Historic Fort Snelling

Reviews

• CS

  Charles Schaller

  4 days ago
  5.0
  This was an amazing place to see. Very knowledgeable staff who genuinely love history and are 100% committed to sharing all sides of the stories. It was great how they highlighted the perspectives of native American and black people during that time. The gift shop was great! Parking was good, and we learned a lot from this experience. Thanks!
• DM

  David Murray

  Aug 23, 2026
  3.0
  Established to protect the fur trade and prevent takeover of America’s western frontier, the fort has served many functions over the years. Docents were knowledgeable and pleasant. Exhibits were skimpy and lifeless. Liked the blacksmith and rifle demonstrations.
• EE

  esrdj

  Aug 8, 2026
  5.0
  The historical demonstrations are informative. The visitor center also had more interesting exhibits to see and a nice gift shop.
• LL

  Lindsay

  Aug 7, 2026
  5.0
  You do have to pay $6 for parking they have an off-street parking lot. It's right by the river so you can see eagles and Hawks flying around which is an added bonus very beautiful. They show pictures of plants and how do I identify them. It is $15 to get in however if you're native American it is free! Definitely bring snacks and water it does get a little hot walking around. As far as bringing children I don't think it's the funnest thing to do for a child.
• RC

  Ryan Caliwag

  Jul 27, 2026
  5.0
  ★★★★★ – Historic Fort Snelling Historic Fort Snelling is an excellent place to visit for anyone interested in American history, military history, or history in general. The site is fairly large, but parking was easy and cost about $6. Payment appeared to operate largely on the honor system, with instructions posted near the visitor center. Admission was around $15. Guided tours are offered at the top of the hour and last approximately 15 minutes. The tour is brief, but it provides a helpful overview of the fort and gives you enough background to explore the rest of the site on your own. Afterward, you can visit the different buildings and areas discussed during the tour. Costumed interpreters are stationed throughout the property and provide more detailed explanations about the fort, its residents, and daily life during different historical periods. There are also large informational displays throughout the site for anyone who wants to learn more independently. Some of the highlights included live blacksmithing demonstrations showing how items such as nails were made, as well as exhibits covering the quartermaster, sutler, physician, pharmacy, library, enlisted soldiers, officers, and the commanding officer’s residence. The medical exhibits were especially interesting and showed how medicine and the role of physicians changed over time. The different sections of the fort represent multiple periods in its history and appeared to be carefully presented with period-appropriate details. Visitors can also see areas such as the ammunition magazines and the spaces where enslaved African Americans lived. I appreciated that the site did not ignore or minimize that part of its history. There was also a live rifle demonstration using blanks, which was interesting and added another interactive element to the visit. How long you spend here really depends on how deeply you want to explore. You could move through fairly quickly or spend several hours reading the displays and speaking with the interpreters. A large school group was visiting while I was there, and the children seemed engaged and excited. Between the costumed interpreters, demonstrations, and hands-on style of learning, this would be a great place to introduce children to history. Overall, I am very glad I stopped at Historic Fort Snelling. It was educational, engaging, and well worth the visit.

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