5 Stars for the history. No stars for the 6$ to park at a CLOSED attraction. Im a local, I have been visiting this site my entire life, over 50 years, never once have I had to pay to visit the fort. Now you do, just to park. This is how attractions die. MNHS better start understanding that cost forced on visitors is not fair to those that have very little $. Its a level of gentrifying history. Only those with $ can participate? Dangerous ethics course! I do not agree with charging people to park. Like a cheap money grab at a swanky roadside attraction. I am sorry to the Natives of Minnesota. Minnesota is WAY better than this!

Nice stop to check out before going to the airport. It is a historic fort from the 1820s located on a bluff over the river. There are 4 original buildings and some reconstructed to look like the times. There were actors doing some tasks to make it feel more real as well. Parking cost $6 and there is a $12 per person admission. There are some tours or shows every 30 mins (at least on weekend when I was there).

Very impressed with the revamp of Historic Fort Snelling. Minnesota Historical Society does an absolutely outstanding job presenting the rich history of the area, including the Dakota people, slavery in the north, and military training. All the kids (almost 13, 10.5 and 8 years) enjoyed themselves. The grounds are beautiful and we could have easily spent an hour plus walking around on the trails exploring more but the kids were done. 🤣 Worth listening to the “general tour” and other demonstrations they have throughout the day as well as self-guided exploration. Strategically placed historical society members give you background and history into many different areas of the fort. 10/10. Definitely recommend!

I have been to this area a few times but never considered visiting the Historic Fort Snelling until now. The site is a well-maintained historic landmark, museum, and hiking trail. Unfortunately, the Fort was closed and only opened on the selected date. The museum had an event that I couldn't go up to the upper-level museum, but I still got to watch the video to learn some history at the visitor center or first floor of the museum. The self-parking is $6, and museum fees are various by age group. The stone chapel is beautiful, and God provides free parking if you don't want to spend the $6.

This is a great place to visit and learn about the good, bad, and ugly of Minnesota history. The living history displays are great for kids to learn from. My family has visited multiple times and always come away having learned something.

Fun little slice of history, with costumed historical actors bringing it to life. Learned a lot about the era when the fort was active and a nice stop when visiting the twin cities. Recommend a visit!

The planes overhead was amazing. Recommend bringing a blanket or chair

What an amazing place great customer service in the gift shop and some really nice gifts. I was able to get a great T-shirt for my wife. The grounds were closed, but I’ll be sure to stop by on my next visit.

A great day to see and explore the awsome fort and its grounds. Neat to see, but it's tragic history is tough to reflect upon. Koda enjoyed his time here! Lots of trails and hiking.

My friend and I visited for two hours and were very impressed with the tour guides and staff. Very friendly and knowledgeable in spite of high heat and humidity around the fort. We did the tour and visited some of the buildings. We wished we had allowed for more time. Definitely interested in returning on another visit to the Twin Cities.

This Memorial Day, we will Never Forget the Genocide of the Dakota people. We will Never Forget that the events that occured at this very site are what inspired Hitler's own activities at his concentration camps across the ocean. We will never forget that cold harsh winter 1862-63 where a bare minimum estimate of at least 130 to 300 Dakota people died over the winter, mainly due murder, starvation, and measles.

It's only open Saturdays but the experience is still exceptional. People from the MN historical society are all around and in every building to answer any questions you may have. A good piece of MN history that's worth exploring. Exhibits in almost every building. An educating experience.

Awesome site. It’s got so much history and the staff are great.

I really loved this fort. The history was interesting and our tour guide knew his stuff. It was interesting to learn about daily life and significant historical figures who were here.

Would be nice if it was open. There was a lot of hiking trails around the fort. Really close to the Mississippi river and airport.

