# Museums & History > Minneapolis offers a rich tapestry of museums that reflect its historical and cultural heritage, from the Dakota Indians to its status as Minnesota's largest city. Visitors can explore a variety of interactive museums and guided tours that cover topics such as natural history, art, science, and technology. Notable attractions include the Science Museum of Minnesota, Mill City Museum, Minneapolis Institute of Art, and the American Swedish Institute, among others. Each museum provides unique insights into different aspects of history and culture, making Minneapolis a vibrant destination for those interested in learning and exploration. *Generated: 2026-01-26T06:41:25.335Z* ## Page Information - **Canonical URL:** https://www.minnestay.com/area-guides/things-to-do/museums-and-history - **Type:** page - **Last Updated:** December 23, 2024 --- ## Content # Museums & History From the time of the Dakota Indians to its current state as Minnesota's largest city, people have been enjoying all that the area has to offer for many hundreds of years. At Minneapolis's museums, you can learn about local Minneapolis history or world history, view art, experience science & technology, and more, thanks to Minneapolis's incredible selection of interactive museums and guided tours. [Embedded content](https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1-NgfEvQD1V9yAWHv8I5pM95pmqU5FAI&ehbc=2E312F) ## Things to Do [Museums & History](/area-guides/things-to-do/museums-and-history/) [Family Fun](/area-guides/things-to-do/family-fun/) [Outdoor Activities in Minnesota](/area-guides/things-to-do/outdoors/) [Golf Courses](/area-guides/things-to-do/golf-courses/) [Parks & Zoos](/area-guides/things-to-do/parks-and-zoos/) [Major Attractions](/area-guides/things-to-do/major-attractions/) [Arts & Entertainment](/area-guides/things-to-do/arts-and-entertainment/) [Breweries & Wineries](/area-guides/things-to-do/breweries-and-wineries/) [Tours](/area-guides/things-to-do/tours/) [Health & Fitness](/area-guides/things-to-do/health-and-fitness/) [Shopping in Minnesota](/area-guides/things-to-do/shopping/) [Casino & Racing](/area-guides/things-to-do/casino-and-racing/) [Trip Ideas](/area-guides/things-to-do/trip-ideas/) ### Science Museum of Minnesota A nonprofit museum focused on topics such as natural history, science, technology, and mathematics [Visit Website >](https://www.smm.org/) ### Mill City Museum History of the flour industry told through interactive exhibits in the rebuilt ruins of an old mill. [Visit Website >](http://millcitymuseum.org/) ### Minneapolis Institute of Art MIA inspires wonder with extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest wide-ranging art collections in the country. [Visit Website >](https://new.artsmia.org/) ### American Swedish Institute The castle-like Turnblad mansion, filled with intricate woodwork and stained glass, and Nelson Cultural Center. [Visit Website >](https://www.asimn.org/) ### Bakken Museum A one-of-a-kind museum exploring the mysteries of our electrical world. Get inspired and develop a passion for science and its potential for social good by helping people explore the history and nature of electricity and magnetism. [Visit Website >](https://thebakken.org/) ### Bell Museum of Natural History Filled with creepy yet awesome taxidermy, exhibits about the environment, and neato dioramas created by Minnesota artist Francis Lee Jaques, the museum provides a much more intimate experience in some ways than going to the Science Museum. [Visit Website >](https://www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/) ### Foshay Museum & Observation Deck Historic Foshay Tower is a Minneapolis Icon. View the city's skyline and surrounding neighborhood. [Visit Website >](https://www.exploreminnesota.com/things-to-do/5393/foshay-museum-and-observation-deck) ### Hennepin History Museum Hennepin History Museum is dedicated to bringing the diverse history of Hennepin County and its residents to life through exhibitions, library, collections, public events, and educational programs [Visit Website >](https://www.hennepinhistory.org/) ### Historic Fort Snelling Built in the early 1820s, Historic Fort Snelling is a great place to learn about military history from before the Civil War through World War II, fur trade history, slavery in Minnesota, the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 and much more. [Visit Website >](http://www.mnhs.org/fortsnelling) ### Minnesota Streetcar Museum Living history museum offering rides on historic streetcars through the park & special themed trips. [Visit Website >](http://www.trolleyride.org/) ### James J Hill House Visitors can take guided tours of this rugged stone mansion completed in 1891 for a railway magnate. [Visit Website >](http://sites.mnhs.org/historic-sites/james-j-hill-house) ### The Cathedral of St. Paul A replica of St. Peter's in Rome, this 1915 beaux arts church features a copper dome & rose window. [Visit Website >](http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/) ### Museum of Russian Art Based in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, The Museum of Russian Art is the only one of its kind in North America. Through our ever changing exhibits and fresh arts and performance events, we will introduce you to the Russia you don't know. Stop by. Be surprised. [Visit Website >](https://tmora.org/) ### Walker Art Center One of the most-visited contemporary art museums in the United States. The Walker boasts a stunning facade, extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, ground-breaking live performances, and exemplary eats at its restaurant, Esker Grove. [Visit Website >](https://walkerart.org/) ### Minnesota History Center The Minnesota History Center hosts concerts, dance performances, lectures, and more in what is considered one of Minnesota's finest public buildings. Home of the Minnesota Historical Society, this museum and library hosts tens of thousands of school children every year and is fun for the whole family. [Visit Website >](https://www.mnhs.org/historycenter) --- ## Related Links - [View this page](https://www.minnestay.com/area-guides/things-to-do/museums-and-history) - [Back to LLMs Index](https://www.minnestay.com/llms.txt) - [All Pages](https://www.minnestay.com/llms-pages.md) --- *Part of MINNeSTAY - Premier Minnesota Vacation Rentals*