Bell Museum
4.6(549)4.6 out of 5 stars, 549 reviews Minneapolis, MN
About Bell Museum
The Bell Museum offers a captivating experience primarily focused on Minnesota's natural history, complemented by a "mind-blowing" planetarium. It features highly interactive exhibits like the Touch & See Lab, engaging knowledgeable staff, and a thoughtful, self-guided layout in an architecturally appealing building. It's praised for being a manageable size for a casual, non-overwhelming visit, making it an excellent choice for families seeking an educational and entertaining outing.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families interested in natural history, Minnesota wildlife, and space exploration.Indoor entertainment on cold or snowy days, or during school breaks.Casual educational outings that are not overly vast or overwhelming.Engaging children with hands-on learning and knowledgeable guides.Visitors looking for visually appealing and "Insta-worthy" photo opportunities.
Why families love it
- Features a live exhibit of amphibians that captivates visitors.
- Offers a planetarium with educational shows (e.g., 'Supervolcanoes') presented on a large domed screen.
- The Touch & See Lab includes fossils, various collections, live animals, and digital microscopes, providing hands-on interaction.
- Showcases impressive wildlife dioramas upstairs.
- Many exhibits are specifically focused on Minnesota's natural history, offering local educational value.
- Staff and volunteers are friendly, knowledgeable, and actively engage with children, sharing their expertise.
Insider tips
- Make sure to visit the live exhibit of amphibians.
- Plan to attend at least one planetarium show; check schedules upon arrival.
- Dedicate time to the Touch & See Lab for interactive elements like digital microscopes and animal viewing.
- Keep an eye out for special events like "star parties" (e.g., in October), which offer unique experiences like telescope viewing of astronomical objects.
- Consider visiting on a cold or snowy day, or during school breaks, as it's a highly recommended indoor activity.
- Crowds
- Described as a "pretty chill spot" and "not massive, so it’s perfect for a casual visit without overwhelming you," suggesting it manages crowds well or isn't typically overcrowded.
- Value
- While specific general admission pricing is not mentioned, the museum is described as offering "very reasonable" pricing for private events/weddings, suggesting a good perceived value for the amenities and access provided (e.g., access to the entire museum, planetarium shows, stargazing, animal lab as add-ons).
What parents say
"What a phenomenal place to spend time on a cold snowy day with two young men on Spring break. The boys were entranced with all the exhibits. It’s very thoughtfully done and is self guided. We come here often. Don’t miss the live exhibit of amphibians and the planetarium show."
a month ago
"Great natural history museum! The exhibits were awesome to see. I especially enjoyed the fossils and collections in the Touch & See Lab and their wildlife dioramas upstairs. I really loved that many exhibits focused on Minnesota's natural history—it’s always great to learn more about our state. On top of their other exhibits, the Bell Museum features a planetarium where they play educational shows throughout the day. We saw the “Supervolcanoes” show during our visit and it was really neat to watch on the domed screen. The building itself is also very interesting architecturally and fun to be i"
5 months ago
"So glad I stopped in to explore the Bell Museum during my travels on Friday morning. My first visit at its new location on the edge of the University of Minnesota's St. Paul campus that opened in July of 2018 (I know, better late than never). The exhibits are quite exceptional. With its relocation from Minneapolis, the museum was expanded significantly to include a planetarium, education wing, and touch & see lab. The landscaping was also upgraded with sustainable native plants, a geology area, and a solar station. The best part was watching the staff and volunteers in action sharing their kno"
3 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
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