Address: 2088 Larpenteur Ave W, Saint Paul, MN , 55113
Upcoming Events: Jump to Bell Museum of Natural History Events
Website Bell Museum of Natural History
Phone To purchase tickets by phone, please call 612-626-9660 10 AM to 4 PM.
Quietest time to visit: The Bell recommends visiting in the afternoon when their are fewer visitors and the space is generally uncrowded.
The University of Minnesota-operated Bell Museum of Natural history is located across Larpenteur Avenue from Gibbs Farm in St. Paul. It houses permanent exhibits on space, evolution and Minnesota wildlife, as well as a planetarium and rotating exhibits.
Bell Museum’s Planetarium
The new location includes a 120 seat planetarium with plush reclining seats below a 16-meter aluminum dome. Presentations are designed to make the viewer feel like they are flying sky and space, inside plants or bodies, or swimming the deep sea. The dome also hosts featured productions and live presentations. The planetarium is the number-one must see, according to the FFTC youth team!
Touch and See Lab at Bell Museum
The Touch and See Lab is back at the new location. Visitors can use identification guides and other scientific tools to make their learning experience more meaningful. So much learning goes on when a child can feel the texture of an object, examine something from all angles, and formulate questions about what they are holding. Museum staff are eager to strike up conversations with kids about the exhibits – which include bones, pelts, building materials, microscopes and live animals.
Bell Museum dioramas
The venerable Bell Museum Dioramas have also been transported to the new space and look better than ever. Kids will appreciate the new touch screens available to more deeply explore the native animals and their habitats.
Star Parties at the Bell
Star Parties are free telescope observing nights hosted on the Bell’s rooftop observation deck during the Fall and Spring semesters. After a brief introduction, bell staff will help visitors observe celestial objects with the telescopes. Indoor activities will be offered in place of telescope observing when weather is uncooperative. These events are recommended for ages kids 7+ and are FREE.
Bell Museum membership
Memberships are the best option for discounted visits. Qualifying families can get a needs-based Curiosity Membership. Qualification includes enrollment in several assistance programs – including MinnesotaCare and WIC. Find more membership deals in our annual Experience Gifts article.
Summer camps
Bell Camps are full-day, week-long programs that encourage campers to explore science with age-appropriate hands-on activities, games, crafts and projects. Campers will have a chance to visit the museum exhibits and explore outdoors. We feature Bell Summer Camps in our Annual Summer Camp Guide, where we include current prices and dates.
Free online fun from Bell Museum of Natural History
The Bell offers quite a bit of virtual material. Find it here:
More information
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Upcoming Family-Friendly Events
- Wonder: Experiences of Nature, Curiosity, and Play - 01/24/2026 - 06/07/2026 - More information in details
- Bell Museum Storytime - 03/12/2026 - 03/13/2026 - 11:15 am - 11:45 am
- Bell Museum Star Party (FREE) - 03/27/2026 - 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
- Bell Museum Youth Summer Camps - 06/22/2026 - 08/26/2026 - More information in details
Fun Past Events We Hope to See Again
- Bell Museum Open Birding (FREE) - 10/18/2025 - 10:00 am - 11:00 am
- Bell Museum Collectors Day - 11/01/2025 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Heart & Solstice - 12/17/2025 - 01/04/2026 - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Bell Spotlight Science: Wonder and Wellbeing - 01/24/2026 - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
- Bell Museum Space Fest - 02/15/2026 - 10:00 am - 6:30 pm
Please Note: FamilyFunTwinCities.com is an independent website run by Twin Cities families for Twin Cities families. We attempt to include the information we find most essential as parents. We make every effort to keep up with changes. However, we are not employed by or connected to this venue, and information sometimes changes without our knowledge. We recommend calling or checking the venue’s website for up-to-date information.
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