Whether you’re a first-time visitor or true blooded native northerner, this ultimate bucket list of fun things to do and fun places to go in Minnesota is for you.
So you’ve decided to visit Minnesota, hooray! Or you’re a Minnesotan looking to make sure you are a true blooded northerner who has in fact seen all of the best that the state has to offer, also hooray! You’ve come to the right place.
Having spent 26 formative years in Minnesota, I feel well-qualified to be your guide on this endeavor. From my annual trips to Itasca State Park to my discoveries of Minneapolis’ culinary scene, I have grown to love Minnesota more every year that passes. My recent move to California has only deepened that love!
Not convinced you should visit Minnesota? Whether you’re exploring the vibrant Twin Cities art and music scene or warming up with a hearty dose of “Minnesota Nice” hospitality up north, this state knows how to keep you entertained, well-fed (hello, State Fair delicacies!), and thoroughly welcomed in each of the 4 seasons. So pack your layers, practice your ‘uff da,’ and discover all that Minnesota has to offer.
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Fun Places to Go in Minnesota: Northern Minnesota
1.Bike the Paul Bunyan trail. Named after the lumberjack of legend, the Paul Bunyan State Trail runs 120 miles between the cities of Brainerd and Bemidji through some of the state’s most scenic lake areas.
2. Cruise down the North Shore on scenic Highway 61. You’ll want to pull over every couple of miles because each view of Lake Superior gets better and better the further north you go.
3. Go skiing (or snowshoeing, if downhill skiing isn’t your jam) in Lutsen. Lutsen gets an average of 10 feet of snowfall per year and is the perfect place to ski in the winter. As a bonus, the lake effect from Lake Superior should keep temperatures from getting too cold.
4. Paddle on one of the lakes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area, home to some of the most pristine fresh water on the planet. The BWCA is one of the best places to visit in Minnesota and one of the state’s greatest treasures. Not sure you’re interested in an overnight trip? Do a guided day trip out of Lutsen.
5. See the Northern Lights in Ely. Considered by many to be the “Aurora Capital of the US” Ely’s pitch black skies and low light pollution make it the perfect destination to try and spot the phenomenon.
6. Attend the Ely Blueberry Arts Festival. Celebrated in late July, this festival showcases local artists, live music, and, of course, plenty of blueberry-themed treats and dishes.
7. Compete in a Turtle Race in Nisswa. Every Wednesday night from June to August, Nisswa turns into a turtle race track. Entrance is $5 per person and sign-up starts at 1pm that day. However, it is against the rules to bring your own turtle, so you’ll want to leave Shelly at home.
8. Walk across the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park. Visit Itasca State Park and see for yourself where the mighty river begins, and walk across the slippery rocks of the headwaters. I’ve done this 15 times in my life and genuinely think Itasca is one of the best places to visit in Minnesota.
9. Visit the Bentleyville “Tour of Lights” in Duluth. Get in the holiday spirit by visiting the small empire of thousands of Christmas lights that transforms into a winter wonderland every year in Duluth. Admission is free.
10. Visit the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth. The Glensheen Mansion was built in 1908 on the shores of Lake Superior. The 39-room estate is stunning to walk through, not to mention that it’s the site of one of Minnesota’s most notorious murders.
11. Spend time hunting for fall colors in Grand Marais. The North Shore explodes into hues of orange, yellow and red during autumn. Grand Marais is one of the best places to visit in Minnesota with its multiple hiking trails that will give the very best views of the autumn spectacle.
12. Skip rocks on Temperance River beach at Temperance River State Park. The state park has beautiful riverside trails to hike along the scenic river gorge.
13. See Split Rock Lighthouse. Minnesota’s most photographed lighthouse was built on a cliff overlooking Lake Superior in 1910. Do a tour of the lighthouse and state park or peak at it from a nearby beach for free.
14. Go whitewater rafting in Cloquet. Raft through a dam-controlled section of the St. Louis River in spring, summer or fall. An adventure not for the faint of heart.
15. Stay overnight on a houseboat in Voyageurs National Park. Rent a houseboat from a local company and tour through the beautiful waters of Rainy Lake. Bonus bucket list item: make sure yours has a slide off the back of the boat.
Fun Places to Go: Central Minnesota
16. Visit Swenson’s Gardens Peony Days, typically held on weekends at the end of May and beginning of June. Swenson Gardens is the largest chemical-free peony grower in the world. Stroll among the beautiful fields of MN’s real official flower IMO. (No hate on the Lady Slipper, they are just so dang hard to find).
