The Science Museum of Minnesota sits on the Mississippi riverfront at 120 West Kellogg Boulevard in downtown Saint Paul, and it is the Twin Cities’ best answer to a wet or freezing day with children. The museum spreads across several levels, with galleries on dinosaurs and fossils, a hands-on Experiment Gallery, a human body gallery, an Egyptian mummy, a Mississippi River gallery that includes a towboat you can explore, and a Future Earth exhibit, plus a giant astronaut and musical stairs. General admission includes one show in the William L. McKnight-3M Omnitheater, the giant-dome cinema, with additional shows available for a modest extra charge. The museum has two on-site restaurants and allows outside food, and the lobby has lockers. It is open Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday from 10am to 5pm, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. It suits families with children of almost any age, school-age groups, curious adults and anyone who wants a weatherproof half day. Because it is a large museum, the best approach is to choose two or three galleries and enjoy them properly rather than rushing everything.
Tickets and practicalities
Adult admission is listed as $34.95, youth ages 4 to 17 as $24.95 and children under 4 are free, with a low-cost income-based ticket available for eligible visitors. Admission includes one Omnitheater show. The museum garage at 120 West Kellogg Boulevard, entered from Chestnut Street, charges a daily fee, and the museum is a few blocks from the Green Line light rail, which makes it an easy trip from downtown Minneapolis without a car.
Members receive early access from 9am. Prices and hours can change, so confirm them on the museum’s website before you go.
What to see
On the third level, the dinosaur and fossil gallery and the Experiment Gallery are the big draws for children; on the fourth, the Egyptian mummy and the human body gallery; and on the fifth, the Mississippi River gallery with its towboat, Future Earth and the giant astronaut. The Omnitheater show is a good break from walking, and the showtimes shape the day, so check them when you arrive. If you are visiting with younger children, do the hands-on galleries first while energy is high, and keep the theatre for the flagging part of the afternoon.
Making the most of it
The ticket barcode allows you to leave and re-enter on the same day, so you can break for lunch in the riverfront area or walk to the Mississippi, which is just outside. Photography is encouraged in the galleries, weapons of any kind are not permitted, and wheelchairs are available free from the Visitor Desk. Late Friday and Saturday hours make the museum a practical evening option, and the Saint Paul Hotel and the Cathedral of Saint Paul are both within a short ride.
Plan three to four hours for a thorough visit, and consider a combined day with the State Capitol or Como Park. If your trip includes a Friday or Saturday, the later closing hours make an evening visit practical, and the museum is quieter once school groups have gone home. Accessibility is a strength, with free wheelchair loans and elevators between the levels, and the museum also publishes a sensory-friendly visitor guide for families who need a calmer visit.
What to expect
The experience
A multi-level hands-on science museum with galleries, a towboat and an included Omnitheater show.
Best time
Mornings on weekdays, or a cold, wet day, with late opening on Fridays and Saturdays.
How long
Three to four hours for a full visit.
Tips
Choose a few galleries, check Omnitheater showtimes on arrival and use same-day re-entry for lunch breaks.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with children, and curious adults who like hands-on exhibits.
- Families
- One of the best weatherproof family days in the Twin Cities.
- Couples
- A playful alternative on a cold day, especially at the Friday and Saturday late opening.
- Pair with
- The State Capitol, Como Park or a walk along the Mississippi.
- Time needed
- Three to four hours.
Good questions
Is the Omnitheater included?+
Admission includes one Omnitheater show. Additional shows cost extra.
What days is the museum open?+
Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday 10am to 5pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 8pm. It is closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
How do I get there without a car?+
The museum is a few blocks from the Green Line light rail in downtown Saint Paul.
Can I bring food?+
Yes, outside food is allowed, and there are two on-site restaurants.
Can I leave and come back?+
Yes. Your ticket barcode lets you leave and re-enter on the same day.
