Science Museum of Minnesota
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
The Science Museum of Minnesota is a highly interactive science center offering diverse exhibits that appeal to a wide range of ages, from young children to adults described as 'kids at heart'. It distinguishes itself with engaging, knowledgeable, and diverse staff who add personal touches like nicknaming dinosaur fossils. Visitors praise its unique experiences such as the Butterfly exhibit, dynamic storm and water shows, and an insightful Omnitheater, making it a place with high re-visit value.
Key Highlights
- ✓The Butterfly experience is described as informational, fun, creative, and enjoyable for all, even if mostly geared towards young children.
- ✓Dinosaur fossils on display have charming nicknames from the staff (e.g., 'Gerard the Stegosaurus'), adding a personal touch.
- ✓Staff are highlighted as diverse, kind, helpful, and knowledgeable about the exhibits, creating a heartwarming atmosphere.
- ✓Exhibits are noted for being very interactive, engaging both kids and adults.
- ✓The storm and water show is amazing, with a unique experience of seeing lightning form.
- ✓Omnitheater movies are insightful, offering learning opportunities about subjects like ocean animals.
- ✓The museum offers a variety of areas designed to nurture curiosity.
- ✓Offers a gorgeous view of the river.
- ✓Availability of great discounts for MFIP or SNAP cardholders of Minnesota.
Standout Features
- ⭐Highly interactive exhibits throughout the museum.
- ⭐The unique Butterfly experience.
- ⭐The immersive Omnitheater for educational films.
- ⭐Dynamic storm and water shows.
- ⭐Personalized touch from staff, such as nicknaming dinosaur fossils.
- ⭐Welcoming and diverse staff who are knowledgeable and helpful.
- ⭐Abundant clean bathrooms and drinking fountains.
- ⭐Scenic river view from the museum.
- ⭐Membership options available for repeat visitors.
- ⭐Significant discounts for MFIP or SNAP cardholders.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Remember to check the timing of specific shows, especially the Omnitheater, to plan your visit effectively.
- →Consider purchasing a membership if you plan to visit multiple times, as it's seen as a good value for frequent attendees.
- →Families with MFIP or SNAP cards should utilize the available discounts for significant savings.
- →The museum has high re-visit value, so it's worth going through again and again, even if you've seen most of it.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Admission prices are perceived as "astronomically large" and a "ridiculous cost", making it unaffordable for a family of 5.
- ⚠Some exhibits may not be "so brand new, and highly technical", implying they might lack the latest technological advancements, though they remain interactive.
Price & Value
While the museum offers excellent value and significant discounts for MFIP or SNAP cardholders, general admission prices are a major concern for many, described as 'astronomically large' and 'ridiculous cost', making it 'unaffordable now' for a family of 5. For frequent visitors, signing up for a membership is suggested as a way to gain better value for money.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific physical accessibility accommodations (e.g., ramps, elevators, sensory rooms) are explicitly mentioned in the reviews.
- •The presence of a diverse and heartwarming staff suggests an inclusive social environment.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •The museum has 'lots of bathrooms and drinking fountains', indicating good hydration facilities.
- •No explicit mention of outside food being allowed or specific on-site food options/cafes.
🚗Parking Info
- •Paid parking is available on-site.
👥Crowd Levels
- •One reviewer visits 'at least once a month' and enjoys it repeatedly, implying it remains enjoyable even with potential crowds, but specific crowd patterns (e.g., peak times, quiet hours) are not detailed in these reviews.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety measures or features are explicitly mentioned in these reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Families of 5 or more on a strict budget, due to the high general admission prices that are described as 'astronomically large' and 'unaffordable'.
- • Visitors who exclusively seek cutting-edge, highly technical, and brand-new exhibits, as some displays might not feel the most technically advanced.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
General Admission
Included with ticketDuration: Full day
Your ticket includes all the museum has to offer — from exhibit galleries to Omnitheater movies to Science Live shows, and more!
Includes:
- •Exhibit galleries access
- •One Omnitheater movie show
- •Science Live shows
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Skin: Living Armor, Evolving Identity Member Preview
Thursday, Oct. 2, 3-5 p.m.
Members-only perk
Members can be some of the first to see the upcoming 'Skin' exhibit.
Skin Opening Day
Friday, Oct. 3
Included with general admission
First day for the public to explore the fascinating exhibit on the properties of skin across organisms.
