The best arts & culture spots in St. Paul

“Mudslinger Pottery is where St. Paul folks escape the grind and, well, play in the clay. Expect hands-on classes, a browse-worthy gallery, and orderable pieces, all guided by the One & Only Captain Mudslinger, so you leave a little calmer and a lot more creative.”

From the St. Paul newsletter, September 22, 2026

“When your kid's masterpiece or that thrifted print deserves more than a basic mat, Grand Hill Gallery brings decades of custom framing know-how, 3,000 samples, and impeccable craftsmanship. Plus, they showcase and restore original oil paintings from regional artists, so your walls actually start conversations.”

From the St. Paul newsletter, September 19, 2026

“Part time capsule, part community hub, North Star Museum of Boy Scouting & Girl Scouting preserves Upper Midwest Scouting history with collections of artifacts, events, and merit badge and Girl Scout workshops.”

From the Oakdale newsletter, September 9, 2026

“Whether it's a game-worn jersey, a sentimental sketch, or that painting you promised to hang, Kelley Gallery Art & Frame, right here in Woodbury, nails custom framing with conservation-grade materials, shadow boxes, and art and frame restoration, plus local artists and art classes to keep your walls lively.”

From the Woodbury newsletter, September 10, 2026

“Maplewood Area Historical Society keeps east metro history lively at the 1891 Bruentrup Heritage Farm, with hands-on day camps, folk-arts fairs in the Big Red Barn, and seasonal traditions that actually feel neighborly.”

From the Roseville newsletter, September 4, 2026

“Kid-friendly museum featuring exhibits of toy model trains and vintage steam locomotives plus a gift shop. Includes train ride.”

“Exhibits of original artwork by local artists, plus a welcoming space.”

“Long-running, family-owned shop offering a wide selection of art and custom framing services.”

“A quick hop from Maplewood, Landmark Center packs your calendar with art exhibits, the Sundays at Landmark series, intimate Landmark Live concerts, quirky History Plays, and even the Gangster Ghost Tour, all inside a stunning historic building that makes every outing feel a little special.”

From the Maplewood newsletter, September 10, 2026

“Calendula Gallery champions local contemporary artists in St. Paul’s historic Lowertown arts district, mixing consignment and traditional shows with classes and community events that actually feel neighborly.”

From the St. Paul newsletter, September 11, 2026

“Visitors can take guided tours of this rugged stone mansion completed in 1891 for a railway magnate.”

“Former governor’s mansion built in the 19th century in Victorian style, now serving as a museum.”

“Into planet landscapes and nebula vibes? Don White - Art Dreamer is a Saint Paul artist creating outer space backgrounds, planet landscapes, and experimental pieces you can preview on your wall with Live Preview AR, which is very cool. Great for adding a little cosmic calm to a Woodbury home office.”

From the Woodbury newsletter, September 3, 2026

“Part of Ramsey County Historical Society, Gibbs Farm is a seasonal historic site where costumed interpreters, hands-on tours, and a prairie setting make local history feel close to home. Expect Dakota and pioneer stories, kids’ camps, and the kind of farm animals that steal the show.”

From the St. Paul newsletter, August 31, 2026

“Commemorative Air Force Minnesota Wing lets you get close to real WWII hardware, from the B-25J "Miss Mitchell" to a lineup of restored trainers and even a vintage motor pool. Hands-on displays, Living History Flight Experiences, and occasional WWII-style hangar dances make it a genuinely fun local rabbit hole.”

From the Inver Grove Heights newsletter, September 3, 2026

“Interactive transportation museum featuring bus & railway exhibits & historic train cars.”

“Landmark Center turns an ornate 1902 former government building into a lively home for art and history, with concerts, plays, and exhibits. Locals love the Sundays at Landmark series, Gangster Ghost Tour, and that North Tower climb when you want views with your St. Paul lore.”

From the St. Paul newsletter, September 15, 2026

“Built in 1905, this beaux arts–influenced building serves as the seat of the state's government.”

“This week, trade doomscrolling for a deep dive into franchise lore at The Minnesota Vikings Museum, where a 360-degree video theater, hands-on exhibits, and heaps of artifacts pull you into six decades of Vikings and Minnesota football history. It’s equal parts nostalgia hit and goosebump factory.”

From the South Minneapolis newsletter, August 3, 2026

“Whether your kids need an energy outlet or you do, The Bakken Museum turns curiosity into play inside a gorgeous historic mansion. Tinker in Spark to make music or a mini movie, get zapped with Ben Franklin’s electric tricks, and explore Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein roots...”

From the Minneapolis newsletter, September 20, 2026

“Historic Fort Snelling spotlights many voices and many stories in one place, with exhibits that make Minnesota’s past feel surprisingly close. Carve out an hour this week for a refresh on homegrown stories that still matter, then bring those new facts to your next backyard chat.”

From the Lakeville newsletter, August 8, 2026

“Step into the rebuilt ruins and let Mill City Museum turn Minneapolis’s flour power past into something you can actually touch, hear, and see. Interactive exhibits, big industrial vibes, and dramatic views make it a perfect quick reset this week... a reminder why we’re the Mill City.”

