The museum holds a collection of over 1.7 million objects in its research and collections facility.
The building's terraced design is specifically engineered to preserve the historical sightlines of the St. Paul riverfront.
The museum houses the world's only known mounted specimen of a Triceratops with a nearly complete skull.
The facility was the first in the world to utilize a 3D dual-projection system for its large-format theater.
The 'Mississippi River Gallery' features an outdoor terrace that provides access to the river's ecological exhibits.
The museum maintains an active paleontology lab where visitors can watch researchers clean and prepare fossils.
The Science Museum of Minnesota is a major regional institution featuring seven acres of interactive exhibits spanning biology, physics, and technology. It houses an IMAX convertible dome theater that projects high-definition educational films. A primary feature is the Paleontology Hall, which displays authentic dinosaur fossils, including a Triceratops and an Allosaurus. The museum is renowned for its ongoing research in the St. Croix River watershed and environmental monitoring. The building itself is built into a river bluff, utilizing a terraced design that offers direct views of the Mississippi River. Permanent galleries include 'Human Body Gallery,' 'We Move,' and 'Math Moves.' It functions as a research center with massive collections of artifacts spanning anthropology and natural history. The museum emphasizes hands-on learning through experimental stations embedded throughout the exhibition floors.
The glass-walled atrium featuring the massive hanging dinosaur skeletons.
Visit the outdoor terrace on the upper levels for the best view of the Mississippi River and the High Bridge.
Check the daily schedule upon arrival to see if there are live science demonstrations or lab viewings.
Use the interactive 'Science Museum of Minnesota' app to navigate the multi-floor layout.
Trying to see every single exhibit in one visit; focus on two or three galleries to avoid 'exhibit fatigue'.
Closed on Mondays during the off-season; closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Casual, comfortable walking shoes are required for traversing multiple levels; maintain a respectful volume in the theater and quiet zones.
