Mississippi River Visitor Center

Places to Go

 

NPS

Introduction

Located in downtown St. Paul, just off the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Mississippi River Visitor Center serves as a gateway to adventure along the mighty Mississippi. The visitor center has free admission, but the Science Museum of Minnesota charges an adimission fee to visit their exbibit areas and the theater. A second visitor center, the St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center, serves the Minneapolis area during the summer months.

Masks are required in Mississippi National River and Recreation Area facilities including the Mississippi River Visitor Center. Consistent with CDC guidance regarding areas of substantial or high transmission, visitors to the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask inside all park buildings.

Activities at the MRVC

There is a wide variety of programming at the Visitor Center, including videos about the Mississippi National River and Recreation and other parks within the National Park system, interactive exhibits, reading nook, and Junior Ranger program. Exhibits explain Mississippi River culture, biology, and history. National Park passes may be obtained here. Please call for availability.

Visitors may also seek advice about the many recreational opportunities within the park. Hiking, biking, canoeing and boating, fishing, watching wildlife and birding, or skiing and snowshoeing are all popular activities.

This is also a good place to learn about the park's scheduled programming. Popular activities include Bike with a Ranger, Fish with a Ranger, and other programs. Check our Calendar of Events regularly for upcoming events.

Please note that we have transferred selected merchandise to the Explore Store just across the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota and discontinued sales of other items at the Visitor Center. We do not sell the following National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands passes at this time: Annual, Lifetime Senior, and Annual Senior. These passes are available to purchase online at the United States Geological Survey.

Family-Friendly, Hiking & Walks, History & Culture, Museum, and NPS Passport Program.

Hours, Directions, and Contact Information

• See Operating Hours and Seasons for more information.

• 651-293-0200

• Walk-up address: 120 Kellogg Blvd West, St. Paul, MN 55102

• Parking address: 198 N Chestnut St, St Paul, MN 55102

• GPS (walk-up to front of museum): 44.942918, -93.098497

• GPS (museum parking): 44.942524, -93.100299

• The Mississippi River Visitor Center is located in the lobby of the Science Museum of Minnesota in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. Parking is available at the Museum's parking garage on Chestnut Street and MetroTransit has bus stops on many different routes converging in downtown St. Paul within a few blocks of the Visitor Center.

Nearby Sites

Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary, Lilydale Regional Park, Harriet Island, Indian Mounds Regional Park, Science Museum of Minnesota

 

2021 Virtual Visit Passport Stamp.

NPS