17. Visit Munsinger Clemens Gardens in Saint Cloud. Right on the Mississippi River and near the city’s university, the gardens are a botanist’s dream to walk through. The English Garden will make you feel like you’re walking through Kensington Palace.
18. Swim in a former granite mining quarry. Quarry Park and Nature Reserve in Saint Cloud is a cool place to visit in Minnesota. The quarries come alive with swimmers, cliff divers, and floaters alike in the summertime.
19. Grab a sweet treat at the Tip Top Dairy Bar in Osakis. The winner of 2017 WCCO’s Viewers Choice for Best Ice Cream Shop in Minnesota, the Tip Top is a perfect stop if you’re traveling on I-94 towards Fargo.
20. Or stop for a whiskey tasting at the Panther Distillery in Osakis. Panther Distillery is Minnesota’s first (legal, prohibition was an industrious time in MN) craft distillery and see the unmissable grain elevator where they mill the grain for their mash.
21. Fish for Walleye on Lake Mille Lacs. Lake Mille Lacs is a fun place to visit in Minnesota because it’s so big you’ll think you’re at the ocean for a second. Take a half-day or full day tour and try your hand at catching Minnesota’s official state fish.
22. Go ice fishing on Lake Mille Lacs. Fishing is a year round endeavor in Minnesota thanks to the magic of ice augers. Drive your car onto the ice (if the ice is safe to do so), drill a hole, and wait for the fish to come to you. Or hire a local guide to help you out.
23. Pick your own berries. Visit the Strawberry Basket in Monticello just outside of Saint Cloud to pick your own Strawberries in June or Blueberries in July. Bonus bucket list: make a pie or fresh jam with your haul.
24. Go to a drive-in movie theater. The Long Drive-In in Long Prairie plays double headers Thursdays-Sundays in the summertime. Grab your bug spray and your popcorn!
25. Snowshoe at night at a candlelit Minnesota State Park. Charles A. Lindbergh State Park and Lake Carlos State Park both host this event annually, as the DNR hosts these every winter. Full list here. Don’t have your own snowshoes? You can rent them at the parks!
Fun Places to Go in Minnesota: Minneapolis & Saint Paul
26. Take a picture in front of the Cherry Spoon at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden at the Walker Art Center. This is non-negotiable in my opinion, every Minnesotan must do it.
27. Watch the Minnesota Wild play at the Xcel Energy Center. This is the state of hockey, and the area around the Xcel Energy Center is home to some of Saint Paul’s best restaurants and breweries to enjoy before the game.
28. Attend a Minnesota Twins Game at Target Field. It doesn’t matter that they haven’t won a World Series since 1991, Target Field is a great outdoor stadium. Plus, baseball games have gotten much easier to watch with the addition of the pitch clock (I can’t be the only one that thought they were a little long before).
29. Go to Grand Ole Days in Saint Paul on the first Sunday in June. Grand Ave is closed to traffic and transforms into a fair to kick off the summer. After a winter of hibernation, the first taste of fair food is extra sweet.
30. Take a cruise on the Mississippi River through downtown Minneapolis on the Mississippi Queen. Go through the dam locking system that’ll make the Panama Canal seem a lot less interesting after you’ve been here.
31. Go to Art-A-Whirl in Northeast Minneapolis. Held in May every year, Art-A-Whirl showcases over 800 artists at 60+ locations in Northeast and just feels like a huge community block party.
32. Visit the James J. Hill House, the Gilded Age mansion built in the 1800s for the “Empire Builder.” The historical house is Santa’s nightmare with 22 fireplaces and an actual 3-story tall pipe organ.
33. Attend the Great Minnesota Get Together, otherwise known as the Minnesota State Fair. Beginning the Monday two weeks before Labor Day and lasting through the holiday, the MN State Fair is the place to be to say goodbye to summer. Some say that Martha’s Cookies is the go-to stop, but have you seen the DNR Fish Pond?
34. Go to a Big 10 football game! Watch the Minnesota Golden Gophers play at Huntington Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota’s beautiful campus. Peep the skyline from stadium bleachers. Stay until the 4th quarter and do “The Gopher.”
35. Visit a speakeasy in Northeast Minneapolis. Young Joni’s Back Bar is a wood-clad speakeasy with old-fashioned wallpaper, craft cocktails, and upscale bar bites.
