U Student Museum Preview

Free with UCard

Happy fall semester, Gophers!

Join us at the Bell Museum, Minnesota’s official natural history museum, to explore the universe, meet a mammoth, sketch a swan, and generally get your science on. Learn about amazing opportunities, events, and programs you can access as a UMN student.  Also, connect with like-minded science, art, and museum nerds from 12 to 4pm—exclusively for U of M students.*

Embark on Minnesota Journeys in our permanent galleries

Visit the Touch & See Lab and say hello to live turtles, snakes, and cockroaches

Help document plants and wildlife on our outdoor Learning Landscape

Snag limited edition museum swag (while supplies last)

Welcome Back discount alert! Bring your UCard and save 15% in the Curiosity Shop and find the perfect souvenir (one day only)

Score a sweet treat at 2pm: Free U of M ice cream samples of Bell Museum Dark Matter & President Gabel’s Pumpkin Graham (while supplies last)

How to get here

The University provides FREE shuttle service around campus. The St. Paul Circulator stops at the museum drop off area near the main entrance. It is about a 5-10 minute ride from St. Paul Student Center.

Bike racks are available on two sides of the museum site: north, near the main entrance/Larpenteur Ave and south, near the recreation fields/Cleveland Ave. See the St. Paul campus biking map for more details.

Walking is another great way to get around campus. You can get to the museum in about 15 minutes from the St. Paul Student Center. Bonus! Enjoy the beautiful St. Paul campus along the way.

Parking is also available ($5) at the museum, and Metro Transit’s Route 61 stops nearby. See bellmuseum.umn.edu/directions for more details.

Did you know…

Visit for free.
Current U students always get free gallery admission. Tour, study, sketch, unwind at the museum all year long.

In our permanent galleries, you can discover the exciting hunt for Exoplanets, catch a glimpse of the diversity of life on Earth, travel back in time to meet a woolly mammoth, take a walking tour of Minnesota and learn about U researchers imagining a better future. See below to learn more about some of our upcoming events like stargazing, late nights, and new exhibits.

*Note: the planetarium will not be open for this event, but come back and see a show! Students get $4 tickets all year long.

Work with us.
Our collaborative and dedicated team is driven to ignite curiosity and wonder, explore our connections to nature and the universe, and create a better future for our evolving world. We are currently seeking students for positions as museum guides, planetarium assistants, events support, and more. Details at bellmuseum.umn.edu/employment.

Join our volunteer team.
Do you have a passion for art, nature, and the universe? We work with you to find opportunities that match your skills, interests and schedules—whether it is behind the scenes, with our daily visitors or at special events. Details at bellmuseum.umn.edu/volunteer.