Minnesota History Center Reviews

This is a great place to take your kids but adults too will have fun. Adults will not be bored!

We visited from Canada and were pleasantly surprised. There are lots of interactive exhibits. Several you get into including a WW2 C-47 bomber fuselage, a house in a tornado, and an iron mine to name a few. The exhibits make you feel like you are actually there.

There is a $2 coupon if you search online.

A special exhibit on WW I, another on historic life in Minnesota, yet others on Indian schools, tornadoes and blizzards on the plains, mining and grain storage in Minnesota, and much more made this the most popular museum for our 6 and 11 year old grandsons (and their grandparents!)

Went there to see the 1968 exhibit. Absolutely amazing. Getting to see Mr. Rodgers sweater was worth the price of admission. There are other great exhibits as well. You can easily spend an entire day there. There are two nice gift shops that are definitely worth visiting.

Great displays about many diverse aspects of Minnesota history. I love that they include different time periods and a variety of cultural displays, some changing every few months. The First Avenue and Native Peoples exhibits are well worth spending an afternoon. Lots of videos and artifacts give insight into parts of Minnesota history that many of us are not familiar with.

The exhibits at the MN History Center are top-notch. Not just old stuff put behind glass, nearly every object on display is tied to a real person with a real story. You feel like you're meeting people from the past, getting to know what their lives were like. Not to be missed is the exhibit "Open House," where visitors open drawers, peek behind doors, even sit on the beds as they learn about all the different families who lived in one house over time. The Center is pleasant, has a variety of hands-on activities, staff on each floor to answer questions and engage, adequate restrooms, a nice cafe, and great views of St. Paul. Worth the money and time.

Only went there to see the Prince stuff. It's a small display but he was small so it's only fitting. :)

Gift store is also pretty cool

Friendly staff

Not the easiest place to get to off of the train. Should be signs at the train station to make sure you are going in the right direction.

Near the St Paul Cathedral, the Minnesota History Center offers hands on exhibits for kids and plenty of exhibits for the curious adults. We recently attended with a seven year old who even enjoyed the new Somali immigrant exhibit. Don’t miss the great view of the Minnesota Capitol Building and as Garrison Keillor would say, “above average” café!

We visited this Museum a week ago. We will be taking a niece's kids here next week. There is plenty to do, with many hands on activities that are really fun. Every child we saw at this museum was having a great time. There is even a two-story grain elevator type playhouse that has slides , tunnels, etc. I highly recommend this place for anyone with kids. They have a number of amazing exhibits!

Amazing building, but not much inside. Honestly, not a good use of time and a disappointment. Now, if I had children...perfect. If you are serious about history and don’t have kids, don’t waste your time. If you have kids...enjoy! Oh, by the way, the best part about the museum was its bookstore.

The history center is always working on keeping things interesting. Their exhibits are not the same old boring history lessons seen at many historical centers but rather history presented in a fun exciting way. For those who are looking to do some family history the center has a great library with very helpful staff. Just want to look at how newspapers looked in days gone by? Just ask the staff and they will be happy to assist you in finding a copy of almost any paper published in Minnesota.

...interactive stations to help Sherlock Holmes solve a murder.

We came specifically for the Sherlock Holmes exhibit only, which is well done. No need to be a big SH fan to enjoy.

Better suited for kids, but adults can still play sleuth, gather evidence, and attempt to solve the crime.

Can be a bit confusing to follow the crime trail, so don't hesitate to ask the docents for hints.

We stayed ~ 2.5 hours altogether.

We took a 6th grade class trip. Very nice place great information for the kids and adults. Wish we could have had more time, but what we saw was great. The kids got to learn about Minnesota role in the Civil War. Lots to see plan to stay for awhile so you can enjoy all of it.

My former college roommate and I (Macalester College 1969-1973) visited the 1968 Exhibit at the History Center. It’s here for another year and I highly recommend it. It brought us back to our senior year in high school and shaped who we were/are today 50 Years later.
Sadly, the era is eerily similar to what we are living in today.

My wife and i visited friends in St. Paul and she had occasion to do some genealogical research in their facility. The staff were very helpful and she was able to develop further background for her research work on her German and Finnish family heritage. There are also two nice gift stores on the premises. The facility is modern and pleasant to visit.

What an amazing way to spend the day - we got to see the Somali-Minnesotan, 1968, Weather Permitting, and Then & Now exhibits and learned so much about Minnesota and American history. Such a wonderful environment for people of all ages to come and learn interactively!

The Gale Family Library and staff are excellent! We worked in the research center and had lunch at the on-site bistro. While we did need to make research appointments in advance, we were able to do so online. Be prepared to leave coats and bags in individual provided secure lockers and wear a face mask. The staff are knowledgeable, courteous and very willing to assist with even the smallest question. A wonderful treasure in St Paul.

One of the best museums out here in Minnesota. I give this high Marks. Went on a whim and was pleasantly surprised, a lot of work goes in to showing how history has impacted Minnesota and vice versa. Put this on your must see list

If you're looking for something to do with your kids that is educational and fun this place is unbeatable. We had an amazing time at the history center. Our children dis not want to leave!

I will definitely be going back for more. We were there for over 3 hours and the only reason we left was because we were meeting someone else off site for lunch. Will definitely plan on straying at the museum and eating lunch so we can go back and spend more time at the exhibits.
Great mix of enough information to absorb what was going on without going on information overboard.
The 2 best exhibits were--1. Going down the basement and listening to the tornado hit on WCCO radio. 2. Riding in a bomber plane waiting to jump out with some great information personally explained by Ted.
These 2 were both amazingly great. I felt like I was down the basement and getting ready to jump out of the plane.

A lifelong Minnesotan, I had never been here until several years ago when I went with my daughter. To my surprise, she absolutely loved it. Following our experience here we started to explore the other 20+ sites maintained by the Minnesota Historical Society. I highly recommend getting a membership which costs about $100 for a family and provides free or discounted admission to Minnesota Historical Society events and sites.

There are a handful of exhibits that are "permanent", but then every 6 months or so they bring in new exhibits. Recent examples include the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Toys and Suburbia.

Go see it!

I am in the area for a teachers convention and the museum was recommended to me as a don’t miss attraction, particularly for a social studies teacher. On this visit, there were special exhibits on 1968, Somalis in Minnesota and the Greatest Generation.

All exhibits were very interesting. Some of the regular exhibits are particularly well suited for children and intended to get them involved in experiencing Minnesota history. I had no idea that beaver skin was so soft. Loved the mining room and info in Native American education systems....then and now.

Actually, they do a great job of comparing “then” in various periods to “now” throughout the museum.

After finishing your walk through the exhibits, which could take several hours if you are particularly interested, the museum gift shop has some interesting choices and better prices than many other museum gift shops that I have visited across the country.

This is definitely worth a visit. Adult admission is $12. Parking is $6. You can see the Capitol building from a beautiful window inside and I was told it was in easy walking distance, but we spent so much time exploring the museum that we saved that for our next visit to the area.

We went for the first time with our kids aged 8 and 11. While the exhibit space is not overly large, we spent nearly 3 hours inside and probably could have spent more. The "Suburbia" exhibit was good as was the "Greatest Generation". Something for all ages, really, which is hard to pull off. Some wonderful "immersion" exhibits as well such as the local tornado of the 1940s and the WWII parachute plane. You really feel like you are there! By the end of the day we bought a membership so we could come back!

Tuesday evening is free. Stayed in a downtown hotel and it was a nice quick evening activity. Beautiful building and it would be a great outing for children.

I use the research library (FREE) a lot to look up family history..... you can view old news papers from around Minnesota death certificates for family research and many other things, there is a museum that you pay a fee to go into see exhibits ........ but the building is a very fantastic place to see...

The Minnesota History Center is the absolute best field trip I have ever taken with my students! The exhibits are fun and educational. The classes fit our Minnesota standards. Best of all, the kids LOVE it! I recommend a ratio of 2/3 kids per adult chaperone for the littles, if you go.

We have been members of the Museum for 25 years - it keeps getting better and better. A beautiful building, great cafe and fun exhibits to appeal to all ages. Special Events like the summer music series are a favorite - sitting on the lawn listening to great music while munching goodies from your picnic basket and enjoying the beautiful St Paul skyline with views of the Minnesota Capitol and the St Paul Cathedral.

We've been here multiple times. Always enjoy and learn. Last trip was to visit the Hmong display. Like always it was interesting and educational. We usually spend about 3 hours here. Pay parking is available on site. The gift store is nice and the restaurant is better then one would expect. Well worth a visit, and multiple visits.

They have some good exhibits worth seeing. We have gone a couple time a year for a long time. Some of their exhibits contain a politcal correctness to them which is unfortunate. But still a nice place to view some good history exhibits.

The history center is an architecturally beautiful setting for creative exhibits.
There are a number of high quality permanent exhibits but I particularly enjoy the special exhibits that run for a limited time.
"Beyond Bollywood" is a exploration of the impact Asian Indian immigrants have had on America and Minnesota . It includes material from a Smithsonian project and also information on the immigrant experience in Minnesota. I found the list of contributions of particular individuals to our community to be particularly interesting .
The project on Hmong Americans was very moving as well as educational. The Hmong community is an important part of our state and this exhibit added to my understanding of their history .
I am sure the History Museum has more interesting projects in store.

This museum is one of the most interesting and beautiful museum in the country. All the building materials are native of Minnesota. It has hosted amazing exhibits including a most recent one about the events of 1968. It hosts a wonderful outdoor live music concert in the summer. A great place to visit

This was our first visit to the History Museum and my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed it. SO much information about Minnesota that is exhibited in different ways. Loved the 1968 exhibit. Brought back memories of things we havent seen or thought of since we were small children. We also enjoyed and learned alot about weather in Minnesote. The exhibit of tornados was fascinating and quite real!

This was a terrific museum with well-curated and interesting exhibits. There was a lot to see, and all members of the family would find something they would like. A couple of the exhibits evoked some different emotions, so I feel they did a good job of making people think, learn and appreciate. Definitely worth an afternoon of your time.

I truly enjoyed this Museum I love how it makes it enjoyable for all ages I now have teenagers who still like to come. Every Tuesday starting at 6 p.m. they allow free entry until close

We love the History Center & went to check out the new exhibit "Suburbia". It was Valentine's weekend, so they had lots of extra activities available (harpists, a big balloon heart for photo ops, cookie decorating, love spoon demos, etc).

The exhibits are all very good & we enjoy visiting ones we've already visited, as there's always something new for you to learn. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly and you can tell they really love what they do.

It's a great place for children, as well as adults and I would highly recommend it if you're coming to the area.

Parking is close & they have 2 great gift shops filled with wonderful books and lots of quirky and fun gifts.

Each Tuesday from 5-8 pm admission is free :)

I spend 3 days doing research in the History Library. Their collection of materials is extensive and the staff is very helpful. They showed me how to use the microfilm reader and make copies from the digital copier. In the print materials room, it was easy to use the computer to find the materials I needed. The staff was quick in retrieving items from the archives that I wanted to read through. All-in-all, I had a very successful time doing research.

The MHC is filled with hands on activities for all ages. The admission is reasonable, a membership here is worthwhile as you can enter so many other museums with it. It takes about 3 to 4 hours to cover the museumm. Favorites are the grain silo, WW2 exhibit, Native American exhibit, and the ever changing special exhibits. Parking is reasonable and the cafe is nice with a good variety of items priced ok,there is a kids menu.

Always love going to the History Center. It is a place I can take my teenagers, my grandparents, and my grandchildren and I know everyone will have an enjoyable time.

This is a free event. A must do for all Minnesotan's who want to better understand our history and Indian history. Hands on activities, lots of space, well done design, grand building, excellent library- shopping spot and food court in well lit dining area... kids or date night- or all the family- I loved it.

