Minneapolis Institute of Art Tours and Activities

A favorite cultural attraction for visitors and locals alike, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) welcomes about half a million people to its halls each year. The architecturally impressive building houses more than 80,000 objects representing 5,000 years of history.

From porcelain and pottery to traditional African hunting tunics and paintings by greats such as John Singer Sargent, the MIA’s artistic treasures are diverse and numerous. It can be a challenge to take it all in if you have limited time, so pick up a guide from the Information Center on the first floor, or download a map from the website before your visit. Head straight to the best works of art, such as Gustave Courbet’s Deer in a Forest, one of the museum’s earliest acquisitions. You’ll also find works from European masters, including Rembrandt, Titian and Monet.

The celebrated Asian Art collection is also one not to miss. This collection covers thousands of years of dynasties and cultures and shows remarkable craftsmanship. Check out the two Japanese installation rooms: A formal audience hall (shoin) and a teahouse (chashitsu). Admire the 1,000-year-old wooden horse and rider from Djenne in the African galleries, as well as the 3,000-year-old Olmec jade mask in the Native American galleries.

The subsidized Minneapolis Institute of the Arts offers free entry into the museum’s permanent collection. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, which includes an audio tour for your mobile device. Free live tours are also offered daily, with no reservation required. The MIA has a shop and a variety of restaurants and cafés.

The MIA is near downtown Minneapolis. It’s closed Mondays and on some major public holidays. There is a small fee to park on site. You can catch a Metro Transit bus from downtown. It takes about 10 minutes and stops a couple of blocks away.