Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum

The Weisman Art Museum is a masterpiece in and of itself brought to life through the philanthropic givings of Frederick R. Weisman (a Minneapolis native and local entrepreneur) and Frank O. Gehry (an equally brilliant architect). The museum opened its doors in 1993, however its inception occurred in 1934 through the dream of one man, University of Minnesota President Lotus Coffman.

The Weisman Art Museum is home to both permanent and rotating exhibits in differing mediums reflecting art in a variety of social cultures and contexts. There is certainly something for everyone's artistic taste within the creative framework of this Minneapolis landmark.

Parking at the Weisman Art Museum
Upon your arrival to the museum, you will have noted that you are planted firmly upon the University of Minnesota Campus. During the school year you will notice significant foot-traffic, so plan your visit accordingly. You'll also find that the museum parking ramp is an easy and very affordable place to park your vehicle during your visit to the museum and is conveniently attached to the museum with its entry on the same side as the river, at the bottom of the hill.

Best and worst time to visit the Weisman Art Museum
The best time to visit the Weisman Art Museum is when there's not a lot of local foot-traffic. Check it out on Saturday or Sunday mornings at 11 a.m., when the museum opens its doors to the public. Avoid visiting within an hour of closing. There's so much to see at the Weisman that you will want to make sure you have plenty of time to do so.

Admission to the Weisman Art Museum
The admission price to the Weisman Art Museum is perfect for everyone -- free.

Must see/do at the Weisman Art Museum
The Weisman Art Museum is one of the most family-friendly museums in the metro. One of the things I love about the Weisman Art Museum is that there are so many different mediums used. One of my favorite permanent exhibits is the Traditional Korean Furniture room -- it speaks of classic simplicity intertwined with intrigue.

Insider tips for visitors to the Weisman Art Museum
First of all, remember that the Weisman is located on the University of Minnesota Campus. If you're visiting when students are in session, remember to allot yourself additional time to get into the museum as well as back off the campus.

Secondly, the museum has a wonderful little shop called the WAM shop. It's a great place to grab a few special gifts that aren't normally found outside of this museum.

Other places to visit near the Weisman Art Museum
Throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area there are many wonderful family friendly places to visit at very low to no cost. One of my all-time favorite places to hang out is at the Stone Arch Bridge -- you can take a stroll along the pathway, pack a picnic lunch or take photos of the falls near the bridge. If you like a little history to mix up your day a bit, you can step back into time by driving a few short miles to the Wabasha Street Caves in St. Paul. They offer several different tours (including gangster tours) that fit most budgets. If that still doesn't wet your outing appetite, check out the St. Paul Saints. They offer baseball enjoyment at family friendly prices -- you won't want to miss their wacky "Entertainment Team" who will keep you in stitches throughout the game.

Author's bio: Julie Bergh has lived in Minnesota most of her life - and loves it (except for those really cold winter days that send a shiver down her spine). She loves to travel locally, nationally and internationally – finding secret location treasures and amazing deals along the way. She loves spending time with her family, reading a good mystery and fooding it up. You can catch her on several blogs as well as women's websites writing about her other passions in life.