Some stores you pop into for one thing and leave in ten minutes. The shops on this list are not those stores.
From Duluth to Mankato, Minnesota has hobby shops stacked with model trains, RC trucks, plastic kits, miniatures, paints, comics, board games, and trading cards. If you build, paint, race, collect, or play, these are the places where one quick errand turns into a full afternoon of browsing.
1. Hub Hobby Center, Richfield, MN
RC fans and model builders have a reason to circle Penn Avenue on the map. Hub Hobby Center in Richfield packs in remote control cars and trucks, model kits, toys, and plenty in between.
Train people get covered too. The model railroad side runs from tiny Z scale on up, so it works whether your layout fits on a shelf or takes over the basement.
The sheer variety is the real draw here. It is the kind of store where you walk past one aisle, then circle back because you missed half of it the first time.
Hours run 10 AM to 6 PM most days, with later 8 PM closings on Thursday and Friday. Weekend afternoons are the busiest stretch, so a weekday visit gives you more elbow room to browse slowly.
2. Scale Model Supplies, St Paul, MN
Ask Twin Cities model builders where to find a hard-to-locate kit, and Scale Model Supplies tends to come up fast. The long-standing St. Paul shop on Lexington Parkway is known for one of the deepest stocks of model kits and model railroad supplies in the state.
The range of subjects is wide. Cars, trains, military and war game pieces, comic characters, and TV show tie-ins all share shelf space in different scales.
Builders who care about finishing touches will find accessories and a big supply of basing materials. That makes it useful for dioramas and display pieces, not just the kit itself.
The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM. Saturday afternoon draws the biggest crowd, and there is a free parking lot.
3. Kremer’s Toy And Hobby, Albertville, MN
Albertville is already a shopping stop for a lot of folks heading up I-94. Kremer’s Toy And Hobby gives families a reason to stay a little longer.
The store mixes two worlds. Kids get a big spread of toys and games, while hobbyists get RC cars, model trains, model cars, and planes.
RC shoppers in particular tend to linger, since there is a lot to sort through. I would save this one for a day when nobody in the group is in a rush.
Hours are generous, with 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 6 PM on Sunday. Weekday evenings get busy, so mornings are the calmer window.
4. Hobbytown, Hermantown, MN
Gundam kits and RC cars in the same store, right outside Duluth. That range is what makes the Hermantown Hobbytown stand out for Northland hobbyists.
The shop is part of a national chain, but it stays well stocked. Shelves cover model airplanes, remote control vehicles, games, plus the tools, accessories, and extras that finish a project.
Staff are helpful when you need a hand picking parts or supplies. That matters when you are new to a hobby and every paint or glue looks the same.
Find it on Miller Trunk Highway. It opens at 11 AM on weekdays and Sundays and 10 AM on Saturdays.
5. Dollar Hobbyz, Woodbury, MN
Most hobby shops let you buy an RC car. Dollar Hobbyz in Woodbury lets you see what it can do, thanks to indoor racing tracks.
This is a full-service, RC-focused store. The in-stock selection covers many brands of cars and a deep supply of parts, which is a big help when you need a replacement now instead of next week.
The tracks are the difference maker here. Between shopping, tinkering, and watching cars run laps, an afternoon goes quickly.
It is closed Mondays. Other days run 11 AM to 7 PM Tuesday through Friday and 10 AM to 6 PM on weekends, with on-site parking and free Wi-Fi.
6. Source Comics & Games, Roseville, MN
Board games, comics, RPG books, miniatures, paints, and trading cards. Source Comics & Games on Snelling Avenue covers all of it under one roof.
The tabletop section runs deep. The store even carries physical copies of roleplaying games that many players never realized had print editions.
Comic readers get a huge selection of their own, and the staff know the inventory well. It is an easy place to show up for one game and walk out with a weekend plan.
Open until 9 PM Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 PM Sunday. There is free parking, free Wi-Fi, and a gender-neutral restroom.
7. Big John’s Model Trains, Burnsville, MN
Vintage locomotives and brand-new sets share the shelves at Big John’s Model Trains inside Burnsville Center. The shop sells new and gently used trains in every size from Z to G.
Its specialties are N, HO, and O scale, along with brass trains that collectors seek out. Prices on both vintage and new stock are fair, which makes digging through the cases more rewarding.
Services go beyond sales. The shop buys small and large collections, takes consignments, handles repairs, and installs DCC.
Check the schedule before you go. It is closed Monday and Tuesday, open 1 to 8 PM Wednesday through Friday, 11 AM to 8 PM Saturday, and 1 to 5 PM Sunday.
8. Rogue Robot Games & Comics, Duluth, MN
Warhammer 40k players heading to Duluth should know this address: 3 S 4th Ave W. Rogue Robot Games & Comics carries a big run of 40k kits and a huge selection of miniatures overall.
The downtown shop also stocks comics and a wide range of tabletop games. A large gaming area means you can buy, paint, and play without leaving the building.
That play space is what turns a short stop into a long one. It pairs nicely with a day spent exploring downtown Duluth.
Doors open at noon most days, and the shop is closed Tuesdays. Wednesday runs latest, until 8 PM.
9. Lewis Game Shop, St Cloud, MN
Retro consoles next to sealed trading card boxes is a combination that keeps collectors busy. Lewis Game Shop in St. Cloud specializes in vintage video games and trading card games.
The space is on the smaller side, but the stock is massive. Expect games, figures, cards, sealed product, miniatures, retro controllers, and a few statues spread across many franchises.
A play area hosts games and tournaments. Saturday hours stretch from noon to midnight, which is unusual and very handy for night owls.
Other days run noon to 8 PM, with 9 PM on Friday. Free parking is available on site and on the street.
10. Tower Games, Minneapolis, MN
Painting miniatures has a learning curve, and Tower Games on Nicollet Avenue is a solid place to get advice. Staff help with paint choices, and the shelves back it up with plenty of miniature painting supplies.
The store keeps Warhammer 40k and Age of Sigmar fully stocked. Board games, tabletop games, and trading card products fill out the rest.
It is a strong pick for a wargamer bringing along a board game fan. Both will find enough to keep them happily busy.
Hours run 10 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 6 PM Sunday. Thursday evenings and Saturdays are busiest, and parking is free on the street.
11. Atlantis Hobby, Mankato, MN
Southern Minnesota gamers do not have to drive to the metro for a well-stocked shop. Atlantis Hobby on South Front Street in Mankato carries a large selection of trading cards and board games.
Spacious event areas give the store a community feel. Wednesday and Friday evenings are the busiest times, so expect a lively room then.
The variety of hobby games and products covers most needs, and the staff are friendly and helpful. It is a good fit for both casual browsers and regular players.
Open noon to 9 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 6 PM Sunday. Free parking, free Wi-Fi, and delivery options round it out.
From Richfield to Mankato, these shops prove Minnesota hobbyists have plenty of room to explore. Pick one, clear your afternoon, and see where the aisles take you.
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