We visited the national cemetery on Memorial Day, then visited the Historic Fort Snelling. We spent about 3 hours there and everything was open with various demonstrations from a look at soldier equipment over time since the Revolutionary War to slightly outdated modern equipment, the cannon and infantry firing demonstration, a little black smithing, and others. Most of the Fort was open that day so you got a good example of what living in an early 19th century fort was like. The fort and newly renovated welcome center were open 10a-5p and parking was pretty tight but it was also a national holiday. I have three kiddos, 3, 6, and 8, they all seemed to enjoy the demonstrations and walking around the fort and cemetery for the time we were there. We did do a lot of walking, close to 4 miles all said and done, and water wasn't extremely readily available so by the end they were pretty worn out. There is also a park with lots of walking trails around the fort and below as well as the cemetery. It has good educational value and it's good for helping kids visualize the past. I would recommend it to any parent! As a side note, I got in for free as I was former military, so I'm not sure what the cost was.

Had an utterly delightful afternoon at Historic Fort Snelling with my grandson. The demonstrations were fascinating and the staff was warm, friendly and very supportive. I'm confined to a powered wheelchair and the facility is wonderfully wheelchair accessible. The accessibility is done so tastefully and carefully that it detracts not in the least from the historical ambiance of the place. I'd give it more stars if I could. Bravo many times over to the Minnesota Historical Society for making this place a joy for a wheelchair guy to visit.

Very cool old historic fort with lots to see. They did a musket demonstration and would definitely recommend the speaker have a mic. All around great place to visit and engulf in history. Admission comes with a great booklet of stories from around the fort. Military discount as well! Definitely a must see in the area!

Bdote/Fort Snelling is a living history museum that focuses on telling the entire story of the area. I appreciate the robust learning and experiences that the site provides.

Incredibly helpful staff who explained all the events and places. Not too busy so I could take my time to see everything. Also a free ride to and from the parking lot for elderly and disabled people along with a wheelchair for inside the fort.

I've been here hundreds of times with my son, and it's a new adventure every time. We love it!! We look forward to going here every season. Even though we have been there many times, it is always a new adventure. Not only do we continue to go back there again and again, but we invite friends to come with who have either never been there, or have not been there in a very long time.

Wow Veterans are free. Worth the visit plus beautiful views of the river and creepy vibe

Fun place to take a walk in the woods with a camera. The deer are pretty human tolerant and allow you to get close enough to get some good photos.

Interesting history and scenic views of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. Staff was extremely knowledgeable.

Was very interesting. Loved the history.

Very informative and fun!!

Very cool. Allow at least 4 hours.

Nice way to spend an afternoon. We brought our 4 month old in a stroller and that worked just fine. There’s only a few places that the stroller couldn’t go but the staff offered to keep an eye on it for us. Thanks! I recommend watching the intro video in the visitor center before you head out to the site. Can’t wait for the remodel.

I'm a volunteer at Fort Snelling, and there is always something new to learn.

Love this fort and the history behind it. The people there were very nice and helpful. It is different from many of the forts I have visited. I'd go back and explore more. Veterans are free. Worth the visit plus beautiful views of the river!

Easy to follow wether or not you have a guide. The people in the room are very good.

History at it's finest!!

Lots to see, big grounds. History we all need to see.

I remember going to Fort Snelling when I was in elementary school many years ago, but I decided I wanted to bring my own child here to learn history since field trips are not happening in schools yet. We started off watching the laundry demonstration. The volunteer who was doing the presentation involved the kids in the group, which I loved, but I felt it was rushed. The program brochure looks like it was supposed to be longer than 5 minutes, which was actually how long the presentation lasted. From that point, we went on our own tour and walked through the buildings that were open. We watched the 10 minute World War 1 presentation as well, and the volunteer did a great job and fired 5 shots out of a rifle that they would of used back then, he also taught about gun safety, which I loved! My daughter enjoyed the school house and we sat in on a lesson. The volunteer for the school was a younger woman, she was very shy, but did a wonderful job. We then toured the hospital building, which I was disappointed in, I understand they are trying to teach history, but they made that building very modern inside in between the actual hospital & officers barracks, it has lost that "old time" feel. My Childs favorite part was watching the blacksmith, he was great! He answered questions, made conversation with the guest, and also passed items around that he was making! At the end of the day, I guess I was expecting what I saw when I was younger, I remember the reenactments in the middle field, the canon being shot off, and more buildings being open. I was told by Sue, a volunteer to come back during a holiday and I would be able to see that, which I might do and hopefully the experience will be what I remember. I felt every program was cut short, some buildings and the deck by the house was closed off, the volunteers in the actual fort were great, but we did look around the building that just got remodeled inside and not one volunteer spoke to us, even when my child was standing right in front of them.

