16 Incredible Places You Must Visit in Minnesota

I was born and raised in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, so I’ve got a lot of love for my home state of Minnesota. Having moved abroad nearly a decade ago, I don’t spend as much time in MN now. There are so many iconic spots to visit around the state, and I consider myself lucky to have visited so many of them. Here are the most amazing places you can’t miss in Minnesota!

The Best Places to Visit in Minnesota

Twin Cities: Minneapolis and St. Paul

Of course, I have to start off this post with my hometown of Minneapolis (sorry St. Paul, I’m always going to biased). The Twin Cities will likely be your starting point for any trip to Minnesota, and there is simply so much to see and do here. Explore the Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha Falls, and walk across Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, and visit landmarks like the Capitol Building and the Cathedral of St. Paul before shopping on Grand Avenue in St. Paul.

Whether you have a weekend, a week, or even longer, you won’t be bored here. With history, culture, access to nature, and so much good food, be sure to spend time in the Twin Cities. Oh, and don’t miss the Great Minnesota Get-Together, the State Fair!

Boundary Waters

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one of the most unique and special places in the state. Located in the far north of Minnesota, part of the BWCAW forms the border with Canada. This is a beautiful, untrammeled wilderness – there are no roads here, the only way to get around is by paddling the lakes and rivers. An adventure here requires a lot more planning and effort than a normal trip. Permits are required for overnight visits, and get snapped up quickly for the busy summer months. But it’s so worth it. I’m so grateful that I was raised on annual canoe trips in the Boundary Waters, and feel so lucky that I got to experience the area again as an adult on my last trip back. Listening to the loon calls over a peaceful, still lake as the sun sets can’t be beat.

Itasca State Park

Minnesota has 64 state parks, but there’s one you simply can’t miss: Itasca State Park. Lake Itasca is the headwaters of the Mississippi River, which goes on an epic journey through the whole country before emptying in the Gulf of Mexico. You can walk across the stepping stones at the very start of the river – a one-of-a-kind experience you’ll only have in Minnesota!

North Shore

I feel like I’m cheating a bit with this one, as the North Shore is a vast area (it’s almost 150 miles from Duluth to Grand Portage) with so much to see and do as you soak up the unforgettable scenery along Lake Superior. Essential stops are Betty’s Pies, Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Palisade Head, Tettegouche Falls, Grand Marais, and Grand Portage. You could blast up here in a day, but you should really spend two to three days minimum exploring here.

Tobie’s Restaurant and Bakery

I feel like I’m doing Hinckley a disservice by only mentioning Tobie’s. But when it comes to iconic places in Minnesota, Tobie’s takes the cake – literally. This popular restaurant and bakery always signals a trip “up north” for me, and I don’t think I’ve ever driven through without stopping for a cinnamon roll. Factor a stop here into your road trip, you can thank me later.

Duluth

Duluth is located on Lake Superior, and is the perfect gateway for exploring more of northern Minnesota. Soak up the sights at Canal Park and the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge, enjoy the views from Enger Tower, try a beer at one of the many craft breweries, wander through the glamorous rooms of the historic Glensheen Mansion, and finish it all off with a milkshake from Portland Malt Shoppe. There’s a lot to do here – it makes a great weekend break.

Mall of America

The Mall of America, located in Bloomington close to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, is the largest shopping mall in the country. There are over 520 stores here, covering 5.6 million square feet, and as a bonus there’s a theme park inside. Nickelodeon Universe (formerly known as Camp Snoopy) has 26 different rides to experience – my favorite is still the Log Chute. If you’re visiting the Twin Cities, you have to make a pilgrimage here.

Valleyfair

Valleyfair is the largest amusement park not just in Minnesota, but in the Upper Midwest. I have so many great memories here as a kid, and have been back at least once as an adult for a day of fun in the sun! Whether you want to ride Wild Thing – the tallest rollercoaster in the park – drop through the air on Power Tower, or get soaked on the Wave, Valleyfair is a great day out. My middle school did field trips here on the last day of school and it was so much fun!

Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs is the only national park in the state of Minnesota. It’s located in the very north of the state, and parts of the park form the border with Canada. This is a prime destination for living lake life, either by paddling around the lakes or taking a trip on a houseboat. It’s also an International Dark Sky Park, with superb opportunities for stargazing. Visit at the right time of year and you might even see the northern lights!

