Officially called the land of 10,000 lakes, there are several things to do in Minnesota. Located in the mid-west of the USA, Minnesota holds the remarkable achievement of being picturesque and industrialized. Minnesota prides itself on being the birthplace of the Mississippi River.
Minnesota is called The “North Star State” as it is the northernmost state in the United States. It is called the star of the north, represented in French as ‘L’Étoile du Nord,’ which is the only state with its motto in French. The name was coined by Henry Hasting Sibley in 1861. The capital of Minnesota is the twin cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
The Minnesota attractions are diverse in their cultural activities, wilderness, and nature trails. It shares a border with South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and the Canadian border. The state shares a 547-mile border with Canada at the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario with eighth bridge crossings.
The Baudette – Rainy River border is the fourth busiest entry crossing into the state. As a tourist, there are several things to do in Minnesota.
1. The Geographical Location of Minnesota
Bordered on the north by Canada, Lake Superior, and Wisconsin towards the east, The Dakotas in the west, and Iowa in the South, Minnesota has been nicknamed the North Star state. Lake Superior, which shares its border with Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin, is the largest freshwater body in the world.
Hence, Lake Superior is popularly called the Great Lakes of North America. The Mississippi River flows through Minnesota. Thus, the geographical location offers many things to do in Minnesota. The geographical location contributes to the Minnesota attractions.
2. A Mid-summer Night Under a Minnesota sky
Would you want to experience a camp night out under the glory of a Minnesota sky? In contrast to a summer day adorned with lovely green prairies with a jeweled blue sky, the night sky is truly a dark velvet with glistened with glitters called stars.
It is so beautiful that it wills a poet in us. Moving a little away from the city lights to cut the ambient light to star gaze. This is one of the most fascinating things to do in Minnesota.
2.1. Stargazing is the Prime Thing to Do in Minnesota
For your Stargazing activity, you look for certain criteria such as a summer night, darker and quieter, and less noisy. Since it is summer, the night is short, with the sun rising at 5.30 am and setting at 9 pm. So, to look at your favorite constellations, you have a dark, velvety sky from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. In this setting, you can view Jupiter and Venus far away in the twilight.
Now, we move into a night so dark but not black as the constellation of stars shines on us. Under the shining stars, if you are lucky, you can see a stray deer stotting or a lonely owl hooting. A day out with nature is one of the best Minnesota attractions.
2.2. Spotting the Constellation
With your friends as eager as you to trace the constellations of Aquila, Cygnus, and Lyra, spot the summer triangle designed by Deneb, Vega, and Altair. Walking through this constellation from the Big Dipper is truly a night well spent.
3. Minnesota and Nature
Nature lovers, with its 10,000 lakes, rivers, falls, and prairies— Minnesota has something to offer everyone, from children to the elderly.
3.1. Split Rock Lighthouse
The North Shore Scenic Drive in its journey has the popular split rock lighthouse and is one of the most iconic tourist destinations and is one the must things to do in Minnesota. The Split Rock Lighthouse has a story behind its construction. Apparently, during the Maatafa Storm, about 29 ships were damaged. For the safety of ships, the split rock lighthouse was built in 1905.
As a tradition, the third-order lens of the Split Rock Lighthouse has ignited as a tribute to the carrier with twenty-nine crew members who lost their lives in 1975 and has been an all-important thing to do in Minnesota.
Designed by Ralph Russell Tinkham, the split rock lighthouse is a 54 -54-foot-tall lighthouse with a 240-pound weight working on a clockwork mechanism that flashes light every 10 seconds.
3.2. Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive
Anyone would love to drive across the ‘All American road‘ also known for its spellbinding courses, as the North Shore Scenic Drive with its spellbinding views, national parks, museums, lighthouse, golf courses, and art galleries along the scenic destination was declared as “All American road” and is considered as one of the top Minnesota attractions. This also includes the scenic rock lighthouse road.
Besides breathtaking views, you will find the attraction worth the trip. The journey will allow us to explore almost eight state parks with wonderfully amazing shoreline restaurants that serve local fish dishes.
This route is popular for its many adventures. You have several choices, from golfing, camping, canoeing, hunting, rock climbing, dog sledding, and many more. The route can be completed in three hours to make the journey if you drive straight through, but its attractions are so many that it would take several days for you to enjoy the route.
3.3. Itasca State Park – The Birth Place of Mississippi River
The second longest river in North America begins its journey from Itasca State Park, winding through 31 states of the United States before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico. Millions of people visit this park to have a view of the birthplace of Mississippi. Close to Itasca is Park Rapids, belonging to Hubbard County, famous for its parks and hiking trails.
