There are several great free museums in the Twin Cities. Including the Minnesota State Capitol, Como Park Zoo, Stone Arch Bridge, Summit Avenue, and Lake of the Isles. But there’s nothing more relaxing and thought-provoking than gracefully observing art from all corners of the globe in a quiet space. MINNeSTAY has a fleet of vacation rentals in North Loop, on Lake Minnetonka, and in the posh neighborhood of Edina, many of which are less than ten minutes from these three free museums in Minneapolis. So, you’ll always be a short drive from an immersive day in our lively city.
Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA):
Minnesota’s premier free attraction remains the Minneapolis Institute of Art, ideally wedged in-between Downtown and Uptown. With nearly 100,000 works of art that originate from all seven continents, true aesthetes can spend an entire day inside this sprawling, three-floor palace and the ideal artists’ escape. Today, the Minneapolis Institute of Art spans near 500,000 square feet—and free street parking is around nearly every corner!
The MIA offers a free explorer membership that gives users access to free tickets to special exhibitions on Member Days. This membership also gives users 10% savings on café purchases as well as insider news and information about upcoming events. You can explore all your membership options on the MIA website HERE.
Weisman Art Museum:
It’s not often that you come across a misshapen art museum with an exterior that’s entirely made of curving, angular steel sheets. The gleaming Weisman Art Museum rests atop a Mississippi River bluff on the University of Minnesota campus, home to one of the largest student populations in the country. There are many impressive structures located on the Twin Cities campus. Enjoy local spots like Northrop Memorial Auditorium and TCF Bank Stadium, but Weisman is in a category all by itself. Much of the collections inside Weisman are categorized as “modern art.” However, there’s certainly something for every aesthete here at one of the most popular free museums in Minneapolis. Three of the most famous artists featured inside this eye-popping Frank Gehry-designed building. There you will find artists like Georgia O’Keeffe, Marsden Hartley, and Roy Lichtenstein.
With a mission to create and advance inclusive art experiences, everyone is welcome, and admission is always free. The exhibits you will find here are geared towards broadening understanding of oneself. There is a focus on the communities we live in and the world around us. Go to their official site: weisman.umn.edu for updates on free admission policy and upcoming exhibits.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden:
Minnesota Sculpture Garden is located at the Walker Art Center. It is home to more than 60 sculptures on about eleven acres in Downtown Minneapolis. It is also open all year round. By now, you likely know all about the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden’s famous Spoonbridge and Cherry, but this newly renovated and revamped space is full of surprises. The garden has always been free to anyone. Locals and travelers alike love posing inside the two-way mirror hedge. Or perhaps you prefer to visit beneath Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture, made entirely of painted steel. The sculpture garden is also a short stroll from many highly praised Loring Park restaurants.
The Walker Art Center has many wonderful exhibits that rotate often and admission is minimal and often free including Free Thursday Nights and Free First Saturdays. Learn more about these and other events on the website: walkerart.org to confirm what options remain free and to see if there are any new installations planned.
LOCAL ARTISTS GALLERIES IN MINNESOTA
Visiting a new place, it is always great to see local flair in different cities. One of our personal favorite things is visiting local artists’ galleries around the area. We have so many very talented artists. Finding them can be hard when you are visiting a new place so here are some of our MINNeSTAY favorites that you can visit for free.
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Follow the Muse:
Local artists Marc Clements and K. Daphnae Koop share their love of art through mixed-media, abstract paintings, wood, collages and sculpture. You will find so many beautiful works with a variety of materials to capture your eye. Visit the Follow the Muse Website for exhibit details.
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GAMUT Gallery:
The GAMUT is a visual art gallery, gift shop, and performance space in downtown Minneapolis. They offer rotating exhibits with a full spectrum of artists using different media, content and styles. With a highlighting on diversity, they strive to bringing people together to experience art and stimulate dialogue. While they are not free, it is worth exploring this beautiful gallery downtown. Learn more about upcoming exhibitions on the GAMUT Gallery website HERE.
MAKE IT A MINNeSTAY
We have so many incredible properties in the Minneapolis area. Make it a MINNeSTAY and stay in historic homes, homes of artists, luxury city lofts and more on your next stay in Minneapolis! View all of the MINNeSTAY vacation rental properties HERE.