From the Minneapolis newsletter, September 16, 2026

“Step into Minnesota’s beginnings at Sibley Historic Site, home to the state’s oldest standing buildings. Stroll the limestone houses and take a tour that threads together the fur trade, Henry Sibley’s rise, and the US-Dakota War of 1862... a solid refresh for your local history brain.”

From the St. Paul newsletter, August 27, 2026

“From first twirls to unforgettable performances, Woodbury Dance Center helps dancers build confidence, friendships, and real technique through recreational classes, session classes, and competitive groups. Think Creative Movement, hip hop, tap, ballet, plus Darby’s Dancers for dancers with special needs...”

From the Woodbury newsletter, August 24, 2026

“This week, whether you geek out over intricate workings or just want a brain-refresh, The James J. Fiorentino Museum lines up extraordinary clocks, musical marvels, art, and curiosities. It’s a craftsmanship rabbit hole that turns a quick pop-in into a quietly mind-blowing afternoon.”

From the Minneapolis newsletter, August 26, 2026

“American Swedish Institute blends a stately Turnblad Mansion with exhibitions, hands-on Nordic handcraft and language programs, plus the always-tempting FIKA Café. It’s the kind of spot you pop into for an exhibit and somehow leave humming drinking songs and eyeing the Museum Store.”

From the Lakeville newsletter, September 5, 2026

“Woodbury Dance Center West keeps the whole neighborhood moving with recreational classes from preschool to adults, bite-size fall 7-week sessions, and even Totally Tots for the tiniest twirlers. Got bigger goals?”

From the St. Paul newsletter, August 17, 2026

“Need a brain-refresh this week that isn’t another Netflix scroll? Minnesota History Center packs exhibits like Our Home: Native Minnesota, archives you can actually dig into at the Gale Family Library, and stories that connect today’s headlines to yesterday’s Minnesotans.”

From the St. Paul newsletter, August 23, 2026

“Between artist-designed Skyline Mini Golf on the rooftop, an immersive Christine Sun Kim show humming through Aug 30, and the ever-refreshing Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Walker Art Center is the midweek creative reset your brain's been craving. Go wander, get inspired, text a friend later.”

From the Minneapolis newsletter, August 29, 2026

“Family-run for 59 years, Yackel Dance Studio helps Woodbury kids from 18 months to 18 find their groove with recreational and competitive classes across tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical/contemporary, musical theatre, POM, pointe, and Tiny Dancers.”

From the Woodbury newsletter, August 23, 2026

“From salsa and bachata to waltz, tango, and swing, Costa Rica Ballroom Woodbury teaches it all with fun, beginner friendly vibes for singles or couples. Latino family owned and great for wedding prep or just shaking off Tuesday, it is the kind of local joy you actually keep going back to.”

From the Woodbury newsletter, September 17, 2026

“Paint-your-own ceramics chain, with a studio available for walk-ins, workshops & parties.”

“Specialty model-railroad museum featuring large displays, toy trains & history exhibits.”

“When you want a break from the usual galleries, The Museum of Russian Art brings sharp, timely shows like Poster Art of the Soviet Era, Mark Mednikov: Artist and Architect, and Elena Kalman’s Catastrophe and What Survives, plus Russian language classes, smart events, and a dangerously browsable gift shop.”

From the Minneapolis newsletter, September 1, 2026

“The People's Museum for Prince is a celebration of Prince Rogers Nelson, with 70+ participants from nine countries and programs from a film, art and poetry night to a community day. The 2026 edition just wrapped, so browse the new photos and add your own Minneapolis memories while they prep the online archive.”

From the Lakeville newsletter, September 13, 2026

“Bell Museum is Minnesota’s official natural history museum and planetarium with world famous wildlife dioramas, a hands-on Touch & See Lab featuring 10,000-year-old fossils plus living plants and animals, and the Whitney and Elizabeth MacMillan Planetarium for trips from neighborhood skies to deep space.”

From the St. Paul newsletter, August 22, 2026

“Paint-your-own ceramics chain, with a studio available for walk-ins, workshops & parties.”

“Weisman Art Museum brings American and contemporary works plus ceramics into a modern stainless steel and brick icon on the river. Swing by this week to see The Portfolio's Purpose before it closes on August 23, 2026 and drop into Open Studio: Nell Pierce - Color Stories through August 31, 2026.”

From the Minneapolis newsletter, September 22, 2026

“From hands-on exhibits to the Omnitheater's immersive flicks, Science Museum of Minnesota is the kind of spot that makes rainy afternoons weirdly exciting. Check out Nature All Around Us, catch Pandas on the big screen, or go for the 21+ Dinner and a Movie for a grown-up night.”

“Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery preserves and spotlights Black Minnesota through rotating exhibits, a mural created by 16 local artists, and a kid-friendly Children’s Reading Circle.”

From the Minneapolis newsletter, August 19, 2026