I visited here with two teenagers, who both, surprisingly, loved it. The 1968 exhibit was excellent. It was hands-on, balanced, informative and moving. My children and I came away with a much better understanding of that turbulent year and were able to draw many comparisons to our current political environment. We also appreciated the Somali Museum which helped us understand much better the history of the Somali community in MN and what they have contributed to the Twin Cities. We were sad that our ride to the airport arrived early so we couldn't stay longer in the Minnesota History gallery, but we enjoyed the hands-on mining exhibit. This museum is great for both young and old!

If you are interested in the history of the First Avenue club in downtown Minneapolis go see the exhibit on display at the history center. It was very interesting. Make sure to check out the great view of the state Capitol. The restaurant has great options for lunch or a quick snack.

There are always interesting exhibits, and the History Center is more affordable, and sometimes free, for families. My friends with kids tell me that the kids have really enjoyed hands-on exhibits. Great for a cold Minnesota day. There is also a fine reference facility for Minnesota history, whether you are searching for ancestors or writing a novel. The Historical Society has run a great museum in all the years since this building opened.

This is a great museum for history buffs, kids, families, and everyone else too. Something for everyone. I could stare at the airplane that hangs in one of the galleries for hours.

What a cool place to go to and see all the old things we grew up with and how inventions, appliances, transportation, communication, computers etc have changed throughout the years???? Wow! This place brought so many memories back growing up as a kid of what we used and were used to compared to now?? The Minnesota historical society museum is awesome for any age to see!!!

First time, took 3 grandsons and they enjoyed it all. A lot of interactive displays that make history come alive. The C47 exhibit that give you the experience of D-Day paratroopers was not to be missed. Decent cafe for lunch. Spent about 5 hours and could have taken more time to enjoy. Great views from fantastic building.

The History Center makes history come alive for today through well designed displays in an interesting building. On Tuesdays in July they host free music concerts on the lawn.

Probably one of my favorite places to visit in Minnesota, especially when they showcase Native American and Hmong history in MN. I hope that a next exhibit includes a history of the Somali population.

We stopped in here on a whim and ended up spending a couple hours enjoying the many thoughtful exhibits. My wife and I are pharmacists so we were especially happy to explore the Schumacher room with its many historical surprises hidden in books and drawers. Pharmacy was very different in the late 19th century and yet we found some similarities in issues of patient safety, product purity, and appropriate roles for pharmacists in patient care. Outstanding!
The rest of the museum was equally well-done with exhibits from natural history, though wartime, and modern life; all tying in to Minnesota residents. Although this was our first visit to Minnesota, we enjoyed all of the exhibits and then went on to support the local economy by dropping a bundle in the two museum stores. Worth a visit!

This Building holds everything from battle flags won during the Civil War, to Princes Purple Rain Jacket, to moon rocks brought back by the Apollo Missions.

The building itself showcases the most expensive window in all of Minnesota. The window is on the second floor and specially cut to do an optical illusion of the State Capitol. I'll explain. Most times objects get bigger as you approach. Not at this window. The Capitol Building is largest when standing at the far end of the hallway, and gets smaller as you approach the window.

My wife and I never go to museums. Somehow they always stay on the bottom of our list of places to visit, but on this trip to eat at Cassette's in St. Paul (seperate review, but great places to eat around the museum as well) we decided to stop by the Minnesota History Center to make it a twofer trip across the river.

We are so glad we decided to visit the History Center. The main attraction currently running through March 20th is the Suburbia Exhibit. This was a fun stop, but don't miss the other exhibits which are outstanding.

My wife and I are Baby Boomers and loved Suburbia. It's a little sad to acknowledge that we (or our families) actually owned and enjoyed many of the items on display (antiques now, but cutting edge then).

After Suburbia don't miss the "Then Now Wow" exhibit especially the mining tour and the Grassland section. We found ourselves stopping at almost every history stop and learning about life back in the day. We especially liked the lumberjack stops and the sod house and plowing attractions.

Our favorite and a stop not to miss is the C-47 airplane. Hop in the aircraft and enjoy a re-enactment flight as a paratrooper complete with exploding anti-aircraft bombs, banking plane sensations and bullets hitting the fuselage. It was just like being there.

As mentioned earlier plan a stop at the History Center and enjoy lunch or dinner in St. Paul as well. We'd recommend 3 hours for the History Center. It takes more time than you think and we didnt even get to the "Weather Permitting" exhibit.

We have visited the MN History Center for years, starting when the kids were little and very interested in history. Now that they are older we still love to visit and learn more. They have a great kids area for kids and adults alike with lots of hands on things-which is always fun for kids!

The history center pairs excellent travelling exhibits with rotating historical exhibits of local interest. Parking and lots of room and a good gift shop. Good for the family.

We saw the 1968 exhibit. It was such a walk down memory lane. Everything was so accurate, all the things used in daily life then, the political news and event, the vietnam war, the pop culture.

For kids of all ages, there is something to see and learn here. My 8 year old granddaughter loved going through a house where room by room you learned of the families who lived there since the late 1800s. She loved turning the meat grinder and "making"sausage." Elsewhere, we donned hard hats and toured the "underground" mine and pretended to blast and drill for ore. Then we "experienced" the power of a tornado.

The Minnesota History Center offers a fantastic overview of, well, Minnesota history. It is particularly awesome for kids as there are LOTS of hands on activities!

The History Center is a wonderful attraction for locals and out-of-towners alike. Their permanent exhibits are very well done. They thoughtfully engage kids, teens, and adults. Plus, they offer some fantastic special temporary exhibits so there's always something new to see. We loved it so much we got a membership so we can visit more often!

The museum offers exhibits of various types showing the development of Minnesota. It also houses and extensive library collection of information regarding Minnesota such as regional histories, genealogy information, and newspaper data. There's always something new there when I visit.

I have taken children, refugees, relatives (Americans), exchange students and friends here and there is something interesting for everyone. Sometimes, I am surprised by what people are fascinated by. The refugees from Asia were interested in the animal furs traded by fur traders in the 1500's as well as the history of a house that had seen generations of immigrants. There are exhibits, such as the bones of a bison and a railway car, that children find intreging. Then are things that I like to experience, such as the tornado house, again and again. It is a well done museum.

Visited to learn more about an ancestor where records were at the MHC. It helped that index of library’s holding are on its website. Helpful staff

After wanting to visit this place for years, I finally had time and I wasn't disappointed.

This beautiful well-designed building is a short walk between St.Paul Cathedral and the Capitol.

I thought all the exhibits were well done and museum staff would take names for some attractions so you didn't need to wait in line because reduced capacity due to COVID mandates.

It took us three hours to see the exhibits of the third floor.

Music lovers will love the temporary exhibit on the Minneapolis music scene told though the history of First Avenue and Prince. It runs until January 3.

I loved it.

Extraordinary approach to exhibits in that they appeal to both young and adult attendees. Very interactive and informative. Delivers a broad understanding of Minnesota history, past and current. Enjoyed the WWII paratrooper jump as seen and felt from inside a C-47.

Parking: $6.00 Find a way to get to the museum without your car.
Admission: $12.00...no break for seniors

We had a great time here. Our children loved it and enjoyed all of the learning! This place is so clean and very well taken care of. The staff is great! I highly suggest paying the yearly membership. It will pay for itself. Also you will get into other historical places by being a member.

Went for the 1968 exhibit and stayed to walk through all the rest of the exhibits! All the exhibits were very well done. I highly recommend this for a worthwhile visit!

This place is both educational and entertaining for all. Be sure to visit the tornado and bomber plan experiences. Something for all ages. Wonderful gift shop and cafe.

A beautiful collection, excellent and helpful genealogy library, fun twin gift shops. The collection is fun and informative. There is a version of Lindberg’s Jennie hanging in one of the lobbies, and an antique windmill in another. An excellent cafe, too. The history center is easy to find, right on a hill between the Capitol building and the St Paul Cathedral. Easy parking (tho a bit costly.). Very friendly helpful staff.

We have visted a few times. Some of the exhibits are really quite nice...and other sections of the museum are meh at best. Its a fairly small museum.

They have an exhibit about the history of one particular home (If these walls could talk) in the St Paul area, which is really quite interesting.

We joined the MHC primarily to attend the history lecture series that run in the fall, winter. The museum itself is also wonderful with changing exhibits from time to time. Nice book/novelty store too and there is also a cafeteria style restaurant

Thank you Groupon for this great discount offering. The History Center is a favorite- but we challenge ourselves to make the most our membership and see how many sites we can get to in a year. I strongly recommend the Oliver Kelly farm in the spring. If you love Minnesota this is a great jumping off point for getting more information!

I visited last month with family to see the Chuck Jones exhibit, and couldn't wait to come back with friends! I recommend a visit if only for that. We didn't have much time to spend there, but we did also see the Prince things in the library, as well as the tornado simulator. I have no idea how they made it feel exactly like you're in a cellar during a nasty storm, but they did very well. There really seems to be something for everyone; not just for history buffs or just for kids, but would easily be fun for anyone of all ages or interest.

We love the winter lecture series that is held each year. They are usually of historical topics & the presenters have been terrific.

This is a fairly new building and it was very beautiful inside. Basically there were four exhibits (Sherlock Holmes had yet to open)... I would say they were average. I recognize they are trying to make this more interactive and more interesting to kids... just wish there had been a bit more about actual history of the state (timeline of events/founding/growth) as well as exhibit on famous persons from Minnesota.

We took our children 11 and 8 here - it was interactive and informational - it was great for adults and kids ! Staff was very helpful and friendly . We spent 2.5 and by no means saw everything .

My husband and I have been to the History center several times, but the most engaging exhibit we have seen is "1968". It is presented in a way as though you are actually in that time; experiencing the news and events as they unfold. I loved walking into the living room and seeing Walter Cronkite on the TV and also seeing one of Janis Joplin's outfits. (She was one of my favorite singers back in the day).

The History center has great exhibits in general. Kids and adults of all ages will enjoy spending time here.

This place is in a convenient to downtown location, just off the Freeway for out of town visitors.
The building is massive with lots of space and interesting exhibits. Went recently to the 1968 exhibit. While not necessarily Minnesota focused, it was fun to compare and contrast to today's similar challenges.

there are always rotating special exhibits highlighting Minnesota history from Native American through settlers and up to recent immigrant cultural impact. They do a nice job giving contect on what was happening in the rest of the workd at the same time.

A really fun experience and great activity of the family. Good for kids of all ages. A lot of history on MN.

We have visited the history centre several times but our latest visit was disappointing. They have removed one of the interactive exhibits relating to the history of a house and replaced it with “our home, native Minnesota”. I was really excited for the topic of this exhibit but the exhibit itself fell flat. It was not nearly as interactive and immersive as other exhibits. And the video screens were placed in such a way that they were so close together it was sometimes hard to listen to the screen you were trying to watch. The rest of the museum is still excellent and engaging for adults and kids. I would recommend calling to see if a school group is attending that day. Unfortunately we forgot to do so and the enjoyment was rather hampered by several hundred school children cutting in line and grabbing things from my kids hands 😬

My trip here was a wonderful experience, the variety of displays and exhibits is great and I love how so many are interactive/visual.

Great museum that brings creativity and humor to the story of Minnesota and beyond. I particularly enjoyed the Behind these Walls (?) exhibit that tells the story of a city and a neighborhood by telling the story of the people who lived in a particular house.

This is a great place to enjoy the history of the area. Good place for kids and adults. Don't miss out.

My son went to the Minnesota History Center with his class towards the end of the school year (seven year's old) and loved it. He's been asking to go back all summer. We just took the family and we all had a great time...so much to see and the kids both loved it and want to go back again. Great things for the adults to see and learn about as well.

