Five Must-See Museums In Minnesota
There are dozens of museums in Minnesota, and with such a diverse cultural landscape there is plenty to fill the walls and exhibits of a dozen more. A rich and fascinating history, a dynamic art scene featuring artists local, national, and international, and wilderness unlike anywhere else in America... these local museums put the beauty of Minnesota on display for all to see.
Minnesota History Center
345 W. Kellogg Blvd.
Saint Paul, MN 55102
(651) 259-3000
www.minnesotahistorycenter.org
So many important events have been lost in time, and too much is forgotten far too quickly. In St. Paul, you can find an entire museum dedicated to Minnesota history, and you'll get up close and personal with everything that made Minnesota what it is today. Want to know more about the history of the Rondo Community? Or about the Native Americans that called Minnesota home for thousands of years? How about the early industries that shaped Minnesota's economy? Or just revisit the Minnesota Twins World Series victories? It's all there and more. The grand History Center overlooking downtown is the best place to get to know Minnesota's past, and how that affects the future.
The Walker Art Center
1750 Hennepin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(612) 375-7600
www.walkerart.org
It's a world renowned modern art museum that attracts thousands of visitors a year, so the Walker's inclusion on the list seems almost too obvious. But it just keeps getting better. The shows and presentations, the always-dynamic exhibits… you can always find something new every time you visit. The equally well-known Sculpture Garden outside, with the "Spoon and Cherry" (now probably the most recognizable symbol of Minneapolis), also hosts events like Rock The Garden. It's not just a museum for you to walk past polished frames and white walls; it's an experience that will redefine the way you look at art, and the world.
The Museum Of Russian Art
5500 Stevens Ave. S
Minneapolis, MN 55419
(612) 821-9045
www.tmora.org
The striking displays on the walls, the towering ceilings... it's a sensory experience stepping inside this Minneapolis museum. The only North American museum dedicated entirely to the art and artifacts of Russia, this is more than just an art museum. What Russia has produced for the world is proudly on display here, and you don't have to have any connection to the country to feel the struggle, the history and the beauty of its culture. This is a dynamic experience not to be missed.
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Science Museum Of Minnesota
120 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St Paul, MN 55102
(651) 221-9444
www.smm.org
You could spend the whole day here and not get to everything this museum has to offer. You can travel back in time, or forward into the future. You can learn about your body or your mind. It's a learning experience for visitors of all ages. Watch "blood" flow overhead in the anatomy exhibit, dance down the musical stairs, or, for you "Jurassic Park" fans out there, learn some real history about dinosaurs, and see some of the most complete fossils/skeletons in the world. The Science Museum is also home to arguably the best Omnitheater in America, showing some of the most engaging films on incredible topics.
Bell Museum Of Natural History
10 Church St. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
(612) 626-9660
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu
The Bell Museum just keeps growing, and it couldn't be at a more important time. As a state that prides itself in its flowing rivers, lush forests, and diverse habitats, a museum that celebrates, and teaches about natural history is key to keeping this state beautiful. It's a great opportunity to connect with the wildlife and the ecosystem that thrived long before the towering skylines and bustling streets of the Twin Cities were built. You can really get up close and personal here, and it won't just be the kids that get excited. It's an important piece of Minnesota put on display, and simply a great museum to visit with or without the whole family.
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Adrian Schramm is a resident Saint Paul writer with a passion for all things local. Through his work with Saint Paul Almanac and Minneapolis Examiner at Examiner.com, as well as in the kitchens of bars and restaurants around town, he has discovered what truly makes the Twin Cities tick.
