Beautifully preserved prairie school style home. MIA manages this property and the guide was…read moreincredibly knowledgeable and thorough in helping bring the home alive. Our tour had about 10 people which was a good amount. I had a fun time trying to find the subtle differences in the stained glass windows. On street parking was easy. I will have to come back in the summer to see more of the outside and gardens. I'd also like to walk around the neighborhood. Beautiful area. Enjoyed this tour very much.

The Purcell-Cutts house is owned by the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and is open for tours the…read moresecond weekend of every month. It was built in the early 1900s, and has been preserved (with the replacement of some of the original furniture with look-alikes) almost entirely as it was back then. The tours are very informative, and cheap too; $5 for non-members, free if you're a member of the MIA. Being that it's a turn-of-the-century house, it wasn't built to accommodate wheelchairs, unfortunately. Also, you should call ahead if someone in your party has trouble walking up stairs or standing for long periods of time.

This is such a fun activity to do as part of an outing to Lake Harriet, especially with kids! While…read moreit's only a 15 minute activity, it's a TON of fun, and both of our kids loved every minute. It was also really neat to learn more about the streetcar lines from the volunteers, and to see a little bit of the area that's hard to visit on bike or foot. The price is super reasonable at $3 per person (babies are free). While I would not make a special trip here just to ride the street car, it's an awesome additional activity to eating at Bread and Pickle, walking around the lake or kayaking/boating on it, or playing in the playground!

Disclaimer: I am an (unpaid) volunteer streetcar operator (i.e. driver) for the Minnesota…read moreStreetcar Museum. The actual Museum is in Excelsior, but there are two locations that have a streetcar you can ride. If you would like to be transported back in time, I recommend a ride on a streetcar at either Lake Harriet (the "Harriet-Como Line") or in Excelsior. I can speak to the streetcar experience at the location at Lake Harriet, since that's where I volunteer. The ride starts and stops near the lakeside pavilion, at 42nd Street and Queen Avenue South. There is train depot from which you can buy tokens (currently $2.50 for a round trip -- kids under four are free), souvenirs, and some candy. You can use a credit card to pay, but cash is not accepted. There are currently two Streetcars in operation. One was built in 1908 and was used until the Streetcars were discontinued in 1954 in favor of buses. The more "modern" streetcar was built in 1947. The Excelsior location has other models. The best part about driving a streetcar is to see the smiles on the faces of the children. Parents and grandparents delight in sharing this experience with younger people and also enjoy a cool breeze on a hot Minnesota day. This ride is something that routinely surpasses the expectations of riders. Round trip tokens can be purchased at the Depot (called the Linden Hills Station), and they are the original tokens used when the streetcars ran. Drop your token into the faire collector box by the driver and pick a seat. The trolly goes to Lake Bde Maka Ska and back. Feel free to depart at Bde Maka Ska and return later (no extra charge). You will then continue back past the Depot and stop at the "Car Barn" where the streetcars are parked at night). It will then return to the Depot for the end of the ride. A ride is approximately 20 minutes long.

James J. Fiorentino Museum is an amazing one of a kind place filled with unique and historical…read moreitems. You won't find this listed very easily on the MN. museums list as it's a private collection and showings are by appointment only. I took a chance and sent an email to Rob Andres; Operations Manager of the collection. He responded right away and was lucky enough to get a time slot. The majority of the huge collection are genuine hand carved beautiful cuckoo clocks dating back decades that were from Germany and made with wood from the Black Foredt. Some have been restored and repaired to bring them back to their glory. They feature many different motifs of animals, instruments and fauna (leaves). The woodwork on these clocks is ornate and extraordinary! The delicate intricate wood work on the cuckoo's is really neat to see. Rob gave a private tour where there were soo many additional non clock items in the collection that were historic and fascinating in nature. There were many exhibits and well worthwhile seeing. Many items brought back memories of time past. It was both fun and enjoyable seeing all the variety of cuckoo clocks in working order. This is truly a one of a kind museum collection. I'm so glad I had the privilege of going here. Rob shares some really unique stories behind the pieces and you'll not see anything like this amazing collection at a museum stateside. I have put only a few pictures of some of the items as I don't want to spoil or giveaway some of the choice masterpieces! You'll have to go see them for yourself! contact@clocksandstuff.org

This by appointment-only museum is a trip back in time. Sometimes called the Cuckoo Clock Museum,…read morethey have tons of beautifully crafted cuckoo clocks but so much more. The old telephones caught my eye as we were here with the Urban Sketching group. When you make an appointment to tour the museum, you will be treated to the history and craftsmanship of the many items. The garage turned museum was a labor of love for Mr Fiorentino and it's a gift to be able to share with many others. On street parking is available. Head to the north loop to check this place out.

