The Minneapolis Institute of Art, known to everyone as Mia, is the Twin Cities’ great art museum and one of the best free days out in the Midwest. General admission to the permanent collection is always free, and that collection is remarkable: more than 100,000 works spanning around 5,000 years and six continents. You can move from ancient Egyptian and classical art to Chinese jades and bronzes, Japanese prints and screens, African and Native American art, European old masters and impressionists, American painting, photography, textiles and design, all under one roof. The building itself is a grand neoclassical museum with modern extensions, set in the Whittier neighbourhood south of downtown, and it never feels as crowded as the big coastal museums. Period rooms let you step into historic interiors, and the galleries are thoughtfully arranged, so even a short visit gives you a sense of the sweep of world art. Special exhibitions and some events are ticketed, but many visitors never need to pay anything. Thursday late opening makes it an easy evening plan, and in cold weather it is one of the warmest welcomes in the city. This page links to Mia’s official visit page.
How to visit: Mia is at 2400 Third Avenue South in Minneapolis. It is open from 10am to 5pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with late opening until 9pm on Thursday, and it is closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. General admission is free; special exhibitions carry a fee, and free tickets are available through access programmes for those who need them. There is on-site paid parking in the ramp and surface lots, and the museum is served by buses from downtown.
What to expect: the museum is large, so pick a few galleries rather than trying to see everything. Free guided public tours run regularly, and the museum’s own suggestions for making the most of Mia are a good starting point. Exhibitions and installations rotate, so check what is on before you visit.
Making the most of it: come on a Thursday evening for a relaxed, social atmosphere, or on a weekday morning for quiet galleries. Pair Mia with the Walker and the Sculpture Garden for a full art day, or with lunch on Eat Street, a few blocks west along Nicollet Avenue.
What to expect
The experience
A large, free encyclopedic art museum with galleries spanning ancient to contemporary art from six continents, plus ticketed special exhibitions.
Best time
Weekday mornings for quiet galleries, or Thursday evenings for a lively late opening.
How long
Two to three hours for a good selection of galleries.
Tips
Mia is closed on Mondays; pick a few collections to focus on and check the special exhibitions before you go.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Art lovers, culture-curious travellers and anyone looking for a free, warm afternoon.
- Families
- Free entry means you can visit for an hour with children and leave before anyone gets tired.
- Couples
- A Thursday evening at Mia, followed by dinner on Eat Street, makes an easy, inexpensive date.
- Pair with
- The Walker and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden for a full art day.
- Time needed
- Two to three hours.
Good questions
Is the Minneapolis Institute of Art free?+
Yes, general admission to Mia’s permanent collection is always free. Special exhibitions and some events need a paid ticket.
What are Mia’s opening hours?+
Mia opens 10am to 5pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday to Sunday, and 10am to 9pm on Thursday. It is closed on Mondays and on Thanksgiving.
How big is Mia’s collection?+
Mia holds more than 100,000 works of art spanning around 5,000 years and six continents. Only part of it is on display at any one time.
Is there parking at Mia?+
Yes, there is on-site paid parking in a ramp and surface lots, with accessible spaces near the entrance. Buses also serve the museum from downtown.
Does Mia offer guided tours?+
Yes, Mia runs guided public tours of the collection. Check the museum’s calendar for times on the day of your visit.
