Welcome to the bigroads.com travel guide to Minnesota! Hopefully this page helps provide some inspiration and tips to help you plan your next trip to Minnesota.
Take note that I build and maintain this website as both a hobby and public service. I take joy in performing travel research and sharing my experiences and adventures. I currently do not make a profit from this website, and you will see no invasive or annoying ads on it. Your constructive feedback about this site and its content is encouraged. Please email me if you have any suggestions or ideas for improvement.
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Minnesota isn't just about lakes, even though it does have 10,000 of them. Natural beauty abounds in Minnesota, especially in the northern regions and along the North Shore Scenic Drive. Some of the finest state parks in the country are here. The Mall of America is too, and it's still the largest mall in America. Minnesota is also proudly weird, fully embracing roadside attractions more than most other states (e.g. where else would have the World's Largest Turkey?). Northern Minnesota contains one of the premier canoeing areas in the country: Boundary Waters. There's also many fine rail trails and waterfalls in the state. And of course there's the famous Jolly Green Giant statue and the always funny SPAM museum.
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TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN MINNESOTA
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Are you short on time or struggling to choose something to do or see in Minnesota? Here are my selections for the top 10 attractions or experiences in Minnesota, in no particular order:
✮ Visit the Mall of America in Bloomington, the largest shopping mall in the U.S.
✮ Stay in Duluth for a few nights and explore the towns and parks along the North Shore Scenic Drive
✮ Search for some of Minnesota's famous roadside attractions, including sculptures that have earned "World's Largest" accolades
✮ Head to the SPAM Museum in Austin, one of the quirkiest and humorous small museums in the country
✮ Take a multi-day canoeing trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
✮ See where the Mississippi River begins its journey in Itasca State Park
✮ Photograph the Split Rock Lighthouse, which is perched on a dramatic, steep cliff in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
✮ Gawk at the Jolly Green Giant statue in Blue Earth, the king of all roadside attractions in Minnesota
✮ Cycle one of Minnesota's excellent rail trails
✮ Visit Tettegouche State Park to witness 120-foot High Falls
If I could select only one place to visit in Minnesota, I would choose the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. And while there I would of course drive a little south and visit the Mall of America in Bloomington.
For a list of 10 great attractions in each U.S. state, click here.
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5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN MINNESOTA
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Here is my opinionated list of 5-star attractions in Minnesota. I believe each of these attractions should be on your Minnesota bucket list since they are all noteworthy from a national perspective:
Northwestern Minnesota (including Bemidji)
✮ Itasca State Park, Park Rapids - see the spot where the famous Mississippi River begins its journey
✮ Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, Bemidji - one of Minnesota's most famous roadside attractions; a fun photo-opp
✮ Paul Bunyan State Trail - one of the longest paved rail trails in the U.S.; over 115 miles long!
✮ World’s Largest Prairie Chicken, Rothsay - one of several "World's Largest" sculptures/roadside attractions in Minnesota
Northeastern Minnesota (including Duluth, Ely, Grand Marais, Grand Portage, International Falls, and the Boundary Waters region)
✮ Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth - an iconic bridge that is 226 feet tall; the most famous attraction in Duluth
✮ Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness - this remote and enormous wilderness area has some of the best paddling in the United States
✮ Canal Park, Duluth - a fine lakeside public park with walking trails; the famed Aerial Lift Bridge is here
✮ Enger Park and Tower, Duluth - score great views from an 80-foot tall stone observation tower
✮ Glensheen-The Historic Congdon Estate, Duluth - visit a historic home museum with 39-rooms on a 12-acre estate; self-guided tours
✮ Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors - contains five waterfalls within one state park; also has a paved bike path and several hiking trails
✮ Grand Portage National Monument, Grand Portage - has exhibits that recreate the life of traders & Native Americans in the area
✮ Grand Portage State Park, Grand Portage - nature park that holds the tallest waterfall in the state (120-foot High Falls); several hiking trails
✮ High Falls, Grand Portage State Park - the tallest waterfall in Minnesota; another trail in the state park leads to the smaller Middle Falls
✮ Hull Rust Mine, Hibbing - see one of the largest open-pit mines in the world; several mining-related exhibits/machines are also on display
✮ International Wolf Center, Ely - visit a research and educational center that focuses on wolves
