





Children's Museums
Mill City Museum
📍 704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401🕐 Hours
| Monday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–4 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–5 PM |
About Mill City Museum
Innovative look at the flour industry. History of the flour industry told through interactive exhibits in the rebuilt ruins of an old mill. The museum is built within the rebuilt ruins of the Gold Medal Mill, which experienced a devastating fire in 1991 that destroyed most of the building, and the mill itself closed in 1965. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by 2,988 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Natural History Museum
- Location
- Built into ruins of world's largest flour mill, Minneapolis riverfront
- Best For
- All ages
- Highlights
- Flour Tower show, Water and Baking Labs, rooftop observation deck with city views, historic film
- Admission
- $15 adults, $12 seniors/students, $8 kids 5-17, free under 5
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum is built within the rebuilt ruins of the Gold Medal Mill, which experienced a devastating fire in 1991 that destroyed most of the building, and the mill itself closed in 1965
- The Flour Tower is an innovative elevator show that depicts scenes of the old mill in action, serving as both a tour introduction and interactive exhibit
- Minneapolis was home to two major flour producers - Pillsbury and Gold Medal Flour - making it a significant center of the Midwest flour milling industry
- The museum features hands-on Water and Baking Labs where visitors can experience demonstrations of water power and flour uses, with seasonal programming like 'Season's Eatings' featuring guest instructors
- The rooftop observation deck offers views of Minnehaha Falls, the Stone Arch Bridge, and the Mississippi River, making it a photography destination highlighted in visitor reviews
💬 What Visitors Say
- Start with the Flour Tower elevator show as your introduction—reviewers consistently praise this as a clever and informative way to understand the museum's core story about Minneapolis flour milling history before exploring other exhibits.
- Bring a camera or smartphone to the rooftop observation deck, which offers some of the best views in Minneapolis including the falls, river, and Stone Arch Bridge—this is a highlight that shouldn't be missed.
- Plan for 2 hours of visit time based on reviewer experiences. Street parking nearby costs around $5 for 2 hours and is easily accessible, so budget accordingly if driving.
- Take advantage of free or discounted admission through Museums for All program, Blue Star Families (Armed Forces Day-Labor Day), or MNHS membership if you're a resident—these can significantly reduce the $15 adult admission cost.
- Don't skip the interactive Water and Baking Labs and the 19-minute Minnesota history video in the old engine house theater—these hands-on and immersive experiences are what make the visit memorable beyond just viewing exhibits.
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