Have a baby, toddler or a kid? This is the place for you. First time parents get the first 18…read moremonths free! Amazing experience for the little ones. My daughter loved all of the activities they had there. Definitely go check it out.

I didn't realize this museum was in the mall, surprised to find that out as we pulled into the…read moreparking lot. oh well, let's give it a shot. On the plus side of location, when you need a caffeine pick me up, Caribou is ready and waiting. The museum is on the smaller side. They do cram a lot in but my kids interest was held for about two hours max. I get that you are somewhat limited by space and so they do their best. In comparison to other children's museums we have done, it is tiny. My kids did enjoy themselves for those couple of hours and then we just hung out at the mall to kill a little more time. Don't expect to stay the whole day unless you really commit but if you need something for a couple of hours, this will do.

We visited here a couple of years ago and were pleasantly surprised on how big inside. We easily…read morespent a couple of hours here and also did the teddy bear clinic too. Admission was free since we have reciprocal science museum membership. Parking is street which you come early for best spot in front of museum.

The La Crosse childrens museum is located in downtown La Crosse. It is filled with lots of fun and…read moreeducational things for kids. When we went there was a Kwik Trip replica, large fire truck, dinosaur maze, climbing pads, water table, train tracksand much more. It costs 8 dollars per person when visiting but on Sundays it is 7 dollars, and children 12 months and under are free. They also have memberships available.

This is a destination spot, for sure. I live in Minneapolis and even the trip down is pleasant (I…read morerecommend going down the Wisconsin side of the river), with great views and frequent eagle sightings. Lake City is a very pretty place to stop and take a walk, with lots of good places to eat. Continuing down to Wabasha (back on the Minnesota side of the Mississippi) , it's a really pretty drive. The Eagle Center is equal parts educational and a place to get up close and personal with a variety of eagles. They also have demonstrations that are guaranteed to delight both kids and adults. Take a bit of time and walk around the town of Wabasha, which was established in 1854. Many of the old homes and buildings still remain in this very historic town. The Eagle Center and the town of Wabasha are great destinations at any time of the year.

Very educational and it was such a profound experience to witness this countries national symbol up…read moreclose to personal.

Our family has had an annual pass for several years and both of our boys love coming here…read more Their favorites are the big slides and laser game. They also enjoy the variety of rooms/areas and rotating exhibits that the Minnesota Children's Museum has. Great place for kids of many ages!

Always such a fun time here! My kids are 5 and 7 and have been coming here for years. We got the…read moremembership so it's worth it. We don't live too far so we can come quite often. They usually have deals around the holidays. $20-$30 off so that's what we usually do for memberships. Parking is pretty simple here, I like that they have a ramp, it does cost a few dollars and you have to get it validated but it beats having to find street parking. It's usually not too crowded when we go so finding parking is not bad. The ramp goes right to the elevator. We like how they have multiple levels of fun. They switch it up enough that the kids like exploring the new exhibit. They like their familiar exhibits too. We usually spend 2-3 hours here and it tires the kids out. If it's your first time there you may want to bring extra clothes and shoes in case the kids get wet. They have a few areas where kids can play with water and depending on how messy the kid is you might need spare clothes. My kids love the art exhibit and always spend a lot of time creating masterpieces there. They also have a baby area so if you have little ones feel free to bring them! They do have a small cafe with snacks and drinks so if you do get hungry you can buy food. There is also a subway right outside the museum. A lot of people will pack lunches and snacks and you are free to eat in the museum. It's a nice location by lots of restaurants so if you want to go out after it's a good option too.

This place always is our go-to stop when going east of twin cities. It has a little for everyone…read morefrom toddler space to indoor playground upstairs. The water table is favorite of both our kids. I had to get a stuffed penguin in construction outfit when I saw the promotion.

This is the first children's museum I've been to that I've actually liked! We went on a Friday…read moreafternoon for something to do to avoid air quality warnings and I'm so glad we went. There were so many different activities and sections that I've never seen in play places before, like the car repair shop. Since it's so large, it also didn't feel like it was too crowded and overstimulation wasn't a problem. The water area was the favorite with testing out the water that launched the balls through tunes and mazes and even getting some to spin on water. The brain cave was also pretty cool with its colors. We also appreciated a separate toddler area that had the tree you could put leaves in and they shoot out the top. This kept us occupied for a long while. It's a little expensive for a family if you're not a member, but it was well worth it for us to break up a road trip and get some energy out. I highly recommend if you're in the area!

What I like best about this place is the cave tours they offer. The Stoppel family dug these caves…read morein the sandstone outcroppings in the 1800s. Some old dates and rather interesting graffiti inside.

My wife and I and a couple of relatives were in Rochester for a wedding and needed something to do…read morefor an afternoon. I lived here for a few years and never knew the history museum was here because I never really made it to this side of town. The museum part is pretty small but informative, but the outside features are cool. You can tour an old farm house and an old school. There is a lot of history about the Mayo Clinic, which I didn't really know about and you can do the whole thing in about an hour. We had a nice place to kill a couple of hours and I am glad we did.

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.

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.

We visited the International Owl Center for one of their programs a few weeks ago. We paid $18 for…read moretwo people and it was definitely worth it, especially if you love owls and care about conservation. We arrived early and had time to walk around an check out their adorable gift shop. Even if you can't make it to a program, the gift shop alone is worth a stop and the proceeds go to an amazing cause. There were 3 owls present for our program but Ruby was the star of the show and the only one to be brought out for viewing. Our speaker advised that there are typically 5 owls present but they have to be transported to the center daily and if they don't feel like coming, they are not made to. I love that! JR the Eastern Screech Owl was also there but he never really came out so I could get a look at him (although I did hear him once and his little "screech" was nothing like I expected!) and Bea the burrowing owl was also there. She was my absolute favorite with her dainty size and her sweet, although shy, disposition. I never even knew there owls that nest underground before seeing her. We learned a lot about these amazing animals and things we can do to help them and although our program was full of adults and seniors, I think this would be a really great thing to do with children. For instance, through an exhibit about wingspan, we learned that my husband has the wingspan of a Blakiston's Fish Owl and I have the wingspan of a Eurasian Eagle Owl. They have plenty of interesting exhibits about the different sizes and types of owls and we made sure to "Make a pledge to save owls" before leaving. They also sell artwork from the community and are working very hard to raise money for a new facility for these beautiful creatures so I recommend coming to visit if you are able and having a nice time while helping a very good cause.

This is an amazing place. So interesting- informative- family friendly-and educational. The owls…read moreare magical. The staff kind and programs presented are great. Gift shop has a wonderful assortment of owl themed products. Also- the kids art from all around the world is amazing. Please support the owls and this wonderful Owl Center.

It's was a very interesting tour of the home. It is beautiful and has much of its original…read morearchitecture and decor. The guide, Grace ? I think, was very knowledgeable and passionate about her tour. She did a great job. She went the extra mile when we had problems with our uber driver getting lost and needing help. If you want to learn more about the history of the Mayo family and the Mayo Clinic from a more personal perspective this is a good stop for you. Especially during Christmas time, as the home is decorated similar to the decor from when the family lived there.

Grace Mattress was the best tour guide ever! The mansion was decorated for Christmas and was…read moreabsolutely enchanting!