It has other attractions, with a park comprising 30,000 acres. Itasca National Park is surrounded by 100 lakes in the neighborhood and is one of the most exciting things to do in Minnesota. It is the ultimate place to enjoy a day of outdoor activities.
Itasca State Park and the fall season are relatable as the district takes different hues- golden, red, purple, and blue. It takes all shades of the golden rainbow, and thousands of people drive into Itasca to capture this beauty.
4. Hiking Trails
The Superior trails run 211 miles in Northern Minnesota, a beauty for hiking, and during summer, people gather to enjoy the sun, wind, and nature. It is the ultimate paradise for an outdoor person trekking around, exercising in a scenic ambiance, and encountering adventures along the trail.
The quiet Minnesotan countryside ambiance has a calming effect on us and is a break from your busy schedule. You can pack a picnic and, along the way, enjoy a snack in the wilderness. Most of the trails are equipped with basic amenities such as water and restrooms—a true sense of peace befalls us with adventure activities and fresh air missing in your metropolis.
4.1.Boundary Water Canoe and Camping Area
If you are someone who appreciates unbound wilderness, then Boundary Water Canoe and Camping Areas ( BWCA) is a place to visit. You can unplug yourself from the metropolis and go on their popular 3-day canoe journey and camping trip.
At BWCA, a true sense of peace will prevail, and your adventure in the fresh air will make your vacation unforgettable. You don’t need to own a canoe, as there are numerous rent-outs. Summer camping during Labor weekend, with an intense canoeing session and a stop at Gooseberry Falls, will make anybody’s vacation perfect.
Another attraction is a visit to Gooseberry Falls during fall when the leaves shine in different hues. The Gooseberry waterfall is stunning – tall, roaring, majestic, and surrounded by trees that are covered in autumn foliage, and there are many hiking paths and outdoor activities available.
4.2.Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park is a national park in Minnesota rich with serene wetlands, pine trees, and tranquil lakes. With its many waterways and interconnecting lakes, you must experience your way of cruising through the lakes.
Voyageurs National Park is one of the best places to explore in Minnesota because it is close to the Canadian border and offers some of the best northern outdoor activities and adventures. Of course, if you enjoy camping, this is a wonderful location for you.
4.3. Tettegouche State Park
A state park along Lake Superior will make your trip memorable with hiking, swimming, and trekking, with an outstanding view of Lake Superior. Tettegouche State Park can be accessed via a ferry across the Turtle River.
On reaching the park, you are lucky to have a unique experience with amazing places to hike in peace and serenity. You can also camp at the Bear Islands before moving to the state park, which would give you an edge in life experience.
4.4.Canoe Area Wilderness
Traveling towards Northern Minnesota to Ely, you have the opportunity to visit the International Wolf Center. The center holds several of the predators, and a day spent understanding these animals is worth your time.
You can also meet the resident wolf pack, which is a major attraction at the International Wolf Center. The other attractions at Ely are canoeing, hiking trails, or spending nights in open space sighting the Aurora Borealis. The International Wolf Center is a major attraction across all states.
4.5. The Iron Range
Minnesota has an Iron Range with iron ore mining. The Range looks scenic on the Northshore of Lake Superior. Lakes and forests surround the mining range.
The Iron Range is a wonderful place for several outdoor activities. You have the opportunity to camp or fish with your friends, go on hiking trails, or snowmobiling. With several state parks around the Iron Range, you can put this on your bucket list.
4.6. Superior National Forest
As the eighth most visited place in the USA, the Superior National Forest serves people with its remoteness and the most popular Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. It is a habitat for eagles, deer, gray wolves, black bears, and other animals.
5. Fishing
With its 10.00 lakes, are you surprised that Minnesota is a paradise for the best fishing in the USA? In addition to the Mississippi River and Lake Superior, this state can afford to consider fishing as its primary occupation.
Being close to Northpole, walleye, and northern pike is the biggest catch. All fishing grounds rent fishing supplies, and it is a great vacation to check into the fishing lodges and spend a great time with your friends and family. The Mississippi river has its splendor options for fishing.
6. Minnesotan Winter
We cannot speak about Minnesoats without discussing its winter. Long, cold winters run from December to March. With sub-zero temperatures, intense snowfall, and frozen lakes, it is a beauty that holds us enthralled. It’s a dream for all winter sports lovers.
