Walker Art Center

Opened in 1927 as the first public art gallery in the Upper Midwest, the Walker Art Center has since become one of the top contemporary art museums in the nation. Holding court in the Lowry Hill neighborhood, it’s impossible to drive by without catching a glimpse of the Spoonbridge and Cherry in the Sculpture Garden -- one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Minnesota. The museum runs several exhibitions at a time, with dozens featured every year, in addition to the lectures, classes and workshops, tours, and screenings at the Walker Cinema that are also frequently featured. Not to be confined by its own walls, however, the Walker hosts many events outside of the venue itself, like the annual Rock the Garden music fest on the museum lawn or the summer movie series held across the street in Loring Park. Even the Sculpture Garden hosts its own selection of events and activities, such as an artist-designed mini golf course that was introduced in 2013. Once you’ve gotten your fix of the latest collections, head upstairs to Gather by D’Amico for lunch. The first Saturday of each month is free, often featuring a rotating schedule of special events and activities, and space rental for private parties or other events is also available. Whether you are into paintings, digital work, film, dance, or art of the extremely conceptual variety, the Walker has it all.