7 Best Museums In Minnesota

Today's best museums are hands-on, interactive, and thought-provoking centers designed for curious people of all ages. Minnesota has such a delightful variety of museums that it is tough to call just a few the very best. You could spend days museum-hopping in Minneapolis, but it's also fun to explore the specialty museums in smaller towns around the state. And when you do, you will also discover what other treasures each town holds, from charming Main Streets to miles of outdoor trails.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Forget any preconceived notion or memory of talking in hushed tones in stuffy art museums. The goal of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, which calls itself "Mia," is to make art accessible to everyone. Drop into their Meet at Mia: Summer Series on the lawn at Target Park, no registration necessary and no fees. Groove to the live music as artists lead you to make your art inspired by a Mia exhibit, like a printed bandanna, jewelry, a weaving, metal art, and more.

After the fun at Mia, visit Boom Island Park on the Mississippi Riverfront. It has biking and walking trails, a playground with a tot lot, restrooms, and picnic areas. Or, if you are more in the mood to sit in chairs and be served, try Diane's Place for creative Hmong American breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and brunch. Be sure to snag a pastry if you can get one.

Science Museum of Minnesota

Step inside this Saint Paul treasure and discover STEM learning in action all around you through live demonstrations and engaging presentations. Learn the workings behind collections on Mondays at 10 am, with the opening of the museum's Backyard for large-scale, outdoor programming on June 9. Additionally, enjoy Museum Nights, designed for the 21+ crowd, on Fridays from 5-8 pm. For a quieter experience, check out Sensory Friendly Sundays on the first Sunday of the month.

While in the area, visit Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. One of its seasonal outdoor exhibits features life-size, touchable sculptures of animals that have made conservation comebacks. Admission is free, making it a great family-friendly stop.

SPARK Children's Museum

Children take the lead at this museum in Rochester. Exhibits and centers are designed to stimulate kids' imagination and critical thinking skills. Rather than telling kids what to do, SPARK experiments and staff ask open-ended questions that provoke more experimentation for more answers. Manipulating materials of all kinds is hands-on learning that prompts additional thinking, all while playing and having fun.

Stay nearby at The Cornerstone Plaza Hotel, close to the Mayo Clinic and Soldier's Field. Take a sightseeing tour by the Rochester Trolley and Tour Company, which loads at the hotel. Tours are themed, such as a history tour where a knowledgeable guide points out landmarks and curiosities, or a "To Heal the Sick" tour about the Mayo Clinic and the founding family behind it.

SPAM Museum

SPAM, the magical meat in a can, is BIG in Minnesota, so it should not be a surprise that the town of Austin, where Hormel is based and SPAM is made, would have this museum. The outside of the building, with its old brick facade on one side and a brightly colored, glassed modern front on the other side, is a preview of the museum's focus on SPAM history and how the product is used today. Interactive exhibits supply tidbits like SPAM's role in WWII, how many cans are made per minute, and how the meat mixture has changed from the '50s to today. All 15 varieties are sold in the gift shop, including Teriyaki, Jalapeno, Korean BBQ, and of course, the original. Free admission and samples.

While in Austin, get outdoors at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Its 500 acres include hiking/walking trails through wetlands, prairies, and forests. Pets are not permitted on trails, and bikes are only allowed on the bike trail, accessible from the parking lot. An indoor Interpretive Center is also on-site. Offsite, peek at the moon and deep space at the Sola Fide Observatory's viewing nights.

Lake Superior Railroad Museum

Located in Duluth’s historic Union Depot, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum features one of the largest collections of locomotives and railcars in the country. Visitors can explore restored trains at track level and learn about the evolution of rail travel through engaging exhibits. The museum is also home to the North Shore Scenic Railroad, which offers themed rides along the Lake Superior shoreline during the warmer months.

While at Union Depot, stop by Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, which includes a fun play area for kids. Grab a bite at the Lowertown Bike Shop and Coffee Station, known for its sandwiches and pastries, or enjoy a sit-down meal at the 1881 Eating House, a cozy spot with historic charm.

The Works Museum

More and more museums feature STEM activities and hands-on interaction, but The Works in Bloomington takes it a step further. While engineering programs and activities often start at the teen level, this museum is all about engineering for kids ages 5-12 and their families. The museum's open floor plan lets kids explore at their own pace how things work and imagine as they build. "The House" exhibit lets kids see the engineering that goes into building structures we live in; "Carry a Load" explores how different cultures and countries use engineering.

Bloomington is also home to the famed Mall of America, with 520+ stores ranging from designer clothing to creative toys and the latest books. After being surrounded by people at the world's largest mall, take a walk on the wild side at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge's miles of trails, pond fishing, and hunting in some areas.

Judy Garland Museum

Frances Ethel Gumm was born in Grand Rapids, MN, and made her stage debut at the New Grand Theater at just two-and-a-half years old. At age 4, her family moved to California and, later, she became Judy Garland. The museum contains Judy's restored birthplace home, original items from The Wizard of Oz, and many of Judy's items collected over the years. The museum will host the 50th Judy Garland Festival this summer, with guided tours of the archives, Judy's movies playing, Oz and Judy Trivia, and more festivities.

It would be a shame to visit Grand Rapids without taking advantage of its surrounding one million acres of public forest land and trails for hiking and biking, including Legion Trail, accessible near the high school, as well as over 1,000 lakes stocked with walleye, bass, and other favorites. The town has also been mentioned as having one of the most charming Main Streets, complete with coffee shops, locally owned restaurants and boutiques, and public art installations.

See, do, touch, and imagine

From making art accessible at Mia, to bringing engineering ideas to elementary school children at The Works, to getting to the meat of why SPAM is so loved the world over, Minnesota's museums connect with people through interactive displays that beckon visitors to touch, play, laugh, and communicate with one another. They also challenge visitors to use today's technology and tools to imagine and design the future. Choose a museum whose topic intrigues you (whether you know anything about it or not!), plan your visit, and immerse yourself in all it offers. Then look around the area for more fun. You never know what you will uncover, and new passions you may discover.