Such a beautiful place! So fun to wander and relearn Minnesota history as well as remember all the fun things from the 50s and 60s collection!

This is a very interactive museum, if you can call it a museum. It's a great collection of displays that really immerse you into the subject - Very hands on history to keep you interested.

This is a great place to start researching family or property history. The staff are extremely helpful and the resources vast. I've also attended special exhibits from time to time and they do a great job with those, as well.

Going to museums with a two year old is seldom something we look forward to, but here it was no need to worry. The museum has a perfect mix of both information and hands on activities to keep both adults and kids happy. It's separated into different segments, so you don't get bored either. For a music lover, the part on First Avenue Minneapolis was awsome. Just too bad I was there slightly early for the new Prince exhibit. We went on a free Tuesday night, so value for money couldn't be any better either.

A wonderfully set up history center. Highly recommend for any age. The exhibits are quite informative and very visually appealing. Great place to immerse yourself in history for hours on end.

Went to see "WWI America"" exhibit which is excellent. So much information about the times of 1917: WWI, the draft, people's reaction to the times, immigration, women getting to vote, the 1918 flu; lots of displays to see and on and on. Have been at the History Center many times in the past and never disappointed. They have the "Then and Now" exhibit, "The Greatest Generation" which is what people did individually and as a family in WWII that includes the depression and following boom, a historic soda fountain, a real 1950 Ford. They have a C-47 warplane you sit in and see and feel what it was like as a soldier flying thought flak with the noise and sound on D-Day; "Weather Permitting" that including a room to experience (sight, sound, and feel) what it was like to be in a basement during the Fridley tornado. "Open House: If these wall could talk" in a re-created home lived in by German, Italian, African Americans and Hmong families during different eras: "Grainland" including a railroad car, a light-rail car; Info on the collapse of the 35W bridge: A sod house with what Pioneers put up with and with the grasshoppers plague; a display of the earliest TVs; Always persons on hand to tell about the different periods and special programs. An excellent place to visit and learn about history.

We have been to the Minnesota Historical Society's Center on a number of occasions for business related to historical preservation projects and just as tourists. A visit to the History Center is worth the time and the entrance fee. The present World War I Exhibit was very informative and, like the Greatest Generation and other exhibits, excellent. Plenty here of interest to kids and food and drinks on site. Plan on spending at least 2 to 3 hours here.

Took our extended family here (8 of us total). Plenty to do to keep the kids excited, and busy. I could have spent all day reading and exploring. Loved it, and will go back.

I have been to several special exhibits at the Minnesota History Center. They were very informative learning experiences. I highly recommend keeping an eye on their website for the special exhibits. They also have a lot of information/exhibits on Minnesota history.

Not sure there is a better place to visit to get a flavor of current MN culture while also revisiting the history of this great land.

Excellent Choice of a museum. Easy access on and off highway. Parking available. Highly recommended to everyone. Learn everything about Minnesota, you might be surprised how rich the history is.

Mummies, Prince's costume, celebrity wedding clothes plus pioneer tools and clothes, cultural everything from Minnesota's history. Good parking and access. Close to the Cathedral (another site to visit).

Having spent time in Europe and having visited many wonderful museums, I can state with confidence that this is one of the best ones I have had the privilege of visiting...twice. Looking forward to returning.

Great museum, fabulous archives, excellent gift shop (I often Christmas shop here), wonderful cafe.

This is a must stop for natives and visitors.

I went when they had the retro years; it was really neat to see the era I grew up in as a kid. Remembering the toys etc. and then sharing it with the younger generation. Loved the fact they change their themes and you have several auditoriums/rooms to go investigating and learning. Great café and well.

Spacious, comfortable, visually exciting and cozy--with great food in the attached cafeteria. A nice place to spend some quality time learning the history of Minnesota. It has Prince's costume from "Purple Rain"--the man had a waistline like Scarlett O'Hara's.

There is no doubt this museum curator is a genius. For someone who frequents museums in many places in the world, I find this one refreshingly different because you are expected to interact and manipulate everything to learn. This isn't just a great teaching tool for youngsters, but all ages benefit from the fun of doing, rather than reading about it.
Don a hardhat, and enter the caves to place dynamite in the rock walls, step back and press the detonator handle for an explosion. Or step into a WW II paratrooper plane and feel the sensation of what happened when the plane was bombed as soldiers readied themselves to jump. (might not bring really young kids in here.) Want to feel what it's like to be a soda jerk and scoop ice cream into bowls for counter customers? Get that apron on and get to work. There's a lot to see and experience here, and I'd recommend it to anyone.
Don't miss the exhibit called "If These Walls Could Talk" that takes you to a house and moves you through the occupants and their stories from the first German immigrants and ends 4 families later with an Asian family. Or "The Greatest Generation" which had me going down memory lane with stories from my Dad.
Even reluctant museum goers would like this one!

It's easy to miss things that are in your own backyard! The Minnesota History Center is a place that peels back the layers of fascinating stories that are hiding out in the open in Minnesota. The museum gives context and meaning to artifacts and dates that might otherwise feel like a big non-sequitur. I always bring visiting friends from other parts of the country to experience the Tornado Room. It's an extremely moving exhibit. Literally! Visit the A to Z Room. People are often stunned by the number of businesses and inventions that had their start in a place known largely for it's lovely lakes and farmland.

A wonderful, informative and impressive center. Staff are excellent. Could spend hours here if you enjoy history!

My friend and I went back to the Minnesota History Center to see the Sinclair Lewis “100 years of Mainstreet” exhibit. It’s very informative and for a $10 admission fee worthwhile and of course includes the other exhibits, The Greatest Generation, Extraordinary Women and Our Home: Native Minnesota.

We went to the Minnesota History Center and it was awesome. The Minnesota's Greatest Generation exhibit was amazing. They even had a recon car! My six year old wanted to get into the recon car. I could have been in that exhibit alone for 90 minutes. The other exhibits were well executed and interactive. My kids loved the buffalo puzzle exhibit.

We have a membership and visit several times per year. There is so much to see and do, you could spend just a few hours here or a whole day! There are exhibits that are geared toward younger children and some more for adults and older kids. We've been coming here for years and it never disappoints!

It takes two visits to see all that's offered in the WW1 exhibit. It explained a lot we didn't know about the US entry into the war.

In addition, there are at least three other permanent exhibits that are very interesting. We liked especially the "Greatest Generation" room. Also, they have a great library if you want to do research. The gift shops have a real variety of quality items for sale. We liked the great number of books offered. The restaurant is also quite nice. Parking is easy as they have their own lot and the price is reasonable.

Free parking.
The admission is cheap.
The place is very interesting. you can see some about railroads in Minnesota. Weather-related stuff. Tornado simulation where you get to sit in a basement and experience what a tornado feel like passing through your house along with much other stuff.
Native American Dakota tripe and more. it is a must-see.

The center has clear interactive displays portraying the history of Minnesota including accounts of life of early settlers and of the appalling treatment of the Native American population. There are also other exhibitions, including when I was there a striking display on the US in 1968 - and comparing it with today. Well worth a visit.

For an insight into Minnesota life and history, this museum can't be beat. It is well curated though some of the exhibits fall flat to those who are not from the area.

This is a very well done museum with a nice history of the area. I'm a Southerner and enjoyed all of it, but especially the section on the local weather.

Enjoyed all the various displays here. Took a lottery longer to go thru than expected, pleasant surprise. Was a bit frustrated they don't accept Time Travelers discount/reciprocal as advertised. Enjoyed the Peanuts display

My husband and I went to the History Center specifically for the First Avenue exhibit. Growing up in the area, we had both been to First Ave for music over the years, as well as seeing some of the featured bands in other locations.

The exhibits within the First Ave exhibit were detailed as to the history of the building and the different iterations of the club. There were also numerous photos and a few “artifacts” from the Minnesota bands that played there. We spent a solid two hours reading, looking at items, and watching displayed videos. My favorite displays were of Prince, Soul Asylum, The Time, Suicide Commandos, and The Suburbs. Wish there had been more items on display but it was worth the admission fee of $12.

After taking a rest in the Green Room area of the First Ave exhibit, we breezed through The Greatest Generation exhibit. We didn’t have much time left, but a docent recommended that we do the aircraft simulation. That simulation makes you a part of parachutists over Normandy during WWII. It includes the aircraft being shot up and crashing. It was interesting; I’ve flown full-motion simulators and this isn’t as realistic BUT I have never been part of the experience of a paratrooper. So, good way to get the information across.

Will definitely return.

The exhibit, Open House, outdoes the Tenement museum in depicting successive waves of immigrant residents. Imposing building

We arrived early and watched some of the aztec dancers - great costumes and performance. We enjoyed making our own ofrendas and dancing skeletons. The displayed ofrendas were very impressive. The mexican dancers were really fun to watch too - especially the kids. I also went through the house exhibit which was very well done tracing the history of one house and how the occupants changed as the neighborhood and the nation did.Great place to visit anytime!

Having some extra time on our hands, we decided to visit the the cartoon king's "Chuck Jones" history of animation. It was fabulous. There are a lot more things that go into making a cartoon than I had ever imagined. Back stories, sounds, cell counts, the list goes on and on. But the two exhibits that affected us most were the "greatest generation" and the "weather" exhibit. Make sure to go into the C-47 for their short movie and also the basement of the home in the weather exhibit. Both were fascinating.
Well worth the money and time...

The Charles Schultz exhibit was fantastic! Very interesting and entertaining. We spent about an hour in there looking and listening. The rest of the center was fine, just a lot less than I would have expected. A lot of the history information and items are not necessarily related to the state of MN, but to the history of the entire country. If you have younger children there is a really good interactive part of the center geared towards them. The kids we watched seemed to be having a great time.

What a great space. We visited Tuesday morning - not crowded and plenty time to look at displays and the collections at leisure even though there were two or three school groups around. We started with a coffee and muffin at the cafe and then took our time around the museum - probably a two hour stay. The staff were keen to tell us about the displays; I particularly liked learning about the wild rice harvest, the skins, the Mine Tour..... you get to detonate a blast! The tornado experience and the WW2 Parachute Regiment experience were excellent. My main reason for the visit was to see the temporary WW1 exhibit -really worthwhile and David the museum docent was brilliant!

When we visited there were many groups of kids. They were running everywhere and not respectful of adults. Most of the displays were geared towards kids vs adults. The groups left around 2:30.

People were awesome and friendly and we definitely needed to allow ourselves more time which we will do on our next visit. This is a premier facility and well worth a visit if you are near downtown St. Paul.

Special exhibits and continuing exhibits are very well done. All ages can interact with the exhibits and learn something (s) new! The exhibits are presented from Minnesota perspective usually but the information is generalized to our world as well.

Went to see Suburia at the history museum, it was like a step back in time.. I have a lot of interesting things there.. They also serve good food. And have nice gift shops..

We stopped by the Minnesota History Center primarily to see the special exhibit "1968" which was really fun for someone who lived through that era. We particularly liked the music section and game. We just had a short time to visit the perpetual exhibits which were nice but I don't think there were enough hands-on things for younger kids. Exhibits are heavy into reading. I have used the research area in the past for some genealogy work and that was great. Volunteers throughout are very helpful.

I really enjoyed this museum. I found the Then and Now exhibit to be my favorite exhibit. I also truly enjoyed their special exhibit on Suburbia, the exhibit on Minnesota weather and the Greatest Generation. Because of lack of time I didn't get to spend enough time in the exhibit on all resident's a single house had over the years, however it looked interesting. I'd recommend the museum for those 10 years +. There was less to do for young children and some of the exhibits had aspects that could be upsetting to younger children such as an interactive plane crash experience representing an incident that happened during the war. All in all, easily one of my favorite attraction I went to while in the Twin Cities.

