1. St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center and Lock and Dam

Get a panoramic view of the Upper St. Anthony Lock and Dam, St. Anthony Falls, and the surrounding Mill District while also learning about the area’s place in Minnesota history. During the free tours, rangers lead you out onto the lock walls and tell you all about how the falls changed the course of history of the region and of the greater nation.

Location: 1 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401

2. Historic Fort Snelling

Established in the early 1820s, Fort Snelling was built to protect the fur trade. Today, the reconstructed fort is a National Historic Landmark where visitors can learn not only about military history from before the Civil War through World War II, but also about domestic life, slavery in Minnesota and the U.S. Dakota War of 1862.

The staff at Fort Snelling tell stories from across the fort’s two centuries of history, demonstrate skills needed in 19th-century everyday life and reenact 19th-century military tactics. Archeology exhibits illustrate the 10,000 years of human habitation on the site.

Location: 200 Tower Ave, St Paul, MN 55111

3. Mill City Museum

Built in the ruins of what was once the largest four mill in the world, the Mill City Museum takes you through Minneapolis’ history of becoming a flour milling powerhouse. The museum features baking demonstrations (and associated tasting samples), the history film “Minneapolis in 19 minutes flat!” and the eight-story, Flour Tower combination milling exhibit and rip-roaring freight elevator ride.

Location: 704 S 2nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401

4. Somali Museum of Minnesota

Minnesota’s Somali community is one of the largest in the United States and thus the Somali culture is central to the identity of Minneapolis.

The Somali Museum of Minnesota celebrates the traditions and heritage of the Somali people in a collection of more than 700 pieces of craftwork, paintings and sculptures, ranging from nomadic objects and a model nomad’s hut to contemporary art. Learn about Somalia’s history through this curation of authentic artifacts.

Location: 1516 E Lake St #011, Minneapolis, MN 55407

5. American Swedish Institute

The historic Turnblad Mansion, former home of Swan and Christina Turnbland who migrated to to Minneapolis from Sweden, was built in 1908 and is now home to the American Swedish Institute. This cultural center explores the traditions, immigration, art and heritage of contemporary and historical Sweden. This is done through special exhibits, period rooms, artifacts and workshops.

Location: 2600 Park Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55407

6. African American Heritage Museum & Gallery

This is the first Museum in Minnesota dedicated to celebrating the history of African Americans. The Museum strives to “preserve, record and highlight the achievements, contributions, and experiences of African Americans in Minnesota.” See their stories told through creative exhibitions and unique programming and events.

Location: 1256 Penn Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411

7. Minnehaha Depot

Near the famous Minnehaha Falls, wonder over to this historic railroad depot and see where the first rail line out of Minneapolis began. The building itself has beautifully intricate detailing and on days when the indoor exhibit is open you will get a glimpse into the railroad’s history, see some original telegraph equipment and other displays of early railroad travel. Here you’ll learn how the Minnehaha Depot was a fundamental piece in Minneapolis railway history and how it served both residents and visitors from the east coast.

Location: Minnehaha Park, Hwy 55 &, E Minnehaha Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55417

8. Hennepin History Museum

The Hennepin History Museum houses an extensive collection dedicated to the history and evolution of Hennepin County which includes many artifacts and archival material related to Minneapolis. Located in the 44-room George Christian Mansion, the museum’s rotating exhibits illustrate the history, some of it quite modern, of Hennepin County, through a variety of styles and mediums. Exhibits change approximately every three months. See their website for current exhibits.

Location: 2303 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404

9. Bell Museum

Mixing science and history together, the Bell Museum is a great place to learn about Minnesota’s natural history. Find out what the state’s natural environment used to be like, understand more about the history of Earth with 3D dioramas, see some of the world’s oldest rocks and travel back to the ice age to meet an 11-foot tall woolly mammoth!

Location: 2088 Larpenteur Ave W, St Paul, MN 55113

10. Ard Godfrey House

History buffs will love getting a glimpse at the oldest surviving wood frame home in the Twin Cities. Built in 1848, the 1 1/2 story house was where Ard Godfrey and his family lived until 1853. Godfrey was a Maine millwright who helped build the first dam and sawmills to take advantage of the water power of St Anthony Falls. He was also the first postmaster of the Village of St Anthony. After the family moved out of the house, various other families occupied the house until 1905 when it was sold to the Hennepin County Territorial Pioneers Association. Now The Women's Club of Minneapolis maintains the historic site and offers tours where visitors can admire the artifacts that characterize the time period when Ard Godfrey and his family had lived in the house.

Location: 28 University Ave. SE