I've been to many forts in the US and several castles in Europe, and this has to be one of the best forts I've been to. It's even better than St Augustine or Mobile Bay forts. The place is clean, with unique historical reenactments, well-educated staff, and cover the good and bad of our past. As a veteran, the entry was free. TL/DR: 11/10, awesome place to spend a day. Minnesota Museums is a world-class way for museums to be set up and run. I've never been more impressed. By combining history, marketing, and artists, it's always been a great time and more than I ever expected.

Great place for a history lesson. Staff members are extremely informative and interesting. My kids could have watched and listened to the blacksmith all day, they didn't even realize they were getting a science lesson.

Great experience. Tour was very interesting and informative. Thank you.

First was built in early 1800 's. Used on and off until after WWII. Now a Minnesota historical society site. Construction is underway for a new parking area and entrance and remodeling of old barracks for visitor center. Very picturesque location on the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers.

Wonderful history and was so nice to have historians giving you more info along the way!

Not very expensive - $8 for a non-military adult - good history. Kids could run if they needed an outlet since it's mostly an outside experience. Musket demonstration was cool too!

Great place to walk around and explore near the Twin Cities!

VERY GOOD FOR FIELD TRIPS

A little window into the history of the state of Minnesota.

it is fun

Very cool place. Was there as a kid. Tool my kids there.

I love the views of downtown Minneapolis from this historic place!

Nice site

I love the view but sometimes smell bad

Closed for COVID, but near historical signs

Awesome historic landmark.

A fantastic historical site for families. A shooting of the canon is a definite highlight. The kids enjoyed the scavenger hunt. Overall a very fun and interesting place.

Always, all year, any time, rain, snow, sunshine the Fort is fantastic. A great time to get away for a while, disconnect, walk about. Fantastic on the Fourth.

We love visiting this historic place! Staff are pleasant and helpful.

The fourth of July celebration was amazing! So many fun things to watch and see!

We love to learn!! They love to teach here. Perfect family outing.

We worth the trip if you are traveling in the area. Well kept up everyone was very polite and knowledgeable. You will enjoy it. God Bless

It has good surroundings. I went here on Sunday hence it was closed. Then we took trails and it was amazing.

This place is kinda cool and worth visiting once on a nice day if it isn’t too hot (bring water and a hat if it is). What stuck out to me is it is very clean, organized, and well kept which I appreciated. The staff was friendly and pretty knowledgeable (although one did say some blatantly wrong information on Native American warfare before the arrival of Europeans to a group of us). Also, many of the employees there were very young, which is cool to see young people showing interest in history like this and carrying the torch from the older generation. What I didn’t like is that many of the historical buildings on the property are closed to the public, all of them in fact are, except the fort itself. Also it just isn’t terribly exciting, no real historically significant stuff ever occured here. Just minor things. If you visit a lot of historical places/forts around the country like I have, I think you’ll find this one of the most boring ones. But to each is own.

Great time learning with activities!

I just did not spend enough time here

Beautifully maintained fort with historically costumed reenactors taking you back to 1820s

There wasn't a whole lot to see because everything was closed down when we got there. The area is beautiful and you can walk down to the river.

Enjoyed the history and the open, tower clock exhibition.

Amazing place to take the family to. Excellent learning experience.

Beautiful trails, magnificent scenic views.

Lots of interesting things to see. Definitely learned a lot.

Good to study local history!

(Translated by Google) Wonderful view (Original) Maravilhosa a vista

Love it see for your self!

(Translated by Google) Thanks for the short tour, although the fort was open only to school classes (Original) Danke für die kurze Führung, obwohl das Fort nur für Schulklassen geöffnet war

Very nice piece of history.great volunteers to help share the unique history and purpose of thd fort.a must see

Interesting

We went to the state park and hiked, we didn't go into the fort. Lovely paths and history all around. Great place to go to hike close by. ❤️

Wonderful area to visit and tour, beautiful and superbly maintained National Cemetery, and a historic chapel. We visit every time we are in Minnesota

Lots of history, very helpful staff and an all around great experience.