Interstate State Park

Interstate State Park is located just outside Taylors Falls, across the St. Croix River from Wisconsin (which, confusingly, also has its own Interstate State Park). This is an easy day trip from the Twin Cities, with unique geology – be sure to walk along the Glacial Potholes trail. I loved the view of the river from the River Trail. It was beautiful even in winter!

Stillwater

The charming town of Stillwater is known as the Historic Birthplace of Minnesota, due to the location of a territorial convention in 1848 that started the process of establishing the state of Minnesota. Walk along the pretty St. Croix River, see the Lift Bridge – which was built in 1931 – and explore historic architecture like the Warden’s House and the Historic Courthouse.

Mystery Cave

Mystery Cave, located in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, is the longest cave in Minnesota. It was discovered in 1937, and encompasses 13 miles of subterranean passageways. Between May and September, you can book a cave tour to go underground and see the stalagmites, stalactites, and pools of water.

New Ulm

For a funky German getaway in the heart of southern Minnesota, head to New Ulm. There are plenty of quirky nods to the town’s German heritage, like the Hermann Monument, the Glockenspiel, and Kaiserhoff restaurant. But the top reason is to visit the brewery of my favorite beer in the world: Schell’s Brewery. I was thrilled to tick a major item off my bucket list and sample a Grain Belt Nordeast straight from the source here.

Blue Mounds State Park

If you want to see bison in the wild in Minnesota, Blue Mounds State Park is a top pick (Minneopa State Park near Mankato is the other option). Head out to the observation deck where you’ll usually see the herd, or take a Prairie and Bison Tour with a ranger. There are also some great hikes here to see the Sioux quartzite cliffs, like the 3-mile Mound Loop Trail.

Bear Head Lake State Park

I spent many summers during my childhood at the group campsite at Bear Head Lake State Park, and it’s such a stunning part of Minnesota to explore. It gives a peaceful North Woods, Boundary Waters vibe, without as much work as a trip to the Boundary Waters entails. The lake is perfect for swimming and paddling, with many different bays and inlets to explore. The park is also great in winter for cross-country skiing.

Mille Lacs Lake

Mille Lacs Lake is the second-largest inland lake in Minnesota, and is a popular vacation spot for getting out on the water. Whether you want to fish, swim, paddle, or boat, there’s plenty to do here, and so many resorts around the lake to choose from. Don’t miss a stop at the Big Walleye in Garrison! Mille Lacs Lake is in the Brainerd Lakes area, just east of Brainerd.

Planning Your Trip to Minnesota

Minnesota is located “in the middle, at the top” of the US, as I always tell people when I explain where I’m from. We get extremely cold temps and lots of snow in winter! The major airport, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, is the best mega airport in North America – I use Skyscanner to find the best flight details. The airport has easy access to the Mall of America and downtown Minneapolis with the Light Rail (Blue Line). While you can certainly get around the cities using public transport, you’ll need a car to explore much of the rest of the state. For remote locations like the Boundary Waters, there are no roads – access is only by watercraft.

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Where to Stay in Minnesota

There are so many superb places to stay around the North Star State, so you’ll find plenty of options to suit every budget. Here are a few recommendations of where to stay in Minnesota.

Minneapolis: Moxy Minneapolis Downtown – a modern and chic property in the heart of downtown, with an on-site bar and fitness center
Minneapolis: Hewing Hotel – one of the most luxe hotels in the state, the Hewing Hotel has a rooftop pool, sleek rooms, and a Scandi-inspired restaurant
St. Paul: Celeste of St. Paul– elegant, stylish rooms with a period flair in downtown St. Paul
Duluth: Park Point Marina Inn – a comfortable base for exploring Duluth with an indoor pool – some rooms have views of the harbor
Grand Marais: East Bay Suites – units ranging in size from studio to three-bed, all with kitchenettes, close to Artist’s Point in Grand Marais

Minnesota is my home state, so of course I’m biased – but this is such a special place. The landscapes and scenery here are magnificent, with so many options for adventures in the great outdoors. Add in the vibrant cities, charming small towns, and landmark attractions, offer visitors even more diversity! Even after living here for 24 years, I’m still finding new places to visit as an adult. I hope this post helps planning your trip to Minnesota!

Have you visited Minnesota? What were your favorite places?

You might also like my posts:

The Top 25 Things to Do in Minneapolis

The Top 20 Things to Do in St. Paul

Amazing Places to Visit Up North in Minnesota

Planning Your Trip to the Boundary Waters: What to Know & Top Packing Tips

A Guide for Your North Shore Road Trip

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