✮ Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, Duluth - popular maritime museum next to the Aerial Life Bridge
✮ Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth - see an extension collection of historic trains and other railroad equipment
✮ Lutsen Mountain Summit Express, Lutsen - take a scenic ride on an aerial gondola as it climbs 1,000 feet to the top of Moose Mountain
✮ North American Bear Center, Ely - a wildlife educational facility that focuses on black bears and other native wildlife
✮ North Shore Scenic Drive - a scenic drive in northeastern MN along Lake Superior; provides access to several excellent state parks
✮ Smokey Bear Park, International Falls - a giant roadside attraction of Smokey the Bear; a fun and American photo-op
✮ Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Soudan - take a guided tour 27-stories underground to explore an old mine
✮ Split Rock Lighthouse, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Two Harbors - see the famous lighthouse that is perched on a dramatic, steep cliff
✮ Tettegouche State Park, Silver Bay - famous for its scenic views and four waterfalls on the Baptism River (including High Falls)
✮ Voyageurs National Park - visit a vast, remote, and beautiful set of waterways and islands
✮ Whitewater rafting on the St. Louis River near Carlton/Duluth - offers the best whitewater rafting in Minnesota
Minneapolis and St. Paul (see below for the rest of central Minnesota)
✮ Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul - an impressive Roman Catholic cathedral
✮ Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St. Paul - a great medium-sized zoo
✮ Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis - a world-renowned theatrical company with three stages
✮ Mill City Museum, The, Minneapolis - great exhibits on milling history
✮ Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis - an excellent (and currently free) art museum
✮ Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Minneapolis - public park with more than 40 sculptures, including the famous "Spoonbridge & Cherry"
✮ Minnehaha Park / Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis - includes a network of hiking trails that visit an impressive urban waterfall; limestone bluffs
✮ Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul - take a guided tour of this impressive capitol building
✮ Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul - a famous state fair that attractions millions of people annually; typically held in late August/early September
✮ Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul - a popular science museum with various exhibits, including dinosaurs/fossils, space, and more
✮ Stone Arch Bridge, Minneapolis - see views of St. Anthony Falls from a pedestrian bridge
✮ Target Field, Minneapolis - a beautiful MLB baseball stadium built in 2010
✮ Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis - a good art museum with a wild exterior design that was designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry
Central Minnesota (including Bloomington and Brainerd; see above for Minneapolis and St. Paul)
✮ Brainerd Zip Line Tour, Nisswa - excellent zip-lining tours
✮ Extreme Sandbox, Hastings - take a drivers seat and use some heavy construction equipment
✮ Franconia Sculpture Park, Shafer - a eclectic outdoor art sculpture park; more than 100 sculptures on display
✮ Ice Castles, New Brighton - winter attraction where a giant ice park is created and visitors can walk (and sometimes slide) through it
✮ Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls - see fascinating glacial potholes and other rock formations on/near the St. Croix River
✮ Mall of America, Bloomington - still the largest mall in the U.S.; there's a theme park and over 500 stores there
✮ Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassen - visit the "largest, most diverse and complete horticultural site in MN"; beautiful gardens
✮ Minnesota's Largest Candy Store, Jordan - the largest candy store I've ever seen; a kid's dream
✮ Nickelodeon Universe, Bloomington - amusement park in the middle of the Mall of America; visit the Lego store while you are there too
✮ Paul Bunyan State Trail - one of the longest paved rail trails in the U.S.; over 115 miles long!
✮ Sand Creek Adventures, Jordan - excellent zip-lining adventures and other aerial adventures
✮ Valleyfair, Shakopee - a major amusement park with several excellent rollercoasters
✮ World's Largest Ball of Twine Rolled by One Man, Darwin - see the enormous ball of twine and meet the legend that made it
✮ World's Largest Tiger Muskie, Nevis - one of several "world's largest" roadside attractions in Minnesota
✮ World's Largest Turkey, Frazee - one of several "world's largest" roadside attractions in Minnesota
✮ World's Largest Raspberry, Hopkins - one of several "world's largest" roadside attractions in Minnesota
Southern Minnesota
✮ August Schell Brewery, New Ulm - visit the second-oldest family-owned brewery in the U.S.
✮ Garvin Heights City Park, Winona - features excellent scenic views of the surrounding area from a blufftop vantage point
✮ Jolly Green Giant statue, Blue Earth - a famous green-painted 55-foot tall roadside attraction; a must-do quick detour off I-90 (exit 119)
✮ Kerfoot Canopy Tour, Henderson - fun zip-lining and a high ropes obstacle course
✮ Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Winona - one of the best marine art museums in the U.S.
