Minneapolis grew up around a waterfall. St. Anthony Falls, the only natural waterfall on the Mississippi, powered the mills that made the city the flour-milling capital of the world, and Mill City Museum tells that story from inside the ruins of one of those mills. Run by the Minnesota Historical Society, it is built into the shell of a great stone flour mill, and the result is one of the most atmospheric museums in the Midwest. The highlight is the Flour Tower, an elevator show that carries you up through the floors of the old mill as scenes of the mill at work unfold around you. Hands-on Water and Baking Labs explore the power of the river and the uses of flour, and a film in the old engine house, narrated by humorist Kevin Kling, takes you through the history of the city. Then head up to the rooftop observation deck for one of the best views in Minneapolis, over St. Anthony Falls, the river and the Stone Arch Bridge. Outside, the open-air Ruin Courtyard sits among the mill’s walls. The riverfront around the museum, with the Guthrie Theater and the bridge, is the city’s most rewarding walk. This page links to the official museum page.
How to visit: Mill City Museum is at 704 South 2nd Street, on the downtown riverfront. Admission is a modest charge for adults, with reductions for seniors, students and veterans, lower prices for children aged five to seventeen and free entry for children four and under and MNHS members. Tickets are sold on-site only, not online. Opening days and hours vary through the year, and the MNHS page did not list them clearly when we checked, so confirm before you go. The museum has no parking of its own, but city ramps are nearby.
What to expect: allow about two hours. The Flour Tower runs at set intervals, so ask at the desk when the next one starts and plan the labs and film around it. The building is accessible, and the café and shop are handy for a warm break.
Making the most of it: finish on the observation deck, then walk out across the Stone Arch Bridge for the view back towards the mill ruins and the falls. In November, go early in the afternoon to catch the riverfront in daylight, as sunset comes early.
What to expect
The experience
A history museum in the ruins of a flour mill, with an elevator show, hands-on labs, a film and a rooftop deck over St. Anthony Falls.
Best time
Early afternoon, so you can walk the Stone Arch Bridge in daylight afterwards.
How long
About two hours.
Tips
Tickets are sold on-site only; confirm opening days before you go, and ask for the next Flour Tower show when you arrive.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want to understand how Minneapolis began, and history lovers.
- Families
- The Flour Tower and Baking Lab are a big hit with school-age children.
- Couples
- Combine the rooftop view with a walk across the Stone Arch Bridge and dinner on the riverfront.
- Pair with
- A walk across the Stone Arch Bridge and the Guthrie Theater next door.
- Time needed
- Two hours, plus time for the riverfront.
Good questions
Can I buy Mill City Museum tickets online?+
No, tickets are sold on-site only at the museum. Children aged four and under and MNHS members get in free.
What is the Flour Tower at Mill City Museum?+
It is an elevator show that carries you up through the floors of the old mill. Scenes of the mill at work unfold on each level as you rise.
Does Mill City Museum have a view?+
Yes, the rooftop observation deck looks over St. Anthony Falls, the Mississippi and the Stone Arch Bridge. It is one of the best views in Minneapolis.
Is there parking at Mill City Museum?+
The museum has no parking lot of its own. Several city-owned ramps and lots are nearby.
What is near Mill City Museum?+
The Stone Arch Bridge, the Guthrie Theater and Gold Medal Park are all a short walk away. The riverfront trail links them together.
