Sight guide · Minneapolis · United States
Visiting Mill City Museum
Built into the burned-out ruins of the Washburn A Mill, once the largest flour mill in the world, this museum tells how Minneapolis became the milling capital of the world.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: BpA9543, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Mill City Museum is a museum in Mill District, Minneapolis. Allow 2 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Mill District
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, kids, views and rainy day
- Best months
- April–June
About Mill City Museum
Built into the burned-out ruins of the Washburn A Mill, once the largest flour mill in the world, this museum tells how Minneapolis became the milling capital of the world. The Flour Tower ride lifts you through eight storeys of mill history in a freight elevator, ending at a rooftop deck over St. Anthony Falls.
Tip: Go up to the ninth-floor observation deck at the end for the best view of the falls and the Stone Arch Bridge.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Mill District, riverfront mill ruins, the Guthrie and the Stone Arch Bridge.
Best time to visit Mill City Museum
Mill City Museum is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- May: 20°C (68°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- June: 26°C (79°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, busy crowds.
- April: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, quiet crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-May the sun sets at about 20:35 local time (calculated for Minneapolis).
When to visit Minneapolis has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Minneapolis itinerary visits Mill City Museum on day 3, together with Paisley Park, Chain of Lakes and Northeast arts and taprooms.
- No. 8 of the 17 sights in our Minneapolis things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in museums in Minneapolis.
- One of the picks in minneapolis on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Minneapolis.
- A family favourite in Minneapolis with kids.
Near Mill City Museum
Also in Mill District, so you can walk between them:
- Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls — 1 hour, free
- Guthrie Theater — 30 minutes, or an evening for a show, free
If you like Mill City Museum
- Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) — Whittier, 2–3 hours
- Mall of America — Bloomington, Half a day
- Paisley Park — Chanhassen, 2 hours
- American Swedish Institute — Phillips, 1.5 hours
Staying near Mill City Museum
Stay in Mill District ($$$) to walk here: riverfront mill ruins, the Guthrie and the Stone Arch Bridge. All areas to stay in Minneapolis.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Mill City Museum?
Plan 2 hours. With Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls nearby, it fits a half-day in Mill District.
+Is Mill City Museum free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Mill City Museum?
April–June, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Go up to the ninth-floor observation deck at the end for the best view of the falls and the Stone Arch Bridge.
+Do I need to book Mill City Museum in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Mill City Museum good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Minneapolis. Minneapolis is a relaxed family city, with free museums, lake beaches, bike paths and the Mall of America's indoor theme park as a fallback in any weather.