Museums, zoos, amusement parks: What's open in Minnesota right now?
(FOX 9) - Phase three of Minnesota's Stay Safe Plan currently allows indoor and outdoor events and entertainment to be open at 25% capacity with a maximum of 250 people.
That means museums and other areas of fun have been able to reopen.
While some have remain closed, others are reopening with plans to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Here's what we know about museums, zoos, aquariums and amusement parks in the Twin Cities area:
MUSEUMS
American Swedish Institute
The American Swedish Institute will reopen to the public on Friday, Sept. 11.
ASI, FIKA Café and the ASI Museum Store will be open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitors, including members, must purchase tickets in advance.
The Bakken Museum
After seven months of renovations, the Bakken Museum in Minneapolis is open to the public Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
General admission is $5 for visitors ages four and up, and free for children under 3 and museum members.
COVID-19 safety measures include timed tickets, increased cleaning protocols, and mask requirements.
Bell Museum
The Bell Museum is open with limited days and operation hours, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.
The museum will have enhanced cleaning throughout exhibit spaces and only allow in 25% of the building’s capacity, or no more than 250 people. Tickets must be reserved in advance for timed entry.
Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery
The Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery is reopening Aug.18 with new exhibitions on display documenting the protests and riots in the wake of the death of George Floyd, according to the museum's Facebook page.
Admission is free, and tickets can be reserved online. The museum is limiting the number of visitors in the space to accommodate social distancing. Masks are required.
Minnesota Children’s Museum
Beginning August 1, the Minnesota Children’s Museum in downtown St. Paul will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Visitors must reserve spots in advance.
All visitors age 5 and older must wear a mask. Children between ages two and four are encouraged to wear a mask. The museum will encourage guests to maintain social distance and limit visits to three hours maximum to manage capacity.
Strollers are allowed, but elevator usage will be limited. Lockers and water facets will not be available.
Safety precautions include enhanced cleaning and sanitizing, newly-installed Plexiglass barriers and hand sanitizer stations, and the removal of soft props, costumes, face painting and air play. The museum has also upgraded its air filters and implemented daily staff wellness checks.
Minnesota Historical Society
Out of the 26 locations in the Minnesota Historical Society, six sites are open to the public.
Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors, Jeffers Petroglyphs in Comfrey, Birch Coulee Battlefield in Morton, Lower Sioux Agency in Morton, Marine Mill in Marine on St. Croix, and Traverse des Sioux in St. Peter are welcoming visitors.
Limited tickets are available for online and walk-up purchase.
Face coverings and social distancing is encouraged.
Other MNHS locations such as the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, Historic Fort Snelling and Minnesota History Center in St. Paul remain closed.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Mia is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, with special hours for at-risk visitors from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursdays.
General admission is free, and tickets can be reserved online, in-person or by phone.
Face masks and social distancing is required. Wheelchairs and strollers will be sanitized between each use.
Mia’s Family Center is temporarily closed.
Minnesota Museum of American Art
The M is temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
The Museum of Russian Art
The Museum of Russian Art in Minneapolis is open daily to visitors at 25% of normal capacity. No reservations are required. Admission is paid at the front desk by credit card only.
Additional visiting hours have been designated from 9:15-10 a.m. Tuesdays for vulnerable populations and 9:15-10 a.m. Thursdays for first responders and medical personnel.
Masks are required. TMORA will provide masks as well.
Social distancing and other safety measures have been installed for a touch-free environment.
Tours are not available during this time.
Science Museum of Minnesota
The Science Museum of Minnesota will reopen on September 4 with a “modified museum experience.” Some programs have been delayed or discontinued.
There will be “limited operating hours” for members starting in late-August.
Twin City Model Railroad Museum
The Twin City Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul has reopened on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be reserved online or in-person.
All guests and volunteers are required to wear masks and social distance.
Wooden train or LEGO play tables in the Children’s area will not be available. Volunteers will routinely sanitize buttons and commonly touched surfaces.
Weisman Art Museum
The Weisman Art Museum is temporarily closed, following guidance from the University of Minnesota leadership and public health officials.
ZOOS
Minnesota Zoo
Starting July 24, the Minnesota Zoo will be open to the public. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Zoo members had a special preview from July 19-22.
Social distancing and masks for guests age three and up are required. Staff complete wellness checks before shifts. Additional barriers were implemented for animal protection. Indoor and outdoor play areas are closed.
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
The Como Park Zoo and Conservatory will reopen as a one-way walking path on Wednesday, June 29.Visitors are welcomed 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with the limited capacity of 250 people at a time.
Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved online in advance.The reservations will be first come, first serve.Como Town will reopen with limited 1.25-hour time slots Wednesdays through Sundays.
Some rides and attractions will be different due to added safety protocols. There will not be access to the zoo through Como Town. Tickets are $13.
All staff and visitors are required to wear face coverings.
Wheelchairs, strollers, and drinking fountains will not be available, but guests can bring their own as needed.
AQUARIUMS
Sea Life Aquarium at the Mall of America
Sea Life is open 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. every day at 25% capacity. Visitors should purchase their tickets online in advance.
Safety protocols include hand sanitizing stations, social distancing signage and floor graphics, enhanced cleaning procedures, and face masks.
SeaQuest Roseville Aquarium & Petting Zoo
SeaQuest is open at 25% capacity 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Floor stickers have been placed to help with social distancing. Masks are not required, but strongly encouraged. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the facility.
AMUSEMENT PARKS
Nickelodeon Universe
Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America will reopen to the public on Aug. 10.
The indoor amusement park says it is doing a phased reopening, with only a select number of rides open. A maximum of 250 guests will be allowed in the park at a time.
Tickets will be required, but can only be purchased on-site on a first come, first served basis starting Aug. 10.
Valleyfair
The Valleyfair amusement park will remain closed for the remainder of 2020.
2020 season passes have been extended to 2021.