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Location
Parking
free and convenient parking
Best time
Visit during the extended hours on the second Thursday of each month (10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.) to maximize your time exploring the interactive exhibits, gardens, and scenic lakeside views without feeling rushed.
Visitor tip
Don't skip the Frankenstein Room and electricity demonstrations—these are consistently the most engaging interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages, from young children building with wooden blocks to adults learning about electrical history and the museum's founder Earl Bakken's invention of the pacemaker.
About The Bakken Museum
Unique museum with an electricity focus. Museum & education center for all ages offering exhibits on electricity, Ben Franklin & magnets.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Science Center
- Location
- Historic mansion setting on Bde Maka Ska, Southwest Minneapolis
- Hours
- Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (extended Thursdays)
- Highlights
- Interactive STEM exhibits, Ben Franklin demonstrations, historic mansion grounds
- Parking
- Free and convenient
What visitors say
My husband CJ & I hosted our wedding here this fall and it was the most perfect day!! Chris & Alice were wonderful to work with, and truly helped bring everything to life for us. All the staff at the Bakken were so kind and helpful.…
Had an amazing time talking with a few of the workers, especially loved getting shown around the rooftop garden and the medicinal plants! Museum is adorable, love the architecture. Lots of history and fun for all ages
Excellent small museum for kids and adults alike, showing several experiments to stimulate kids in STEM areas. We loved the ones with electricity and the history behind it explained. The little ones in our party also enjoyed playing…
From 599 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- The Bakken Museum was founded by Earl Bakken, the inventor of the pacemaker and co-founder of Medtronic, who purchased the historic West Winds mansion to house his collection of electrical artifacts and pacemaker technology
- The museum features a collection of pacemakers spanning from the earliest designs to modern technology, documenting the medical innovation that has benefited millions of heart patients worldwide
- The Bakken Museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025-2026 with a special exhibit featuring LEGO minifigures of local innovators
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