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MINNESOTA TRAVEL GUIDE

Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota Paul Bunyan statue in Bemidji, Minnesota mural in Minneapolis, Minnesota
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.

Author/Contributor: Greg Parsons

 OVERVIEW


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.

 TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS IN MINNESOTA


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.

 5-STAR ATTRACTIONS IN MINNESOTA


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:  IA  |  ND  |  SD  |  WI

 BEST TOWNS & CITIES TO VISIT IN MINNESOTA


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.

 WHAT IS MINNESOTA FAMOUS FOR?


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.

 NATIONAL PARKS IN MINNESOTA


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.

 STATE PARKS IN MINNESOTA


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.

 BEST WATERFALLS IN MINNESOTA


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.

 BEST SCENIC DRIVES IN MINNESOTA


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.

 BEST RAIL TRAILS IN MINNESOTA


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.

 BEST AMUSEMENT PARKS IN MINNESOTA


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

 BEST MUSEUMS IN MINNESOTA


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

 BEST DAY HIKES IN MINNESOTA


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.

 BEST BACKPACKING TRIPS IN MINNESOTA


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.

 CLASSIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURES IN MINNESOTA


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

 SKI RESORTS IN MINNESOTA


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

 MINNESOTA TRAVEL TIPS


For offbeat and unique Minnesota attractions, visit one or both of these amazing websites: Atlas Obscura and Roadside America

 UNIQUE / SPECIALTY FOODS TO TRY IN MINNESOTA


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.

 OTHER KEY MINNESOTA INFORMATION


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.

Big Fish Supper Club in Bena, Minnesota
Big Fish Supper Club in Bena, Minnesota

Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth, Minnesota
Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth, Minnesota

Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bob Dylan mural in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Bob Dylan mural in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota
Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota

Mall of America in Bloomington, Minneso
Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota

Hull Rust Mine in Hibbing, Minnesota
Hull Rust Mine in Hibbing, Minnesota

lupines on the North Shore of Minnesota
lupines on the North Shore of Minnesota

Jolly Green Giant statue in Blue Earth, Minnesota
Jolly Green Giant statue off I-90 (exit 119) in Blue Earth, Minnesota

Huge Kid Reading a Book in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
Huge Kid Reading a Book in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota
Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota

Minnesota's Largest Candy Store in Jordan, Minnesota
Minnesota's Largest Candy Store in Jordan, Minnesota

Otto the Big Otter in Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Otto the Big Otter in Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Paul Bunyan and Babe the Ox in Bemidji, Minnesota
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Ox in Bemidji, Minnesota

Pierre the Pantless Voyageur in Two Harbors, Minnesota
Pierre the Pantless Voyageur in Two Harbors, Minnesota

SPAM Museum in Austin, Minnesota
SPAM Museum in Austin, Minnesota

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Minnesota
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Minnesota

Huge Iron Man Statue in Chisholm, Minnesota
Huge Iron Man Statue in Chisholm, Minnesota

World's Largest Booming Prairie Chicken in Rothsay, Minnesota
World's Largest Booming Prairie Chicken in Rothsay, Minnesota

World's Largest Free-Standing Hockey Stick in Eveleth, Minnesota
World's Largest Free-Standing Hockey Stick in Eveleth, Minnesota

World's Largest Turkey in Frazee, Minnesota
World's Largest Turkey in Frazee, Minnesota

 ROAD TRIP GUIDEBOOKS


In addition to the information found on my website, I personally recommend purchasing these road trip/travel-related guidebooks. Click on any link to read reviews and/or purchase these books on Amazon.com (affiliate).

Fodor's Bucket List USA (1st edition; 2021)
Moon USA State by State (1st edition; 2021)
Your Guide to the National Parks (3rd edition; 2022)
Road Trip USA (9th edition; 2021)

 MORE U.S. STATE TRAVEL GUIDES


Did you enjoy this state travel guide? If so, here are links to more of my comprehensive U.S. state travel guides:

Alabama Maryland Oregon
Arizona Massachusetts Pennsylvania
Arkansas Michigan Rhode Island
California Minnesota South Carolina
Colorado Mississippi South Dakota
Connecticut Missouri Tennessee
Delaware Montana Texas
Florida Nebraska Utah
Georgia Nevada Vermont
Idaho New Hampshire Virginia
Illinois New Jersey Washington
Indiana New Mexico Washington DC
Iowa New York West Virginia
Kansas North Carolina Wisconsin
Kentucky North Dakota Wyoming
Louisiana Ohio  
Maine Oklahoma  

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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