Top Museums in Minneapolis to Explore This Month
Top Museums in Minneapolis That You Can Explore this Month!
Minneapolis is the biggest city in Minnesota, so there’s a lot to do. It has tons of restaurants, and the music scene attracts people from all over. Not to mention, it’s the Land of 10,000 Lakes, which is great news for water-skiers and people who fish! But the main attraction is its art and culture. It turns out there are endless museums to explore! So if you’re ready to go museum hopping, keep reading. We’ll discuss five of the best museums in Minneapolis to get you started.
1. Minneapolis Institute of Art
At the Minneapolis Institute of Art, you can travel through 4,000 years of history. There are more than 80,000 works of photography, sculpture, drawing, and painting! You can find the Institute in a 1915 beaux-arts building, and it’s free to visit. Visitors are in for a treat when they head to this museum. Housing works by Matisse, Monet, and more, this museum is home to tons of world-renowned art!
The only problem is that you’ll need more than one day to cover it all. You might be able to enjoy some of the museum’s enormous collection in a single afternoon, but certainly not all of it. The Institute has so much artwork that you could visit every day for a week and still not see everything. Even if you don’t get the chance to see every piece of art in this museum, it’s still worth the visit. Who wouldn’t want to look through more than 80,000 artworks and historical artifacts?
2. Mill City Museum
Head to the Mill City Museum for a real mill experience. It has historic railroad cars and equipment for you to marvel at. While you’re there, enjoy hands-on exhibits with friends and family. You can also learn about the history of Minneapolis and its milling techniques. Believe it or not, it’s quite fascinating! The Flour Tower is another fun site to see. Inside the museum, you can sit in this freight elevator and tour different floors of the building. Check out their machinery, water lab, and more, all from the comfort of a glass elevator. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind exhibit!
And don’t forget to take advantage of the Museum’s amazing views. Standing on the observation deck, you’ll get a whole new perspective of the Stone Arch bridge and the Mississippi River! Last but not least, make sure to swing by the baking lab. The Mill is still a functional bakery, so they’ll be cooking up a storm!
3. Walker Art Museum
If you love art and architecture, you’re in luck. The building that houses the Walker Art Museum is a work of art in itself! This museum features contemporary art from paintings and sculptures to photographs and works on paper. You’ll love the exhibits they put on! When you’re done soaking up the artworks inside, you can continue the experience outside. Don’t miss the Walker’s iconic sculpture garden. It’s incredible! In the garden, make sure to take a picture with the well-known Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture. Your Instagram followers are going to love it!
A few other highlights include:
- Siah Armajani’s pedestrian bridge
- James Turrell’s Sky Pesher installation
- A mini-golf course designed entirely by visual artists
Some activities are seasonal, so check the website before venturing to the museum for a specific event. Known as one of the five most-visited art museums in the U.S, the Walker is a museum you don’t want to miss!
4. American Swedish Institute
The American Swedish Institute is a cultural center and museum. It’s housed across two buildings, one of which is the historic Turnblad Mansion. As the only castle in Minneapolis, this building itself is worth a visit! The other building is the Nelson center, where you can browse exhibitions and attend classes. It’s quite a cultural experience. Of course, all the artwork and exhibitions are linked to Sweden. So if you have some Swedish roots or are curious about the country’s history, check this one out. You’re going to learn a lot!
5. Weisman Art Museum
Have you heard of the famous architect Frank O. Gehry? Well, he has a teaching museum in Minneapolis called the Weisman Art Museum. Try not to enjoy this intriguing place. It’s impossible!
Since its opening in 2011, this gallery’s collections have almost doubled in size. Gehry was responsible for the original design of this modern facility. If you go to this museum, you’ll be in awe of the collections of Korean furniture, ceramics, and modern artwork. The Museum hosts special exhibitions and programs throughout the year. So no matter when you’re visiting the city, be sure to stop by and wet your architectural palate.
In Conclusion
Who knew you could experience so much culture in Minneapolis? Get ready for a grand adventure and start exploring these well-known museums! So whether you’re a longtime resident of the city or you’ve recently moved here for college, make sure to check out these institutions. Before you know it, you’ll be quite the art and history buff!
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About The Author: Aaron Hunt is the property manager for Prime Place Arrow. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by call or text at 402-858-2858.
