10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Minnesota That You Shouldn't Miss

March 4, 2022 Dorsey Hagwood

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have the famous Mall of America and Walker Art Institute. Bluff Country to the south has water sports and cross country skiing. The Prairielands abound with lake recreations.
Restaurants in Minnesota

1. Minneapolis Institute of Art

2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404-3506 +1 612-870-3131 http://www.artsmia.org/
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,356 reviews

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Travel through 4,000 years of world history as you view more than 80,000 works of sculpture, photography, paintings, drawings and prints.

Reviewed By RedYoga - Benicia, United States

I was visiting Minneapolis for a conference, and saw an ad for the special exhibit of Native American women's art at MIA. Kudos to MIA for putting together such an amazing exhibit--it is fantastic! I walked through the special exhibit twice to better take it all in. I would encourage everyone to go see it! Not to be missed.

2. Commonweal Theatre Company

206 Parkway Ave N, Lanesboro, MN 55949-9795 +1 800-657-7025 [email protected] http://www.commonwealtheatre.org/
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 206 reviews

Commonweal Theatre Company

The Commonweal Theatre is Southeast Minnesota's premier live, professional, rotating repertory theatre. The season of 5 plays, plus an apprentice company production, runs March through December.

Reviewed By RandomIdea

I didn’t really know what to expect. My wife suggested we bring my 82 year old mother for a Christmas play hoping she would like getting out and see something entertaining. The cast and performances were excellent. The theater is cozy, comfortable, and the sight lines are very good. My mother loved it and so did my wife and I. We’ve been to theaters in NY, Chicago, Minneapolis and other places in the country and this theater and cast would fit right in.

3. Minnesota Marine Art Museum

800 Riverview Dr, Winona, MN 55987-2272 +1 507-474-6626 http://www.mmam.org/
Excellent
92%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 487 reviews

Minnesota Marine Art Museum

Reviewed By markgregory

I have lived in this area for 30+ years and just decided to go here on whim. I was amazed at what an extensive and impressive collection they have. I was expecting only marine themed works, and was stunned to see Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Hopper, Wyeth, and on and on. The marine art was really exceptional, and even the works by the masters had some type of marine theme, but if you are just thinking this is a lot of paintings of sailboats, you will be pleasantly surprised. Kudos to the team that has made this possible in Winona, MN of all places.

4. International Wolf Center

1396 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731-8129 +1 218-365-4695 http://www.wolf.org/
Excellent
65%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 675 reviews

International Wolf Center

Starting Monday, May 10, the International Wolf Center is open seven days a week. Because of the pandemic, we have two separate time blocks to ensure there's enough room for everyone. We are open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. for the first group of people and then from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. for the second. Advance tickets are required for entry. To get an advance ticket, visit our website and look for the Book Now button on the lower right-hand side of the page. Masks are required. The International Wolf Center, located in Ely, Minnesota, gives visitors a chance to learn about wolves and see them in a beautiful northwoods habitat. The main attraction are five live wolves who make up our ambassador pack.

Reviewed By 164bobbib

Love the IWC!!! Very friendly staff and amazing educational experience. Highly recommend visiting and supporting the IWC.❤️

5. Minnesota History Center

345 Kellogg Blvd W, Saint Paul, MN 55102-1903 +1 651-259-3000 http://www.mnhs.org/historycenter
Excellent
74%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 601 reviews

Minnesota History Center

An interactive museum with both permanent and changing exhibits, the Minnesota History Center hosts concerts, lectures, family days and other special events throughout the year. The building is also home to the Minnesota Historical Society library and archives, a research destination for schoolchildren, family historians and academics.

Reviewed By JoanieM620 - Grantsburg, United States

I spend 3 days doing research in the History Library. Their collection of materials is extensive and the staff is very helpful. They showed me how to use the microfilm reader and make copies from the digital copier. In the print materials room, it was easy to use the computer to find the materials I needed. The staff was quick in retrieving items from the archives that I wanted to read through. All-in-all, I had a very successful time doing research.