✮ National Eagle Center, Wabasha - exhibits and live demonstrations of eagles
✮ Niagara Cave, Harmony - guided tours of an underground limestone cave
✮ Pipestone National Monument - historic quarries of red-colored pipestone and a tallgrass prairie
✮ Quarry Hill Nature Center, Rochester - an indoor nature center with live animals; also has outdoor hiking, biking, and cross-country ski trails
✮ SPAM Museum & Visitor Center, Austin - one of the quirkiest small museums in the country; a must visit, even if you think SPAM is gross
✮ World's Largest Boot, Red Wing - a 16-foot tall, 20-foot long boot within a Red Wing retail store; a fun "roadside attraction" and photo-op
✮ World's Largest Peace Pipe, Pipestone - this giant peace pipe statue provides a fun photo opportunity
Are you aware of any other 5-star attractions in Minnesota? If so, please email me at gparsons66@hotmail.com.
For a list of 5-star attractions in neighboring states, click on any of these links:
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BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN MINNESOTA
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These towns and cities in Minnesota are generally regarded as the most interesting to travelers:
✮ Bemidji - a small city that is "full of North Woods beauty"; also famous for its Paul Bunyan statues and the Paul Bunyan State Trail rail trail
✮ Duluth - a medium-sized city with many historic sites/museums; gateway to the MN "North Shore" region; see the beautiful Aerial Lift Bridge
✮ Ely - a small town that serves as the primary gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (world-class canoeing/kayaking)
✮ Grand Marais - a small town on the "North Shore"; features a small harbor village on Lake Superior; close to many great nature/state parks
✮ Minneapolis - a major city known for its arts scene/museums, green spaces, and its close proximity to the Mall of America in Bloomington
✮ St. Paul - a large capital city with several popular tourist attractions and museums; adjacent to Minneapolis
My favorite large city in Minnesota is Minneapolis - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 2-3 nights there
My favorite medium-sized city in Minnesota is Duluth - I recommend that first-time visitors spend at least 2-3 nights there. I would stay even longer if you plan to use Duluth as a base camp for exploring the nearby North Shore Scenic Drive.
If you want to visit the Mall of America, stay in or near Bloomington. Alternatively, you could also stay in or near Minneapolis.
If you want to visit the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, stay in or near Ely.
If you want to explore the famed "North Shore" area of northeastern Minnesota, stay in Duluth or Grand Marais.
Click here if you'd like to see a complete list of towns and cities that I find interesting across the entire U.S.
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WHAT IS MINNESOTA FAMOUS FOR?
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Here are some things that Minnesota is famous or well-known for:
✮ biggest mall in the U.S.
✮ canoeing/kayaking
✮ dog-sledding
✮ fishing
✮ hockey
✮ ice fishing
✮ lakes
✮ lodge/cabin resorts
✮ lumberjacks
✮ Paul Bunyan
✮ pioneer village
✮ rail trails
✮ roadside attractions - there is an insane amount of these in Minnesota (I'd say it's a top 5 U.S. state for roadside attractions)
✮ SPAM
✮ waterfalls
Click here if you'd like to learn what other U.S. states are famous for.
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NATIONAL PARKS IN MINNESOTA
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There is one official national park in Minnesota, plus a few other federally-managed parks and properties, including:
National Parks
✮ Voyageurs National Park - take a boat ride to explore unspoiled forests and pristine lakes
National Monuments
✮ Grand Portage National Monument - fur trade history and a reconstructed trading depot; Pow Wow events
✮ Pipestone National Monument - historic quarries of red-colored pipestone and a tallgrass prairie
National Forests
✮ Chippewa National Forest
✮ Superior National Forest
National Historical Parks / Other National Parks & Properties
✮ Mississippi National River & Recreation Area
✮ North Country National Scenic Trail
✮ Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
For more information on Minnesota's national parks, visit the Minnesota page of the National Park Service. For an overview of all U.S. national parks, click here.
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Minnesota has more than 60 state parks. Many would agree that these represent Minnesota's finest state parks:
Flagship / Premier State Parks:
✮ Gooseberry Falls State Park, Two Harbors - five waterfalls within one state park; has a paved bike path and several hiking trails
✮ Grand Portage State Park, Grand Portage - includes a 120-foot tall waterfall (High Falls)
✮ Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls - see fascinating glacial potholes and other rock formations on and near the St. Croix River
✮ Itasca State Park, Park Rapids - see the spot where the Mississippi River begins
✮ Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Two Harbors - see a lighthouse that is perched on a dramatically steep cliff
✮ Tettegouche State Park, Silver Bay - lots of great trails plus 120-foot High Falls and scenic views
Other Notable State Parks:
✮ Blue Mounds State Park, Luverne
✮ Cascade River State Park, Lutsen
✮ Great River Bluffs State Park, Winona
✮ Jay Cooke State Park, Carlton
✮ Minneaopa State Park, Mankat
✮ Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Soudan
✮ Temperance River State Park
To see my list of the top 100 state parks in the country, click here.
