The Most Scrumptious Museums in Saint Paul

Veit Automotive Foundation Museum

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Incredible collection of cars, gas pumps, motorcycles and random memorabilia. Had the opportunity to 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"

Pavek Museum

★★★★★ 4.9 (9)

"My wife and I had a two for one coupon to enter this Nation wide known museum and we caught up to a tour of about five personas making their way through the tour.It starts out detailing how the initial radio signals were sent which was pretty cool, and then you enter a room filled with about 300 kinds of radios and how they were used. It leads to the development of TV. When you see see the original version of TV, it makes the tour almost like something you can not believe.The guide we had was fantastic and the whole tour is really fact filled over the years of radio.With the two for one from the Entertainment Book, it was a cool hour or so.I am a big historical guy and love to learn how stuff began, I was in heaven.We are very lucky to be this close to see this many old transmission mediums!"

Minnesota Museum of American Art

★★★★☆ 4.2 (6)

"Both the building and the displays are works of art. There are some very nice pieces in this smaller, intimate museum. I took pictures of a few of my favorites. We met here with an urban sketching group and the staff was wonderfully helpful and welcoming to us. The website does a good job of providing relevant details for your visit. The museum does not require an entry fee -- it's Free! But, as you are able, make a donation to support this local gem."

Science Museum of Minnesota

★★★★☆ 4.1 (199)

"After having not visited the Science Museum since the early 2000s, we spent the afternoon taking in all of the updates. It felt even more interactive than I remembered. I noticed notes on the fourth floor regarding the human body. There was signage warning about the real human body parts and that the bodies were donated for science. This also included the mummy - it was behind a tri-fold wall with a warning. I was thankful each floor had a bathroom and several hand sanitizer stations. This came in clutch while participating in the interactive exhibits and the overhead speakers voiced reminders throughout our time there. As an indigenous person, I appreciated the effort to acknowledge the peoples and land of the area. Their indigenous program helped alleviate the cost associated with the visit as well. Highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance - the line at the entrance gets pretty long. Also - if you suffer from motion sickness, the Omnitheater may be challenging for you."

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

★★★★☆ 4.4 (272)

"A must-stop while you're in Minneapolis! I went on a day when the museum was closed, but you can still walk around the garden to take in all of the sculptures. There's a lot to check out, but I found you could see everything and take all the photos you want in about 45 minutes or so.Pro tip: Since I went on a weekday when the museum was closed, no one got in the way of my photos! If you're looking for the perfect picture consider doing the same!"

Twin City Model Railroad Museum

★★★★★ 4.6 (33)

"I have no idea how I have driven by this place tons of times and never knew it existed. We brought the kids here with another family and the kids were in a trance the whole time. They were completely engrossed. It is not hard to believe how much they liked the place because there were tons of trains with little model towns and cities built up and the trains running around them - a lot of meticulous detail went into this place. Also, there are buttons the kids can press to operate some of the trains, which is also a hit with 2-6 year olds. This place should be on your list for winter weekends."

Excelsior Lake Minnetonka Historical Society

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"Nice little museum in downtown Excelsior In the old Rail depot next to the Lake Minnetonka Trail and the boarding area for the Excelsior Trolley. You'll probably only spend 10 minutes at the most but they have some local history including boats and items from the old amusement park. Be sure to catch a ride on the trolley out front too."

Pottery Museum of Red Wing

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"" I Got Educated On Pottery Making "We went to the Pottery Museum of Red Wing to find out how the Pottery is made. They had a wonderful collection of pottery that was made in Red Wing for many years. As we walked around the Museum looking at the displays, it was was nice seeing and finding out the history of Pottery in the Red Wing Area. Well worth a stop to see this Red Wing History."