36. Tour the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum while on the University of Minnesota campus. This museum offers free admission to its extensive art collection and stunning architecture.
37. Brewery hop in Minneapolis. In Northeast alone the following breweries and cideries are within easy walking distance of each other: Indeed, Bauhaus, Headflyer, Sociable Cider Werks. Or take an all-inclusive organized tour and see breweries all over the city.
38. Eat at Owamni by the Sioux Chef in Minneapolis. This James Beard award winning restaurant overlooks the Mississippi River and specializes in indigenous cuisine with fresh and local ingredients. The trout dip is a must IMO.
39. Attend a Minnesota Vikings Game. The Vikes play at US Bank Stadium in downtown Minneapolis and are known for their now iconic “Skol” chant.
40. Canoe or paddleboard on Lake Harriet. Minneapolis is the City of Lakes and every Minnesotan should spend time on at least one of them. Bonus: during a summer evening, you may catch music in the bandshell. Rent a watercraft right on the lake here.
41. Eat a Jucy Lucy (not a typo). Proceed carefully because this is a contentious topic that can get a Minnesotan riled up. Both Matt’s Bar and The 5-8 Club claim to be the original inventor of the delicious burger stuffed with cheese. Try one or both. (Editor’s note: But definitely try Matt’s.)
42. Visit Minnehaha Falls, a 53-foot waterfall right in the middle of a densely urban area. The falls are beautiful to visit in every season, including the winter when they freeze over and form a towering ice sculpture. The falls are beloved by Minnesotans for good reason, as they are one of the best places to visit in Minnesota.
43. Eat at Hola Arepa, a Latin-inspired eatery by James Beard Award winning chef Christina Nguyen. My recommendation is a craft cocktail (their NA menu is great!) and the yucca fries.
44. Attend a concert at First Ave, the rock venue that has launched musician’s careers since the 1970s. First Ave was integral to Prince’s career and featured in his movie Purple Rain. Don’t miss the iconic star wall of the musicians who have played there.
45. Immerse yourself in global culture at the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis. This international market has stalls selling food and crafts from cultures all around the world.
46. Go to a Timberwolves game at Target Center. The team hasn’t garnered much attention over the last two decades but are now serious playoff contenders with young stars like Anthony Edwards. Awooooo!
47. Attend a Broadway show at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. Minneapolis has the 2nd most theaters oer capita in the US. Each season the Orpheum hosts premier Broadway shows ranging from Hamilton to Mamma Mia. Each show has themed cocktails available related to the specific show you’re attending.
48. Attend the Winter Carnival in Saint Paul. Held from late January to early February annually, this iconic festival features ice sculptures, parades, and lots of winter activities like ice skating and snow sculpting.
49. Have dinner at WA Frost patio in Saint Paul. Their dreamy outdoor patio will remind you of a fairy garden and is one of the best spots to eat in Saint Paul.
50. Visit the Science Museum of Minnesota. I’ve personally been attached to this museum since I slept overnight there on a 5th grade field trip, but even in the absence of that, it’s quite the science museum. Bonus: check out the omnitheater.
51. Attend a Minnesota United FC game at Allianz Field. The Loons are Minnesota’s professional men’s soccer team. Get a ticket in the Wonderwall, the supporters section named for the song they sing after every Loons win, and prepare for lots of singing and chanting and an atmosphere unlike any other in the state.
52. View the Stone Arch Bridge. Enjoy walking near Saint Anthony Falls and view the Stone Arch Bridge (this beloved fixture of the Minneapolis cityline is sadly closed right now for renovations so you cannot walk across it at the moment.)
53. Visit historic Fort Snelling. Built in 1825 at the site where the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers converge, Fort Snelling and the Dakota land it sits on tells the story of Minnesota’s inception and journey to statehood.
54. Go to the Holidazzle Festival in Minneapolis’s Loring Park. This free event running on weekends in December includes rides, local food and art vendors, musical performances, and a firework show.
55. Visit Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul. Take your pick between visiting the zoo and seeing the polar bears or wandering through the conservatory and seeing the stunning flowers and Victorian greenhouse. Or do both. Admission is free.
Fun Places to Go in Minnesota: Greater Twin Cities Metro
56. Visit the birthplace of Minnesota, historic downtown Stillwater. The city of Stillwater actually predates Minneapolis by several years. Its historic downtown right on the St. Croix river is filled with shops, restaurants, bars, and at least 5 bachelorette parties on any given Saturday in the summer. Definitely one of the most fun places to visit in Minnesota.
