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    Betsy-Tacy Museum

    4.5 (2 reviews)

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    The Bakken Museum

    The Bakken Museum

    4.5(42 reviews)
    63.7 mi

    FAMILY FUN DAY at the The Bakken Museum!!! We had an unexpectedly great time. Each of us enjoyed a…read moredifferent aspect of this unique place: - My teen son loved the interactive, tech-inspired exhibits - I loved the beautiful Gothic/Tudor architecture and the history of the families that lived in the mansion throughout the years -Hubby loved the calming outdoor spaces and medicinal gardens - Our tween daughter loved her scavenger hunt for Lego people that were hidden throughout the museum From their website: 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. Located on the West shore of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis, the museum features interactive exhibits for all ages and exceptional STEM education programs. Make movies in the Spark exhibit, meet the mother of science fiction in Mary & Her Monster, and test out some of Ben Franklin's favorite experiments in the Electricity Party Room.

    A total gem - The Bakken Museum hits hard, not only from…read morethe buzz of learning something new but from how fresh everything feels. Never thought I'd skip this spot for years, even though it's near my usual bike trail. Not just another exhibit hall - it sparks real wonder, like flipping on a light in a dark room. You walk out seeing things differently, especially those hidden powers running behind everyday life. Finding it tucked where it is? Unexpected. Sure, I've passed by loads of times, pedaling right past without stopping. But now? No way am I sleeping on it again. Right when I walked in, it hit me - this place was different, almost magnetic. No question about it, the highlight had to be the West Wing Mansion. It's more than just walls and floors - it's like a snapshot from the past, carefully kept alive. As I moved through the graceful halls, packed with old tools and exhibits, history came alive. Best part? Learning stuff didn't feel forced - it flowed naturally with everything around. The museum isn't about flashy displays - it shows what makes each item tick, telling stories of wild breakthroughs or the clever people who made them happen. Then comes power - yeah, electric juice. Those sections on how electricity works? Totally mind-blowing. Sure, I liked science before, yet this place cranked up my curiosity big time. They break down tricky ideas using simple words, fun visuals, so you actually get it without zoning out. One moment I'm looking at basic ideas, next I'm stuck on complex setups - each exhibit pulled me in. Not just scanning signs, but actually sensing electricity through sound, touch, sight. Walked out knowing way more about how this invisible push shapes everything - from turning on lights to nerves firing in your arms. Totally didn't expect to run into something that matched a story from my English lesson. Keeping details quiet so you can discover it yourself, yet realizing then and there: stories, creativity, facts - they're all tangled up in real life. On top of that, it deepened how I saw things, making the experience stick in my mind like a real-life story. What stands out is how well everything's put together - clearly, care went into reaching different kinds of people. At The Bakken Museum, you get what good exhibit planning looks like in action. Things to touch and try, but nothing flashy or fake-feeling; facts served straight, never too much at once - it just works. Workers knew their stuff, genuinely excited, which lifted the whole vibe. Curious about how science shaped life? Head to The Bakken Museum - it'll grab your attention no matter who you are. It might just do it better than school, it sure did for me! This isn't just for nerds or kids; it's for anyone who likes surprises. You'll learn stuff without feeling like you're studying, laugh a bit, maybe jump when something zaps. Honestly, few places deliver this much fun with electricity - real and metaphorical. Skip waiting around like I did. Just go.

    Photos
    The Bakken Museum
    The Bakken Museum - Bakken grand hall, with some olden-time comics about medicine and health on the walls around.

    Bakken grand hall, with some olden-time comics about medicine and health on the walls around.

    The Bakken Museum

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    SPAM Museum - 07.06.25 The Flying Pig

    SPAM Museum

    4.6(219 reviews)
    61.4 mi

    No foolin', I took my family to the Spam Museum on April 1 for a fun day trip to Austin. I feel it…read morehas to be a write a passage as a homegrown Minnesotan to experience the Spam Museum once in your life. This free museum is right in the heart of downtown Austin and offers a fun little escape from cruddy weather outside or just to step into something historically and culturally unique in our world. I mean, a whole museum dedicated to canned meat? Weird! You can tell that a lot of creativity and thoughtful care went into the design and creation of this museum. So many bright and fun exhibits, there is not a corner left untouched. Lots of unique, hands-on opportunities for kids as well as some very cool historical offerings make this a great place for all ages. All of the exhibits are of high quality and very thought out. After your visit, you might just be inspired to stop at the grocery store afterwards and try your hand at "spiced canned ham" or in other words SPAM!

    This is a cool, kitschy road trip-type of stop that is amusing and fun. Plus, it's totally free to…read moreenter, though there is a gift shop packed with branded goods to tempt your pocketbook! The museum is located right in downtown Austin. The lot immediately behind the museum is small but there is abundant other parking around. I didn't notice any meters or paid parking. A stop at the friendly front desk clerk helped us to get the layout. Everything is on the first floor, which is level. Many exhibits are located along wide aisles, though there are some cubbies such as in the international area. The museum guides visitors through the history of Spam, where it is found around the world and what the flavors are (the commercials are delightfully cheesy), and how it is made. World War II is quite a focus in the history section. There are interactive screens placed at an accessible low level for kids and wheelchair users that share quizzes and trivia. As we wandered through, an employee came through with samples speared on pretzel sticks. We got to try smoked Spam and maple Spam. The gift shop was a good final stop. This would be a great place to get a gag or white elephant gift. I collect smashed pennies, and I was happy to find a machine in the gift shop.

    Photos
    SPAM Museum - 07.06.25

    07.06.25

    SPAM Museum - 07.06.25

    07.06.25

    SPAM Museum - Another inside photo op

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    Another inside photo op

    Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum

    Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum

    4.0(3 reviews)
    78.4 mi

    The Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum is located next to the Amusement Park and also contains an…read moreIowa Welcome Center and a Gift Shop. The Iowa Rock n' Roll museum and the Queen II Excursion Boat are also a short walk away for those who want to experience a historical Lakes "trifecta". And when I stopped by a few weeks ago, there was also a Victory motorcycle rally and exhibition in progress, which made this area the central place for a lot of interesting things see and do. The Museum itself contains historic memorabilia of the Iowa Great Lakes, which includes Spirit Lake, Big Spirit Lake, and both Okoboji Lakes. It has on display restored wooden boats, historical photographs, and other artifacts. Multimedia presentations have been developed to illustrate the nautical and ecological history of this area of Iowa. Premier exhibits include the Old Okoboji store, a resurrected wooden boat and hundreds of riveting photos of past lakes area vacationers. I'm now old enough to have seen some of these historical exhibits outside of the museum! And when I look at old Fun House pictures of the Sugar Bowl, I wonder how I escaped injury! The other interesting learning experience are the stories of all the water craft that sank on West Okoboji (e.g. #30 Boat), and those of which that are still down there. And every summer that I return, I learn something new.

    First time came here on Sunday!! we looked around to find some info and the area events, then we…read morelook around the museum!! I recommend this place and friendly staff!!

    Photos
    Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum
    Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum
    Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum

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    Betsy-Tacy Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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