The Museum of Russian Art

★★★★★ 4.5 (58)

"My friend and I visited the Museum of Russian Art (TMORA) when we were visiting Minneapolis over Memorial Day weekend a few weeks ago, and it might have been my favorite museum we visited over our three days! The museum was founded by Minnesota Russian art collectors. It has a small permanent collection on the basement floor, a main level that showcases temporary exhibits, and an upper level that houses smaller temporary exhibits. When we visited there were several great exhibits: "Premonition of a Russian Dystopia" an exhibition focused on Soviet artist Geli Korzhev's Mutant Series); "Ukraine Defiant: Paintings by Elene Kalman" (an exhibit of twelve eight-foot-long works on paper by a Ukrainian-born American artist memorializing twelve months of the Russian war in Ukraine); and "Say No to War: Political Cartoons by Ukrainian and Russian Artists" (which is being displayed until the end of the Russian war in Ukraine). TMORA is housed in a beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival building that was inspired by a Texas mission in San Antonio, which was a gorgeous space for the art. The museum isn't huge but it's special. Definitely worth a visit!"

Cannon Falls Military History Museum

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"A very nicely done privately run and owned military history Museum. The owner honors his relatives and others who have served in military service. There are a large number of artifacts and uniforms on display, from World War I through Korea. Admission is free, but call ahead to make an appointment."

Red Wing Marine Museum

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"" Nice Learning About Engines "The Red Wing Marine Museum is in one of the city's historical venues along the river and depicts one of the oldest manufacturing industries-the boat and motor business. The museum displays restored Red Wing Thorobred marine engines, outboard motors and a display of fishing tackle, photographs, documents and other river-related items. This Museum sits very near the site of the original factory where Red Wing-made boats and motors were made and launched. More than 30 fully restored Thorobred's are on permanent display along with photos and other items."

Gibbs Farm Pathways to Dakota & Pioneer Life

★★★★☆ 3.8 (5)

"Haven't been here since grade school. Was looking for something different to do with our toddler. Googled activities and Gibbs Farm came up with an Old Time Halloween event for today.Arrived. Parking lot was full, but there was some parking on the grass. Admission $ 8.00 per adult which included a free lunch served by the Boy Scouts.- Hot Dogs-Chips-Ice cream-Smores-Chips-Lemonade/ WaterCandle makingCookie makingCraft treat bagsWalked along the path to the little pioneer houses and teepees. You can walk through the house, school, barns. It's a cute little area with animals.Friendly staff.This is probably better suited for bigger kids.It was a nice day and a nice little event for them to host."

Dassel History Center and Ergot Museum

★★★★★ 5 (3)

"Not only do they have a museum here but they have a small banquet room. It's the perfect size to host a birthday party or a meeting. I actually had our wedding reception here back in 2014. We had 75 to 100 people and it wasn't packed. The price was very cheap to rent out."

Discover the Dinosaurs Unleashed

★★☆☆☆ 1.8 (21)

"This is for the Houston 2017 show at NRG park. I'm not sure if they've made improvements but we were very impressed.For $19, my son died and went to heaven. There were at least two dozen large sized robotic dinosaurs with fun facts, pits to brush away dirt and excavate bones, bouncy houses, block pit, car race, mini golf, small Dino ride, ... and more I can't think of.My son is 3 yo and I believe the perfect age for something like this. 2-7? Before they become surly and disenfranchised like some of the adults reviewing this expo it seems.If you want to have some Jurassic fun and get out of the house instead of stare at your iPad, $19 is nothing in comparison. Fyi, groupons are sold if you plan far enough in advance."

Minnesota History Center

★★★★☆ 4.4 (84)

