The Bell Museum of Natural History covers all aspects of the natural world, from flora to fauna. There are extensive dioramas giving visitors glimpses of animals in their natural habitat, and there's a "Touch and See" room, where you can have a hands-on experience with anything from an animal skull to a live snake. There's also a planetarium with shows about gravity and the universe.
Best and worst time to go to the Bell Museum
Not surprisingly, this is a popular site for field trips and family outings, so weekday mornings and weekends in general are busy. Visiting on a weekday afternoon will likely be somewhat quieter and less populated. If the Minnesota Gophers are playing on campus, that can be a good time to visit as well (although parking can be difficult--see parking information below).
Must see/do at the Bell Museum
The ExploraDome Theater (the planetarium) is an immersive experience that takes you out of this world while you lie back on a carpeted floor. Check the museum's website to see what special exhibits are taking place--there can be anything from nature-based fine art displays to scientific displays about biodiversity. The Touch and See room takes visitors from being merely spectators to actually "feeling" what natural history is like.
Admission to the Bell Museum
Admission runs $5-8, and there's an additional fee for the ExploraDome. Admission is free for museum members, University of Minnesota employees and students, and children under three years old.
Parking and public transportation to the Bell Museum
There's a parking ramp a block from the museum. There are also numerous Metro Transit bus lines that have stops nearby. Note that when there are sporting events taking place on campus, where the museum is located, parking can be difficult, and taking public transport is advised.
Food at the Bell Museum
There is no restaurant at the museum, but there are several restaurants within walking distance. In the nearby Dinkytown neighborhood, check out the Loring Pasta Bar, Shuang Cheng, Annie's Parlour, or, if you're around in the morning, the classic Al's Breakfast.
Insider tip for visitors to the Bell Museum
This is a popular museum for kids, but the Bell Museum staff has also created a full roster of events just for adults, including sketch nights for artists, conversations with naturalists, and an off-site happy hour with scientists covering various natural history topics, held monthly during the academic year. See the website for details and upcoming events.
Amy C. Rea is the author of Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes: an Explorer's Guide, and Backroads & Byways of Minnesota. Her third book, Camping Minnesota, will be published in 2016.