Dropped in last night for their free Thursday evening admission. All I had to do was check-in at…read morethe front desk and receive a small medallion to wear. They even had a fun free craft going on in the basement, all supplies included and snacks! Yay! I just took an explore at my own pace through a couple of exhibits. The docents are a little creepy... I know they're just doing their job by standing there staring at you or following you around (probably because guests are bad at respecting the rules), but yeah, I found them a little distracting/detracting from the experience. Oh well. I just tried to ignore it and focus on the art as best I could. Moving from room to room and spiralling up gradual stairways will kind of get you lost inside the building. It's large and has multiple floors. The space will shift from cozy to grandiose at a moment's notice. If you don't like being lost, grab a map before you go in. If getting lost is a fun part of the experience for you, then by all means, just enjoy following your nose like I did, haha! I happened to be there on opening night for the new kid's exhibit they added, where you are encouraged to touch as part of exploration. It's not terribly large, but I like things that encourage imaginative play. Shame I saw one lady just staring at her cell phone like a drone while her kid played beside her. There are all-gender bathrooms on the ground floor by the lobby, and additional restrooms scattered throughout the center (when you stumble across them, lol). There are also coat closets for you to hang your coat if you don't need it; they keep the center nice and warm inside! There is an occasional water fountain as well, which is a godsend since they do not allow you to carry ANY drinks (even recloseable water bottles like Hydroflasks) into the exhibit spaces. There are also a couple of gift shops. The one in the lobby has affordable things, the one deeper in on the second floor is like modern art for your home + a wall of books. There are a couple of theatres inside, along with a full restaurant (y'know, if you have money for fancy-schmancy things like eating, oops). For parking you have a couple options: you can utilize the surface lot for $5 and it'll last you until midnight, or you can use the underground lot for $8. Depending on the weather conditions, that extra $3 might make it worth it to you to choose the underground space. On a chilly Thursday November evening, I still chose the outdoor lot and there were plenty of parking spaces available. There is also the option of squeezing into parallel parking along Vineland and using the meters. Obviously, the sculpture garden is also right next door to explore at any time of day for free. I highly recommend it, if only to take a quick selfie with the Cherry & Spoon or blue Cock.

I had the pleasure of attending the performance of Shamel Pitts - Tribe: Marks of Red on Saturday…read moreand it was interesting. I was very entertained as the performers were absolutely AMAZING. I enjoyed the space and I will be back another show and all of the other art parts that offer because I really love the arts. Go and be inspired.

Have you been? You…read moreneed to go! You owe it to yourself! If you're reading this review and it's between the months of June through August, then now is your chance! The Ard Godfrey house is the oldest wood frame home in Minneapolis and has actually been moved 5 TIMES from when it was originally built in 1849(!). During the months of June-August on Saturdays and Sundays they offer 1/2 hour tours from 1-4pm for free (the first time I went on the tour, I was the only person that showed for the first 45 minutes, so I was able to extract a full 45 minutes of information, stories, displays...heh heh heh). The Woman's Club of Minneapolis has been maintaining this home since the 1970's and has opened it up for the rest of us to get a glimpse into Minnesota's past. You've most likely driven by this house in Chute Square a zillion times and never noticed...it simply--and oddly---blends into the scenery. It was also perceived as a mansion back in the day, so all the more interesting to see how the "upper crust" lived during the mid-1800s. They also have some of the Godfrey's original household items. The tour guides are all volunteer, super-friendly, and dressed up in time-appropriate costumes. I've taken the tour twice over the last few years and plan on going again. And now, for the cliff hanger: What is the origin and meaning of "Good night; sleep TIGHT; don't let the bed bugs bite." You're going to have to go on the doggone tour to get the answer. You WILL thank me for it. And it just might change your life forever...

Such a great experience checking out the Foshay Museum and Observatory!…read more It was a bit confusing to find since access is only available through the Marriott hotel, but the staff was super friendly and gave great directions. It was fun to learn about the history of Foshay. It was a bright a d clear day and we were able to clearly see spectacular views of the airport and downtown St Paul.

I used to work across the street from the Foshay - was there about ~9yrs and never checked out this…read moregem. I did go during Doors Open which is probably the busiest time to go. They have 1 elevator that goes straight up to the 30th floor. The details on the doors and around the building were amazing. Once you get up to the 30th floor there's a small museum where you can learn more about the tower. Then you take a few stairs up to get out to the observation deck. I will say it's pretty tight up there. Not ideal for big groups that can't separate. Each direction has a look out otherwise you can just look through the bars. For sure a cool place to visit at least once.

