Museum-Hopping in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Modern Art, Model Trains, Musical Instruments Offer Eclectic Array

Jul 1, 2008

The Twin Cities boast the third most museums in the U. S. The following, all in the smaller twin, Saint Paul, give you an idea of their contents, size and diversity.

Science Museum of Minnesota

This six-story building on the banks of the Mississippi provides visitors with hands-on exhibits that allow them experience a variety of experiences such as touching a tornado climbing aboard a Mississippi River towboat. The Experiment Gallery designed especially for kids and convertible IMAX dome theater are among the museum’s other popular features. (120 Kellogg Blvd.)

Minnesota Children’s Museum (MCM)

This is one of the top children’s museums in the U. S. , with both permanent galleries and traveling exhibits. Among the latter are the Rooftop ArtPark, and Earth World, which immerses children in life-like Minnesota habitats. Traveling exhibits are equally hands-on, like “Exploring the World of Fairy Tales”, which lets children climb Jack’s beanstalk and step inside an African jungle. Open Memorial through Labor Day daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; rest of year Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., also Thursday 5-8 p.m .year round. (10 W. Seventh St.)

Twin City Model Railroad Museum

Centerpiece of the museum is a 3,000-square-foot model railroad with layouts featuring local scenes, landmark buildings and trains from the mid-20th century. The gift shop carries a large selection of books about the various rail lines, model engines, passenger cars and rolling stock as well as an assortment of railroad themed items. A popular attraction for tots is the museum’s “Thomas the Wooden Train” play area. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m. (1021 Bandana Blvd. E, Suite 222)

Minnesota Transportation Museum (MTM)

Five exhibit sites – all in the Twin Cities area – contain buses, trains, steamships, trolleys and transport buildings such as The Jackson Street Roundhouse in Saint Paul. Locomotives, passenger cars and rolling stock are on display at the former Great Northern Railway’s steam engine maintenance facility, which is now also used to house the museum’s vehicles. The museum’s buses are stored in a different area at the same site. Hours at the Jackson Street Roundhouse are Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., year-round. Caboose rides are featured on Saturdays. (193 Pennsylvania Ave. E)

Schubert Club Museum of Musical Instruments

Among the museum’s holdings are the keyboard collection, which contains 150 instruments (clavichords, harpsichords, pianos and organs) and a collection of musical memorabilia and instruments from around the world. However, only a fraction of these items are on display at any one time (lower level and first floor, Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth Street)

Minnesota History Center

This interactive museum’s exhibits illustrate the various facets of Minnesota in regard to its settlement, sociology, industry, climate, people, events and lifestyles. Rotating exhibits include “We Couldn’t Live at Home,” which tells the stories of young residents of Minnesota shelters who were unable to live with their parents. “Going Places” illustrates how the American passion for mobility has shaped Minnesota and “Grainland” traces the journey of wheat and corn from farm to market. The museum’s gift shop specializes in Minnesota-themed items. Open Tuesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, noon-5 p.m. (345 W. Kellogg Blvd.)

Most museums are closed on major holidays. Entrance fees vary with age and in some cases, with time of visit (reduced rates or free admission are charged at some of them). Specifics are available on the individual museums’ websites.

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