6.1 Cross-country Skiing
There is a huge number of winter sports that can be listed as things to do in Minnesota, such as cross-country skiing, fat biking, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Minnesota offers around 22,000 miles of trails for snowmobiling, and a skiing trail through Minnesota’s snowbound landscape offers a panorama of lakes, rivers, and forests.
6.2.Winter Carnivals
What is a snowbound Minnesota without enjoying its winter carnivals and winter festival? When you enter northwest Minnesota, Polar Fest offers you frozen fun to suit everyone at the Detroit lakes.
An assembly of the ice throne lit with illuminated lights and lots of fun activities. You also have the choice to attend the oldest winter festival at Saint Paul Winter Carnival to see the ice sculptures, with parades and music, which transforms the place into a winter wonderland. Winter Carnival is a festive celebration and one of the important things to do in Minnesota.
6.3. Lutsen Stands Tall in a Praire Land
A mountain in Minnesota is surprising, isn’t it? Midwest, and amid the prairie land stands Lutsen Mountains, which has the distinction of being the only true mountain ski experience of the mid-west. Facing Lake Superior, a range of four interconnected peaks, is a skier’s delight. Luten offers all kinds of vacations – from family holidays to romantic getaways.
How can it not draw tourists up there, standing tall at 1088 feet with 92 trails, and given that no other location in the Midwest offers the experience that Luten Holiday offers? Spread across four peaks on the Sawtooth Mountains, the skill trails wind through dense forest before plummeting to a snow-covered valley, view of the snow-covered peaks and hiding a creek – a picturesque dream.
A gondola tram lifts you to the highlands before you can reach the destination, skiing towards the valley with pines and bushes.
A scenic view from the Lutsen is the Superior National Forest painted with its vegetation of birch and pine extending to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, moving further to the boundaries of Canada. The other view comes from the serene Lake Superior with its clear blue sky.
6.4. Ice fishing
If you love this activity, Minnesota is your destination. You can fish out big bluegill, crappies, perch, walleye, and northern pike. Some of the best lakes are Leech, the Lake of Woods, Red Lake, and Lake Winnibigoshish, which are some of the best fishing spots in winter.
Ice traps called “tip-ups” or a jigging rod with bait and pushing the bait through a hole drilled in the ice are the traditional ways of fishing. But remember, you need a lot of patience and tolerance for cold.
If you have done ice fishing earlier, mark it down as one of the things to do in Minnesota
6.5 . Snowmobiling
What do you expect in a place famous for its long and cold winters? With Minnesota’s long winters and large amounts of snowfall, it’s no surprise that snowmobiling is a popular activity in the state. There are over 25,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in Minnesota, making it the largest snowmobiling trail system in the United States.
Most of the trails are located in the northern part of the state, where there is more snowfall and longer winters. However, there are also some trails in the southern part of the state that are open for snowmobiling.
To snowmobile in Minnesota, riders need to have a valid driver’s license and must register their snowmobile with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Riders also need to purchase a trail permit, which allows them to use the groomed trails.
7. The Minnesota Renaissance Fair
A festival full of excitement, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival is captivating, to say the least, and the whole family will enjoy it. In this fair, you dress up in a Renaissance era, and hence, it feels like time travel to the past. The festive feels more like a European event, with people walking around in medieval attire and fantasy outfits.
At this festival, there are lots of activities and sights for visitors of all ages to enjoy, such as witnessing a jousting match or competing in an archery competition. The Minnesota Renaissance Fair has been taking place annually in Shakopee, Minnesota, since 1982.
8. The Capital City of Minnesota
The popular twin cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis are the capital of Minnesota. The city offers interesting recreation that is a must for people around the world. The city prides itself on the Mississippi river flowing through the metropolis.
8.1.The Twin Cities of Minneapolis – Saint Paul
Separated by the Mississippi river Minneapolis -Saint Paul stands as one of the most flourishing state capital of the USA. It is one of the metropolises where rivers flow through, and a lake with hiking trails attracts tourists.
The twin cities, Minneapolis-Saint Paul, wind through lakes, creeks, and, of course, the Majestic Mississippi River, and this makes the twin cities proud of the country.
8.2.National Historical Landmarks
If you are looking for things to do in Minnesota, one choice is to visit the historical landmarks. Minneapolis-Saint Paul is a resident of several national historical landmarks such as Christ Church, Fort Snelling, James J. Hill House, F. Scott Fitzgerald House, and many more.
