden features many art monuments, with the Spoonbridge and Cherry as its iconic centerpiece. The area serves as a notable landmark with a variety of sculptures to explore.

Beautiful old building with original charm and stunning woodwork creates a quiet, calming atmosphere. Exhibits focus on local history and include detailed stories about Minnesota and the Tibetan community. Admission is free with donations accepted, encouraging easy access for all.

Housed in a beautiful old building with original charm and stunning woodwork, the museum features exhibits on local history like pioneers, soldiers, and Tibetan art. It offers live performances and special exhibits, creating a quiet, calming space with engaging storytelling and visual displays.

A two-floor house hosts a tiny museum with history posters and exhibits about Minnesota and Hennepin County. Visitors pay what they can to enter and explore rooms filled with photos and local history.