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BEST WATERFALLS IN MINNESOTA
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Minnesota has more than 100 natural waterfalls. Most of the finest waterfalls in the state can be found in the northeast region. A road trip along the "North Shore" of Minnesota can bring you to many of them. Here are many of the best waterfalls in Minnesota:
Northeastern Minnesota (including Duluth, Ely, Grand Marais, Grand Portage, International Falls, and the Boundary Waters region)
✮ Caribou Falls near Finland
✮ Cascade Falls in Cascade River State Park
✮ Devil's Kettle in Hovland
✮ Fifth Falls in Gooseberry Falls State Park
✮ Gooseberry Falls in Gooseberry Falls State Park - there is a lower, middle, and upper falls
✮ High Falls on the Baptism River in Tettegouche State Park
✮ High Falls on the Pigeon River in Grand Portage State Park
✮ Kawishiwi Falls in Ely
Central Minnesota (including Bloomington, Brainerd, Minneapolis, and St. Paul)
✮ Minnehaha Falls in Minnehaha Park, Minneapolis - 53-foot tall natural waterfall in the middle of Minneapolis
✮ Wolf Creek Falls in Banning State Park
Southern Minnesota
✮ Minneopa Falls, Mankato
For a listing of all known waterfalls in Minnesota, visit the World Waterfall Database.
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BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN MINNESOTA
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Here is a list of the best scenic drives in Minnesota:
✮ Great River Road - a 2,069-mile paved route along the Mississippi River that travels from Minnesota to Louisiana; 570 miles are in Minnesota
✮ North Shore Scenic Drive - a 154-mile paved route from Duluth to Grand Portage along the shoreline of Lake Superior
✮ Skyline Parkway - a 28-mile paved route in Duluth from Becks Road to Seven Bridges Road with views of Duluth and Lake Superior
The
Edge of the Wilderness National Scenic Byway, Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway, and Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway are all nice drives, but the scenery isn't on the same level with roads like the North Shore Scenic Drive.
For a list of great scenic drives in each U.S. state, click here.
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BEST RAIL TRAILS IN MINNESOTA
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Here is a list of some of the best rail trails (or similar cycling paths) in Minnesota:
Northwestern Minnesota (including Bemidji)
✮ Paul Bunyan State Trail - 119-miles one way; 100% paved; often considered one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
Northeastern Minnesota (including Duluth, Ely, Grand Marais, Grand Portage, International Falls, and the Boundary Waters region)
✮ Gitchi-Gami State Trail - 29-miles one way
✮ Mesabi Trail - 135-miles one way
✮ Willard Munger State Trail - 70-miles one way
Central Minnesota (including Bloomington, Brainerd, Minneapolis, and St. Paul)
✮ Dakota Rail Regional Trail - 26-miles one way from Wayzata to Lester Prairie
✮ Lake Wobegon Trail - 66-miles one way
✮ Luce Line Trail - 73-miles one way
✮ Paul Bunyan State Trail - 119-miles one way; 100% paved; often considered one of the best rail trails in the U.S.
✮ Willard Munger State Trail - 70-miles one way
Southern Minnesota
✮ Cannon Valley Trail - 20-miles one way
✮ Root River State Trail - 42-miles one way
For detailed information on all known rail trails in Minnesota, visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website.
