Minnesota Children's Museum — Attraction in Saint Paul

My wife mentioned a "Thomas the Train" exhibit and I was so excited to take our son. We have been there before (when there wasn't any construction yet) and had a fun time. Sadly, I wish I would have read the reviews before going this time. First and foremost, I would estimate that about two-thirds of the museum is closed due to construction. We entered into a small, beat up room on the second floor, where there were some generic wooden toys that looked like someone built in their garage with leftover wood. We then went to the first floor, where it didn't get any better. There was a car wash exhibit that didn't interest my son, and some air tubing that shot out ping pong balls. Nothing too exciting but all along, I kept thinking to myself, "we still have the awesome Thomas exhibit." When we finally went to the third floor for the Thomas exhibit, it was a major disappointment. Picture a big conference room with some Thomas toys and maybe two Thomas statues. The theme was lacking on the walls, floor, and ceiling. They just threw a bunch of Thomas toys into a conference room and charged for parents to babysit their kids in there. Furthermore, although not the museum's fault, my two-year old was playing with some train tracks when some lady's older kid pushes him to try to take his toys. The lady is right next to her kid, see's everything, and doesn't even tell him to stop pushing my son. There were probably 5 total attractions in the entire museum. After paying $30, I realized my kid would have had the same experience, and probably more fun at Choo Choo Bob's, for free. I actually contemplated asking for a refund before leaving, but all the staff members we ran into that day were friendly so I let it go. They should be embarrassed to charge for what was offered. They shouldn't even be open right now. At the very least, they should be charging reduced rates. I don't recommend going now. I'll give them one more chance after the construction...

Very disappointed in the way we were treated by staff. Felt very uncomfortable & unsafe. I specifically had one staff member follow us on to every floor.

My sons and I came to the children’s museum on Sunday. My two-year-old son hit his head in one of the fourth floor areas. Specifically, it was an exhibit with a golf ball that spins around a table before dropping into the hole in the middle. My son was fine, but he cried. Honestly, he was more mad about me taking him out of the area than the actual pain. A staff member came up to us immediately after we left the area and said, “If something happened we need to know about it.” She was saying this to me as he was still crying and I was putting him in his stroller to calm him down. I told her that he was fine and just needed a minute to calm down. It felt like an inappropriate time to come approach me. My son was crying and we just needed a second. After that incident I had two staff members follow us around - just watching my children and me. If my son was truly hurt I would have either left or asked for an ice pack. Rather than coming back to talk to me after my son calmed down, a staff member followed us around for 60 minutes. She would casually wipe the exact same area 3 times, obviously watching us like we were suspicious. I felt so uncomfortable. We went down to the first floor thinking that maybe that would solve the problem. After about 10 more minutes, suddenly that same staff member found us on the first floor and continued to watch us. I felt very uncomfortable and unsafe. If there was a problem a manager should’ve came and asked me on how my son was. I can understand the policy if someone is hurt that it needs to be reported, but the way this situation was handled made me feel very uncomfortable and anxious. A follow-up conversation should have happened. Not a staff member awkwardly watching from us...

This is the only review you need. Look this place rips. I mean full on destroys all expectations and leads you into the future of children’s museums in the upper Midwest. Anyone who doesn’t agree clearly is a person who is unsatisfied with everything. Bunch of weak minded Karen’s who can’t hack it as the world evolves. The type of person that complains about their steak at Applebees not being finished properly “Look Linda this is an $8 sirloin in an Applebees, not Capital Grill - you and Tom need to GTFO” The old museum wasn’t any good, it was old and way too hot inside, I’ve never been to the old one but you can just tell that from the vibe of the reviews complaining about how the new spot isn’t what the old place was.

We take our two boys here and it’s non stop fun, it’s for the kids and the kids love it. They have plenty of prime seating so I can rest and check my xanga page while my monsters get buck all over this B. Each exhibit was constructed so immaculately that you’d think they hired damn Bob Villa to oversee the entire thing, and decorated it so nice Chip and Joanna would flat out quit designing anything at all because they’d realize they could spend the rest of their lives getting better and never even sniff the talent that is displayed by this place.

Would enjoy if there was some music playing in the background but then again the bunched up panty having Karen’s from the old museum would complain that they aren’t only playing Train nonstop. Look, drops of Jupiter wasn’t even that good, be real with yourself. The staff at this place isn’t paid nearly enough and I don’t even know how much they make. They are helpful, nice and enhance your overall experience.

Attractions 5/5 Food 5/5 Staff 5/5 Music 0/5 Karen’s - too many Cleanliness 5/5 Lockers 5/5 Value 5/5 Decor 5/5

Best children’s museum I’ve been to hands...