Curious Collectors Day
Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Included with general admission
Celebrating the Collectors’ Corner with double points, rockin’ demonstrations, and scientific activities.
Wild Rescue opens (Omnitheater film)
Thursday, Oct. 16
Included with general admission (one show)
First showing of the Omnitheater film detailing heartwarming animal rehabilitation stories.
Open Labs
Thursday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Included with general admission
See science in action in onsite labs normally off-limits, meet researchers, and get a close-up look at collections items.
Lost in Space: A Stellar Tours Adventure opens (Omnitheater film)
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m.
Included with general admission (one show)
First showing of a new live digital telescope show featuring real-time images from space.
🍎Food Policy
- • The Cafe (Level 5) and The Kitchen (Level 6) offer food and drink options during museum hours.
- • Tables, chairs, and water fountains are available throughout the galleries for comfortable dining.
- • Visitors may bring a blanket and sit outside with their own food/drinks on the grounds with views of downtown St. Paul and the Mississippi River.
- • Members (Innovator, Curator, Discovery Circle) receive 10% off all food and drinks purchased at the museum.
- • Food and drink options' time and availability are subject to change and are only available during museum hours.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • A certified on-site support team is available to assess and treat illnesses/injuries and provide advanced medical care.
- • Dedicated team responsible for visitor safety monitoring, protective services, building emergencies, and safeguarding the parking ramp.
- • Service animals are allowed if housebroken, harnessed/leashed/tethered (unless disability prevents), and under effective control. Misbehaving animals may be asked to leave.
- • Photography is allowed and encouraged, except for specific objects/artifacts with 'no photography' requests due to sensitive characteristics.
- • Strollers are allowed, and exhibits are stroller accessible.
📅Booking Policy
- • Tickets can be reserved online, by phone, or in person during museum hours.
- • To see multiple Omnitheater movies, call (651) 221-9444 to reserve add-on tickets for $9.95 each.
- • Group reservations for 15 or more people can receive a discount.
- • Field trips can be booked by calling (651) 221-9444.
- • To leave and re-enter the museum on the same day, keep a copy of your tickets to present at the exhibit entrance.
🚗Parking Information
- • Museum Parking Ramp located at 100 N. Chestnut Street.
- • Cost: $15 a day. Discounted Member rate available.
- • 16 designated accessible parking spaces in the ramp.
- • Vehicles up to 8’ tall can park in the ramp.
- • Free Electric Vehicle (EV) charging available on level P6 (Chargepoint app required).
- • Free drop-off for wheelchair users in parking ramp if under 15 minutes.
- • Bike racks available in front of museum (Kellogg Blvd) and Education entrance (Chestnut St).
- • Bike lockers available to rent for $75 a year (contact parking@smm.org).
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Anni Icarus
2 weeks agoThis museum is fantastic. I came to see the Butterfly experience, and though mostly geared towards young children, it was still informational, fun, and creative. Still able to be enjoyed for someone who is a kid at heart. I enjoy that many of the dinosaur fossils on display have nicknames from the staff, like Gerard, the Stegosaurus. As a queer person it's incredibly heartwarming to go to a museum that has a diverse staff who are kind, helpful, and knowledgeable about the exhibits. I come here at least once a month and probably have seen all of the museum at this point, but it's still worth going through again and again.
Yuliia Panchuk
4 months agoGreat Museum for everyone (kids & adults) in Twin cities! I definitely recommend to visit it. You can find something interesting and new for you. For me it’s not so brand new, and highly technical, but it’s very interactive anyway. Great discounts if you have MFIP or SNAP cards of Minnesota.
Maria
a month agoAs a Science Major and someone who works in Science this is my hub. I brought my kiddos for some science exposure. The storm and water show were amazing. I got to see lightning form...how cool is that! We hit the Omnitheater and the movie was insightful..I learned so much about the Ocean animals. The museum has a variety of areas to nurture your mind's curiosity. Did I mention the gorgeous view of the river! Lots of bathrooms and drinking fountains. Paid parking is available. I couldn't help myself and I signed up for the membership for future events.
Samriddh Gupta
a month agoGreat place for people who love history but definitely recommend the shot omni theater show. Remember to check the timing of each show.
Keltik91
3 weeks agoWe still love this place, but the prices are astronomically large. Learning shouldn't come at such a ridiculous cost. A family of 5 is unaffordable now.