The museum is full of interesting artifacts. The 4-H exhibit is great too.

Informative. Nicely done.

Dont forget to say hello to Spotty, the loveable, loyal dog! (Who was taxidermied after death - very interesting story!) Great for kids with their viking themed kids activity area. Cant wait to bring friends and family here! $8 adult, $5 child, which is very fair when you see how large the premises and collection is in small town, rural Minnesota. Bathrooms available in the gift shop, which has a great assortment of Minnesota, Viking, and history themed goods - like plush Big Ole! (Do not forget to get your picture taken with Big Ole!!!)

Was really cool seeing some of the history showing just how far Vikings made it into America. I would love to visit this place again. It even has things for kids to do, including a scavenger hunt, rune carving, and coloring pages.

Well, if you visit Alexandria Minnesota, and you have any interest in history especially alternative history, then you most definitely have to come here. So I am a historian, the kind of historian, who doesnt like nice Pat answers, like how this is a hoax. The Kensington stone is real. Anybody who thinks that some Swedish immigrant farmer busting his tail trying to keep from freezing to death or Starving in 1890 homesteading this deep in Minnesota territory, had the time inclination, knowledge, or ability to create this Hoax, Well, that person is an idiot. and that person may very well be the historical curator at the Smithsonian for all that it matters, if that person thinks this is a sham, that person is an idiot. What are the odds that this immigrant farmer would have been part of one tenth of 1% of the entire historian population that was even remotely familiar with runes in 1890. Go further, the contemporaries at the time considered Vikings to be illiterate, barbarians. It wasnt until well after World War II that contemporary historians accepted that Vikings were educated literate and worldly traveled. It wasnt until the late 1950s before, Swedish Scholars studying many newly discovered rune totems in remote areas of interior Sweden and Norway, discovered that Vikings, not only literate in runic, were also well-versed in celt, Gaelic, Germanic, and most decidedly important because there is evidence of it here, Latin. but how could they have gotten here? People ask, nobody questions the seaworthiness of a longship since a Minnesotan sailed a replica in the early 70s from Duluth Harbor back home, to Norway. So the only other question is how did they provision the trip. The Norwegian still celebrate the food that they used. That food, is lutefisk. This lye-cured dried fish, requires a minimum of 36 hours immersion in a brine in order to reconstitute to either be eaten or for that matter, rot. A longship can be packed with eight weeks of this food. Its miserable stuff, you should try some, but it is also a critical technological factor, that made Viking expeditions possible. Ill bet somewhere in Denmark is a parchment that covers the funding of this Expedition. But the Smoking Gun on the Kensington stone is the simple addition of an AVM, a prayer to the Blessed Mother Mary in Latin. How this crafty brilliant unsung Vanguard of historical Revolution new 60 years before anybody else, the Vikings were literate and not only literate but literate and Latin is beyond me. I propose that these archaeologists and anthropologists that challenge the veracity of this Stone, go look up another little scientific principle known as Occams razor. I would with absolute confidence lay my entire lifes assets on the bet, that it is considerably more likely that the stone is real Vikings spoke Latin and they had the ability means an interest in traveling as far as Minnesota and deep interior Minnesota at that, then this immigrant Swedish farmer was a freaking mutant historical genius with knowledge undiscovered by anyone else. Without that knowledge, he could have never fabricated this so-called hoax. So, Boston can kiss my dot-dot-dot. Alexandria Minnesota, holds the title as the earliest yet verifiably known place that a European set foot in North America, other than Greenland of course which had Viking settlements from the 12th century on. Lets return to Occams razor for a second. I think the stone itself has absolute veracity, but for the idiots and doubters out there, the considerable additional material found throughout the region, by plowing fields, such as 12th and 14th century era metallurgically verifiable, Viking style Axe Heads and other artifacts that can also be found at this Museum, should put the final Nails in the coffin, and lay to rest once and for all, any reasonable doubt. You should come to this Museum it cost $8 its worth it, youre looking at a piece of history that isnt in any history book yet because Europeans love their Christopher Columbus story and they sure as hell dont love the truth.