8.3.The Minneapolis Institute of Art
The museum is a gallery with an incredible collection of modern art. It has one of the largest collections of 20th-century from Asia, Africa, and pre-Columbian art. The museum is free to the public and is accessible by public transport as it is in the heart of the twin cities, Minneapolis.
They have a huge collection, from educational displays to works by legends like Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Renoir, and Monet.
A major attraction is the bronze sculpture of two elephants designed on the original Hadrian sculpture in ancient Rome. The museum also resides numerous other sculptures and drawings, including Rodi’s well-known sketch of what would later become “Rodin’s Thinker.”
8.4. Minnesota State Capitol
The Minnesota State Capitol, located at Saint Paul, one of the twin cities, is a must-visit when you are in the Twin Cities. The entry is free, and you can understand the culture and growth of Minnesota and take a tour of the Supreme Court Chambers.
Inside the State Capitol, you must have a look at the “L’Étoile du Nord” in the lobby of the main rotunda of the Minnesota State Capitol. You should definitely put the State Capitol as one of the things to do in Minnesota.
8.5. Minnehaha Falls and Minnehaha Regional Park
To find within the metropolis, a place to relax and rest is the Minnehaha Falls located in the Minnehaha Par, which is popular with almost eight lakh visitors per annum. It has various fun activities from hiking and biking trails and a disc golf course.
The Minnehaha Regional Park is home to this spectacular 53-foot waterfall, river overlooks, and limestone cliffs. With a dense population of people visiting the park, it is one of the most popular destinations in Minneapolis suburbs. It is also considered to be one of the most popular photogenic locations. It has the popularity of being one of the best city waterfalls in the USA. This recreation with the metropolis is a good weekend thing to do in Minnesota.
It is always convenient to have a serene place in the hub of the metropolis to relax and enjoy nature. The park is filled with trees such as oak, silver maple, elm, Hackberry, and basswood trees.
8.6. Como park Zoo conservatory
Located in Saint Paul, the Como Park Zoo Conservatory has several attractions, such as a zoo amusement park and carousel for children, and a conservatory, golf course, and pool for adults. Como Park Zoo is 300 acres of land with 2.3 miles of hiking trails. The art conservatory at Como Park Zoo is visited by several art lovers around the year.
8.7 Shopping Paradise at Mall of America
There lurks in each of us, the carving for shopping. You can appetize your carvings at the Mall of America in the twin cities of Minneapolis, especially for young adults. Mall of America is not a must only for shopaholics but for everyone with the indoor amusement park. On a Wintery day, the things to do in Minnesota would be a day at the Mall of America.
Malls may not be a vacation for many, but this one in Minneapolis is unique of its kind, and it carries the reputation of being one of the first indoor malls in America. It is especially convenient when the weather is inconvenient, and you need to spend time with your family, then the destination is the Mall of America.
Mall of America comes with several interesting features, from a chapel, bar, several restaurants, go-carts, indoor amusement parks, and other attractions.
8.8. Minnesota Zoo
Look no further than the Minnesota Zoo, with its amazing collection of animals. It is very different from a traditional zoo. The zoo lets us explore animals such as lynxes, wolves, and bears that are native to Minnesota. The range of animals that the children get to see makes it one of the best places in Minnesota for children.
The Minnesota Zoo lets you rent a bike to pedal across the zoo, letting you explore the zoo at your own pace and choice. The zoo is built with a view such that the animals are habituated in their natural environment.
Lately, they have added new attractions such as the Barnum cafe for good food and also a Farm where children can wander and interact with domestic animals, making it a different experience in Minnesota. The farm has a display of pigs, goats, and chickens. At a 20-minute drive from Minneapolis, it is the best urban entertainment for the entire family. This entertainment is another important thing to do in Minnesota with your family.
8.9. Resident to Major Corporations
Since Minnesota has major corporations such as 3M, General Mills, Land O’Lakes, Target, and United Health Group, it has become a popular destination and economically viable state. All the companies have their headquarters in Minnesota, and this increases the footfall in the state. These companies promote and sponsor a lot of activities in the state, making it interesting and a must to visit the place.
Bottom line
There are several things to do in Minnesota, a land with beautiful lakes, twiddling rivers, and the amazing Mississippi River. The innumerable trails and prairies make Minnesota a land to be explored. Itasca, the birthplace of the Mississippi river, is another feather on the state’s cap. With the number of attractions that the state offers, you are never to run out of things to do in Minnesota.
Last Updated on by Pragya Chakrapani
