Minneapolis Institute of Arts

For a museum in a midsize city, I was pretty impressed by the quality of the collection. It’ll take a good 3 to 4 hours if you decide to see the entire museum. If you focus on a sub genre, you could probably do it in an hour and a half. Definitely worth a stop if you have any interest in art.

Surprisingly good collection of impressionists that you have heard of as well as impressionist that you haven’t. That was my biggest positive surprise of the day, and I’m really glad that I went.

An Absolute Gem – A Must-Visit in Minneapolis! 🌟

The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) is truly a world-class museum with an incredible collection that spans centuries and cultures. I was amazed by the diversity, quality, and depth of the exhibits — and even more amazed that general admission is completely free, as far as I understood. There are paid special exhibitions, but the main galleries are open to all and absolutely worth the visit.

My personal favorite was the Japanese and Chinese porcelain collections. The elegance, detail, and history embedded in each piece are just breathtaking. The serene layout of the Asian art section creates a quiet, almost meditative atmosphere. Some of the Japanese ceramics and Chinese vases date back hundreds of years, yet the craftsmanship feels timeless. You can sense the spiritual and cultural significance behind each design, brushstroke, and curve. I spent the most time here and honestly could return just to revisit this part alone.

My sincere recommendation: break your visit into multiple days. Each floor is rich and overwhelming in the best way possible — trying to absorb it all in one day would not do it justice. Take your time. Let each culture, era, and room sink in.

The museum is clean, well-organized, and the staff is kind and helpful. Whether you’re into European classics, modern art, Native American works, or ancient sculpture — there’s something here that will speak to you.

Highly recommended for art lovers, travelers, and anyone looking for inspiration. Mia is a treasure.

It’s free and there is plenty of parking. This is a very large art museum that is spacious and has a vast array of art. The Asian collection is expansive and well done. The Impressionist collection was not large but major artists were represented and the Van Gogh was wonderful. You can easily spend the day there. The reproductions of period rooms were excellent and decorative arts filled many rooms. The cafe was small with self service but the sandwiches were very good. The food we really enjoyed it.

I was in Minneapolis for a long weekend from Chicago and decided to check out the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) on a whim—and wow, I’m so glad I did. First off, it’s free, which is amazing considering how much there is to see inside and how much comparable museums charge.

The layout is beautiful and really easy to navigate. They’ve got a little bit of everything—classic European paintings, Asian art, African sculptures, even some really cool modern and contemporary pieces. I spent a solid few hours there and still feel like I only scratched the surface. The collection is vast and diverse.

One of my favorite parts was the period rooms. There’s something about stepping into a room that’s been set up like it’s from the 1700s that just makes history feel so much more real.

I also really appreciated how much medieval and renaissance art they had on the top floor. It was a great visit.

I really enjoyed the annual “Art in Bloom” event again this year! I think it was the best one I have seen. The MIA is a welcoming environment, and we talked to so many of the florists who were there to talk about their floral interpretation of pieces of art. It was just lovely! We also had a great little lunch in the mezzanine cafe. Perfect!

It is a blessing for Minneapolis to have the MIA. The best part is that admission is free. However, if you have some cash on hand, please consider donating to help keep it running. It will probably take you several hours to explore all three floors because there’s so much to see. If you love art, you’ll love it here. Occasionally, they host special exhibits that may require an admission fee, but the rest of the MIA remains free. There’s also a parking ramp next to the building in case you can’t find a spot on the street, it’s not cheap though.

The Minneapolis Institute of Art can hold its own against any museum in London or Europe — and in my opinion, it’s better curated than all of them. It’s extremely well endowed, always free to enter, and boasts an extraordinary collection. The highlight is the many period rooms, where you’re transported to a different time and place. Additionally, the art of Minnesota is super special! I’ll definitely be back!

This AMAZING museum is FREE to visit. As in zero dollars. yes, in this economy.

Walk in, breathe, and suddenly you’re standing in a museum that’s spotless, thoughtfully lit, and run by staff who actually know their stuff and aren’t hesitant to help you out if you ask.

The curation is 10/10 with coherent themes, clear labels, and rotating exhibits that feel intentional and connected. But the real selling point for me was the period rooms. Whole interiors rebuilt with unimaginable levels of historical accuracy. Like??? I was right there, completely stupefied and amazed by the Prairie School living room wondering if Frank Lloyd Wright is about to materialize. It’s the closest we’ll probably get to time travel.

Security and front-desk folks are friendly without hovering; docents will actually answer questions instead of pointing at stuff. This place is underrated and a must-visit.