Minneapolis is often associated with its neighbor, Saint Paul. However, this “Twin City” has plenty to offer all on its own. For example, it has some of the best museum exhibits in Minnesota. Whether you’re a history lover or just passionate about cultures around the world, there’s a museum in this state capital that fits your interests.
The Best Museums in Minneapolis
1. American Swedish Institute
Minneapolis’ American Swedish Institute (ASI) is a cultural institute primarily centered on the Swedish heritage and migration of Scandinavian immigrants from Europe to the Americas between the 18th and 20th centuries. To properly highlight Swedish culture, the space uses a mix of permanent and rotating galleries to delve deeper into specific topics.
A beloved exhibition that’s become an ASI tradition is the “Christmas Exhibit,” which highlights how different Scandinavian cultures celebrate the Christmas holidays. It also shows which traditions have made it to the U.S. and been adopted by the general population.
In addition to the galleries, which showcase artifacts, cultural objects, and works of art, the institute has an on-site cafe that prepares and serves typical Nordic dishes. These offerings change seasonally to represent popular meals enjoyed in Sweden throughout the year. Special events, like lectures and festivals, are also hosted by ASI.
Admission is free for members and children under 6, $6 for kids 6 to 18, $10 for seniors 62+, and $13 for adults. The American Swedish Institute is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Chicago Avenue South and 27th Street East.
- Address: 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55407
2. The Bakken Museum
Since its opening in 1975, The Bakken Museum has been educating visitors about developments in the fields of science, technology, and the humanities. The facility’s collection currently has over 13,000 items, many of which are documents, written texts, and scientific instruments. Due to the sheer size of the collection, only a fraction of its items are displayed at a time in one of the space’s wings.
While the Bakken also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year, it has a selection of permanent displays, including “Frankenstein’s Laboratory,” a theater exhibit that showcases a replica of the lab described in Mary Shelley’s famed tale.
Items belonging to the museum’s namesake, Earl Bakken, are also on display to honor his memory and contributions to science. These include his doctor’s bag and many of the scientific items he acquired during his life.
Admission is free for Native Americans, children under 4, and members, $1 for limited income qualifying visitors, $9 for kids 4 to 17, $10 for students, $11 for seniors 65+, and $13 for adults. The Bakken Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The nearest bus stop is 39th Street West and Zenith Avenue South.
- Address: 3537 Zenith Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55416
3. Foshay Museum and Observation Deck
When it was first built, the Foshay Tower was the tallest building in the Midwest. Though it’s long lost that title, it’s continued to be a recognizable landmark in Minneapolis. Today, the tower has been converted into a hotel (W Minneapolis – The Foshay), but inside, you can still find the Foshay Museum and Observation Deck.
In the museum portion, numerous documents, photos, and even some of the original signs from the building are on display to recount the skyscraper’s history. Tours of the museum also allow access to the observation deck, which gives visitors a 360-degree view of downtown Minneapolis and even part of the neighboring Twin City, Saint Paul.
Keep in mind that while the museum is wheelchair accessible, the observation deck isn’t. So, it could be difficult to reach visitors with mobility concerns or difficulties. Guests with fears of heights should also be wary about visiting.
Admission is free for kids under 4 and guests staying on-site, $6 for kids 4 to 14, and $10 for adults. Foshay Museum and Observation Deck is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Marquette Avenue and 8th Street.
- Address: 821 S Marquette Ave., 30th floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402
4. Mill City Museum
Opened in 2003, the Mill City Museum is one of Minneapolis’ most beloved local history museums. Through its exhibits, the museum showcases the city’s early history and once-thriving flour and baking industries.
Mill City is divided into a few exhibit types, ranging from educational shows to water and baking labs. One of the most popular parts of the museum is the “Flour Tower,” which takes guests on a freight elevator through examples of what a 19th-century flour mill would have looked like. There’s also a rooftop observation deck that lets visitors get a one-of-a-kind view of historic Minneapolis from the banks of the river.
In addition to the permanent exhibit spaces, Mill City houses several temporary exhibitions throughout the year. Events are also held in the museum’s courtyard, which is even equipped to host concerts.
Admission is free for members and children under 5, $8 for kids 5 to 17, $12 for seniors 65, veterans, military personnel, and college students, and $15 for adults. Mill City Museum is open Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Washington Avenue South and Park Avenue.
- Address: 704 South 2nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55401
5. Minneapolis Institute of Art
Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) is one of the largest museums in the country and has one of the Midwest’s most impressive collections. Since its opening in 1883, MIA has acquired over 90,000 works of art that span thousands of years of history around the world. The facility’s galleries represent art mediums and styles of all kinds, with contemporary artists even showcasing their work in MIA’s temporary exhibitions throughout the year.
Some works of art housed by MIA are “Battery Park City Esplanade, 21st century, 2017” by Ethan Aaro Jones, an example of 19th-century Japanese chain mail, and “Arjuna Confronted by a Wild Boar” by Purkhu. To promote research, the museum also has a library that students can access upon request.
Admission is free for all visitors. MIA is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The nearest bus stop is 3rd Avenue South and 24th Street East.
- Address: 2400 3rd Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
6. Minnesota Streetcar Museum
The Minnesota Streetcar Museum offers an incredibly hands-on museum experience. Operating 2 different historical streetcar lines in the city, the facility takes visitors on a guided tour through 19th-century city districts and buildings.
The Excelsior Line offers a slightly more typical museum experience, stopping at various sites where passengers can explore exhibits filled with photos and artifacts of the city’s early years. The Como-Harriet Line is more of a tour line, with each car’s motorman offering fun facts and information about Minneapolis.
