You walk in planning to grab one tube of glue, and somehow three hours vanish between the train aisle and the puzzle wall. Minnesota is packed with hobby shops like that, tucked into strip malls and old downtown blocks where you would never expect so much wonder.
They keep model railroading, kit building, and game nights alive in a screen-heavy world, and they do it with the friendly know-how this state is famous for. Clear your schedule, because these spots are worth the drive from anywhere in Minnesota.
1. Hub Hobby Center, Richfield, MN
Picture a toy chest the size of a warehouse, and you are getting close. Hub Hobby Center on Penn Avenue in Richfield covers almost every corner of the hobby world under one roof, which is rare even in the biggest cities.
Model airplanes and cars share space with Lego sets, puzzles, board games, crafting supplies, drones, and remote-controlled vehicles. Model railroaders find track and accessories here too.
The science toys are a standout, the kind that turn a curious kid into a budding engineer.
Old-school charm shows up in the form of classic army men and wooden toys, a nod to simpler afternoons. It feels like the hobby shop your grandparents may have loved, still going strong.
Hours typically run 10 AM to 6 PM most days, stretching to 8 PM on Thursdays and Fridays. Saturday afternoons get lively, so a weekday visit offers calmer browsing.
2. Scale Model Supplies, St Paul, MN
Ask any serious scale modeler in the Twin Cities where they shop, and the answer often comes back fast. Scale Model Supplies on Lexington Parkway has earned that kind of loyalty over many years.
Plastic kits are the heart of the place. Military vehicles, automobiles, and trucks fill the shelves, joined by subjects pulled from comics, TV shows, and war games.
Model trains get serious attention as well, with a huge range of scales and accessories for building out a layout.
Diorama fans should save time for the basing supplies. Grass, terrain, and finishing materials are stocked deep, so your tank or locomotive can sit in a scene that looks real.
Weekdays tend to be quiet, perfect for slow browsing. The shop usually opens 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 5 PM Sunday, with parking available nearby.
3. Kremer’s Toy And Hobby, Albertville, MN
Rockets, racers, and rainy-day puzzles all live together in Albertville. Kremer’s Toy And Hobby sits just off the I-94 corridor, making it an easy stop for families heading northwest from the metro.
The mix here feels thoughtfully chosen rather than random. RC cars come with a solid wall of accessories, while trains, planes, and Lego sets keep builders busy.
Estes Rockets are a highlight for anyone who wants their hobby to literally take off on a summer afternoon.
Puzzles and board games round things out for quieter nights at the cabin or around the kitchen table. Quality and variety seem to guide every shelf.
Generous hours help too. Doors typically stay open until 8 PM Monday through Saturday, with Sunday hours from 11 AM to 6 PM.
Tuesday mornings are usually the calmest window for a relaxed look around.
4. Hobbytown, Hermantown, MN
Gundam robots on one shelf, mud-ready RC trucks on the next. Hobbytown in Hermantown proves the Northland does not need to drive to Minneapolis for a well-stocked hobby fix.
Part of a national chain, this location still feels locally rooted along Miller Trunk Highway just outside Duluth. Model airplanes, remote-controlled cars, and games anchor the inventory.
Anime fans will appreciate the Gundam kit selection, which can be tough to find in smaller markets.
Where it really shines is the support gear. Tools, accessories, and little extras fill the gaps that stall a project halfway through, and the staff are known for being genuinely helpful when you need advice.
Weekdays are mostly quiet, with Saturday afternoons drawing the crowd. Expect hours around 11 AM to 7 PM on weekdays.
It pairs nicely with a Lake Superior day trip.
5. Hometown Hobby, International Falls, MN
Way up on the Canadian border, in a town famous for frosty winters, sits a shop built for long indoor evenings. Hometown Hobby on 3rd Street is a true small-town variety store with a little of everything.
Crafters get fabrics, beads, and paints. Puzzle lovers and game-night planners find plenty to choose from.
Kids can pick out toys or bead kits, including several Perler bead options that make great snow-day projects.
Seasonal gifts appear throughout the year, so it doubles as a handy stop for birthdays and holidays. For a community this far north, having one spot that covers crafts, games, and hobby supplies is a real treasure.
Plan around the schedule. The shop typically opens 10 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and 10 AM to 4 PM Saturday, and it is closed on Sundays.
6. Island City RC, Goodview, MN
Here is a shop that does one thing and goes all in. Island City RC in Goodview, right next to Winona, focuses entirely on hobby-grade remote-control vehicles.
