Children's Museums

Minnesota Discovery Center

Name: Minnesota Discovery Center
Address: 1005 Discovery Dr, Chisholm, MN 55719, Chisholm, MN, US
Telephone: (218) 254-7959
Rating: 4.6

★★★★☆ 4.6 (260 reviews)

📍 1005 Discovery Dr, Chisholm, MN 55719

📞 (218) 254-7959

🌐 www.mndiscoverycenter.org

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	10 AM–5 PM
Wednesday	10 AM–5 PM
Thursday	10 AM–8 PM
Friday	10 AM–5 PM
Saturday	10 AM–5 PM
Sunday	Closed

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About Minnesota Discovery Center

Minnesota Discovery Center is a children's museum in Chisholm, MN. The museum sits on a 660-acre campus with a 33,000 square foot museum building, featuring exhibits on 90-million-year-old fossils alongside Iron Range mining and immigration history. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars by 260 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Natural History Museum
Location: Chisholm, MN
Best For: All ages — families, students, genealogy researchers
Highlights: 33,000 sq ft museum, trolley tours, mini golf, outdoor water activities, live music
Campus Size: 660 acres — largest museum complex in Minnesota outside Twin Cities

💡 Did You Know?

⭐The museum sits on a 660-acre campus with a 33,000 square foot museum building, featuring exhibits on 90-million-year-old fossils alongside Iron Range mining and immigration history
⭐Interactive trolley tours are a signature attraction, mentioned in 27 reviews and featured in special events like the Trolley Ride Pumpkin Festival, combining historical narration with family activities
⭐The attraction utilizes a former mine pit lake for water-based recreation, offering kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards on what was once an active mining site
⭐The museum offers free and low-cost educational programming and community events, including live music performances by award-winning artists

💬 What Visitors Say

💬Plan for a half-day experience by combining the trolley ride (30-45 minutes) with museum exploration and mini golf. Visitors recommend eating at the Food Court before your scheduled trolley time to maximize your visit flow.
💡The museum features a secure, enclosed play area for young children with only one entrance—ideal for families with active kids who need space to burn energy while parents monitor easily.
💡Take the trolley tour for the most immersive historical experience. It includes narration about mining operations and a bonus homestead exhibit showing daily life of miners and their families, making it more engaging than self-guided exploration alone.
🕐With 660 acres of grounds, prioritize visiting during seasonal events like the Trolley Ride Pumpkin Festival which bundles multiple attractions (trolley, historic site exploration, petting farm) into one memorable experience.
💡The venue is handicap accessible with elevators, clean bathrooms, and most exhibits on the first floor. The extensive outdoor trails and water activities on the former mine pit lake make it uniquely accessible for visitors with varying mobility levels.