Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Visitor Center — Attraction in Saint Paul

TLDR: EVEN YOUR MOODY PRETEEN WILL LOVE IT HERE, BUDGET FRIENDLY. ALSO- BRING THINGS FROM NATURE TO TRADE IN (leaves, acorns, rocks, dead insects, NO BIRDS RELATED ITEMS)

First, the pictures arent the greatest of representation of this museum. In fact these pictures are extremely underwhelming.

But to my main point of business. Anyone have a kid that is a PAIN to take anywhere? Or am I the only one? Everywhere I go, this kid just complains about everything & honestly, it's a drag. Nothing makes this kid happy. NOTHING. So after 5 minutes of forcing this kid into the museum, she ended up BEGGING me to not leave. She's a pre-teen btw. That's really important to add because I think the Childrens museum in Boston & Chattanooga are AMAZING. But those are great for tiny kids. MNR is great for kids of all ages, even those who are too cool for school.

MNR is 3 stories of educational fun. On the first floor, they have an amazing store, a cafe (we didnt try it) & a cool section dedicated to the national parks (NP). Dont forget your passports to collect your cancelation, btw. In the NP section, they have a cool game where you pretend to be an eagle. You spread your arms out & the camera picks up your body movements & you have to fly around. It's v challenging for us who are uncoordinated. Like Lion King on Sega challenging. Near the entrance of the museum they have a great experiment. You apply pressure through a tube & send balls flying through the air. There's two different sides, so we raced to see who was faster & who could get the balls higher.

Past the entrance, they have stuff about the ecosystem. The coolest part was the Point Store. That's not what it was called, but Im old & this is the easiest thing to describe it. Essentially, you need to collect things found in nature. The things you find cannot be collected from the museums property & you cant bring in stuff found from birds, as birds are protected animals. You can bring in dead insects you've found, rocks, plants, anything nature related. You must tell the Collectors some scientific stuff about each item. The more complex knowledge you have about each item, the more points you earn. You can either save your points or redeem them instantly. The points are used to get yourself a nice stone, shells, geodes, & other amazing things. Things that you should actually be paying lots of money for. It's actually insane.

The second middle floor & bottom floors were really impressive too. This review is getting super long, so I will make this brief. I was able to race against a T- rex, an Olympic paraplegic gold medalist, & football players from the Vikings (all simulated & apparently I'm not that slow against the vikings). We were able to do a mini light show, learned about Einsteins discovery of gravitational pull & put it to our own tests, & were able to build a building using triangles.

This museum was fairly affordable & has AMAZING delivery of information for kids. There was plenty of touch to learn & just moving your own body for science experiments. It encouraged kids (& adults) to take science seriously. We were only there for 3.5 hours. I think that was a great time as she didnt want to go in, originally, but enthusiastically asked to stay. In 3.5 hours, we learned soooo much. Im very certain that if we went back & spent another 3.5 hours, we would learn more stuff that we hadnt learned before. What Im saying is, despite this being one of the lower fare museums, it's still HUGE & theres so much to do without it being too over whelming- we could take our time to see just about everything without feeling rushed. It is also enjoyable enough to make you want to come back. Definitely going back next year...

Prepare to be captivated by the allure of the mighty Mississippi River as you embark on an unforgettable adventure through the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, history buff, or simply seeking a serene escape from city life, this national treasure promises to leave you with cherished memories and a newfound appreciation for the river's significance.

The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, spanning over 72 miles through Minnesota, is a haven of natural beauty and cultural heritage. From its humble beginnings at Lake Itasca to its grandeur as it flows through the Twin Cities and beyond, the Mississippi River offers a diverse range of experiences to suit every visitor's desires.

One of the highlights of this area is the abundance of recreational opportunities available. Hiking and biking trails wind along the riverbanks, offering picturesque views of the waterway and its surrounding landscapes. You can paddle your way through the gentle currents, immersing yourself in the tranquility of the river. The fishing opportunities are bountiful, providing a chance to catch a variety of fish species.

History comes alive within the park's boundaries, and history enthusiasts will find themselves enchanted by the stories of early explorers, Native American cultures, and the region's industrial past. Don't miss the chance to explore the restored historic sites, visitor centers, and interpretive exhibits that offer insights into the river's role in shaping the nation's history and culture.

For urban explorers, the section of the river flowing through the Twin Cities provides a unique blend of natural beauty and metropolitan allure. Iconic landmarks such as the Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls offer breathtaking views of the river and the city skyline, making it a photographer's paradise.

The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area also boast abundant wildlife. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting a wide array of avian species, including bald eagles soaring above the river. Keep an eye out for playful river otters and elusive deer that call...

Want to know if they're open? Just call! Staff member gave me all the hours for the week. As of May '22 they're open everyday except Monday and open the same hours as the Science Museum, which is pretty late on the weekends. We came at 9am on a Friday. $5 garage parking.

Like most NP sites there's stamps, maps, and Jr Ranger activities. No gift shop.

The staff was, as usual for National Park staff, beyond friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and engaging with my kids. It's a small place, but really well designed with so much to do. The exhibits are engaging, fun, and just plain pretty. The map on the floor is really cool.

We did it quickly because my kids are small with shorter attetion spans, but it still took about 90 min to finish the Junior Ranger program. They have a small booklet that takes you around the exhibits, including up to the 6th floor where you can see the river from either huge windows or the balcony. That earns the plastic badge. Then there's a larger more standard Jr Ranger booklet to take home and bring back for the wooden badge.

Also, I was afraid my kids would want to go into the Science Museum which we didn't really have time for and tickets are just way too high IMO if you're not spending all day, BUT there was actually a ton of Science Museum stuff to do that you didn't have to go in for. Some exhibits and the musical stairs.

Overall exceeded expectations and will...