Walker Art Center

FREE THURSDAY AFTER 5PMWe were vacationing in Minneapolis for a week and visited the Walker on 'Free Thursday after 5pm'. While we enjoyed the Keith Haring exhibit, we didn't realize (and the front desk neglected to inform us) that it was the only exhibit open for viewing that night, which was disappointing. Also, probably due to the fact it was 'free night' there were several kids running around and being noisy. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE...Besides the art museum, we spent time wandering the adjacent sculpture garden where you can photograph the iconic 'Spoonbridge and Cherry' and see great views of the surrounding city, including the Basilica of Saint Mary, which is only a 10 minute walk away and worth seeing. ROOFTOP MINI-GOLFWhile at the Walker, we played 'Skyline Mini-golf', which is a 10-hole rooftop course, probably one like no other you've played! Check-in and pay at the front desk and take the elevator up to the rooftop for play. CARDAMOM CAFEIn order to kill time before the 5pm free opening (and not a minute before!) we had a hot drink at the museum cafe 'Cardamom', which has a minimalist, high-end vibe. EXIT THROUGH THE (SMALL) GIFT SHOPThe gift shop is small compared to many other art museums.LOCKERS There are lockers available near the bathrooms, ideal if you need to stow a backpack or oversized bag like we did. The staff gave us 25 cents for it and we were able to access it a few times during our visit. I teetered on giving the Walker a 3 or a 4 due to the fact there was only one exhibit open on free night, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt as probably if we'd paid to go in at another time, it would have been a much fuller experience. Did you find this review helpful?

I recently visited this art gallery and had mixed feelings about the experience. While the outdoor exhibits are truly fantastic--fun, creative, and beautiful--definitely a 5 out of 5! They're well worth a visit and make for great photos. However, the indoor galleries left me a bit underwhelmed. One gallery featured abstract paintings that felt chaotic, almost like something a young child might create. Another displayed graphic nudity, and yet another was centered heavily on themes of death. I was hoping for a broader range of styles or something more accessible and enjoyable for families, but the indoor atmosphere felt intense and not particularly inviting.If you enjoy edgier art, this might be a good fit for you. For families or those looking for a balanced experience, I'd recommend focusing on the wonderful outdoor space!

The Walker is beautiful, lovely helpful staff, and plenty of docents. I went twice in two days to see the Keith Haring exhibit. Entry was easy because I got my tickets in advance. The exhibition had great pieces and really good videos. But the galleries? Quite inaccessible with broad stairways between many of the galleries. Signage in the museum was overall poor, and the gift shop was inadequate. The wait for a bottle of water inside was 45 minutes and outdoors 30. Ask the families with strollers or wheelchairs if the Walker is accessible. Better still, check with ADA.

The Walker Art Center is a modern and contemporary art museum in Minneapolis. Outside you'll find the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. There are 11 galleries, cinema, a theater. They also have a cafe.

Okay WOW! I didn't expect a museum cafe to have such incredible food!! We got the hummus tray and couldn't recommend more. If you're wanting desert make sure to try the pistachio affogato - it's one of the best I've ever had Italy included!! Such a fun day date idea for the girls or for yourself!

I planned a date night for me and my partner, and overall it was a good experience!1 - You can explore the art exhibits for free on Thursday nights! It was BUSY on a July summer night, but still enjoyable! Get your free ticket online before you go to avoid Check in lines. And the time you select doesn't matter FYI! The art was very interesting even for someone who isn't too into art! 2 - The mini golf. It was $12 a person and on the rooftop of the art center. The "holes" are artsy and more like mini games. Don't come expecting a real competitive round of mini golf haha, and the lines were long at each hole. Overall would not do again as an adult, but all the kids I saw enjoyed it!3 - Park in the sculpture garden lot, cheaper and a nice walk!4 - the attached restaurant looked expensive, but the Patio could be worth it for a drink or 2!!4 stars!

The Walker is a bunker-like box near Loring Park. I am sure you have driven by it without even noticing it. It's game is modern art and it does it well.While nowhere near the size of the MIA, it packs a solid punch of contemporary art across many mediums. Also, if you have kids, the first Saturday is free and it is family day, where they have lots of activities for the kids. My kids approve of this review.And unlike most modern art museums in the country, it has a sculpture garden across the street. They also have some food options and a really good gift shop. I always find parking nearby on the street, so that is always a plus when lugging little ones around.

Such a classy establishment, making the appreciation of fine art accessible to everyone regardless of language or household income. The art collection is constantly changing, so there's always something new to admire. The building is always clean and the galleries are easily accessible. My kids love the rooftop mini golf (additional charge). Be sure to take some group photos while on the rooftop before the views of the Minneapolis skyline is fabulous. When my hubby and I were poor college kids, we would come here for date nights during their free Thursday nights (admission is free 5-9pm), or the first Saturday of the month. A few on-street free parking spots are available, but there is ample paid parking a block away, or for a few more dollars you can park in the underground garage.

A long overdue review. Back in the day my family and I would periodically hike across Hennepin Ave to enjoy Sunday brunch at the Cafe and then wander through the galleries.Then the Walker was expanded and gone was the familiar, comfortable Cafe and since then dining options have undergone several permutations.While the gallery space has significantly expanded and the addition, while quite different from the original Barnes designed structure resulted in what is to me a pleasing blend of the flashy newer with the more restrained older.The more modern Herzog & de Meuron creation seems to me an exuberant, if somewhat calculated, addition to the more austere somewhat utilitarian building. Somehow it all seems to work IMHO.The artwork (including the occasional performance or film) is "modern" and to me an acquired taste. That said I have found some amazing pieces that are well worthy of my attention and interpretation.I've heard it said that art should challenge the viewer. Consider this writer so challenged.The outdoor sculpture garden with its accompanying conservatory is a very agreeable place to while away a few hours (when weather cooperates). I have attended weddings and receptions in the conservatory and I think that space serves well in such a capacity.Alas the Guthrie has left the confines of its adjacent Groveland location and thus no longer offers the opportunity to spontaneously enjoy pre-theatre romps into the Walker. But it can be argued that both outgrew their respective spaces and now provide greater opportunities and experiences.

I went on their Free First Thursday Night with my 6 year old. They had a weaving craft in the Lab which was much more fun than I expected. I would have loved to come alone to take in more of the art and reading of descriptions which my kid did not have the patience for. There were ping pong tables and we sat and waited for our turn but by the time the prior group left the staff told us they were putting them away for the night. It would have been nice if they could have told us thay prior to us waiting 20 minutes. I don't know what the benefit would be of going on a paid night?