A wonderful exhibit, capturing the diversity of the country at the time. Snippets of famous businessmrn, politicians, and activists from the Progressive Era bringing the war years to life with the currents of patriotism, Nativism, the Great Migration, passivists, anarchists, socialists, and Suffragettes. Interactive and packed with material history. The facility also boasts a wonderful archival collection, including the railroad tycoon, J.J. Hill's papers.

We love to tour the state museum when we go to a state. This one had very interesting permanent exhibits about Minnesota, as well as a special exhibit on World War I. Be sure to see the exhibit about the history and occupants of a local house - very interesting!

My kids dragged their feet about going but were pleasantly surprised. We have an 11 and 12 yeast old and there was lots for them to do. This museum has a nice collection, is informative, and has lots of interactive exhibits. I would think any age of adult or child could find something to do here. We were rushed halfway through because of closing but we plan to return in the near future. It's definitely worth buying a membership for all the MN historical sites.

The Museum itself is beautiful and well laid out. We've visited it before and have enjoyed the rich overview of MN History. This time we went specifically for their latest exhibit...1968.
The exhibit was very informative and well presented. It is a little incredible all that happened in that year and how it has effected all our lives.

You wouldn't think a history center would have much to offer ... but the MN history center is fabulous!! Lots of interactive exhibits and fun things for the kids to check out. My kids ask to go here over and over again! It's never super busy (and even when there are a lot of people there, it doesn't feel crowded or overwhelming). It's a great place to learn about MN History and almost always has something new to offer us or a new exhibit for us to check out. It's worth your time to stop by -- kids and adults a like will enjoy their time at this spot.

The always supperbly interesting Minnesota History Center offers a unique surprise for those who gaze out at the Minnesota State Capitol. Stand back and walk slowly toward the window - what do you see?

Visited with family members ages 4- 80. We all loved it. There is something for everyone. Very interactive and engaging. Spent 5 hours there and would have been there longer if they had not been closing. Just excellent presentation and information, a great museum for fun and learinig.

This is a beautiful museum with many wonderful exhibits. We especially enjoyed the Greatest Generation, 1968, the House and the Tornado exhibits. We spent about 3 1/2 hours there, which was about perfect.
There were so many children there the day we visited, so it was loud and kind of crazy in some of the exhibits.
Lunch at the cafeteria was good, with soup and salad bar.

Went to see the 1968 exhibit. Brought back a lot of memories, some good, some very sad. The exhibit was very well done, and the volunteer guides were top-notch. Highly recommended.

The Minnesota History Center offers some great permanent exhibits, but I found the most interesting and informative experience was the Hmong temporary installation which ended in January 2016. Hopefully the museum will make some of the exhibit permanent!

honestly I didnt have much time to explore this place, its huge! I dont want to leave a negative review because the quick 20 mins I spent there were very educational :-)

The MHC has a good selection of exhibits. Yet they could go more in depth. There are exhibits that interest children. The staff is professional and friendly. Visitors need 2 - 3 hours to visit the MHC.

we visited this place on our first day of our trip. the whole thing is beautifully built and well structured. you get know more about the history of Minnesota. if you are around will surely recommend, it will be worth it.

visited at the time of the WW1 exhibit. Extremely well done. Other regular visits are very good. Food quality and price were appropriate

Excellent, informative exhibits for children and adults alike! Also contain a wonderful history research library not to be missed if you are researching your Minnesota family. Amazing resources and courteous, helpful staff. I am a member of the Minnesota Historical Society and visit the Center often alone, with grandkids, and with friends. Love it!

The history center has something for everyone. The exhibits are great and they have a lot of hands on activities and exhibits for kids. My nephew loved grain world where he could play in tunnels and ladders. The buffalo is always a favorite, with its scannable parts. This is a fun place for adults and kids. I enjoyed the airplane with the story of the parajumper. I recommend becoming a member. It's totally worth it.

I went here on my daughter's field trip. I had never been here before and was very pleasantly surprised at how many hands on activities there were to do. We were there for 3 hours and that was not nearly enough time. I will be coming back with my entire family so everyone can see it and enjoy it and we can spend more time at each of the exhibits. We plan to buy a membership so we can go to the other Minnesota historical sites in the Twin Cities.

Our first experience visiting the History Center was on a school field trip -- and now we've gotten a membership and been back 5 of 6 times! It's a great, fun and interactive spot to learn about MN history and they have an awesome lunch cafe as well (I recommend eating at one of the patio tables). Lots of cool exhibits and hands on things to try ... you can go into a 'mine' and 'blow things up' ... check out what it would be like to be in a tornado or experience how it might feel to go up in a plane and be a paratrooper in the war (actually, be forewarned, the paratrooper experience might be a little tooo realistic for younger children :) . There is also a grain elevator for climbing and more!

I love going to the History Center! It has interesting exhibitions about Minnesota history and some seasonal exhibitions as well. The building is spacious and clean. In addition, they have free music on Tuesday night throughout the summer. People can listen to the music and also dance.

Excellent! Worth the money and fun for the whole family! The WW1 exhibit was fabulous. Make sure to sit in the airplane and hear the story of the paratroopers. Also the "Greatest Generation" was very interesting.

The building sits on a site which allows for beautiful city views. There is an amazing view of the cathedral through the glass doors. Make sure you check out the gift shop. They have unique Minnesota gifts.

Brought our family with our son and his grandparents. Many hands on activities and photo opportunities. We have been impressed with the whole group of MN historical sites actually. I've also used the MN History Center's online digital database that includes the Rondo Neighborhood Oral History Project.

I have been to better history centers. The displays were well done but felt like the information could have been more detailed.

The Minnesota History center takes you back to a different time and is fascinating for all ages. I took my 12 year old and my 70 year old parents and we all just LOVED it and wished we had more time to spend there!! It has everything from War to Weather. Will definitely go back.

3 major exhibits viewed... Weather had interesting tornado exhibit, greatest generation had vast collection of memorabilia, and Minnesota history section had Native American and fur trade components. Good for kids and tweens.

Of all the state history centers I have visited, I definitely rank this at the tope. It was extremely interesting, informative and full of interactive exhibits for everyone to enjoy. Save some extra time to visit here.

Unknown to most locals who visit the 'Tornado Room' and special exhibits is one free 'hidden' treasure: The Gale Family Library.

This library offers free registration and a wealth of research resources for all things Minnesota and onsite free access to online Geneology websites, which can be quite spendy to access from home on a paid account.

In only minutes, one of my kids found a picture of WW2 grandfather with buddies in South Pacific during the war, previously unseen and unknown to our family members. Pretty amazing. And so much more.

Don't skip the exhibits, but find yourself a visit to dedicate to family geneology and Minnesota history. Well worth separate visits!

The MNHS flagship museum sets the standard for presenting a sense of place in terms of history. They have programming & pleasing people of all ages down to a science. From the docents & volunteers to the exhibit developers and event coordinators, this museum is on top of its game.

Come see for yourself how the history center trains not just interns but museum staff for careers at other historic institutions.

I loved spending hours walking around this place. They had a great exhibit on suburban life recently and have a really great website with lots of information! I loved the library! The staff was helpful and even let me take a peek at some of their special collections. This place is a gem! I didn't bring any kids on this visit but I saw several groups having a great time with the exhibits. Make sure to stop here if you want to give the family an interactive view of Minnesota history. They have an incredible collection of F. Scott Fitzgerald pieces since he's a native of Minnesota!

I have been to the MHS two or three times. I just recently went to see the WWI exhibit.

WWI exhibit. (Fall 2017) - Beautifully presented to show the American wartime experience, trying to create an experience that one could step into. Creating a mini-theater where one could watch 2-3 minutes clips from wartime silent films, two store-fronts to show what shops might offer at the period. The actual historical artifacts were, in my opinion, a bit sparse. (Not that there weren't some things - suffragist banner, a nurse's uniform, a soldier's uniform, Jane Addams Nobel Prize - on loan from Swathmore - but a lot of the pictures/ephemera were just reproductions.

Greatest Generation Exhibit. Interesting. The 1950s recreated restaurant was well done. (No malts were being served.) Don't miss the bomber plane experience - that was probably best.

MN - Then/Now - definitely feels aimed at children. Great interactive exhibits.

Parking - $6 on site. Might be able to find cheaper parking if one is willing to walk a few blocks.

Entrance - $12 (as of 8/2017). Discount on parking/entrance fee/gift shops for members.

2 gift shops - 1 MN focused, 1 exhibit focused - both a lot of fun, with lots of good things with a variety of prices.

Plenty of bathrooms.

Cafe on site.

Love this place, located in St. Paul. Learn so much everytime I go there. The kids love it and they learn so much everytime. Lots to see and explore. Highly recommended

The History Center is a really impressive building and just impresses more as you wander round. There are so many interactive displays giving you a taste of things from experiencing a tornado from your cellar to life as a settler in the 1860s to being on board a plane on D-Day. The 1968 exhibition brought back loads of childhood memories and was extremely well put together, as was just about everything. You can easily spend the best part of a day there, with something to interest people of all ages, whether native Minnesotans or visitors like ourselves.

I have seen several exhibits on Minnesota history. They amaze me with facts that I didn't know before -- that I should have known!

We spent 5 hours enjoying the interactive displays,videos and period memorabilia. We went from then (early Native American) to now. There was a special display named 1968 which went in chronological order through that year in America. It was very well done. Would recommend this museum. Children would enjoy the ability to have hands on.

This is a great resource to learn about various things in the history of Minnesota. Since I am from Texas I was really interested in the Winter exhibit. I can not even image how cold it must be here in the winter. (But then I do know about the Ice Bowl). Another favorite part was Open House which traced the history of one house and the families who had lived there. There were plenty of hands on activities for children.

I have visited a few times - once for a wedding, twice with field trips with kids, and once with my husband for an exhibit on Prohibition. There's always something fun to see and do and learn. A great museum!

The Minnesota History Center is located on the fringe of downtown St. Paul. Near the Cathedral of St. Paul and within a half mile to the State Capitol Complex.
The Hmong exhibit includes historical video, audio, artifacts, instruments, weapons, and more, spanning the 1800's - to recent history. The variety of learning will appeal to adults and middle school age children. Closed caption and story boards are written in English and Hmong.
I learned how the actions of Japan, France, the CIA, Vietnam, the United States, North and South Korea contributed to a massive escape of Hmong families from China to the mountains to refugee camps to Minnesota. Never by choice.

I have spent every day at the History Center in research for a book about T B Walker, the Minneapolis timber baron and art collector. In that time I have had the pleasure of interacting with both research staff and librarians who are unfailingly friendly and helpful. One great feature of the History Center is that the facility is large enough to store all its material on site. It's most efficient to reserve materials ahead using the on line catalogue, but if you need something else, it will emerge from the bowels of the center within about half an hour. Other libraries couldn't get it to you until the next day.
The top floor contains the History Museum, which I have visited when I can. Exhibits when I was working include Hmong Textiles, Toys, Suburbia, and the Dakota Indian Wars. Closed Mondays, the rest of the week the center burbles with schoolchildren visiting both the museum and the Education Center. The place is alive!
There is also a nice cafe on the ground floor which serves lunch every day with healthy choices and opportunities for delicious sin at the bakery counter. Minnesota can be justly proud of this magnificent repository located in St. Paul between the Cathedral and the Capitol building.