57. Go apple picking in the fall. Aamodts Apple Farm near Stillwater allows you to pick your own apples, including the University of Minnesota’s very own masterpiece: the Honeycrisp.
58.Visit the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley and walk the newly opened treetop trail. The 1.25 mile long walkway lets you walk 32 feet in the air along the treeline of the zoo.
59. Go to Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee. Being brave enough (and tall enough) to ride the Wild Thing is practically a rite of passage for Minnesota children. With over 75 rides and a full water park, kids and adults alike can easily spend a full day at the park.
60. Check out a local farmer’s market. Each summer into the early fall, many cities in Minnesota host a farmer’s market. Check out some near you for local produce, other culinary delights, and stunning flowers. Find one near you here. (Basic Economy B tip: use them as your wedding bouquet flowers!)
61. Visit one of the largest corn mazes in Minnesota at Sever’s. Running in September and October, Sever’s in Shakopee is home to one of Minnesota’s largest fall festivals, including a corn maze, a corn pit, and a hay bale maze.
62. Tour Prince’s estate, Paisley Park, in Chanhassen. Very few artists, if any, have meant as much to Minnesota as Prince. Known as his home and studio, Paisley Park is now a public museum.
63. Cut down your own Christmas tree. Hansen Free Farm in Anoka has towering pines to walk through, bonfires to warm up by, and hot cider and sausages to warm your belly while you pick the perfect tree and cut it down yourselves. Don’t worry if you’re coming from a distance, they’ll strap the tree on your car for you!
64. Shop ‘til you drop at Mall of America in Bloomington. Visit the largest mall in the United States, home to four stories of shops, an amusement park, a Sealife aquarium, and a Margaritaville, just to name a few key highlights.
65. Go bird watching at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington. It is a 14,000 acre National Wildlife Refuge and is one of only fourteen Regional Priority Urban Wildlife Refuges in the country.
66. Attend Minnesota’s Renaissance Festival aka “Ren Fest” for short. Hosted from the middle of August to the end of September every year in Shakopee, the Renaissance Festival takes you back to a fictional time of old. Enjoy jousting, turkey legs, an artisan market and more. Bonus: get in the spirit of the event and dress in costume!
Fun Places to Go in Minnesota: Southern Minnesota
67. Take the Amtrak train from Minneapolis to Red Wing. The train ride is just under an hour long, and when you arrive in Red Wing you have the option to stroll through their historic downtown, hike through riverways or through the bluffs, or visit the original Red Wing Shoe Store and Museum.
68. Attend the Defeat of Jesse James Days held every September in Northfield. The weekend celebrates the 1876 defeat of the notorious gang by the people of Northfield and involves a parade, a rubber duck race, and more.
69. Visit Schell’s Brewery in New Ulm and take a brewery tour. Schell’s is the second oldest family-owned brewery in the United States. Brewery tours can feel the same after awhile, but this one is one of the most interesting in the state. Spoiler Alert: they have peacocks!
70. While in New Ulm, climb the Hermann Heights Monument. Hermann the German is a 102 foot tall monument that towers over New Ulm. Hermann is known as the father of Germany and was erected as a nod to the large population of German immigrants that settled in the area.
71. See the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Darwin, Minnesota. Stop and marvel at this local wonder enclosed in a glass gazebo across from the town park on Main Street. Or attend “Twine Ball Day” on the second Saturday in August each year.
72. Hike Great Bluffs State Park. Located twenty minutes outside of Winona, the state park is along scenic Highway 61 and has incredible views of the bluffs and the river.
73. Spend a summer day river tubing in Lanesboro on the Root River. There are many local outfitters that will do a pick-up at the end of your tubing; you just have to remember the sunscreen. Stay the night in the town proclaiming to be the Bed & Breakfast Capital of Minnesota.
74. Attend the Rhubarb Festival in Lanesboro, held each year at the beginning of June. Celebrate Minnesota’s favorite tart treat at the town also proclaiming to be the Rhubarb Capital of Minnesota.
75. Visit the Pipestone National Monument in Pipestone, MN. The monument is home of the historic Pipestone quarries, which have been visited for over 3000 years by indigenous people to acquire the red pipestones used to craft pipe bowls for their sacred ceremonial peace pipes.
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