Top 8 Minneapolis Museums You Don’t Know But Should

There are 55 museums throughout the metro where visitors can experience the only Somali museum in the world, North America’s only museum devoted to Russian art and an African American museum in the city that reignited a movement for equity and justice.
Elegant modern building with tan stone walls, expansive glass windows, and stylish railings amid lush greenery and trees.

For Immediate Release

Minneapolis (July 8, 2021) – Tourism has picked up where it left off in much of the country, and the Small Business Administration’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant will provide some of $16 billion to cultural organizations who qualify for relief. But these two things alone will not necessarily assist small arts and cultural institutions return to pre-pandemic levels of operations in cities around the country. Getting visitors into these facilities is important – and for travelers seeking less crowded indoor experiences, knowing where to go could make all the difference in their comfort level and enjoyment.

Minneapolis’ popular Walker, Paisley Park and Minneapolis Institute of Art are worth multiple visits, for sure (in fact, we encourage it). But there are 55 museums throughout the metro where visitors can experience the only Somali museum in the world, North America’s only museum devoted to Russian art and an African American museum in the city that reignited a movement for equity and justice. Here are the Top 8 Minneapolis museums you don’t know but should:

  • Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery: The past year has brought increased focus on the Black community in Minneapolis. This free, accessible museum has been highlighting the achievements, contributions and experiences of African Americans in Minnesota since 2018. Current exhibits include Gather in His Name: From Protests to Healing for George Floyd and The Absence of Justice

    Current exhibits include Belarusian Paintings: From Traditionalism to Contemporary Expression and Alexey Brodovitch: Designer of the Avant-Garde

  • The Museum of Russian Art (TMORA): Since opening in 2002, TMORA has explored the art and culture of Muscovite Russia, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, its republics, and post-Soviet Russia through six or more exhibitions each year. As North America’s only museum devoted to these areas, they have a permanent collection of over 7,000 works in a beautifully restored, historic building in South Minneapolis.

    Current exhibits include Belarusian Paintings: From Traditionalism to Contemporary Expression and Alexey Brodovitch: Designer of the Avant-Garde

  • Somali Museum of Minnesota: The first and only museum devoted to Somali culture, it was founded on East Lake Street in 2011 and is a global leader in advancing Somali artists, both traditional and contemporary. Minneapolis is home to the largest population of Somali people outside of Somalia.

    Current exhibit: The Dirios Exhibit – showcasing many works from Dr. Mohamud (Dirios) Mohamed’s personal collections and artifacts from Somalia and the Somali Culture and Research Center

  • The Bakken Museum: The Bakken is a Smithsonian Affiliate museum and features a world-renowned collection of books and artifacts, multiple galleries focusing on the wonders of invention, plant medicine, bio-technology and science, and the Florence Bakken Medicinal Garden. Located in an historic mansion on Bde Maka Ska (a Minneapolis lake), the newly renovated facility hosts educational programs and events on its green roof that include performances, food, science activities and even a drag show revue.

    Current exhibits include Ben Franklin’s Electricity Party, Frankenstein’s Laboratory and Deep Roots: Plants as Medicine

  • Hennepin History Museum: This unique social history museum preserves and shares the history of Hennepin County, Minnesota, from its historic mansion home in the Washburn Fair Oaks neighborhood near Minneapolis Institute of Art, as well as publishing a magazine and leading programs like “Introduction to Crop Art” and area historical tours.

    Current exhibits include “Homegrown” about seed art from the State Fair and “Local Heroes,” tracing the long tradition of healers and caretakers with stories of medical innovation

  • Bell Museum: Minnesota’s official museum of natural history since 1872, it is also a Smithsonian Affiliate museum. The Bell opened a new facility on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus in 2018 that features a digital planetarium, high-tech exhibits, their beloved wildlife dioramas, outdoor learning experiences and a Touch & See Lab with 10,000-year-old fossils.

    Current exhibits and shows include Bugs: Outside the Box, Mysteries of Your Brain and Minnesota Night Skies
  • Foshay Museum and Observation Deck: Once the tallest building in the city, the Foshay Tower was built in 1929 as a homage to the Washington Monument. It is one of Minneapolis’ most recognizable buildings featuring utilities magnate Wilbur Foshay’s name inscribed on the façade. It’s also the only place in Minneapolis with an outdoor observation deck, located on the 31st floor above the museum. Uncover the unique skyscraper’s story and take in the panoramic views from the now W Minneapolis Foshay Hotel year-round.
  • Minnesota Vikings Museum: With multiple interactive exhibits and hundreds of artifacts, this museum explores the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings 60-year history. Football fans – even fans of other teams – will appreciate the 360-degree theater, Pro Football Hall of Famers and “Minneapolis Miracle” exhibits located on the pro team’s Vikings Lakes campus, where they also practice in season.


For information about Minneapolis museums, or what to see, do and eat in Minneapolis, visit www.minneapolis.org.


###


PHOTO

The Bakken Museum renovation included a new front entrance at this facility near Bde Maka Ska, a Minneapolis lake. Photo courtesy of Bakken Museum.


ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area. Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.


CONNECT WITH US

Online: www.minneapolis.org

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/meetminneapolis

On Twitter: http://twitter.com/meetminneapolis
On Instagram: www.instagram.com/meetminneapolis


MEDIA CONTACT

Kristen Montag, Meet Minneapolis Senior PR and Communications Manager, 612-767-8038, KristenM@minneapolis.org, @Minneapolis_PR on Twitter

Or email MeetMinneapolisPR@Minneapolis.org