My dad is a Minnesota historical society buff and I joined him to do some family research. The archives are impressive and customer service is excellent. However, the overall 'history center' part was not. I expected from the outside to be 'wowed' and there wasn't much to see. The center does a lot of corporate/special events so I think many rooms are there for rental only (also expensive rentals!). Our group had an event there once and the theatre and the food prep ahead of time was impressive. Again, if this is truly a Minnesota History Center, why isn't it larger to show MN history? I feel the building is scaled for more grand rentals than history. Architecture is five-star. Nice cafeteria. In the end, I gave it a 3 of 5 only because I left feeling like it should have been a great experience on the 'history' side. Add more space for that and I'd upgrade my review next time.

We started coming to this museum only a few years ago and have been there a few times a year ever since. We loved the 1968 exhibit as it spoke to a time we remember well and it told a great story about all of the momentous things that happened just in that year.
I have never been disappointed with any of the special exhibits but come for the rest of the museum as well. It’s an important story to know about the history of this state.

Upon entering the building my first reaction was WOW! what a building..so well planned and so beautiful. The exhibits are done so well too....don't miss 1968 whether you were there or not, but especially if you were there. A walk, and a few tears, through memory lane. Great for the kids too. I even saw a live play about the grasshopper plague in the mid 1870's. 3 actors, terrific. There is something for everyone and all ages. If you are new to the area or just visiting, don't wait to make a visit. good parking!

We enjoyed the 1968 exhibit, especially the multi-player music trivia game. There was also a nice but small Native American exhibit.

Just by chance we wandered into the museum and were very impressed by the knowledge of a member of the museum staff in the American Indian history of the region. The WWII exhibit was good, mostly hands on. The Bollywood exhibit was also very touching.
The librarians were extremely helpful to assist me with a review of their documents of the mostly unknown Attu Island part of WWII.

If you want to know about the history of Minnesota this is the place to go. A plethora of very interesting exhibits.

My wife and I wanted to explore the history of the two world wars and the MHC was the place to go. After paying $6 to park we entered the pleasant environs of the museum.

Two of the three sections in the MHC focused on the great wars. Minnesota's Greatest Generation exhibit was a hats off to those men and women who sacrificed so much for us. This exhibit was tied to Minnesota during the war period and I learned a lot.

The Special Exhibit Gallery had a lot of info on the period of the 19-teens. While the Greatest generation gallery was tied to Minnesota this gallery looked at the period nationally and internationally. Quite informative concerning the First World War as well as the social problems developing in America: racial and gender issues as well as prohibition, socialism and communism.

All in all a good afternoon's worth of information.Yes, there are a lot of kids making noise and almost running, but wait a few minutes and off they go to another area of the museum to test the patience of others.

This is a wonderful museum and research center. Their special exhibits are always interesting and thought-provoking. The children's area is educational and fun for children from preschool through elementary school. The research center contains a wealth of resources for historical and genealogical study. The two gift shops are lovely. A membership is worthwhile.

I set out the the history center to see the Gridiron Glory exhibit, however this was my first time to the MN History Center. I was blown away by the amount of interaction options and variety of exhibits. We spent about three hours here, and I left with so much knowledge of the history of football, MN northwoods, the Greatest Generation, and a house on the east side of St. Paul. It was so much fun to see all of the memorabilia while learning so much about the people of the area. Finally, the building itself is beautiful!

This museum is amazing! Many history museums can be dull and boring but that is so not the case for this Minnesota museum! Everything here is so hands on! There were lots of school groups visiting when my husband and I stopped in, but we just made sure we went to the rooms they weren't currently in and then would swap rooms when they did! We didn't manage to try out the tornado room as that was a huge hit with the kids but it sounded like they were having a blast! I loved the large section that gave a huge overview of time, and the exhibit where you could walk through the same "house" over time with it's different inhabitants. Great museum, great price, and just a short walk away from the state capitol!

This Minnesota museum is only a few minutes from downtown St. Paul and the State Capital. I have visited this place a few times and each one was informational. For a first time visitor it gives a good historical overview of the state of Minnesota and its unique attributes from the territorial days to recent events. It can be enjoyed by all ages. Admission is not that expensive. They have also good gift shops. They have a fine selection of railroads histories of the area.

We visited the museum for the special exhibits whiich were 1968 and Somalis in Minnesota. Both exhibits taught and brought new light to both topics. AlsoMinnesota's Greatest Generation, Then, Now, Wow . And more!

A GREAT BUILDING...beautiful and spacious, but how unfortunate that there is not even a small corner room on any floor...even in basement that could be devoted to a some timeline of state history since territory to today.
For visitors unfamiliar with Minnesota ..certainly foreign visitors...there is nothing relatable at this building. Where is even a map of the state somewhere near the entrance.? Who knows what the state looks like after coming,visiting and leaving this building...let alone how and why the state was ever settled.
Perhaps staff and state historians are too close to this story. But boutique type exhibits are all fine and artistic but where is the permanent exhibit of basics...you know, what every state 12year old schooler should know about their home state. This is what any visitor should be given BEFORE the boutique display about some decade event that is esoteric or a Minnesota curator's take on some national or international event.
So we tried to see something here in a couple hours with 3 Swedish visitors. we never found the "basic" exhibit...so in great frustration we gave up and headed for the museum restaurant for a quick snacksnack before leaving.
The restaurant was, by contrast, ONLY basic.I mean geared to 12 year old visitors; there was pizza and mostly fast food.Large portions of sloppy food- an unappetizing and probably unhygienetic in an open salad bar. It was somewhat embarrassing that Minnesota as a major agricultural producer state had really little or no local,tasteful food in its main state museum. There really should be a place for adults to eat healthy and tasteful local menus there. Europeans can do this why can't Minnesota?

Several friends made our first visit to the Minnesota History Center and we were very impressed. The building and exhibit halls are wonderful. Among the current exhibits are separate World War 1 and World War 2 exhibits.

The World War 2 exhibit is wonderful. Instead of focusing on events the exhibit is set up to describe how the events affected the individual participant, often in their own spoken word.

There is an attached parking lot which seems to be generally adequate.

Because if time constraints, we were only here for 2 hours but we could have spent four. There are interactive exhibits and lots of film clips and opportunities to answer questions. Exhibits are about weather, farming and just interesting things about days gone by. Some focus on Minnesota residents. A special anniversary exhibit about WWI was terrific, although we couldn't finish it. You can go into a simulated basement space to experience a tornado and a WWII transport plane used during D-Day. Really great place.

On arrival we were met by one of the volunteers who was extremely helpful and knowledgable.
We visited on Wednesday It cost $10.00 each, but on Tuesday afternoons it's free so if on a budget that's the best time to go..
They have a very nice food market (Cafe) when you go in. The food smelt delicious, and it was. Prices were reasonable too.
Lots to see, particarly enjoyed the areoplane!
But there are tons of other stuff to enjoy.
Well worth a visit.

There are so many good exhibits. One of my favorite was one that followed a specific home over many years, recounting the people who lived there and the lives they lived, where they worked, who they associated with and the changes in the neighborhood.

We had eight adults in our group-six from out of state who mentioned that they all would be interested in a visit to the MN History Center. They were not disappointed--my husband and I love coming here! The Grestest Generation was of particular interest since all of them had fathers who were in the war. The house exhibit was a big hit as was the weather center! Some even 'plowed'! What a gem for St. Paul!

Being of a certain age, this special exhibit took me back to the year of chaos that was 1968. We enjoyed the music quiz and the videos/ interviews from people that lived the events.
It took us back. We also enjoyed the Somalian exhibit also , the history , culture and personal stories. Its a beautiful building.

The History Center building is beautiful, in addition to hosting interesting exhibits on Minnesota history.

Took our 10 and 8 year old grandchildren and we ALL enjoyed our day at the History Center. Many interactive exhibits, covering all facets of Minnesota. Every exhibit was interactive and engaging with something for a variety of age groups. We thought we would stay 2 hours, and wound up staying 4+. We especially liked the WW1 exhibit as well as the "life on the prairie" and learned many interesting facts, and also meeting the artists who were painting the new large exhibits. A very lovely day.

We had five hours to check out the Minnesota History Center and we needed at least ten hours to do it right. The state Capitol is a couple blocks away and offers free tours. We spent several hours in the very nicely done The 1968 Exhibit. As baby boomers this time travel brought many many memories back with each new display. The comparison of 1968 events to present day was very powerful. We also checked out the Somalis + Minnesota exhibit which was very informative. There is an on site cafe and excellent gift shops for all your Minnesota souvenirs and related book needs. There is a parking and entrance fee for the museum.

This history center is large, very diverse, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Much of it is interactive so you don't have to read about each display to learn about history.

This museum was awesome. Exhibits included one about Prince, Minnesota’s greatest generation / WW II, and Then Now Wow. Folks there were so helpful and informative about their exhibits. A great place to visit with or without kids. A hidden gem. Admission was $12 and parking was $6.

This is a very interesting museum with some fascinating exhibits! I actually entered on the second floor and I thought it was a free museum as I couldn’t find the admissions desk – it turns out it’s on the first floor. I walked up to the desk and was greeted by Patrick who surprisingly knew all about me. I was a little taken back at first when he said ‘you’re the girl with the blog travelling all around America’ – it turns out the staff at the State Capitol building had contacted him on my short walk down to the Minnesota History Centre! I started chatting with him telling him about my trip and he actually let me in the museum for free! And what’s even more amazing is that he gave me some admission passes to get into two other attractions I was planning to visit for free! What a nice guy! As it turns out, the museum along with other museums, centres and buildings throughout the state of Minnesota belong to the Minnesota Historical Society. Whilst admission is reasonably priced, you can actually get an annual membership which lets you into any of their 26 attractions! I would love to visit some of the others in the northern part of the state if I wasn’t on such a tight schedule.

The museum itself is located on the third floor and on my way up to it, I started chatting with a girl who was manning the Minnesota State symbols booth. What started as a quick chat about the local area and symbols turned into an hour long conversation about the difference in our cultures!

The museum has several interesting exhibits including Minnesota’s Greatest Generation which focuses on the baby boom after World War 1; kids who were born and raised during the great depression and enlisted to fight in World War 2.

For me personally, one of the best exhibits is the Weather Permitting area which is only small but focuses on tornadoes, specifically the F4 tornadoes which hit Fridley in 1965. A short video plays whilst a simulator takes you back in time to experience that night! It’s nothing fancy but for a weather nut like me, it was fantastic! I didn’t even realise Minnesota got tornadoes but they actually get about 18 per year!

Other exhibits include the Then Now Wow area which is the largest in the museum and focuses on the growing changes in Minneapolis/St. Paul’s history. They also have a special exhibit on at the minute called 1968 which focuses on the events of that year including the Vietnam War, Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination, the Presidential race, Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and the anti-war demonstrations. It was quite interesting learning about a lot of the events – I knew about them beforehand but I never realised they all happened in the same year!

On my way out of the museum, I thought I would swing by and thank Patrick again for the free admission tickets. I started chatting with him and state security officer A.C. Jarosh. I ended up chatting with them both for another 20-30 minutes. The staff at this museum are absolutely fantastic! I've never met such lovely people who take an interest in their visitors as much as the staff do here! I would definitely recommend this place as a must see attraction whilst visiting St. Paul!

When researching what to do with my three small kids on a snowy trip to the Twin Cities, I was running into the same 5 places to visit, and most of them were outdoors. I happened to stumble across the Minnesota History Center and decided to try it out. It was fantastic! There was something for everyone! The museum was clean and well maintained. The exhibits were interactive and educational. The location was picturesque. It was also way more affordable than some of the other museums in the Twin Cities. I have been to several other state's historical museums and this one blew the others out of the water.

I was fortunate enough to get to the Minnesota History Center on my third trip to the Twin Cities. I was thoroughly impressed by the exhibits, the visitor-friendly spaces, the charming cafe, and the impeccable condition of the entire facility. So fun to walk among the exhibits, many of which are interactive. The former educator in me was enthralled!,

Just average. I have been to better history centres. Some of the displays were interesting, some routine. Only worth $5 for a seniors ticket. We were in and out in an hour.