"A couple of months go, I had found out about the Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz exhibit on FOX 9 Good Day. As someone grew up reading Peanuts comic strip, it made sense to check it out. I purchased a ticket online. It was $12. You get a receipt, which is your ticket.This exhibit runs until June 9, 2024 at the Minnesota History Center. I dropped by early last month on a Sunday afternoon.It was a gloomy, rainy day. It was perfect to be indoors. I had no problem heading over to the downtown Saint Paul area. I am kind of used to it because I see Wild hockey games at Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota History Center is close by.The first thing I noticed was a clear view of the Minnesota State Capitol. I would learn later that you can view it well inside the Minnesota History Center itself!I found the parking lot. It's $6 for parking. I paid with a credit card with the help of the parking attendant. Done!No one checks your ticket. It's the honour system. There is a ticket counter where you can purchase tickets if you didn't have a chance to get them online.The Schulz exhibit was excellent. It's a self-guided tour where you get to see Peanuts comic strips and their characters, and fascinating details about them and the cartoonist.I loved a map that pinpointed Schulz's life and where he lived in the Twin Cities. I learned about how comic strips were coloured before they went digital. I also loved that every Peanuts character got a special profile, including when it was first introduced, its character profile, the history behind the character's development, and comic strips featuring that character. Excellent!Charlie Brown was the first character that Schulz introduced in October 2, 1950. He felt that he was an ordinary looking person in appearance. When he developed Charlie Brown, he made the character have a round, ordinary face.This centre has other exhibits that were equally fun and informative:- Our home: Native Minnesota- Then and Now- Weather PermittingOur home: Native Minnesota put the spotlight on each nation and its culture. I learned about its struggles, the need to preserve their customs and culture, and more. Seeing how detailed their clothes were for various ceremonies and personal accounts from Native Minnesotans was amazing and thought-provoking. This exhibit was excellent. Then and Now was the most interactive out of the exhibits. You could simulate being a miner by drilling and working in an underground iron mine. There was a teepee that you could explore. I liked standing next to the Jolly Green Giant. It was a feat trying to pose for a photo with it because I looked so tiny! There is an actual Jolly Green Giant statue in Blue Earth, MN. It's apparently 55 feet high and green.Weather Permitting is exactly what you think the exhibit's theme is about. It's warm in the summer in the state, but can get super frigid in the winter. I learned about the weather ball on top of the Northwestern National Bank building. The ball changed colour based on the weather condition. The ball died in 1982. Both the building and ball were demolished in 2000.This centre has stairs and elevators. It's a stunning building architecturally. It was enjoyable walking around it. There were also washrooms that were well-maintained.I visited the museum shop. I finally found a Minnesota keychain that has my name on a replica licence plate. I was thrilled! I also got a small Snoopy pouch and a cute Minnesota state plushie.The woman at the payment counter was extremely nice and personable. I paid with a credit card and got a small paper bag for my items. I thanked her and headed out the door.The centre closes at 4 pm on Sundays. There is a cafe, Market Place, that you pass by between the parking lot and the actual center. It closes an hour before the center does, which I found a bit sad. I feel that they should both close at the same time, likely because I hadn't had lunch yet!I will be getting a membership to the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS). I had a fabulous time. It makes sense to support the society's efforts putting together the research and artifacts behind the exhibits. A membership provides free admission to 26 historic sites and museums in the state. You also get free parking at the Minnesota History Center and Historic Fort Snelling. I also like the 10% discount at all MNHS museum stores an its online store.It's a steal to show your support for MNHS.If you are looking for a touristy place that is fun and affordable, come here. I look forward to returning. I had an excellent experience.(357)"

Tamarack Nature Center

★★★★☆ 4.1 (7)

"I live south of the river and had to drive 40 mins to get here...so worth it! This place is amazing! It is easy to find firstly... which was nice. Plenty of parking. We first went inside and the kids loved seeing the turtles, frogs, snakes and bees. Someone who worked there chased us down to wash our hands after touching the snake #yesthankyou!Next we headed to discovery hallow. This little piece of nature heaven was wonderful. There is a long stream of crisp fresh water. It just helps the kids imagination. Right beside it is a sand pit. There is a water source... ...but just enough water to add moisture ...but not make it a sandy pool. My kids loved it! We left after the stream and sand pit, but there was a rock climbing area, a nature building area and a garden. I think there are going trails too. Next time we'll bring our food to picnic. Can't wait to visit again!"