Since this is an almost entirely outdoor experience, weather conditions play a large role in the museum’s ability to operate. So, be sure to check the forecast before you plan your visit. Throughout the year, the Minnesota Streetcar Museum occasionally hosts special events, typically themed or unique streetcar rides. However, these aren’t guaranteed.
Admission is free for kids under 4 and $3 for everyone else. Minnesota’s Streetcar Museum’s hours change seasonally, but it’s typically open Wednesday through Sunday between 12:30 and 8:30 p.m.
- Address: 2330 West 42nd St., Minneapolis, MN 55410
7. The Museum of Russian Art
First opened in 2005, The Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) is one of the country’s only museums dedicated to Russian culture and history. In fact, the space houses the largest collection of pieces from the Russian Realist art period outside of Europe.
Some of the site’s collection highlights include “Milkmaids, Novella” by Nikolai N. Baskakov, “Adoration of the Magi” by Roma Karas, and “Anthem of People’s Love” by Oleksii Shovkunenko. Since the facility collection is so large, only a fraction of its pieces are displayed at a time.
The museum rotates its temporary galleries 8 times a year to bring pieces out of the archives and display items on loan from other facilities. TMORA also hosts a number of events throughout the year, ranging from guided tours of the facilities to lectures and artist discussions. It even showcases Russian cultural celebrations.
Admission is free for members and kids under 14, $5 for students and active military personnel, $12 for seniors 65+, and $14 for adults. The Museum of Russian Art is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Stevens Avenue and Diamond Lake Road.
- Address: 5500 Stevens Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55419
“Truly a unique gem, The Museum of Russian Art presents exhibitions of art from the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and post-Soviet Russia. Housed in a beautifully renovated historic building, the galleries provide a tranquil and intimate setting for the Museum’s dynamic array of exhibitions and programs.”
Mark J. Meister, executive director and president, The Museum of Russian Art
8. The Somali Museum of Minnesota
The Somali Museum of Minnesota is an art and cultural museum that preserves Somali heritage. This facility was opened after the Twin Cities area became home to the largest population of Somali refugees and immigrants in the country.
The museum houses over 1,000 artifacts and folk pieces, which have been collected through acquisitions and donations. In particular, many pieces on display represent the nomadic society in Somalia, both literally through cultural items and figuratively through works of art. Examples of traditional Somali dwellings are also displayed in the museum.
The facility also displays a collection of work from contemporary Somali and Somali-American artists through permanent and temporary exhibitions. Special events are also hosted on-site. As of writing this article, the museum is temporarily closed for relocation, but it’s projected to reopen soon. In the meantime, you can explore the collection online.
Admission is free for kids under 6, $8 for seniors 65+ and children 5 to 17, and $11 for adults. The Somali Museum is typically open Tuesday and Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Lake Street East and 10th Avenue South.
- Address: 2925 Chicago Ave., Greenway Basement, Minneapolis, MN 55407 (new location)
9. Walker Art Center
Walker Art Center has established itself as one of the country’s most visited contemporary art facilities. Its popularity is due in part to its multidisciplinary nature. The museum represents all types of mediums and styles, with the only prerequisite being that the works housed here be made by contemporary artists.
The Walker Art Center currently preserves 13,000 works of art, though only a portion of these pieces are displayed at a time. These items range from traditional visual arts like paintings and sculptures to more inventive creations using digital media and moving images.
Even the performing arts are highlighted by the museum through special exhibitions, concerts, and performances. Some important pieces preserved by the Walker Art Center include “Vote McGovern” by Andy Warhol, “Six Bardos: Dream State” by Julie Mehretu, and “We Shall Never Stop Planting” by Seitu Jones. Events like artist discussions and panels are also frequently hosted.
Admission is free for children under 19, members, and active military personnel and their families, $12 for students, $16 for seniors 65+, and $18 for adults. Walker Art Center is open Friday through Sunday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Lyndale Avenue South and Vineland Place.
- Address: 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis, MN 55403
10. Weisman Art Museum
Founded in 1934, the Weisman Art Museum (WAM) has one of the city’s most impressive art collections. Currently, the facility houses over 20,000 pieces, many of which were once part of the private collection of Frederick R. Weisman, the space’s namesake. Though most items housed by WAM are considered modern art, the museum also preserves and displays other styles, including traditional Korean pieces.
WAM’s collection can be broadly divided into 5 categories, with the American Art wing boasting the largest number of items. To help spread an appreciation for the arts, the museum also displays several of its pieces around the University of Minnesota campus.
Since this museum is part of the university, educational events are a major part of the facility’s calendar. Some are geared toward students, while others are open to the general public.
Admission is free for everyone. Weisman Art Museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nearest bus stop is East River Parkway and Bruininks Hall.
- Address: 333 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55455
How To Get Free or Reduced Admission to Minneapolis Museums
We’ve indicated with each museum whether or not children, students, or seniors receive free or reduced admission. Several other programs offer similar concessions.
The Museums for All program offers free or reduced admission to museums throughout the U.S. for those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits). Participating attractions in the greater Minneapolis area include the American Swedish Institute, The Bakken Museum, The Museum of Russian Art, and the Walker Art Center.
Bank of America’s Museums on Us program offers cardholders free general admission to the Mill City Museum on the first full weekend of every month.
Participation is subject to change; please verify participating museums and entry conditions before your visit.
Final Thoughts
Minneapolis has its fair share of museums worth visiting, no matter what sort of trip you’re planning. From art and history to cultures around the world, there’s a facility to suit any interest. We hope this list has helped you narrow down your options so you can pick the best museums to add to the top of your travel itinerary during your trip to Minnesota’s capital.
