Cool Cultural Venues in the Twin Cities and Rochester

With proximity to lakes, forests and rivers, the Twin Cities are a paradise for outdoor lovers. But did you know that the area is also rich in culture? We've made a list of some of the coolest venues to take in the performing arts or learn about science and history. Why not add them to your schedule this summer?

Guthrie Theater
818 S. 2nd Street
Minneapolis

The Guthrie has grown from a modest facility staging four shows per year to an nationally celebrated venue producing the finest in quality theater. Today the Guthrie includes three separate stages, one fine dining and two casual restaurants and a cocktail lounge. You don't have to wait for a show to visit. Take a self-guided audio tour or formal tours of the backstage area, costume collection and building architecture.

Mill City Museum
704 S. 2nd Street
Minneapolis

Right down the street from the Guthrie is this unique museum that incorporates the ruins of what was once the world's largest flour mill. The museum is dedicated to educating visitors about the ways that flour and other industries combined to influence and shape the city. During the summer, the museum's open-air Ruin Courtyard is home to opera stagings and concerts by local musicians.

Alexander Ramsey House
265 S. Exchange Street
St. Paul

The Alexander Ramsey House is one of the nation's best-preserved Victorian homes, earning it a place on the National Register of Historic Places. The house is named after the man who built it, Minnesota's first territorial governor. Through tours, programs and special events, you get a rare look at the life of a family in the 1870s.

History Center of Olmsted County
1195 W. Circle Drive NW
Rochester

Get an entertaining look at the history of Olmsted County and how the past is intertwined with the present and future. Artifact collections include textiles, medical instruments, Native American art and tools, and decorative arts. Temporary and traveling exhibits highlight topics such as the Mayo Clinic and immigrant families who were the first settlers in the area. Mark your calendar for their annual Scavenger Hunt this October. You and your team collect clues from restaurants and other attractions around town to win prizes.

Have you discovered an unusual cultural attraction in the Twin Cities? Tell us about it in the comments!