6. Mall of America

60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425-5510 +1 952-883-8800 http://mallofamerica.com
Excellent
52%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,855 reviews

Mall of America

Mall of America(R) is one of the top tourist destinations in the country! The Mall welcomes more than 40 million visitors a year from across the country and around the world to enjoy over 520 retail and specialty stores including Nordstrom and Macy's. Experience unique dining and entertainment at over 50 restaurants plus enjoy leading attractions like the nation's largest indoor theme park, Nickelodeon Universe(R) indoor theme park, SEA LIFE(R) Aquarium, LEGO(R), A.C.E.S. Flight Simulator, Moose Mountain Adventure Golf and more! By hosting more than 400 events each year, the Mall has become the place where fans can meet and greet their favorite celebrities or take part in interactive, one-of-a-kind events.

Reviewed By kevinhC5722CY - Mold, United Kingdom

Visited Mall of America for a second time and left just as impressed as my first visit several years ago. Great range of unique stores over a number of levels, clean and well maintained and enjoys a great food offer too. The centre piece though has to be the fun fair in the middle of what is a vast shopping centre. And car parking is easy with lots of space available. Also loved the many electronic find-what-you-are-looking for electronic stands that are easy to operate and guide you to any store, restaurant, fast food outlet or just the nearest rest room you may need to find. All in all a great shopping experience.

7. Nickelodeon Universe

5000 Center Ct Mall of America, Bloomington, MN 55425-5505 +1 952-883-8600 [email protected] http://nickelodeonuniverse.com
Excellent
55%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,294 reviews

Nickelodeon Universe

Reviewed By cynthiamM7775VM - Saint Paul, United States

Bought an all-day pass for rides and the kids took off. Some rode the same ride three times in a row, a couple tried a "scary" ride for them and liked it and the usual Ferris wheel, swings, and carousel were favorites. It is a bright, noisy and exciting place for a day of fun. For the adults, it is great people watching and finding a bench to sit and have a cup of coffee while watching and visiting.

8. Lego Imagination Center

164 S Avenue Mall of America, Bloomington, MN 55425-5525 +1 952-858-8949 http://www.mallofamerica.com/attractions/view/lego
Excellent
55%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 902 reviews

Lego Imagination Center

Six thousand square feet of Lego models in the Mall of America.

Reviewed By 619douglasp

Amazing!! For anyone who appreciates the creativity and imagination that Legos stimulate, this store and exhibit is a must see. The exhibits on top of the store are mind boggling, utilizing millions of pieces to make. Inside the store, you can peruse thousands of kits or buy individual pieces in all colors and piece shapes you can imagine. I purchased a kit for my grandson but, could have spent thousands just buying fun kits for myself.

9. James J. Hill House

240 Summit Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102-2194 +1 651-297-2555 http://www.mnhs.org/hillhouse
Excellent
67%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 497 reviews

James J. Hill House

Rugged stone, massive scale, fine detail and ingenious mechanical systems recall the powerful presence of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway. Guides lead tours that help you imagine family and servant life in the Gilded Age mansion, the setting of the public and private lives of the Hill family. The James J. Hill House is a National Historic Landmark. The home also includes an art gallery, which features work from the Minnesota Historical Society's collections.

Reviewed By suebee220

I've been here three times and find it fascinating. It's my go to place when I have guests visiting from out of town. Not only is the house incredible, the tour provides historical information about the Hill family and the contributions James made. If you have time, make the short walk to the cathedral to check it out too.

10. Minnesota State Capitol

75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Saint Paul, MN 55155-1605 +1 651-296-2881 [email protected] http://www.mnhs.org/capitol
Excellent
62%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 375 reviews

Minnesota State Capitol

Connect with this landmark government building designed by Cass Gilbert through its amazing stories — and learn about its incredible architecture, art and history.

Reviewed By Madogfechan - Bishopton, United Kingdom

Such a beautiful building, marble pillars and staircases, breathtaking dome, somber official chambers, rich colours, warm woodwork, gilded details.......all brought to life by the informative guides with their unique stories to share. The guide we had on our tour pointed out so many details that we would surely have missed if left to our own devices. As visitors from Scotland we felt very welcomed here.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.