Go for the exhibition. Enjoy the food and gift shop. Then stay and research your family’s history in the library b

I have been to this museum several times in the last 10 years and it has always been enjoyable. On our most recent visit, we went with children ages 18, 15, 11, 8, 7 and 5. Everyone had a great time and I already know from previous trips that under 5's have fun, too. We went on a Saturday and it wasn't even busy. We stayed for 4 hours and saw EVERYTHING. When done, everyone was tired, but no one had been bored.

On Tuesdays in the Summer, the Museum has live music, with free admission from 3pm - 8pm. We chose the Scandinavian Music Night. It was quite enjoyable - even though they had to move it into the indoor auditorium, due to threatening weather. In the rest of the Museum we enjoyed the "Tornado Basement" and thought it was realistic. Otherwise the exhibits seemed a bit tired and blah. Where were the exhibits about famous Minnesotans? What makes Minnesota interesting and special? Sure you've got the weather. But, a pile of jackets and a black and white weathercast left me underwhelmed.

They have a number of permanent exhibit as well as some changing special exhibits. Very interesting history of the are and you can easily spend an afternoon going through all of them. Very educational, a nice stop for families with school age children, a good value for the money.

The various exhibits are top-notch in this handsome building, but the Gale Library Archives and micro-film collections are where you can actually explore the historical records that provide the foundation for the exhibits. I recommend them highly.

It was nice museum in a great building. One drawback was we had to pay for parking. The galleries were well designed with meaningful displays for WWII, 1968 and Somolia refugees. It was a good day. We learned a lot about Minnesota and its history,

The Minnesota History Center is a gem! Easily within walking distance of the Hampton Inn. Beautiful views of downtown Saint Paul and the Minnesota State Capitol.

Come for the Exhibits, stay for a meal, and hit both gift shops on your way out. Varying ancient history, modern histy and special art exhiubits, this little museum is a Minnesota gem!

Went to see the Suburbia exhibit. I had no idea what to expect. It was so much fun. I was amazed that it was only $12 to see the exhibit. The building itself is beautiful. I want to go back to spend more time enjoying the entire center.

I spent 3 days at the MNHS researching family ancestors. Being able to handle the actual 1878 record book of births and deaths, and see the handwritten entries in person was awesome. The staff was also very helpful, particularly in making copies of the very large pages of the book and mailing them to me for a very small cost. The museum is also wonderful for anyone interested in Minnesota history.

I usually rave about the exhibits at the History Center. Although I found the information very informational and educational the exhibit lacked the "luster" some other exhibits have displayed. I was impressed by statistics on Indian immigration to Minnesota and the lists of contributions made by them, but the exhibit consists of mostly information to be read. There is are 2 short "movies" and a few hands-on items, but all in all not the kind of exhibit that reaches out and "grabs ya". That said, if you are able to attend during one of the Indian events planned in conjunction with the exhibit, you have made a good choice! The event I attended was very entertaining and I learned a lot more than I got from the exhibit itself. Check the website and mark your calendar to attend then! It is well worth it! Oh...and don't expect children to enjoy this exhibit. It is pretty boring unless they want to read A LOT!

It is a "must see" museum for visitors and residents alike; a very family friendly place also with a cafe and stores (2) inside. It has wonderful and interesting permanent exhibits all about Minnesota as well as a large area that has rotating exhibits. It was made with a richness of materials seldom seen in modern times: marble, brass, large expansive windows and a fantastic view of the state capitol from the top floor. There also is a genealogy library for those interested. The History Center also holds music groups in the summer on the lawn as well as interesting speakers year round. Costs $12/adult but worth it. Plan to spend 2 hours minimum and likely more. Tuesday from 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm is free. There is a parking lot with fee ( about $4, recommend using as street parking is not nearby and you need to cross a very busy road -- Not Safe). It is definitely a top quality museum with lots of hands on activities for children. I highly recommend a visit. Just 2-3 blocks north of downtown St. Paul and across the street from the Cathedral of St. Paul (just of I94 and Marion St).

I had never been to this museum before. We went while the Football Hall of Fame exhibit was there. We enjoyed the football history and trying the footballs, helmets and pads out. As for the other exhibits I was really impressed with how interactive they were. My favorite was the tornado experience movie and the paratroopers experience movie. Both of those make you feel like you're there- it's a neat idea. Highly recommend a visit.

We viewed the 1968 exhibit as 60 yr old folks and what a flashback..esp the volunteer exhibiting women "requiring dresses" for school attire (I remember that as a female) and the quiz on famous 1968 songs....
We joined the MN Historical Society immediately after viewing the 1968 Exhibit and received admission credit so a very good deal!
We then traveled to the Mill City Museum the next day with free admission as a MHS member
I recommend 100% to join the Minnesota Historical Society!
A gem

The MHC was a real treat! I had not idea how well done it was. There were two exhibits that we really enjoyed. One was 1968 and and the other was the Somalies history in Minnesota. Both were so well done. The 1968 exhibit made me laugh and cry since I lived through that year and remember it so clear. The Somali immigrants are a big influence in Minnesota and it was good to find out how they ended up in Minnesota and how much they contribute as good neighbors.

The Minnesota History Center is very well put together and gives a unique hands on interactive walk through time covering off different eras and important historical aspects of Minnesota. This is a must for kids and adults.

There are usually 3-5 exhibits at any time at the History Center. I go see the Greatest Generation every time I visit. You'll also find a great gift shop, frequent author readings and a cute cafe. Tuesdays are free after 5 pm.

This is a don’t miss experience for anyone from out of state. We learned so much and had a wonderful time.

An accessible and informative, family-friendly, history museum with lots of beautiful spacious galleries and interactive exhibits. Very friendly staff too!

This center contains several permanent exhibits as well as some temporary exhibits, so you will see something new on each visit.

The building itself is gorgeous with incredible views of the state capitol as wells as downtown St. Paul. The exhibits are interactive, hands-on, and staffed by extremely helpful staff members that are available to add to your experiences.

There are numerous actions being taken to protect museum visitors from COVID-19. Hand sanitizer is available in every exhibit, visitors are encouraged to move through the museum in such a way to distance from other visitors, and daily admission is timed and rationed in such a way that the museum is not crowded.

It was crowded with disrespectful children. Coming here during the day was a big mistake. Every exhibition was overtaken by a school group who had no respect for other visitors. Not to mention the actual history part of the museum was lacking. It seemed as if the entire place was geared for 7 year olds. The activities were boring and not promoting history in the least. Those things worth doing were hogged by all sorts of screaming and complaining first graders. Would never come again.

What an Amazing exhibit! I am a huge football fan and the display they have is incredible. I was even able to try my skills as a quarterback and kicker. I learned some very interesting new information. The rest of the museum is great as well with fun and educational items for all ages

The Minnesota History Center has exhibits that highlight the history of the state. A recent exhibit focused on legendary First Avenue, a club that has endured for years in Minneapolis. This is not some stodgy museum full of badly-staged dioramas. One of the things I’ve always respected about this museum is its willingness to present exhibits that feature African American and Native American cultures, which are often underrepresented here. Many of the exhibits are interactive and therefore appealing to kids. It doesn’t take all day to get through the museum, which is also nice for parents of younger kids. The gift shop is excellent.

We visited in time to see the World War 1 exhibit (ends Nov.11, 2017) which was interesting. New special exhibit coming in December - the 1968 Exhibit. There is currently a WW2 exhibit - the Greatest Generation, a Minnesota weather exhibit and more. Lots of hands-on to appeal to kids. A great way to spend a few hours in downtown St. Paul. Has a cafe and gift shop as well as a library for research.

The Minnesota History Center is an impressive and informative museum for anyone interested in history, particularly Minnesota history. They have a number of permanent and changing exhibits. Whether I've been here with a friend, my spouse, or our family, we've always enjoyed our visits here. The Minnesota weather section has a great, interactive (and even a bit scary) tornado experience. There's a Minnesota farm/feed mill play area for younger children. If you're into historical research or genealogy, there's an excellent research center. The museum also has an excellent gift store with lots of Minnesota history books, and a terrific cafe. The building itself is quite beautiful and fun to explore.

We visited the history center on the way down the hill from the Cathedral of Saint Paul. There was an exhibit on Prince and a local bus station that had turned into a theater. The museum is oriented towards young people with experiential style exhibits. Well worth a visit.

I wasn't too sure about going but once there it was an excellent museum! Interactive and the Now and Then exhibit will take some of the older guests back. Wonderful.

Some places I use for family history research have minimal resources and not much support staff, usually just pointing me to Ancestry (that I can do from anywhere). This facility has great resources of its own and I have always had success in getting staff help when needed. For their location, I would hope to find free or lower-cost parking. But, as just a review of the The Minnesota Historical Society Library at the Minnesota History center, I can highly recommend it.

Spent the better part of a day in the History Center's research library to find historical data on my parents and grandparents. An amazing trove of historical treasures are housed there. Wonderful people helped me find certificates, draft papers, photos and maps. A must visit. Next time I'll hit the galleries. Great restaurant on the main floor, easy to park and an absolute Mn jewel to visit for all ages.

We go to a lot of museums, and I didn't expect to love a history museum, but this one was just awesome. We went on a Tuesday night, so it was free, although we did have to pay $6 for parking in the lot. There was an event going on at the same time, so there was live music, which made our visit even nicer. The Suburbia exhibit was great, as was the kids history exhibits. Lots of interactive elements there, including an iron mine demo and a tornado simulation. We would definitely come back!

Tuesdays in the summer are the time to visit this jewel. After 3:00 p.m. it is free to visit the museum's permanent collections and special exhibits. Then, in the evening, the Nine Nights of Music program provides a great variety of ethnic music and dance lessons out on the museum's expansive portico. The music and dance lessons are also free and you can bring your own food and beverages or purchase them from Market House by D'Amico.
In addition, the artist David Geister is on hand in the museum to talk about the museum's fascinating World War I Mural Project. The mural features portraits of 100 individuals who shaped our country during the post-World War I era. Geister is a very engaging artist who welcomes questions and comments from museum guests.
The gift shop has a great selection of Minnesota-themed gifts.

Back in town for a visit. Had never been here before and now wish I had visited much sooner. Great history museum with several informative exhibits.

There is nice and informative permanent section in the museum and one area that changes every so often .1968 was an extraordinary well curated exhibit. A good place to bring out of town visitors or to get an overview of the MN history. There is also a nice interactive children section.

The History Center is very well organized and has many rooms of exhibits. People of all ages will find many interesting things here. The Then and Now room takes you back though Minnesota history up to the present day. Also a very good exhibit on Minnesota during the WWII days and also on the Indian Tribes of the state. The building itself is a fine design. There is also a very good library inside.

My adult son and I visited on a Friday in April. I would recommend allowing at least 2 hours for this exhibit alone, and there are many other worthwhile exhibits to enjoy here.
I am a retired teacher, and I learned plenty of new things about WWI. Especially interesting were the displays related to what was happening in Minnesota during the war.
It is well done, interesting, and attractive to the eye. I would think that anyone age 9 and older would benefit from this particular exhibit. Younger children might like some of the other exhibits which are there permanently, I think.

Wonderful place to take families and grandchildren. Great staff, very helpful and informative but not overwhelming. Perfect for families and kids

This gave you a view of Minnesota’s early to contemporary history. Many interactive displays. The special community exhibits are well thought out and enlightening. The library is a good place to do historical research. The bookstore carries many publications from the Minnesota Historical Society which I could not get elsewhere.

