On the edge of the Mississippi River in downtown St
Paul, the Science Museum of Minnesota is a well planned
regional museum with many intriguing aspects. More than
a million people visit every year making it one of the
most popular museums in Minnesota. The museum’s
close proximity to Minneapolis
draws even more people every day. The history of the museum
dates back to 1907 when it was first founded. Since then
the collection has grown and developed into one of the
most notable in the region.
Inside the 70,000 square foot facility visitors will find a whopping 10,000 square feet of temporary gallery exhibits and five permanent display halls. When combined, these two spaces include technology, physical science, the human body, culture, paleontology and the Mississippi River affording lots of things to do during your visit.
Right outside the picturesque windows the Mississippi River flows fast and free creating a beautiful backdrop to the Minnesota Science Museum. The outdoor exhibits are displayed over ten sprawling acres. Indoors the anthropology exhibit includes Hmong culture, masks and textiles from the Highland Maya and features an unsurpassed collection of Mexican and Central American ceramics. There are also 3D shows and other presentations in the 3D Science Theater and Omnitheater so make sure to check for show times.
In the Biology hall the Human Body Gallery is the biggest hit. Visitors love the Cell Lab which is an interactive experience that allows you to get hands on education about cell biology. Some of the special projects include Habits of the Heart, Tissues of Life and Malaria. In each section different learning tools are utilized making learning fun and interesting while at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
The Experiment Gallery is a hit with kids and provides an opportunity for them to get hands-on experiences through activities and exhibits. Topics for kids include Spinning Things, Weather, Optics and Math Marvels. The ever-loved Dinosaurs and Fossils Gallery taps into our curiosity about these long-gone yet still fascinating creatures. The 82-foot-long skeleton of the Diplodocus was discovered by Minnesota high school students almost two decades ago! Mounted for all to see kids get a big thrill by seeing each piece carefully integrated in this massive reconstruction.
The Big Back Yard encompasses interactive outdoor
exhibits along with a fun mini golf course. When at the
Science Museum Minnesota visitors shouldn’t miss
this exciting and rare chance to learn outside. The events
outdoors include an illustration of river motion, the
evolution of the landscape and biodiversity. There is
also a highly acclaimed solar-powered building, a camera
obscura, a prairie maze and gardens for even more fun
and learning.
At the Science Museum Minnesota exhibits also include Science Buzz, Collections Gallery, Science on a Sphere and many more fascinating displays. For meals and snacks there are three eateries available to choose from. The Elements Café is the only spot to get a full meal as the rest offer more snack-like treats. Before leaving your St Paul hotel consider grabbing a bite before heading off to the Minnesota Science Museum. When at the Science Museum Minnesota stores make shopping possible, and fun! The Explore Store offers many one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs for the whole family.
The Minnesota Science Museum is open on Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30am to 5:00 pm, Thursday to Saturday from 9:30am to 9:00pm and on Sunday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Regular ticket prices are $10.00 for adults and $7.50 for seniors and children ages 4-12. The 3D Theater tickets and Omnitheater tickets are extra. When traveling to the Science Museum Minnesota highway routes make arrival from Bloomington, Rochester and other nearby cities easy. Make sure to get some rest so you’re wide awake and ready to explore and discover this fantastic Minnesota facility.