This is a focused, unique but not peculiar museum. They have handsomely repurposed a church,…read morecreating several gallery spaces. The anchor paintings in their permanent collection are worthy, plus they feature several sets of Russian nesting dolls, most of which featuring cats--which is cool. We caught their outstanding show of USSR propaganda posters. The objects are interesting (most are in great condition) plus the wall text is illuminating. Definitely worth a visit.

We had driven by this museum countless times over the years and were so glad to finally check it…read moreout. The museum used to be an old San Antonio mission style church constructed in the 1920's. It was really cool how it was converted into a museum. The museum houses art from both pre and post Soviet Era. They had a really amazing visiting exhibit called the Violins of Hope that featured violins crafted and played by Holocaust Jews. It was a great day to spend the morning.

Located right by the MIA...this is a very unique and interesting museum...that I didn't even know…read moreabout until I came here for an art workshop. Came here actually for an interesting art workshop called "Create 'Unexpected Art' with Becka Rahn" which involved creating images and computers and the final product would be a swatch of material from an image that I created!Which is to be mailed to the participant via mail.. which I haven't yet received...I took this workshop with a past participant who was raving about it ... I really did enjoy my experience and I am so looking forward to my finished product! $5 gets you in and also a tour of the museum/mansion.. oh what a deal.. and like Rhonda G. says below... it's really like having a Downtown Abbey right here in Minneapolis! FREE Parking that's connected to the museum, too! Look forward to attending more interesting events here in the future!

If you are a native Minneapolite - or even just a transplant / convert - check this place out. It's…read morekitty-corner from the MIA so you can make a day of museum hopping followed by a meal at one of the many restaurants along nearby Eat Street (Nicollet Ave). For a minimal fee, you'll be able to check out the fantastically-curated exhibits that explore different topics relevant to Hennepin County's history through photographs, textiles, paintings, videos, audio-recordings, sculptures, artifacts, and more. It is a full-sensory experience in a historic mansion that cannot and should not be missed. In addition to traditional exhibitions, they have unique and fun programming - which sounds like it will be more frequent according to an article I read recently about the new director! Plus, the mansion is available as a venue rental. I even considered it for my upcoming wedding! The biggest downsides (and biggest complaints I had while working there) are 1) the fact that the building is not handicap accessible and 2) the lack of air conditioning in the summertime. It's an unfortunate reality about many historic buildings but even more so for HHM...as a non-profit and lesser-known museum, lots of funding is needed to facilitate the appropriate and allowed retrofitting while still protecting the historic integrity. Admittedly, I am a bit biased in my love of this place. When I graduated with my B.A. in cultural studies and comparative literature, I began scouring the Twin Cities for non-profit gigs, especially those in the Arts. I landed my first post-college job as a museum administrator at the Hennepin History Museum despite having never stepped foot in the mansion or even knowing of its existence. It was an amazing experience and I learned a lot, but the most valuable thing I learned was what an exceptional gem HHM is. Please do not miss out on the opportunity to explore!

I've been sorting through numerous items collected over the last three generations of the family…read moreand have taken a number of things to this museum. The staff has been very nice and welcoming and the displays of life in Dakota County of the past are terrific. I've really enjoyed finding information regarding the heyday of the Union Stockyards and the boom town that was South St Paul in the early twentieth century. I learn something new each time I visit.

Cool view with a lot of history. great view of the city either day or night but like why couldn't…read moreit just be open to the public? You would think you would be able to go up for an even better view but nope. But even from the vantage point not too bad of a view of Minneapolis.

This water tower has quite a lot of history if you google it. The park itself isn't much to visit…read moreand surround the tower is pretty run down. I rode my bike up here just to check it out, wasn't worth it.

The Landing is a historic and unique, outdoor living history museum that preserves and interprets…read more19th century life in the Minnesota River Valley. Wooded trails stretch along nearly one and a half miles of scenic river valley, which really brings alive the charm and challenges of life in the 1800's. Walking through this village, a person will firsthand witness the early days of the fur trade era. Back in a time when people traveled by footpath and canoes to the bustling village with its shops, homes, church, town hall and railroad depot. Some days there are costumed interpreters who are prepared to spin a tale, demonstrate their craft and explain the daily life of men, women and children. Many days, however, the park is unstaffed so it is primarily a self-guided tour, with occasional informational signs that describe a building's or area's historical significance. No cost of entry or parking, which is great!

The dogs and I have visited the park a number of times and always enjoy our strolls through the…read moregrounds. Lots of parking, many flat trails for easy walking, beautiful spots for photo opportunities, interesting building and history, nice bathrooms hidden in a building that matches the barns. Definitely will be going back.