Visited the "suburbs" exhibit at the MN History Center with a friend recently. We really enjoyed it. It had everything from linoleum tabletops and Tupperware, to price comparisons from decades past. And Southdale! And the first Target! My favorite was the beaded wall! So game-showy. We've been members for a while, and that comes with guest privileges, I like taking a pal to see the latest thing there. It is a classy place!

Something for everyone. Don't miss the Tornado experience, the This Old House exhibit, and anything that draws you!

I love to go to the MN History Center with everyone from my 7 year old son to my co-workers for a team building. It's an excellent venue to see history come alive and to actually understand what life was like for people during that time and that place, whatever time and place the exhibit is highlighting. These are high quality exhibits with amazing details and thoughtful approaches. Go with family or friends or go alone, you will love it.

This place is a good place to visit, History in all its formats come to life here.
My particular fasvorites are the tornado shelter and the C47 ride.
Local history is not forgotten, this place is well worth a visit and the restaurant is good too, as is the museum store.

Both the special and permanent exhibits were extremely well done and interesting. Extraordinary Women was filled with great information and insight on some truly remarkable women. We highly recommend it.

WWI exhibit is fantastic. The paratrooper experience was very powerful. Many of the exhibits mix in just the right amount of multimedia to add to but not detract from the experience.

I came here to do research on my family history. I had been here before and as always, the person that is there to help, was very helpful. There are many microfilm readers, a few computers, and several reader/printers. The film cabinets are well marked and, as I said before if you need help, someone is there for you. There is an additional library across the hall. I didn't spend much time over there other then to buy a card to put money 'on' to use for the printer. Once you have the card ($1.00) you can load money on it at that window, or at the printers. It's quite convenient. If you do not plan to return to the library, you can bring the card back and get your dollar refunded, but you forfeit any money loaded onto the card. You need to register outside the library. You also have access to lockers to put your coat etc. You cannot take any purse of size, or bag, or briefcase. They want you to use pencils only. The locker costs .25, which is refunded when you go back and get your things. Over all this was a great experience.
I also went into the acquisitions room and donated a book I have had on my shelf for years.
When you need a break, there is a great little cafe on the main level.
The fee for parking is $6.00, members pay $4.00 for the day. There is no charge to use the library, but there is a charge to go through the museum if you are not a member.

I am not from MN, but I was visiting one weekend and decided to come here. It was more interesting than I expected! The place isn't terribly big (in my opinion), but it is jam-packed with information so you can spend a lot of time looking around. There were interesting stories about Native Americans, Minnesota's cold weather and ice fishing culture, natural disasters, and much more. Lots of interactive exhibits as well.

Stunning. Very well done. Could have spent another 2 hours taking everything in. If you're on a budget, visit on Tuesdays when entry is free.

A great museum even if you think you're not interested in the history of Minnesota. There's so much to see here, and lots of things are interactive so it's fun for any age. A good variety of permanent and temporary exhibits. Room to spread out so no one room felt crowded. Right across the street from the Best Western. Nice gift shops with locally made items.

A must see if you are interested at all in the state of Minnesota. Several rotating displays of events that helped shape the state. If you are interested in a more in-depth search there is also a large library with anything pertaining to the state available. Current displays include: weather in the state (a never-ending source of conversation in this state), the greatest generation, the history of 1st Avenue--the musical center of Minnesota, etc. Each display has interactive exhibits that are user-friendly for all ages.

We came to see the 1968 exhibit while it was still here, but we also saw a fascinating exhibit about Somalis in Minnesota and learned things we did not know about Minnesota products. The space and building were remarkable--spacious exhibits in a modern and well constructed space. Wished we'd had time to see more of the museum but will return.

Course i could be biased...it was a model of my great grand parents home. they landed in rock county minnesota..and thankfully great grandma was a journaler. It's wild to see the things I read about in my childhood while visiting the farm, now an exhibit in a museum.

My wife and I are Minnesota natives who have not lived there for 40 years. We decided to brush up on our Minnesota history at the Center. It was great fun. Many interactive exhibits -- you can even disassemble a buffalo (open a real hide to manipulate plastic internal organs to see how the people of the plains used every part of the buffalo.) We were also checking it out for a possible visit next summer with our grandchildreen who will be making their first trip to Minnesota. The History Center is definitely on our list for next year. It also has a nice souvenir and book shop with many interesting educational materials.

We were in town for a family event and ended up spending several hours with our large group exploring the facility. they were accommodating and informative!

We have lived in Minneapolis for over 30 years and this was our first time. We could have spent much more time but 27 year old son not as enthralled as we were. Lunch at the cafeteria was amazing. The exhibits are so well put together. A must see.

Always a great place to spend a few hours, "Suburbia" display was awesome,all the things I grew up with were on display. Gotta tell you..they don't make things like they used to.

I live the architecture of this magnificent building. The restraint a foyer area are the best views of downtown. The problem is that is about it for adults. They have an outstanding team of educators and outreach programs for students. I am random and just view the rooms in not interested or 5 minutes I seen the other rooms. I like the Minneapolis historical society’s approach which is interesting to students and adults can spend hours drifting from room to room. Our old St Paul historical building was exciting like that. I rather tour the basement and see all the stored artifacts than walk through big rooms that unless you are a. Kid, has very little interest to adult viewers. It does offer many community events that are not to see all of the artifacts stored in the basement

I have visited the museum and library several times. The exhibits are well presented and the special exhibits are always worth a visit. Great gift shop.

An interesting stop between the Cathedral and the Capitol. The showcase of MN History with permanent and special shows, a terrific bookstore, and delightful cafe. Very suitable for children and easy to get about. While this is the home of the Center, they actually have numerous sites through-out the State and Twin Cities Region.

The "1968" exhibit was very well done. A lot of variety and interesting things to see. There were also several other very good exhibits. We could have spent much more time there, and we never did make it to the second floor to see what was there, but we really enjoyed our time there. And the restaurant was wonderful, too. The food was very good, and we were glad we stopped to have lunch there.

This is a great place to bring kids of all ages, and there are wonderful exhibits. My young kids love the playground in the winter, and love the tornado exhibit as well. Definitely a great place to visit over and over

We have been going up to Minneapolis/St. Paul several times a year since my son started college in 2001 and every time we've driven by I have said this is the year we will visit the museum. I felt that it would be boring but this year while staying with my daughter I had time to do it. I was pleasantly surprised by the exhibits that were displayed. I had fun going by myself because I could spend time looking at my leasure. What was most interesting to me was the exhibit "Open House: If These Walls Could Talk" It took a house through time with different generations and cultures of an actual house in St. Paul MN. I think anyone from young to old would find something of interest here. The exhibits change so I will probably visit again another time.

This museum is well worth the time to go. Parking is around $5 and is right next to the entrance. The permanent displays are very well done. Kids can stay entertained. There is a large play structure for them themed to a mill. Can see everything in the museum in around 2 hours, more if you want to watch the movies. Rotating exhibits are OK - but they can get very busy. Worth coming 1-2 times per year. Look into getting the history museum annual passes - it is only $100 per year for a family with 2 guests - well worth it if you are going to see 2 of the sites they cover.

Enormous fairly deserted museum with great exhibits including the Peanuts/Schultz exhibit wonderfully set up. Also the greatest generation exhibit was outstanding.
What is sad is the Twin Cities density or lack there of doesn’t really support such an enormous institution. Many more people live in the suburbs than in the actual city. This museum seems to have been funded by enormous Cargill wealth through the McMillam family the largest privately held company in America and deforestation villains in Brazil.

This is a nice large building to explore with lots of large windows. It is sort of like the nearby state Capitol but with exhibit rooms instead of legislative halls. The permanent exhibits are good and interactive (like a coal mine). The temporary exhibits are less involved and interactive. But it is a quick and easy visit and fun to browse collections of old things.

Once you find your way into the Minnesota History Center, you the visitor get one of the most unique experiences I've ever had in a museum relating to the state. Every exhibit is intriguing & full of information about the state of Minnesota that will give you a better understanding of the state. The Weather Permitting section is stunning due to a replica tornado done in ribbon that is something you could see just about anywhere that experiences this type of weather. I was also beyond impressed by the woman in the gift shop who recommended to me a book on Minnesota history that is a book I'll always be grateful for. The next time I'm in St Paul this is one place I know I'll be back to.

So many things to see and so much to learn. They cover so many different eras and cultures with many kinds of displays, including a neat "theater" show. So many hands on things that kids will love. You can stay for lunch, shop in the store and keep exploring.

Wow!! This is a wonderful, informative, interactive and very, very well designed museum. We intended to visit the State Capital but it is closed for renovations til 2017, so we ended up here. I dragged a reluctant 17 year old son and a less-than-enthusiastic husband into the History Museum under the guise that we have never been to Minnesota and should learn a bit about where we are.
Three and a half hours later, we reluctantly left because of a prior commitment. We completely enjoyed ourselves as we learned an awful lot about both Minnesota as well as the United States during the late 19th and early 20th century.
As a previous reviewer stated, we have been to museums all over the country - this is clearly one of the best. Kudo's to Minnesota for broad public support of this kind of education.
On a side note - we also became members!

this place is a GEM - did you know there are free days on some Tuesdays? (there can be LOTS of buses and students). it is easy to see just a little or a lot. whatever you are ready for. the displays are excellent and fun. I loved the 1968 exhibit - reminded me of my grandparents' homes! fun music stations, too. but every exhibit we saw was great. Will make a point of going a few times per year to see the exhibits as they change.

Really enjoyed this museum and its excellent exhibits. We explored life in a tipi and followed the traders in birchbark canoes and enjoyed spending time in a sod house. This museum has taken a house from St. Paul and reconstructed different rooms of the house with the variety of inhabitants over the years. It was amazing to see how the changes occurred over generations, as well as the ethnic changes in the neighborhood. The exhibit on 1968 was touching for those of us who lived during that time and informative for younger members of our party. Well spent afternoon ending with lots of purchases in the gift shop.

My 4 & 6 year old loved the museum. So many hands on activities for kids to learn about Minnesota. They have already asked to come back.

We've been member off and on for about 8 years after my kids went there on a field trip and couldn't stop talking about it. I had not heard of it before, so we went the following spring break and became members. We love the Greatest Generation, the Weather room, and the rotating exhibits. We started attending when they were 3, 5, 7 and the oldest is now 15. I wouldn't hesitate to take them today. The membership also extends to many, many local and statewide sites and events.

The exhibits are interesting and engaging. The tornado and plane crash simulators are an absolute blast. The staff is hit or miss. Some have a wealth of additional information, while others have nearly none. An absolute must if you have kids. They will love all the interactive experiences.

Had a great fine. Liked seeing all the unique toys and found out Prince was from this area. Glad I went in to see the institute

The History Center is not only a an outstanding educational experience, but it is a great place for a family outing. Kids love the various exhibits and performances, and the opportunities to play--crawling round in the mock-up grain elevator, getting a bit frightened sitting in the basement of a post-war tract house while a tornado roars overhead, riding in a WWII paratrooper plane through a anti-aircraft fire, exploring though a St. Paul house that has been home to multiple generations of Minnesota immigrants. For those already interested in local Minnesota history, there are many new perspectives and bits of fascinating information to peruse. For others, it is a place that is sure to pique a new interest in little known or fascinating aspects of everyday life from the past. It is one of the few places I know that kids, teenagers, parents, and grandparents can all attend together and enjoy with equal enthusiasm.

Go inside and visit The Minnesota History Center conveniently located just across from the Cathedral in St. Paul, MN has much to offer, i.e., history library, exhibits, café and gift shop and many times on Sundays they offer a kids crafts and activities. The MN History Center provides amazing views through windows facing the state capital. The MN History Center also offers their space for private functions, i.e., weddings, dinners, etc.