Nice museum focusing on north and west Lake Minnetonka and Mound in particular. The highlights for…read moreus were the Tonka toy exhibit, the Andrews sisters memorabilia, and information on local Native American burial mounds.

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.

Had a great visit to the museum, Bob welcomed us and gave as a 45 minute tour, filled with…read moreinteresting information about the exhibits. His passion for the museum was obvious and contagious. Easy to recommend a trip here.

Absolutely amazing. It's the perfect size and the staff are all amazing. Tim was our guide and he…read morereally made a personal connection with all of us, including our two year old. You're never rushed and if you enjoy aircraft and/or military history, you have to, have to, HAVE TO, visit. They honestly could charge way more than they do and I would still say it is worth the visit. We will definitely be back again and again.

A must see if you are in the Twin Cities and the whole region. This cultural center serves as a…read moremuseum and a community center for the nation. The gift shop has art and other products all from small businesses. Once you arrive there is a small introduction from the staff and you are allow to learn at your leisure. There is a free parking lot but you can also take a ride share, just be mindful of surge pricing.

This cultural center is a sight to behold! I love the architecture- both the exterior and interior…read moreare modern and flowing, yet so thoughtful in how it connects with the greater meaning of the Dakota people (who find symbolism in circles and cycles). The sky-light in the ceiling mirrors the tribe's logo. The lower level is specifically members-only, so if you are visiting, you will not be able to view the lower level. We discovered that there was a fun masquerade happening after-hours the day we visited; it's nice to know there is involvement all the time from community members! The upper level is where visitors can come to explore the museum and learn about this region's specific segment of the Dakota tribe and the dialect they speak. You will get to see authentic and historic pieces that were unearthed in the burial mounds right here in the Shakopee area! Wow! Also many outfits worn by men and women. Two painted murals are very impressive as well. There are many exhibits to read from and interact with, many of which also include Dakota language read aloud so you can listen along. I especially liked learning that the tribe had specific words for older and younger brothers/sisters. My favorite exhibit was the teepee lined with real buffalo skins that you could sit inside and listen to recordings of oral history stories that might've been told back in the day while pretending to be next to a warm bonfire! Very immersive. I also really liked the origin story told at the beginning of the self-guided tour; the video played in 360 degrees as well as directly above you as if you were looking up at the sky/stars. It really made it special and memorable. Another fun experience for younger visitors is the bead stringing simulation with colored wooden blocks- choose a fun pattern and assemble like a puzzle! You will also be exposed to the tragedies that befell the tribe with the invasion of European settlers and learn the harsh struggles the community had in retaining its culture during that time. Further, there are exhibits of more contemporary times as the community has been able to secure more land, grow, and look toward providing for its future generations. Really remarkable the strength and hope showcased at the end of the tour and really wraps up the experience nicely. The rate for adults/general admission is $8. Seniors, educators, and students get a discount for $5. There is an occupancy limit of fifty individuals at a time. Be sure to stop at the giftshop to purchase unique gifts that benefit the community and the artists themselves that create the crafts. You'll find lotions, balms, incense, food items, maple syrup, incredible quilts, blankets, plushies, keychains, beanies, jewelry, pins, postcards, decorative pieces, books, and more. There is also a library full of great literature to learn even more if you choose, free of charge. Honestly, if you are in the area, this place is a must-go! Wonderful experience, and the employees are very friendly and knowledgeable too.

Stopped in to the Minnesota Vikings museum, which was included with admission to Training Camp!…read more It's a super modern, interactive storybook of the history and special moments of the Minnesota Vikings. I'm not even from Minnesota, but it was fun to walk around and take it all in. I appreciated the almost "art installation" quality of the pieces. I don't think it was worth it to pay to walk through the museum, but it's definitely worth a walk thru during Training Camp or other event in the area.

If you're a Vikings fan this is a must and for only $15 for an adult it's a steal of an adventure…read more Packed full of history from 1961 to present it's a great reminder of why you love the vikes! We even had the pleasure of meeting Joe Jackson who was there visiting a former Viking who played along like the purple people eaters of the 1970s! SKOL