Mn Transportation Museum

★★★★★ 5 (4)

"Do you have nostalgia for trains...this is your jam! We have been here a total of 3 times in 18 months and most recently today for our sons 5th birthday party. We had our own old fashioned train car to host the party and museum admission for up to 25. It included some utensils, plates, goodies for the attendees, use of the bday train car for 2 hours, and even a caboose ride! Our son is OBSESSED with trains and this was the perfect venue. Other than chilly single digit temps, the train car actually kept pretty warm at 65 degrees and I felt comfy enough to take my jacket off. They didn't rush us out which was nice since we had a full party agenda."

Northfield Historical Society

★★★★★ 5 (10)

"The town of Northfield, MN, is the place of a failed bank robbery by the infamous Jesse James and Younger gang in 1876. There is an annual re-enactment in the town every September. The historical society maintains the former First National Bank building and there is a admission charge to tour the museum. The museum is small, but you get to step into history where the bank robbery took place. The actual safe, bank ledger used that day, gun used to kill one of the robbers, and other significant items are displayed. There is an informative video to watch that explains the timeline and why the gang decided this bank would be a big score. Spoiler alert: they were wrong! The photos from that era are very interesting to see. Everything is explained clearly. After walking through the bank, one comes to section filled with memorabilia and displays of the town's industry of making a cereal called Malt-o- Meal. I had totally forgotten about this cereal from my childhood. The town of Northfield is lovely with a lot of the buildings maintained with a nod to the 19th century. There are shops and boutiques to browse. The only downside was the gentleman at the museum wasn't that friendly and he was abrupt answering questions. He was more interested in pricing the souvenir T-shirts for sale. It was only after I read some other reviews that I learned there was a guided tour available, but this man failed to tell us about it."

Dakota City Heritage Village

★★★★★ 4.8 (4)

"If history and pioneer life is up your alley, you will love this place. The town is a fully operational little city that is runned by volunteers and historical reenactors. Many of the buildings have been gathered from small Minnesota townships that are now defunct. There is a drugstore, ice cream shop, post office, bank, train station and many more buildings. Each is interactive and have live performers and historians talking about each buildings use and history. Holidays are especially fun with themed events. Another cool thing is that you can volunteer and be a performer if you like. All ages are welcomed."

Alexander Ramsey House

★★★★☆ 4 (7)

"My wife and I hit a new pub in St. Paul called the Blue Door before touring this cool old Victorian house of one of the first governors of Minnesota. We had some awesome burgers and beer before our free tour the Historical Museum was giving of its properties this weekend. We entered the house feeling full and happy from a couple of Surly Furious pints and signed up for our tour. We entered the house with a great guide dressed in a top hat and suit of the 1800's when Ramsey would have lived in the house. The house was one of the few in old time Minnesota with gas lighting and running water. There was a bathtub and even an indoor water closet. It was interesting that there were chamber pots around the house because women did not like to remove all the bussels and stuff. They showed the bells and talking tubes for the servants to be called upon. They showed the kitchen and offered baked cookies from the oven. The children's' rooms were well adorned and Ramsey had a play room for the children up in the attic along with the servants' rooms. The whole layout was perfect, great character actors as guides and pretend servants. Even though they had a lot of people taking the tour, they kept it well run and you quickly became envious of such a large, cool house. Highly recommended for a crummy day outside when you're looking for something to do. Hey, and it's educational!"

Jackson Street Roundhouse

★★★★★ 4.6 (13)

"This is a great place for kids and adults alike. City libraries hand out free passes to this museum as well among other touristy places in and around Twin Cities area. Otherwise, the entrance fee is $10 and includes a twenty minute bus ride on Jackson St through downtown St. Paul and a caboose ride too.Inside this place is magical for history and train lovers. Old steam engines, coaches and some really old exhibits from early 19th century and beginning of 20th century. The caboose ride is cool. The roundhouse turntable is fascinating and believed to be one of the last of its kind in the country. One thing to remember is that the museum is open only on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It's a nice place for a weekend activity for kids and a cheap date for couples."

