The Minneapolis area has quite a bit to offer in terms of culture with its numerous taverns and theaters. But one can’t forget the importance and intrigue of museums. Be it historical purposes or artistic appreciation, there’s no shortage of museums around Minneapolis to enjoy some insight. Here are the 15 best art museums worth checking out near Minneapolis.
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Walker Art Center
725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Notable for its silvery architecture, the Walker Art Center is host to art of all kinds. Paintings, sculptures, displays, and even movies are present within the multi-level and multi-medium art museum in Minneapolis. Also worth mentioning is that just across the street is the Sculpture Garden, home to the iconic sculpture of the spoon and cherry.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
If one seeks a wealth of art with plenty of history behind the pieces, the Minneapolis Institute of Art is the place to be for its over 90,000 works that occupy its halls. With its numerous paintings, sculptures, and relics from around the world, it’s a most enlightening spot with so much to explore.
Weisman Art Museum
333 E River Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55455
With its stunning multi-shaped building by Frederick R. Weisman, the Weisman Art Museum is a small but fairly open and sophisticated museum on the University of Minnesota campus. Art here can be as small as a simple portrait painting or many feet tall to take advantage of the massive space.
Mill City Museum
704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
For a historical look at Minneapolis’s more industrial heritage, Mill City Museum has plenty of historic relics to take in and much insight offered in various displays and visuals, including an elevator show. Built in 2003, this Minneapolis art museum rests next to the Mississippi River and has plenty of stories to tell of yesteryear.
American Swedish Institute
2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Rich with Swedish culture, the American Swedish Institute offers up a little bit of everything Swedish. From its stately mansion to numerous historical exhibits, as well as art classes, there’s a whole lot to enjoy at this art museum in Minneapolis.
The Bakken Museum
3537 Zenith Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55416
Founded in 1975, The Bakken Museum is dedicated to the history of electricity and electromagnetism in a unique display of scientific exhibits. Programs are also offered for young minds that wish to learn more about the energy that fuels our modern world.
Bell Museum
2088 Larpenteur Ave W, St Paul, MN 55113
Formerly the James Ford Bell Museum of Natural History, the Bell Museum serves as both a history museum and planetarium. It’s a fascinating location for its devotion to exploration and wildlife with astounding displays of technology and inspiring diorama works of nature.
Hennepin History Museum
2303 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
With a grand devotion to community, the Hennepin History Museum is a prime spot to learn much about the county. With its decadent displays of Minnesota’s heritage and numerous exhibits on everything from business to politics, there’s a whole lot of Minnesotan charm to absorb at this destination.
Wells Fargo Museum
90 S 7th St, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Placed within the Wells Fargo building is the free and intriguing Wells Fargo Museum, chronicling the past behind the Wells Fargo banking company. Of their fine attractions is an old stagecoach from the 1860s.
Firefighters Hall and Museum
664 22nd Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Committed to education and history on the nature of fighting fires, the Firefighters Hall and Museum is an opportune spot for the family to learn about how far society has progressed when it comes to taming the flame.
Minnesota Streetcar Museum
2330 W 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
For those pining for the days when the streetcars were a more common form of public transportation, the Minnesota Streetcar Museum will give visitors a glance at such a time. The museum notes streetcars from Minneapolis as well as the western suburb of Excelsior.
The Somali Museum of Minnesota
1516 E Lake St #011, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Minneapolis has a very visible Somali community and there’s an art museum to celebrate their cultural presence in Minnesota. The Somali Museum of Minnesota is not only Minnesota’s only Somali museum but the only Somali museum in the world! Visitors can experience a wealth of Somali culture from art to artifacts.
Pavek Museum
3517 Raleigh Ave, St Louis Park, MN 55416
On the more technological side of history, the Pavek Museum has a host of old tech documenting the history of radio and television. It’s a unique museum for those who want to see just how far entertainment has come in the form of audio and visuals.
Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery
1256 Penn Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Check out what the Minneapolis’s African American community has to showcase at the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery. Loaded with informative exhibits and inspiring works of art, as well as historic outfits and artifacts. It’s exceptionally worth your time checking out as the museum has free admission and free parking.
Minnesota Air National Guard Museum
670 General Miller Drive, Building 670, St Paul, MN 55111
If one prefers history with a bit more excitement, consider taking in the Minnesota Air National Guard Museum. Located in the Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport, the museum has numerous displays of various aircraft that includes fighters, transports, trainers, and helicopters.
