Mill City Museum
8.6Friend Score / 10#2 of 12 Museums in Minneapolis
Known formuseumhistoryflour millmilling
A clever museum built inside the ruins of what was once the world's largest flour mill — the story of how flour made Minneapolis, told with an eight-story elevator show (the Flour Tower) and a rooftop deck over St. Anthony Falls. At $12 for adults it's one of the best-value tickets in town. Closed Mondays outside summer.
Key facts
| Hours | Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | U.S. Bank Stadium station (METRO Blue/Green Lines, ~8-minute walk); Blue Line bus-bridged through Aug 19, 2026 |
| Time needed | 1.5-2 hours |
| Best time to go | Time your visit to a Flour Tower show and end on the rooftop observation deck; Saturday mornings add the farmers market outside |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.6/10- Value8.8
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level8.0
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility8.0
Frequently asked questions
- What are Mill City Museum hours?
- Generally Tuesday-Sunday 10 am to 5 pm, closed Mondays — except in July and August when it opens daily. Check mnhs.org before a Monday visit outside summer.
- How much does Mill City Museum cost?
- $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, $8 for kids 5-17, free under 5. Minnesota Historical Society members get in free, and Museums for All offers discounted entry with EBT.
- Can I see the rooftop view without paying?
- No, the ninth-floor observation deck is inside the paid museum — but it's a highlight of the ticket, looking straight down on St. Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge. Don't leave without going up.
- What's near Mill City Museum?
- The Guthrie Theater is next door, the Stone Arch Bridge is out the front door, and the Mill City Farmers Market runs Saturday mornings in season. It anchors the best walkable cluster in the city.
- Why was flour such a big deal in Minneapolis?
- St. Anthony Falls powered the mills, and for about 50 years Minneapolis literally milled more flour than anywhere on earth — General Mills and Pillsbury both started here. The museum makes the 'Mill City' nickname finally make sense.
- Is Mill City Museum good for kids?
- Surprisingly yes — the water and grain labs are hands-on, the Flour Tower feels like a ride, and the baking lab smells amazing. Most kids do better here than at a traditional art museum.
- What is the Flour Tower?
- The museum's signature ride — a multi-story freight elevator that stops at recreated floors of the working mill with audio from former mill workers. It runs on a schedule, so check show times when you buy your ticket.
- Why is there a ruined building around the museum?
- The Washburn A Mill — once the largest flour mill on earth — burned in 1991, and the museum was built inside the stabilized ruins. The open-air Ruin Courtyard is one of the most photogenic spots in Minneapolis.
Nearby in Ask Minneapolis
- Mill DistrictNeighborhood0.02 km · 0 min walk
- Guthrie TheaterAttraction0.12 km · 2 min walk
- Stone Arch BridgeLandmark0.38 km · 5 min walk
- Father Hennepin Bluffs ParkPark0.54 km · 7 min walk
- Kramarczuk's Sausage CompanyRestaurant1 km · 13 min walk
Where to stay near Mill City Museum
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