Bell Museum

★★★★☆ 4.3 (64)

"My office on the University of Minnesota East Bank Campus was near the old Bell Museum and I had visited it several times. I had not visited the new Bell Museum since it moved to the St Paul Campus. The new Museum is spectacular. Much more space than the old one. There is a planetarium which we enjoyed. The old dioramas have been dusted off and the mammoth is impressive. There were lots of kids who seemed to be having a great time. The museum itself is easily accessible and there is a small parking lot. It is easy topurchase tickets online. I highly recommend."

Red Wing Pottery Museum

★★★★☆ 4.3 (3)

"Outstanding! A free museum with interesting things to see and learn. I was unaware of the pottery history of the area before my visit. The exhibits show the history of the industry and a surprising variety of products. Bowling fans will appreciate the custom made bowling pin light fixtures for a local bowling alley. The gift shop has many interesting items."

Sherburne County Historical Society

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"I might be a little biased as this used to be my husbands family farm before his parents donated the land to build the History Center. This is a very nice park to explore if you want to get back to nature without going to far from civilization. Nice trails and benches, and it is free to the public. The History Center has a nice little museum and gift shop with a friendly staff. Defiantly worth checking out."

The Schubert Club

★★★★★ 4.8 (5) • $

"From October through April, enjoy free noontime concerts at Landmark Center courtesy of The Schubert Club. Bring your lunch and enjoy some great music. Today's performance featured Fantaisie in F minor for Piano Duet by Schubert (surprise!) as well as Schumann's "Dichterliebe," featuring the Minnesota Opera's Michael Nyby. The Club has been around for over 100 years. They have an interesting museum (also free and in Landmark Center) and put on a wide variety of concerts and recitals throughout the Cities. Bravo!"

Mill City Museum

★★★★☆ 4.3 (156)

"What an experience!! I strongly recommend you to come here if you are looking for a place to learn about the history of mills and the hard work done. I came 30 mins before closing an went for the Flour Tower and I enjoyed it so much! It is the best as one is in the elevator tour. The staff is patient an knowleagable and one has access to the rooftop. Great view of the Stone Bridge."

American Swedish Institute

★★★★☆ 4.4 (103)

"I came to MN in 1988. My first visit here 2023 for a Yelp event. It may have been for St. Patrick's Day. I was also here at the end of the year for a Romanian festival for the Romanian's in MN. There's always something going on. And it's always packed. I love the Swedish items in the store. Starting with Lars Swedish Pearl Sugar. Nice large granules. $7. They have Lars Elderflower Saft (syrup). $14.50, love this stuff in a fizzy grapefruit drink. I think it should be mandatory for those moving to MN to visit here right away, so you know what you're getting into, survival, and the cultural origins. Of course the Hogg mansion is impressive. If somebody's missing they're probably living in MN."

The Bakken Museum

★★★★☆ 4.4 (39)

"My friend and I visited the Bakken Museum when we were in Minneapolis for Memorial Day weekend. It's a small and quirky museum. Officially, it's a museum dedicated to passion for innovation and exploring the potential for science, technology, and the humanities to make the world a better place. It has several small but interest exhibits - Ben Franklin's Electricity Party (I didn't think I'd enjoy this - that it was more for kids - but I had tons of fun in that room), Frankenstein's Laboratory, and the gardens and grounds. It doesn't feel like a large comprehensive museum, but it's an interesting museum in a great location - and the older building is beautiful! I'm not sure I'd return again, but it was really fun to visit once! Especially great for people who are interested in the use of science (not just the science itself)!"

Three Rivers Park District

★★★★☆ 3.8 (6)

"This review is for The Landing, Cedar Creek history tour. The guides were very knowledgeable and approachable. They welcomed questions and had detailed answers. Our group of 5 enjoyed seeing the difference in housing for the residents. The Banker's home was the most grand, to the rooming house and seamstress's buildings down to the fur post living conditions The person taking the admission fees wasn't that welcoming. She neglected to tell us about what tours were what. We are from out of state and didn't get that much info from her. If one lives in the area, it would be good to check their web site for information and events. We didn't have to opportunity to do so as this was an impromptu visit."