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BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN MINNESOTA
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There are a few notable amusement parks in Minnesota. These amusement parks are generally considered the best in Minnesota:
✮ Bunker Beach Water Park, Coon Rapids
✮ Cascade Bay Waterpark, Eagan
✮ Como Town Amusement Park, St. Paul
✮ Nickelodeon Universe, Mall of America, Bloomington
✮ Valleyfair, Shakopee
✮ Wild Mountain, Taylors Falls
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BEST MUSEUMS IN MINNESOTA
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Minnesota has a nice assortment of museums. Here is a list of many of the best museums in Minnesota:
Northeastern Minnesota (including Duluth, Ely, Grand Marais, Grand Portage, International Falls, and the Boundary Waters region)
✮ Glensheen - The Historic Congdon Estate, Duluth
✮ Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, Duluth
✮ Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth
Central Minnesota (including Bloomington, Brainerd, Minneapolis, and St. Paul)
✮ Historic Fort Snelling, St. Paul
✮ Mill City Museum, The, Minneapolis
✮ Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis
✮ Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul
✮ Minnesota History Center, St. Paul
✮ Paisley Park, Chanhassen
✮ Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul
✮ Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis
Southern Minnesota
✮ Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Winona
✮ SPAM Museum & Visitor Center, Austin
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BEST DAY HIKES IN MINNESOTA
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Minnesota has lots of great hiking trails, many of which are either embedded within its state park system or located within Superior National Forest. Here are some of the best day hikes in Minnesota:
Northwestern Minnesota (including Bemidji)
✮ Itasca State Park trails
Northeastern Minnesota (including Duluth, Ely, Grand Marais, Grand Portage, International Falls, and the Boundary Waters region)
✮ Bean and Bear Lake Loop, Tettegouche State Park
✮ Cascade River State Park trails
✮ Devil's Kettle, Judge C.R. Magney State Park
✮ Eagle Mountain, Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area - this is the Minnesota state highpoint
✮ Gooseberry Falls State Park trails - includes Fifth Falls and Lower, Middle, and Upper Gooseberry Falls
✮ Grand Portage State Park trails
✮ High Falls, Baptism River, Tettegouche State Park
✮ Oberg Mountain Loop, Superior National Forest
✮ Pincushion Mountain, Superior National Forest
✮ Shovel Point, Tettegouche State Park
✮ Split Rock Lighthouse State Park trails
✮ Temperance River State Park trails
Central Minnesota (including Bloomington, Brainerd, Minneapolis, and St. Paul)
✮ Minnehaha Falls, Minnehaha Park, Minneapolis
✮ Sibley State Park Observation Tower
Southern Minnesota
✮ Barn Bluff, He Mni Can-Barn Bluff Regional Park, Red Wing
✮ Blue Mounds State Park trails
✮ Great River Bluffs State Park trails
The highpoint of Minnesota is Eagle Mountain (2,301'), located in the northeastern corner of the state near Grand Marais. Reaching the top requires a moderately challenging hike.
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BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN MINNESOTA
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Minnesota offers many great backpacking opportunities. Some of premier backpacking trails/areas in Minnesota include:
✮ Chippewa National Forest - various trails in this national forest offer backpacking opportunities
✮ Itasca State Park
✮ Maplewood State Park
✮ Myre-Big Island State Park
✮ Pow Wow Trail, Boundary Waters Wilderness Area
✮ Sioux Hustler Trail, Boundary Waters Wilderness Area
✮ Snowbank Lake Trail, Boundary Waters Wilderness Area
✮ Superior Hiking Trail (SHT)
✮ Superior National Forest - various trails in this national forest offer backpacking opportunities
✮ Wild River State Park
The website of the Minnesota State Park system shows which state parks offer remote camping/backpacking opportunities.
The Minnesota Camp Guide website is also an excellent resource for backpacking in Minnesota.