Great little museum with a nice exhibit translating the Kensington Runestone. Lots to see other than the runestone including exhibits on Native Americans, local wildlife and history of Fort Alexandria. My only complaint is that the gift shop didn’t have a simple t-shirt with a picture of the runestone. I would have bought one for sure!

This was a great family place to visit. There is a lot more than the Runestone. There is a pioneer village, American Indian artifacts, local artifacts, a replica viking ship, and more Nordic artifacts. There is activities for kids to do and some games to play. The Runestone is controversial piece of history and was very cool to see in person. Check out the History channel special on it as well as the museum. Dont rely on Wikipedia when finding out information, come and see it in person. Was worth the price of admission.

This is a great little museum. It was cool to see an actual viking runestone and learn the history around it.

I had a wonderful time at the museum. It was very exciting to be able to see the runestone in person. Fun little gift shop. The employees at the museum were very nice. I will definitely go back.

Fascinating little museum - my wife is 1/2 Cherokee and really enjoyed the section covering Native American dress. And as much as I enjoyed the barn with the Viking boat, I strongly recommend that you raise all the candle brackets on the posts. Im average height and got clocked by one right above the eye. An extra foot of height would be enough to protect virtually everyone and expose the museum to less liability.

Sadly we travelled to see the runestone and museum. It was snowing (like it does every winter), and the museum was closed due to snow! Some vikings eh?

The museum is a wealth of knowledge and the museum staff, namely Felicia and Amanda are stellar!! I appreciated their kind and professional approach to sharing what is obviously a passion for both of them. Truly a wonderful experience!!

ALOT of good information. Covered a wide variety of old time days.

The museum has exhibits from the Native Americans, late 1800s/early 1900s and WW2, besides the Runestone and Viking exhibit. I wish the museum was more focused on the Runestone and its history and the Vikings in the area. I think its pretty incredible that it is believed the Vikings came all the way here 500 years before Columbus. An entire museum could definitely be dedicated to that history.

Great Lil Roadtrip!Great drive on a sunny summer day from Minneapolis to Alexandria. The Runestone Museum was really great. Family admission was $ 20, and everyone of us (mom, dad, & kid) found many captivating items of interest. We really enjoyed the vignettes in the general store/post office, church, town hall/schoolhouse, and other outside buildings. The artifacts displayed were interesting, informative, sweet and nostalgic. A scenic drive, lunch and an historical museum stop is a lovely way for anyone to spend a day. I recommend the Runestone Museum, in the charming city of Alexandria, to everyone.

Oh my gosh, so much fun! The scavenger hunt throughout the museum was a hit. The outside buildings were a bonus to an already great experience. Learned a lot, kids had a blast. Also really enjoyed the cell phone tour.

Doing a very important job--housing the Kensington Runestone!

Small, but good. Good activities for kids to keep them interested and involved. A combination of Viking, Native American, and WW2 artifacts. Expect to spend 15-45 minutes here, depending on how intently you read each display.

A small museum but packed with historic memorabilia. Highlight is the original Runestone. Start your tour with a short movie, enjoy early settler and Indian history and relics then tour the park area having preserved church, schoolhouse and other buildings.

Well laid out and informative. Had much more than the Runestone and Nordic artifacts. Had many nice Native American artifacts, as well, and more. A good value.

There is a lot of information packed into this great little place! We were pleasantly surprised by the hands on kids area near the back - my 9-year-olds had a blast with that and the scavenger hunt. I liked the ability to self-pace and selectively learn more info on different displays by using my smart phone. The outside area looks really fun - we will definitely come back in warmer months when that section is open.

This museum is worth the admission price displaying many historical artifacts as well as the disputed Kensington runestone discovered on a farm in the 1800s.

Interesting facts, includes information on Native American, Viking and Pioneer history. If you go in the summer there are buildings you can walk through, including an old church, one room schoolhouse, pioneer general store, stage coach depot and also a replica Viking ship.

What a fun place! My family, especially my mom, had a great time.

It has a lot more than just the Runestone itself. They have a small amount of Viking displays with additional sections of info on settlers, American Indians, local wildlife, and some WW2 era stuff. Out back they have a big building with a 3/4 sized Viking Longboat and a ton of old machinery from the 1900s. There are also a few old buildings including a school house and a settler log cabin.

