Location: Minneapolis
Top Things to do in Minneapolis
What to do and see in Minneapolis, Minnesota (MN): The Best Specialty Museums
With its gleaming skyscrapers set amid glittering lakes, Minneapolis makes for an attractive and fun getaway. A truly year-round destination, the city offers activities for every season. In winter, one can explore the downtown area through more than seven miles of glass-enclosed skyways. In addition to keeping you warm, they create a lively thoroughfare filled with specialty shops, restaurants and services. Whether you want to escape the winter cold or the summer warmth, the Mall of America offers shopping, dining and entertainment options for any time of the year and every member of the family. Art lovers have plenty to see at the Minneapolis Art Institute, Walker Art Center and the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum, which all house world-renowned collections. The theater scene is thriving. With more than thirty theaters, Minneapolis has more seats per capita than any U.S. city except New York. See a Broadway show and enjoy dinner and live jazz at a fabulous restaurant. With kids in tow, check out the Science Museum of Minnesota, where visitors can produce their own video, or come face to face with a shark at the UnderWater Adventures Aquarium. In summer, the action moves outside. Known as "The City of Lakes," Minneapolis has 22 lakes located within city limits and many more in the surrounding area. In town, hordes of locals and tourists in-line skate or stroll around Lake Calhoun, stopping for ice cream along the way. Just outside of town, Fort Snelling State Park offers outdoor recreational activities from hiking to biking and golf to boating. No matter when you visit, Minneapolis offers lots for everyone to enjoy.
Restaurants in Minneapolis
1. The James J. Fiorentino Foundation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Established over the last 40 years, The James J. Fiorentino Foundation Museum houses North America's largest collection of more than 700 Blackforest German cuckoo clocks. In addition to clocks, the collection includes curiosities such as old radios, musical players, painted plates, embracing the beauty of human ingenuity and craftsmanship. Housed in Minnesota's North Loop, the James J. Fiorentino Foundation Museum is one of a kind and is sure to inspire wonder and amazement.
2. Firefighters Hall and Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
3. American Swedish Institute
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 495 reviews
Founded in 1929 by Swan J. Turnblad, this castle serves as a combination historic house/museum that features exhibits and programs of the Swedish culture.
Reviewed By Netanders - Herndon, United States
My Swedish heritage friends and I came to have lunch (meatballs, of course) and tour the Viking exhibit. I liked the exhibit but was amazed by the mansion itself. It’s beautiful!
4. Foshay Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 277 reviews
After recent renovation, our museum and observation deck are now open seven days a week from 12:00pm-9:00pm. Weather permitting, both will be open year round.
Reviewed By terrencet960
I grew up in Minneapolis and I was always fascinated with a building that looked like the Washington Monument. It was constructed in 1906 and it was the tallest building between Chicago and the West Coast until the early 1970’s and was converted into a Hotel in 2008. This fall my wife a visited family and we were pleased to stay in this historic building. The hotel is very interesting, step into the elevators and jump back in time, the rooms have a wonderful view of the downtown (ask for an upper floor room) and the décor in the rooms are fun. Minneapolis is a great walking town, with walkways that connect most of the downtown, we were able to walked to the Twins baseball field which is about a mile way. Easy access to restaurants and shopping. You can also visit the Foshay museum and observation deck located on the 30th floor
5. The Bakken Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
The Bakken Museum inspires a passion for innovation by exploring the potential for science, technology, and the humanities to make the world a better place. A beautiful Gothic and Tudor Revival-style mansion, unique artifact and book collections, dynamic exhibits, and rich education experiences - we have something for every member of the family.
Reviewed By Doxiemama3 - Cambridge, United States
I had never even heard of Bakken Museum and was invited to join a group of other families with special needs kids. It was fantastic. The staff were accommodating, everything is handicapped accessible, the tour guide was incredibly interesting and made learning fun. I would recommend it for any age from 5-105. Fascinating!
6. Mill City Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,543 reviews
Built into the ruins of what was once the world's largest flour mill, Mill City Museum is located on the historic Mississippi Riverfront. Here, visitors of all ages learn about the intertwined histories of the flour industry, the river, and the city of Minneapolis.
Reviewed By christinehE6161VY - West Palm Beach, United States
We just left a 2 hour tour of the Mill City Museum. It was a full 2 hours, with a 29 minute film survey of Minneapolis history and culture, an elevator tour of the flour mill history, and a docent presentation of working women’s lives in the late 1800’s. Very interesting. This is all besides the permanent displays about General Mills and it’s background. Good time to visit downtown Minneapolis with less traffic!!
7. Wells Fargo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Discover the story behind the stagecoach! Enjoy a fun-filled, hands-on experience including treasure boxes and gold nuggets. Explore a turn-of-the century bank, discover frontier transportation with an antique stagecoach, test 19th century communication with a working telegraph, and more. The museum store features a variety of Wells Fargo branded gifts, collectibles and apparel. Guided tours are available by reservation and admission is always free.
Reviewed By RealReview67 - Tyler, United States
Lots of information in a small area. Cute photo ops. Employees were very helpful giving information to us since we were from out of town.
8. Hennepin Overland Railway Historical Society
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
The Hennepin Overland Railway Historical Society, Inc. is a nonprofit exempt organization under §501(c)(3). Its goals include providing entertainment and education for those interested in the history and operations of railroads. Within our south Minneapolis facility, we operate a railroading museum, the "Station 2501" museum/hobby shop, and a 65 foot long by 29 foot wide HO scale model train layout.
9. Como-Harriet Streetcar Line
10. Northern Clay Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Northern Clay Center is an nonprofit ceramic arts center with the goal to advance the ceramic arts. We have a beautiful sales gallery for gift-buying, classes and workshops for kids and adults, studio space for working artists, and thought-provoking exhibitions.
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