I have taken genealogy classes there. We have used their extensive library for research. The exhibits change several times a year. Always worth the trip!

Volunteered with a school group as I was a former teacher- they were so excited to be there- I will return with grandchildren mid week on the early side-

We have taken our grandkids here a number of times. A reasonably priced household membership includes grandkids under 18. There is a lot of interactive activity and educational information. The kids love coming here.

This is one of our go to places on a rainy day and the kids love this place more than any zoo or museum in the Twin Cities metro. We went with my parents and kids and great times were had by all.

The 1965 tornado outbreak exhibit and simulation from a basement is a favorite as is the indoor playground in a mill setting. It truly takes you back in time with both modern history and times of a bygone era in Minnesota.

We will continue coming back here many more times. It is a great value for the money.

Great place for families, dates, and research. The exhibits are top notch, and educational for all. They curate many fabulous collections of books, art, artifacts and memorabilia. We are lucky to have this fabulous place.

We always enjoy history centers - they almost always offer unique displays that give a very nice flavor to the local region - and the Minnesota History Center was no exception. Very nice, very clean, the building itself is worth seeing. The vibe on an early Saturday morning was casual and friendly, with the volunteer docents more than helpful. We enjoyed the WWI exhibit as well as the iron mining permanent display. Excellent! Who knew that mules were kept underground for 11 months at a time? Oh, my.

West End Food and Walking Tour was not a good value for the $45 each person spent. This is not a review of the History Center itself just a tour given by the Center.
The guides were not very informative and read off notecards, rarely varying from them. In addition, they often did not make sure all in the 15 person group were gathered around as information was given. We did not learn very much about the history or the food of the West End of St Paul as we were walking the 1.5 miles. The information given to us by others at the historic Forepaugh’s Restaurant and Waldmann Brewery were informative. .As far as food samples at three stops, we only had two stops with food/drink and the first one did not come until 3/4 of the way through the tour. Parking suggestion was missing some important information.

We needed more time here and will return to see what we couldn't. We learned a lot and were impressed by the presentation. Loved the house exhibit as a creative way to learn about the history and diversity of Minnesota. We appreciated the frank presentation of the good and bad parts of the story. There is a lot of creative, interactive, hands on stuff- would be great for families..

We were totally impressed with the quality of the exhibits but it seemed a bit small for us. To be fair, we have visited many big museums. Also, our "kid" is now an adult and I think we would have had tons of fun here 10 years ago!

Minnesota history is only part of the show.The History Center is a beautiful building, easy accessed and in an important St Paul setting, with the Capitol on one side and the St Paul Cathedral on the other. Good starting point for a walk up Summit Avenue with its impressive Victorian and Edwardian era homes, with great cafes and pubs just to the North (on Selby) or the south (on Grand.)

The History Center has several rooms of exhibits. We stopped first in the Then, Now, Wow room which was full of hands on activities for visitors of all ages. There is a Weather Permitting room and The Greatest Generation as well. Children will enjoy as will parents and other older folks.

Having driven by the Minnesota History Center so many times, I am ashamed at how long it took me to visit. This museum is immaculate and features both rotating and permanent exhibits. I can’t recommend it enough. I took a group here to tour in a weekday and it was very manageable. Parking is plentiful on site. Easy walk to the Capitol as well!

Our 10 year old daughter specifically suggested that we check out the History Center after seeing some information on it. We had originally planned on spending a rainy day of no school at the Science Center which we've always enjoyed. But we had never been here before so we took our daughter's advice and we were all so glad we did!

There is a nice variety of exhibits with interactive aspects. We spent about three hours checking everything out, not including taking time for some lunch on site. It would be easy to spend more time there to really absorb everything.

There is something for everybody, even if you're not really a history buff. The section on Minnesota weather was great with the simulation of riding out a tornado in a basement a very realistic experience. The World War I exhibit was excellent.

The artist working in the main foyer was very personable and afforded our daughter a unique opportunity to contribute to the mural he was working on.

The Minnesota History Center is a true state treasure.

This museum is spacious, modern, and very attractive. The exhibits are beautifully laid out, and each exhibit had a number of interactive features which were welcome by all ages. As seniors with an appreciation for history, it was wonderful to see the many children and young adults enjoying the rich overviews of Minnesota history. In telling the story of Minnesotans during WW II, you can board a plane which flies over Normandy on D Day and takes significant enemy fire...you have to go to the exhibit to find out what happens next to the brave parachutists. In terms of special exhibits, we were blown away by the "1968 Exhibit ". Having lived through this turbulent time, the exhibit gave an accurate overview of the angst of a nation. Museum visitors of all ages stood quietly at attention as a film depicted the crowd saluting the train carrying the body of an assassinated RFK; while others watched the famous MLK "I have a dream" speech and the following nightmare on a motel balcony--make sure you have tissues available. This museum should be on your "must see" shortlist. It is truly a special attraction.

The exhibit for '1968' was really well put together. Room for people to wander, enough information, and real variety built in.

I was hoping for a little more really. It does seem a little old and a bit tired. The tornado and plane crash simulations are OK but by no means amazing. I would not make a special visit to go here. However if you are going to go and you are not coming by car I would recommend catching the light rail and getting of at the Capitol/ Rice Ave station. It is about a 10 minute walk to the museum. The other good thing is that the Cathedral of St Paul is right across the road so if you are wanting to go there you might want to drop into the museum whilst you are there.

A total time capsule of life in 1968. Moving and intense, in a good way. See this exhibit before it leaves St. Paul!

My husband and I visited here in June and it is a delightful place to go and stroll. So much to take in and the displays are wonderfully informative!! The gift shop is full of excellent treasures and the building is so lovely with its large spaces full and airy and gorgeously big windows! A treasure of St. Paul!

I was looking for old newspaper articles. I was amazed that four hours went so quick. Very quiet, just what I needed.

The History Center has regular standard exhibits and at least one travel exhibit. The previous one was on toys. The current one is on Chuck Jones animation work. There is a library for research, a bookstore, and small café. There are areas when you can rest while eating you lunch from home. Plan on spending the day.

Recently went to Cathy de Moll's talk, "Think South", during the Tuesday Talks in March - what a fantastic story.

The History Center is soo good I made two visits during my stay in St Paul. The 1968 exhibition was outstaning and I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibitions on Minnesota’s history too. I was also fortunate to attend a Bands on the Boulevard event one summer evening.

The History Center is a great attraction for locals and visitors alike.

If you can see the 1968 exhibit, do it! My husband and I are baby boomers and remember that year well. We spent almost 2 hours just in that section of the museum. However, the entire museum to top notch and highly recommended. Ate in the cafe too- very nice!

Every exhibit, from the special exhibits on the local Somali community and the year 1968 to the regular exhibits on weather, Minnesota then and now, and Minnesota's greatest generation,were excellent. Interesting videos, lots of stuff to engage kids -- this is a must-visit museum if you're in the Twin Cities area.

On the edge of downtown St. Paul, with a view of the State Capital building, is a great way to to get to know about Minnesota throughout the years. Plenty of hands-on and interactive exhibits that make learning about life in Minnesota come alive for both adults and children. Enjoy a bite to eat in their cafe before or after your visit.

During the summer we sometimes have three or more grandkids here for the entire summer, it's cooler inside. Winter months it's warm. Our entire family is hooked on the wealth of hands on experience, reading and seeing how things were done 1oo years ago to the present time. Going one time won't cut it, the kids can see things watch a short documentation film, touch articles, and they never get enough of such a Gem of a History Center, oh, I cannot let it go unmentioned. Subscribe to history magazine, you will be so pleased,I look forward to reading mine each time it arrives in the mail. Have some fun with family, learn something new! Let the grankids read the magazine also, or read it together it can be so much fun for everyone.Each month is something fun Themes like the 1920s, 5os the good old hippie days, you name it they have it a little bit of something for all each month.

Great trip! We arrived at approximately 1 pm and made our way towards the building to buy our admission tickets. After paying for our tickets, we were given a map that contained information on the various exhibits out for display. There were several permanent exhibits that we viewed, including exhibits about the war and what life was like for Minnesotans in the early to mid 1900’s, extreme weather conditions in Minnesota, and a room dedicated to various stories that are significant to Minnesota’s past, including native Americans and their traditions, mining and the fur trade. The exhibits were all nicely organized, and contained many artifacts, as well as informational plaques, detailing what we were seeing in front of us. There were also many short movie and tv clips, scattered around several of the exhibits, that allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. There were even two simulations, “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation” and “Weather Permitting” which brought the topics of war and tornados to life. There was an interactive playground for kids- called grainland, as well as several restrooms and a place to eat on site.

Tip: I recommend spending 4 hours here if you truly want to see everything.

Went primarily to see a program that featured local photos and information about housing and development in the Twin Cities area in the 60s. Interesting and fun. Also took time to view other exhibits on display. Watch for information as display features change regularly. Remember that admission is free Tuesdays after 5pm.

Loved my visit! I enjoyed the exhibits and thought it was lovely. The coal mine exhibit was interesting especially. Definitely would return another time!!

There are many fixed exhibits here which are hands-on and wonderful for children. these are augmented by temporary shows that also entertain adults. The latest ones we saw were "1968" and "Suburbia." Really a wonderful museum for all ages.

Went there today when we got rained out at the Como Zoo
Since we were there last they opened the WW1 America exhibit - it was quite well done and we learned that not all of America was behind that war hence the draft to get men in uniform to fight

I spent the day looking at microfiche copies of news papers and city directories of St. Paul dating from the the 1860's and 70's. I also looked at maps, pictures and reference books about the same time period. I was there from 9am to 7pm and ate lunch in the cafe.

We went here to see the NFL football display. We took teenage boys. Was full of football memorabilia and information on the start of football to current NFL. The boys tried on helmets and had fun picture opportunities. The other displays were interactive and the entire family enjoyed walking around. Cost was 6.00 to park and 20.00 for adults and 10.00 for kids under 17. ( this got us in to every section, the NFL one was a add on and cheaper to buy the packags that included it, prices was above)They have a souvenir shop and small cafe. Stairs and elevators make everything accessible on the 3rd floor.

This is a hidden gem in St. Paul. We thoroughly enjoyed the exhibits - both temporary and permanent - and will be back. You don't have to be from Minnesota to enjoy this and to learn from it.

My son is afraid of tornados. The history center has an interactive exhibit on what is like to be in a tornado. Specifically, the tornado that went thru Fridley a while back. This exhibit alone helped my small son understand that with proper planning and listening to the alerts will keep him safe.

There are so many great things to entertain young minds. The mine, soda shop, airplane, boxcar, teepee and fur trade exhibits are all interactive and informational. Grainland is so much fun for young ones and a great area to burn off excess energy. The tornado exhibit is geared toward older children as it is quite realistic. At the time they had a cartoon exhibit that was really great for youngsters. If you haven't brought your family don't hesitate...this a great family environment..

Maybe I'm biased since my husband works in the caf, but I think the History Center rules! Great temporary/traveling exhibits.

We have been a number of times and have been members for three years. Their exhibits are very well done and informative. The architecture of the building is beautiful.
It is very user friendly

I enjoy visiting the History Museum. It never fails in providing a great outing. It was a little difficult parking but we worked it out. We stopped for a bite to eat and the food was decent

There's always something interesting to see at the History Center. Besides the usual displays, there are also exhibits that change, periodically. Even if you think you're not a history buff, you'll enjoy the various exhibits. Recently, I attended an AARP 'movies for grown-ups' event in the evening at the History Center's theater. It's a great place to spend some time in.

This is one of the best history museums for the money anywhere I have been. Some permanent exhibits but lots of exhibits rotate so there is always something new and interesting. Excellent cafe too.