Last updated: 2025-04-22
Minneapolis winters demand indoor adventures, and the city delivers with world-class museums and cultural experiences that transform cold days into opportunities for exploration and discovery. From art galleries to historic exhibits, there’s no shortage of engaging indoor activities to keep curiosity piqued.
Whether diving into Minnesota’s rich history at the Mill City Museum or exploring innovative exhibits at the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis offers diverse indoor experiences that captivate visitors and locals alike. These destinations provide warmth, knowledge, and inspiration beyond the chilly Minnesota landscape.
Discover Minneapolis’s indoor wonders right here!
Featured Indoor Activities in Minneapolis
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Walker Art Center
- Guthrie Theater
- Science Museum of Minnesota (Saint Paul)
- Can Can Wonderland (Saint Paul)
- Orpheum Theatre
- Mill City Museum
- Minnesota History Center (Saint Paul)
- American Swedish Institute
- The Bakken Museum
American Swedish Institute
What to Expect
Historic Castle-like Turnblad Mansion housing Swedish cultural experiences
Description
Nordic cultural center featuring museum exhibits, language classes, and hands-on workshops exploring Swedish and Scandinavian heritage. Visitors can explore the historic Turnblad Mansion, attend cultural events, and engage with Nordic art, crafts, and traditions through interactive programming.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: American Swedish Institute
Can Can Wonderland (Saint Paul)
What to Expect
Artist-designed mini-golf course with custom interactive installations
Description
An artist-designed indoor mini-golf attraction featuring 18 unique, interactive holes created by local artists. Visitors explore imaginative course designs with whimsical obstacles and creative landscapes that transform traditional mini-golf into an immersive art experience. Combines playful recreation with artistic expression in a vibrant entertainment venue.
Where: Saint Paul | More Info: Can Can Wonderland
Guthrie Theater
What to Expect
Multi-stage theater complex with architecturally stunning performance venues
Description
World-renowned theater complex offering professional stage productions across multiple performance spaces. Features classic and contemporary plays by acclaimed playwrights, with rotating repertoire showcasing dramatic storytelling and exceptional theatrical performances. Known for high-quality productions and innovative staging techniques.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: Guthrie Theater
Mill City Museum
What to Expect
Historic flour mill ruins transformed into an interactive museum experience
Description
Interactive museum housed in the ruins of a historic flour mill, offering immersive exhibits about Minneapolis' industrial heritage. Visitors explore the city's milling history through engaging displays like the Flour Tower elevator show, Water and Baking Labs, and a rooftop observation deck with panoramic city views.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: Mill City Museum
Minneapolis Institute of Art
What to Expect
Comprehensive global art collection with 100,000+ works
Description
Minneapolis Institute of Art houses an expansive collection of over 100,000 artworks spanning diverse cultures and historical periods. Visitors can explore extensive galleries featuring global art collections, special exhibitions like the Dean Collection showcase, and engaging family-friendly art programs. Free general admission provides accessible cultural experiences.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: Minneapolis Institute of Art
Minnesota History Center (Saint Paul)
What to Expect
Smithsonian-curated exhibit on girlhood experiences
Description
Interactive museum showcasing Minnesota's rich history through immersive exhibits, historical artifacts, and engaging displays. Visitors explore diverse narratives from Native communities to F. Scott Fitzgerald's legacy, with rotating exhibits that offer deep insights into state's cultural heritage.
Where: Saint Paul | More Info: Minnesota History Center
Orpheum Theatre
What to Expect
1920s Beaux Arts architectural landmark with 15-foot, 2,000-pound chandelier
Description
Historic Minneapolis theater featuring Broadway productions, concerts, and live performances. The landmark Orpheum Theatre, originally opened in 1921, offers 2,579 seats in a stunning Beaux Arts style. Known for hosting diverse entertainment from Broadway musicals to concerts by renowned artists like Paul Simon and Vince Gill.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: Orpheum Theatre
Science Museum of Minnesota (Saint Paul)
What to Expect
Multi-story scientific exploration center with interactive exhibits
Description
Minnesota's premier science museum offers immersive, hands-on exhibits exploring natural history, technology, and scientific discovery. Interactive displays cover topics like human biology, dinosaurs, and environmental science. Visitors engage with dynamic presentations, live demonstrations, and extensive collections that make complex scientific concepts accessible and exciting.
Where: Saint Paul | More Info: Science Museum of Minnesota
The Bakken Museum
What to Expect
Interactive science exhibits blending technology, humanities, and storytelling
Description
Interactive science museum offering engaging exhibits that explore technology, innovation, and creativity. Visitors can make stop-motion movies, experiment with electricity, and learn about Mary Shelley's scientific influences through hands-on displays. Features unique interactive zones like the Spark exhibit and Ben Franklin's Electricity Party Room.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: The Bakken Museum
Walker Art Center
What to Expect
Innovative contemporary art museum with expansive multimedia collections
Description
Contemporary art museum offering diverse visual art experiences with extensive collections of modern and contemporary works. Features rotating exhibitions, multimedia installations, and interactive gallery spaces that showcase cutting-edge artistic expressions across multiple mediums and styles.
Where: Minneapolis | More Info: Walker Art Center
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