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CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN MINNESOTA
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Minnesota offers many outdoor adventures, including these classics:
✮ Backpacking in Chippewa National Forest
✮ Backpacking the Superior Hiking Trail
✮ Backpacking in Superior National Forest
✮ Bouldering in Blue Mounds State Park
✮ Bouldering in/around Duluth
✮ Bouldering in Interstate State Park
✮ Bouldering in Sandstone
✮ Canoeing/kayaking in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Cannon River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Minnesota River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Mississippi River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Otter Tail River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the Red Lake River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the St. Croix River
✮ Canoeing/kayaking the St. Louis River
✮ Cycling the Greenway of Greater Grand Forks
✮ Cycling the Midtown Greenway
✮ Cycling the Paul Bunyan State Trail
✮ Dog-sledding in Ely
✮ Ice climbing at Casket Quarry Park
✮ Ice climbing at Robinson Park (aka Sandstone)
✮ Ice climbing at the Winona Ice Climbing Park
✮ Mountain biking the Britton Peak Mountain Biking Trails
✮ Mountain biking at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
✮ Mountain biking the Duluth Traverse
✮ Mountain biking in Jay Cooke State Park
✮ Mountain biking at Spirit Mountain
✮ Rock climbing in Blue Mounds State Park
✮ Rock climbing in Interstate State Park
✮ Rock climbing at Palisade Head
✮ Rock climbing in Red Wing/Barn Bluff
✮ Rock climbing in Sandstone
✮ Rock climbing at Tettegouche State Park
✮ Skydiving in Baldwin, Luverne, Superior, or Winsted
✮ Snowmobiling on some of Minnesota's 22,000+ miles of snowmobiling trails
✮ Tubing the Cannon River
✮ Tubing the Otter Tail River
✮ Tubing the Platte River
✮ Tubing the Red Lake River
✮ Tubing the Root River
✮ Tubing the Rum River
✮ Tubing the Zumbro River
✮ Whitewater rafting the St. Louis River
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There are more than a dozen ski resorts in Minnesota. These ski resorts are generally considered the best in the state:
Premier Ski/Snowboard Resorts:
✮ Giants Ridge - 35 trails; 500ft vertical drop; 1,972ft summit
✮ Lutsen Mountain - 92 trails; 825ft vertical drop; 1,488 summit
Other Notable Ski/Snowboard Resorts:
✮ Afton Alps
✮ Spirit Mountain
✮ Welch Village
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UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN MINNESOTA
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Here are some unique / specialty foods to try while you are in Minnesota:
✮ cheese curds
✮ cinnamon rolls
✮ jucy lucy
✮ lefse
✮ lutefisk
✮ polish sausage
✮ salted nut roll
✮ smoked fish
✮ spam
✮ sour cream raisin pie
✮ strawberry rhubarb pie
✮ Swedish meatballs
✮ tater tot hot dish
✮ walleye
✮ wild rice
For a list of unique foods and mom-and-pop type eateries and restaurants in Minnesota (or any other U.S. state), visit the Roadfood.com website.
For a list of unique foods to try in each of the 50 U.S. states, click here.
For a list of the top-rated beers to try in Minnesota (or any other U.S. state), visit the Beer Advocate website.
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OTHER KEY MINNESOTA INFORMATION
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Here is some helpful key information about Minnesota:
State Capital:
St. Paul
Major Airports:
Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
Largest Cities:
Minneapolis (439,430), St. Paul (316,819), Rochester (124,321), Bloomington (91,405), Brooklyn Park (88,618), Duluth (86,783)
Primary U.S. Interstates:
I-35, I-90, I-94
State Highpoint:
Eagle Mountain (2,301') in northeast Minnesota; a moderately difficult hike is required to reach the top
Professional Sports Teams:
MLB: Minnesota Twins
NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves
NFL: Minnesota Vikings
NHL: Minnesota Wild
WNBA: Minnesota Lynx
Funny or Unique Town/City Names:
Embarrass, Fertile, Ham Lake, Kiester, Nowthen, and Twig
Take note that in general this travel guide intentionally excluded restaurants, lodging/hotels, breweries, wineries/vineyards, and certain other types of attractions (like arcades, ax-throwing, bowling alleys, and escape rooms). These types of places tend to come and go, and keeping up with that would be too challenging. I encourage you to use Google Maps, Tripadvisor, Yelp, and other travel sites that have reader reviews to find the latest and greatest places that I haven't covered here.
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Big Fish Supper Club in Bena, Minnesota
Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth, Minnesota
Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bob Dylan mural in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota
Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota
Hull Rust Mine in Hibbing, Minnesota
lupines on the North Shore of Minnesota
Jolly Green Giant statue off I-90 (exit 119) in Blue Earth, Minnesota
Huge Kid Reading a Book in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota
Minnesota's Largest Candy Store in Jordan, Minnesota
Otto the Big Otter in Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Ox in Bemidji, Minnesota
Pierre the Pantless Voyageur in Two Harbors, Minnesota
SPAM Museum in Austin, Minnesota
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Minnesota
Huge Iron Man Statue in Chisholm, Minnesota
World's Largest Booming Prairie Chicken in Rothsay, Minnesota
World's Largest Free-Standing Hockey Stick in Eveleth, Minnesota
World's Largest Turkey in Frazee, Minnesota
In addition to the information found on my website, I personally recommend purchasing these road trip/travel-related guidebooks. Click on any book cover to read reviews and/or purchase these books on Amazon.com.
 
 
 
 
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MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES
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Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:
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As an Amazon Associates affiliate, this website contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase any products after clicking any Amazon.com link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. I only endorse products that I have personally used or those that come highly recommended by trusted peers.
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