James J. Hill House

★★★★☆ 4.4 (54)

"Maybe it's because I'm fond of turn of the century history, but I am so glad I went to the James J Hill House because I feel so smart whenever I see his name, and it comes up a lot when I read nonfiction. Why, just the other day in a biography of Theodore Roosevelt his name came up in a lawsuit, and I got an "Ah ha! I've been to his house!" moment. The house is gorgeous, decorated with a mix of period pieces and modern exhibits. The tour is a little long, but if you enjoy history/local history/pretty house/need to kill an afternoon, completely worth it."

Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society

★★★★★ 4.5 (4)

"This is a small museum, nothing fancy, but a delightful stop for me as I am a lifelong fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder. The parking situation is somewhat precarious, as the lot is small and requires backing onto what can be a fairly busy highway. You enter into the gift shop, which has all kinds of pioneer apparel, decorative and household items, and books. I was happy to find a penny smasher machine. After paying for entrance, guests can explore two sides of the building. One is focused on Laura Ingalls Wilder and includes family artifacts or related items along with quotes from the books. On the other side are rooms with exhibits that focus on the history of Lake Pepin, including several tragedies that've hit the area."

Goodhue County Historical Society

★★★★☆ 4 (1)

"I was here a few times a few years ago. I was impressed with the amount of stuff they had about our local history. If you like antiques this place might seem cool to you."

Minnesota Streetcar Museum

★★★★★ 4.6 (12)

"Let me state this:I didn't actually do the museum. Rather, I rode the streetcar on Memorial Day weekend.They had a crew working on the line by Harriet Lake. It ran a short distance to one of the other lakes. I think it was $2 a piece and dogs ride free!We all piled on and it wasn't that full. The conductors and staff were a riot and got a laugh and smile out of everyone. We rode the line to the neighboring lake and then back.Why ride the street car? To get in between lakes without losing your parking spot (it's a premium to find a free one). Also, the kids LOVE it. For adults, well, it's not that exciting as it doesn't ride far at all. I'm used to public transportation.Anyhow, for nostalgia purposes and supporting a non profit museum, I'm all for it!"

Hennepin History Museum

★★★★★ 4.5 (8)

"This is like having Downton Abbey right in Mpls. Sunday was the start of this bitter cold week, and all kinds of folks were walking around the neighborhood. I almost didn't come to an event and decided either your Minnesotan or you're not. You walk in and have to climb up a staircase, but the stairs aren't steep. The greeter, Alice was very helpful and friendly. On this level is where they hold the fireside chats, which is the reason I was there. It's got a beautiful fireplace, but the fire isn't real, and they don't have to deal with clean up. You have to get really up close to know it's not real either. The furniture is well preserved and extremely comfortable, no sagging chairs and sofas. I was sitting by the window reading, and it's such a moody atmosphere. Just right for the chat of the Twin Cities Sisters in Crime. I'm also the new president of this chapter, so this first event held a special meaning for me. There were 4 authors in the spotlight, featuring local hero, Ellen Hart. During the chat you could hear the wind howling. They even allow groups to bring food in and serve at the bar. The room behind this one is an art gallery which is just as modern looking as the fireside is old. Jack, the curator, is on hand as well overlooking everything and taking care of all needs."

The James J Fiorentino Musueum

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"This by appointment-only museum is a trip back in time. Sometimes called the Cuckoo Clock Museum, they have tons of beautifully crafted cuckoo clocks but so much more. The old telephones caught my eye as we were here with the Urban Sketching group. When you make an appointment to tour the museum, you will be treated to the history and craftsmanship of the many items. The garage turned museum was a labor of love for Mr Fiorentino and it's a gift to be able to share with many others. On street parking is available. Head to the north loop to check this place out."