Minnesota | A Niche Museum Trail Through the Southern Region

I designed my own niche museum route in Minnesota, connecting some lesser-known spots I’ve been wanting to visit. Since I brought my dog along, I also planned two trail hikes in between for him to stretch his legs. The whole experience turned out amazing—I’m sharing it here both as a guide and a personal keepsake.😍 1. Spam Museum❤️ The famous canned ham museum. It’s about a 2-hour drive from downtown. (Check my previous post for a detailed review!) 2. River Bend Nature Center❤️ A peaceful nature trail perfect for a leashed walk with your dog. The autumn scenery here is especially lovely. 3. The Orphanage Museum❤️ Tells the story of an orphanage that began taking in children from across Minnesota starting in 1885. At its peak, it housed around 500 kids across 16 dormitories, complete with a school, hospital, power plant, greenhouse, farm, and workshops. Orphans were trained in basic skills before being sent to work on local farms. 4. Wells Fargo Bank❤️ A prairie-school architectural gem. The interior and exterior glass roof details are absolutely stunning. 5. "The 1876 Bank Robbery" Exhibit❤️ A permanent display recounting the seven-minute heist—from the gang’s entry into town, the robbery itself, to the locals’ fight back—complete with timelines and eyewitness accounts. 6. Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve❤️ The woods are incredibly serene around dusk. We didn’t run into a single soul—perfect for letting the dog run free and unwind. #MuseumHunting #MustVisitMuseums #MuseumsWorthSeeing #OffTheBeatenPath #Minnesota #MinnesotaLife #HiddenGemsTravel #MNTravel