Ready-to-run fans can grab Traxxas and Redcat models and be bashing in the backyard by supper. Racers will spot respected names like Team Associated and Tekno RC.
Indoor crawlers, off-road bashers, and track-ready kits are all in the showroom, with options for different ages, skill levels, and budgets.
Broke an arm on your truck after a jump gone wrong? A full-service repair department can assess the damage and get you rolling again.
Builders chasing extra speed can lean on premium upgrade brands like Exalt RC for custom projects.
Hours generally run 10 AM to 6 PM weekdays and 10 AM to 4 PM Saturday. Sundays are closed, so save the visit for a weekday drive along the Mississippi bluffs.
7. Tower Games, Minneapolis, MN
Miniature armies, tiny paintbrushes, and a wall of board games greet you on Nicollet Avenue. Tower Games is the kind of neighborhood game store that turns a quick errand into a full evening.
The selection runs deep in board games and miniature wargaming supplies. Minis, paints, and hobby tools are stocked for every step, from assembling a figure to playing it on the table.
Staff know the hobby inside and out, and they are happy to help with painting questions as much as rules questions.
Events bring the community together, and the store is known as a welcoming, safe space for everyone. That warm vibe keeps people coming back week after week.
Thursday evenings are the busiest, a sign of how popular game nights get. Hours typically stretch to 9 PM Monday through Saturday, and free street parking makes dropping in easy.
8. Rogue Robot Games & Comics, Duluth, MN
Downtown Duluth hides a playground for tabletop fans just a few blocks from the lake. Rogue Robot Games & Comics pairs a welcoming storefront with a large gaming area where you can actually sit down and play.
Warhammer 40k collectors, take note. The kit selection here is known as one of the biggest around, which makes it a real destination for northern Minnesota hobbyists.
Paints, D&D models, and plenty of board games fill out the shelves, so painters and players both leave happy.
Comic books add another layer, giving you something to flip through between turns. It is easy to see how one game becomes three.
Watch the calendar, since hours are a bit unusual. The shop typically opens at noon, is closed on Tuesdays, and stays open until 8 PM on Wednesdays.
9. Accidentally Cool Games, Bemidji, MN
The name sounds casual, but the community this shop has built in Bemidji is anything but accidental. Accidentally Cool Games has become a gathering spot for north-woods gamers of all kinds.
Card players find tons of Magic the Gathering products and other collectible card games. Board game fans face a massive selection, great for cabin weekends and snowbound nights.
Models, paints, and supplies support the tabletop strategy crowd who like building their armies before battle.
Wi-fi is available, and the shop serves as a social hub as much as a store. Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons are the busiest times, which tells you when the game tables really come alive.
Hours usually run noon to 8 PM Tuesday through Thursday, until 10 PM on Fridays, and 10 AM to 7 PM Saturday. Sundays and Mondays are closed.
10. Dollar Hobbyz, Woodbury, MN
Most stores ask you to imagine how a car will drive. Dollar Hobbyz in Woodbury lets you find out, thanks to indoor racing tracks right inside the building.
As a full-service RC shop, it stocks hobby-grade cars and trucks plus the parts to keep them running. Some drones are on hand too.
The owners are friendly and patient, which makes it a fantastic place to introduce kids to the hobby without feeling overwhelmed.
Indoor tracks are a big deal in Minnesota, where winter can shut down outdoor driving for months. Here the racing season never really ends.
Weekend afternoons and Friday evenings draw the biggest crowds. Hours typically run 11 AM to 7 PM Tuesday through Friday and 10 AM to 6 PM on weekends, with Mondays closed.
On-site parking and free wi-fi add convenience.
11. Jimmy Jams Comics Cards & Game, Winona, MN
Thinking about picking up an old hobby you set aside years ago? Jimmy Jams in downtown Winona is a wonderful place to start again.
Inside the 3rd Street storefront, the shelves cover a remarkable range. Tabletop and board games, RPG books and accessories, trading card packs and boxes, comics, graphic novels, manga, and dice are all here.
Used video games, movies, and fandom collectibles add a treasure-hunt feel.
Staff go the extra mile, helping customers decide what to buy and chatting happily about shared interests. They even point people toward outside resources for getting back into a hobby, which is service you rarely find at big chains.
Tuesday and Thursday evenings get busy, likely with game nights. The shop is typically open until 9 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and closed Sundays and Mondays.
Pair it with a stroll through Winona’s charming historic downtown.
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