Last updated on December 20, 2023.

The Charles Lindbergh House and Museum in Little Falls, Minnesota, celebrates aviator Charles Lindbergh (1902-1974). It’s located just outside downtown.

The famous aviator grew up in Little Falls and it’s where he saw his first airplane. His upbringing on a small farm shaped his wild imagination and creativity which would lead him to be the first person to fly a solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic in 1927, in the famed Spirit of St. Louis.

The Charles Lindbergh House and Museum sit within Charles A. Lindbergh State Park, which encompasses the farmland owned by the Lindbergh family. In addition to the museum and home, there are hiking trails, a campground, and a picnic area.

 

Museum

The main building is a museum dedicated to telling Lindbergh’s story. There are some interactive displays, such as a very fun flight simulator, and a short film about his life. Adult admission is US$10 (as of April 2023). The museum is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and other select days throughout the year. Hours are typically 10am to 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Museum at Charles Lindbergh House and Museum in Little Falls, Minnesota
Museum
Museum
Memorabilia

There are several personal items on display from his childhood to his international road trips later in life, championing environmental causes.

Lindbergh’s homecoming to Little Falls
Lindbergh’s car
Map of Lindbergh’s world travels

 

Boyhood Home

A special part of the museum is an optional guided tour of Lindbergh’s boyhood home on the west bank of the Mississippi River, just steps from the museum. Tours run every hour and last about 45 minutes.

Lindbergh's boyhood home at Charles Lindbergh House and Museum in Little Falls, Minnesota
Lindbergh’s boyhood home

In the home, you’ll be able to see authentic furniture and items from the Lindbergh home, including the bed he slept in on a screened-in patio (even in the harsh Minnesota winter!), his mother’s piano, and a secret hiding place he made for his toys.

Lindbergh’s bed
Lindbergh’s mother’s piano
Secret hiding place at Lindbergh's boyhood home at Charles Lindbergh House and Museum in Little Falls, Minnesota
Secret hiding place

In the garage sits a vintage 1916 Saxon Six. This was the family car, which Lindbergh drove to California on a family road trip when he was just 14. It took them over 40 days to arrive.

1916 Saxon Six at Charles Lindbergh House and Museum in Little Falls, Minnesota
1916 Saxon Six

 

About our Guide

The guide on the tour was very enthusiastic and used several photographs and other items to enhance the tour. She was able to tell many stories about Lindbergh’s life in Little Falls, and specific incidences that occurred in the house. Lindbergh set up the museum when he donated the house to the Minnesota Historical Society. Much of what you see and hear is directly from Lindbergh himself.

More importantly, the guide was very candid about the negative aspects of Lindbergh’s life, such as his anti-Semitic comments and racism, belief in eugenics, and his several mistresses and illegitimate children in Europe. Everyone on the tour appreciated the honesty and for not making Lindbergh out to be some sort of god. He was a brilliant man but he was still very human and had many terrible flaws.

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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