Walker Art Center
8.3Friend Score / 10#4 of 12 Museums in Minneapolis
Known forcontemporary artmodern artart museumsculpture garden
The Twin Cities' contemporary art heavyweight — smart, sometimes strange exhibitions, a great design shop, and the adjacent (free) Sculpture Garden with Spoonbridge and Cherry. Admission runs around $18, but Thursday nights 5-9 pm are free with programming, and so is the first Saturday of each month. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Key facts
| Hours | Wed–Wed 10:00–17:00 Thu–Thu 10:00–21:00 Fri–Sun 10:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Multiple bus routes on Hennepin Ave; ~20-minute walk from downtown |
| Time needed | 1.5-3 hours (plus the Sculpture Garden) |
| Best time to go | Thursday nights for free admission and events; first Saturdays for free family day |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.3/10- Value7.5
- iconic8.0
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level8.0
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility7.5
Frequently asked questions
- How long do I need at the Walker?
- Ninety minutes to two hours covers the galleries comfortably; add 30-45 minutes for the Sculpture Garden. It's compact enough that you won't get museum legs.
- What kind of art is at the Walker?
- Modern and contemporary — painting, sculpture, video, performance, and design, with exhibitions that lean ambitious and occasionally baffling in the best way. If you want Rembrandts, that's Mia across town; this is the challenging cousin.
- Is the Sculpture Garden part of the Walker?
- Yes, the Walker maintains the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden across the street — but the garden itself is free and open daily 6 am to midnight regardless of museum hours or tickets. Spoonbridge and Cherry lives there.
- How much is Walker Art Center admission?
- Around $18 for adults, with discounts for seniors and students. Free for everyone Thursday nights 5-9 pm and all day the first Saturday of each month — plan around those if the price stings.
- Is there food at the Walker?
- There's a café/restaurant on site, and the museum shop is legitimately one of the best design stores in the city — dangerous for wallets. Uptown and Loring Park dining are both a short hop away.
- Is the Walker worth it if I'm not into contemporary art?
- Go Thursday night when it's free and decide for yourself — worst case you've lost an hour and still got the Sculpture Garden and a great gift shop. Full price is harder to justify for skeptics.
- What days is the Walker closed?
- Mondays and Tuesdays. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 am, with the late 9 pm close on Thursdays.
- When is the Walker free?
- Every Thursday night from 5 to 9 pm, with special programming and events, plus free family day the first Saturday of each month from 10 am to 5 pm. Gallery admission is also always free for citizens and members of Tribal Nations.
Nearby in Ask Minneapolis
- Minneapolis Sculpture GardenPark0.09 km · 1 min walk
- Basilica of Saint MaryAttraction0.57 km · 7 min walk
- Sebastian Joe's Ice CreamCafé0.7 km · 9 min walk
- Loring ParkPark0.74 km · 9 min walk
- Surviving a Minneapolis Winter Like a LocalAttraction1.3 km · 16 min walk
Where to stay near Walker Art Center
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