This is an amazing place to visit. Our family had a great day! We learned so much, loved the exhibits and buildings!!! We will definitely be visiting again.

What a lovely surprise in my hometown! The Runestone has been an enigma to all of us locals but after reading everything and looking at the map of the Vikings travels and that fabulous model ship, I am a believer!! It was fun seeing the History Channel special about the Kensington Runestone too! Then, theres the bonus of seeing a real pioneer house, church and two room school house...my 83 year old father went to a school just like that!!

Friendly little stop in Alexandria. Make sure you check it out, history of the place is very interesting and unique. Small but cool selection of books and items in gift shop!

My wife really enjoyed this museum. My twelve year old son did not really enjoy it. I am not a museum guy so I guess I could take it or leave it. The lady who sold us our tickets was great. She took us in and gave us background stories to get us started. The gift shop was not great. It had no selection and horrible prices even for a gift shop. I thought it could be awesome since it was Vikings, but was disappointed. Six bucks a person to get in, so what the heck. I would not need to go back again, but it passed the time and I learned some things. You need a couple hours to go through if you read everything. About thirty minutes if you just walk through and look at the exhibits and leave.

Fun little museum with great Minnesota history. Got a neat little gift shop too.

Cool place with alot of artifacts

Very interesting... alot of history in a smaller space...can see all and take your time without being tired...the Viking history in extensive

Its fun walking around seeing all the history.

My 12 year old daughter thanked me for dragging her here, I thought I would hate it but I loved it! Introductory movie, scavenger hunt, hands on activities, historic buildings, we spent over an hour and really enjoyed it.

Friendly people and staff! Enjoyed visiting this place with my family.

Small but really great! Worth the price, it have a very small Viking portion, which is why we went in, BUT, the rest of the museum was great too, and it was very interesting to know more history about the pioneer VS Indian relations in the 1800s to present.

Fascinating and Im convinced its real. Excellent presentation of he facts.

No doubt about it, They Were Here, before Columbus, Believe it or not. Very enjoyable museum, much to see and take in. A Must See when in Alexandria, MN

Great place for history...so much to see. Check out the Viking long boat...

The museum was alright. I was expecting more Viking artifacts, instead they had a bunch of replicas of things from the 1800s to ww2. They did have a pretty cool replica Viking ship though.

A nice variety of local history, much more than just the viking stuff, which on its own would have been worth it!

Great local museum with an authentic Runestone taken to this area by Viking explorers in the 1300s. They came by way of Iceland, Greenland, Hudsons Bay, and then rivers. Plus this place has many other exhibits.

Fun museum that looks small from the outside but is actually a good size. Lots of information on the history of the Alexandria area, all the way back to when the Vikings visited what is now Minnesota.

Museum covers a lot more that the runestone, which was a pleasant surprise. I hoped that the runestone exhibit wouldve been more campy. It seems a little too serious, all things considered.

Has some cool stuff but kinda pricey

The kids thought it was awesome they do have things for the little ones to do

Great place nice self guided museum.

4 stars for creativity, branding, business sense, and friendly staff.2 stars for historical accuracy (see Wikipedia) and value for money.

If you find the story as compelling as I do. Its a must see.

Historic data. Antiquities from life on the prairie, Native American life, WWII, and Viking influence.

A fun little museum thats great to visit with your children.

Lots of great history. Very informative.

Viking history, local settlers history, and native American history.

Our family had a great time at the Runestone Museum. My only feedback would be that the family rate was confusing to the person that was working at the time.

Very nice place, they literally had to kick me out at closing time.

Talk about reaching. Only like a third of the museum was even about vikings, lacked any real depth educationally as well. Just a collection of poorly stuffed animals and displays. All info related to the stone is already in the brochure, waste of money

We enjoyed found it interesting

Decent.

Better than I expected

Cool stuff to look at! :)

Interesting artifacts

Loved it was really great love history

Fascinating History, Nice shop

Interesting exhibits

Interesting place

Great place

Great place!!

Almost doesnt matter if its real or not. An Alec staple.