Minnesota
Calling all outdoor travelers who love nature
When the Dakota Indians first came here more than three hundred years ago, they called it “Minnesota,” which means “land of sky-colored water.” Beautiful woods, prairies, and lakes are still all over Minnesota making the state famous for its stunning scenery.
A Map of the Land
The Mighty Mississippi starts in Itasca State Park in a small lake fed by a spring. It flows through Minnesota for 1,126 kilometers before ending in the Gulf of Mexico. Legend has it that people who walk across a stone road across the source of the Mississippi will live long and happily ever after. As you drive, ride your bike, or ride your motorbike along the 240-kilometer All-American Road along Lake Superior’s coast, you can enjoy state parks, scenic overlooks, waterfalls, and the Split Rock Lighthouse. You can also hike the North Shore scenic trail. Visit Duluth, a harbor town that is friendly and full of life, with lots of bars and a lively scene on the lake.
Beautiful Outdoors
Minnesota’s past and beauty can be seen at two national monuments and two national park sites. Voyageurs National Park is the only national park in the United States that is on water. It has outdoor activities all year long, from sailing on fancy houseboats in the summer to having fun on sled trails in the winter. The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area covers 115 kilometers of waterfront between Minneapolis and St. Paul. It is a beautiful natural setting in the middle of a busy city. Minnesota’s American Indian and fur-trapping history is kept alive by two national monuments: Grand Portage in the northeastern corner and Pipestone in the southwest corner. When you canoe through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, which has 1,300 lakes and is a protected wilderness area, you feel like one of the first people to explore the state. Also, more than 75 state parks, over 55 state forests, and two national forests offer camping, hiking, biking, and scenic driving for people of all ages and levels of exercise.
Metropolis in the Midwest
There are many shows, museums, and art galleries in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, making it known as an important arts hub. The Walker Art Center is one of the best places in the country to see modern art. It has a beautiful sculpture park with the famous “Spoonbridge and Cherry” sculpture in it. Frank Gehry created the outside of the Weisman Art Museum in stainless steel, which makes it stand out on the University of Minnesota campus. The state’s music scene is famous for making Bob Dylan and Prince famous. Artists with ties to Minnesota are remembered in murals, displays, yearly events, landmarks, and attractions. Paisley Park, where Prince used to live and work, is now open for tours, so don’t miss it. There is a nice mix of energy in this city between award-winning parks and relaxing boat rides on lakes and the Mississippi River. The Mall of America in nearby Bloomington is the hugest shopping and entertainment center in the United States. With more than 520 stores and restaurants, Nickelodeon Universe (the country’s biggest indoor theme park), SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, FlyOver America, and many other things to do and see, it’s fun for people of all ages. Also, Minnesota doesn’t tax shoes or clothes.