The following are some of the distinctive highlights that Minnesota offers as a travel destination. They are among the great travel stories that Minnesota has to tell. In addition to these, check out the featured news ideas for the current year, also on this site.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Packed with Fun Finds
Lonely Planet included the Twin Cities among the top ten U.S. destinations for 2013, and Travel + Leisure named Minneapolis among the hottest travel destinations internationally for 2013. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area has garnered attention for its vibrant music scene, creative chefs, bike-friendly trails, exciting theaters and excellent art museums. Families are drawn to the Twin Cities for its kid-friendly museums, zoos, and amusement parks. This metro area is also noteworthy for its many lakes, parks and greenways. Check out the 2013 travel news on this site for what's new in the Twin Cities this year.

Minnesota Is Where the Mississippi River Gets its Start
More Miles Here Than in Any Other State
The iconic Mississippi River begins as a tiny stream flowing out of a woodland lake in Itasca State Park, in northwestern Minnesota. Visitors can walk across the headwaters in the park. The Mississippi arcs across northern Minnesota, flows south through the heart of Minneapolis-St. Paul, and forms the state's southeast border below tall, wooded bluffs. More than 575 miles of the river wind through Minnesota, more than in any other state. Along the way are several historic sites, scenic parks, museums, charming river towns, bike trails and a cycling route, and the riverfront districts of downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul.
www.mnmississippiriver.com
www.nps.gov/miss
www.mndot.gov/bike

Mall of America: Largest Shopping and Entertainment Complex in U.S.
Located in Bloomington, Mall of America is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the U.S. under one roof, with more than 500 stores, 60 restaurants, 14 movie theaters, Nickelodeon Universe indoor amusement park, Sea Life Aquarium, mini-golf and other attractions. During its 21 years, the mall has been an international shopping destination, drawing 42 million visitors a year. Close to the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport, the Mall is easy to get to from a large number of hotels. In 2013, the first hotel linked to Mall of America by an indoor skyway opened. The upscale, luxury Radisson Blu is a 13-story, 500 room hotel with "an edgy, fashion-forward aesthetic." Recent and upcoming shop openings at the Mall include Swim 'n Sport, Ruum American Kids' Wear, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Victorinox Swiss Army, and Foreign Exchange, featuring clothing inspired by different cultures.
www.mallofamerica.com

Two Natural Treasures Offer Wilderness Experiences:
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park
Along the northern border with Canada, Minnesota has two national treasures. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA) is the only federally-protected canoe area in the country, with more than 1,300 lakes offering canoeing and campsites. This paddle-only area offers an increasingly rare experience, the chance to visit an area almost untouched by civilization. Area outfitters provide visitors with canoes, camping equipment, provisions, and instructions in wilderness camping.
www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior

Voyageurs National Park is the only freshwater-based national park in the United States; boating is the primary method of exploring this park that centers around several large lakes. Tour boats are an easy way to experience the park. There are resorts and campgrounds on the perimeter of the park, and many rent motor boats. Houseboats rentals offer the unique opportunity to explore the park while enjoying the comforts of a floating cabin. Fishing and wildlife watching are two popular activities in the park.
www.nps.gov.voya

Minnesota Offers Excellent Golfing
Golfers in Minnesota enjoy top-notch course designs, affordable green fees, and a season that stretches from spring through fall. Minnesota is the only state to have hosted every one of the 17 championships conducted by the U.S. Golf Association, including the U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. In 2016, Minnesota will host the Ryder Cup, at Hazeltine in Chaska. According to Golf Digest, Minnesota is home to some of the top courses open to the public: The Quarry and The Legend, both at Giants Ridge in Biwabik; The Classic at Madden's Resort, Brainerd; Deacon's Lodge at Breezy Point Resort, near Brainerd; Cragun's Legacy courses, Brainerd; and The Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Tower. All are destination courses with on-site lodging. Several "golf trails" make it easy to explore several courses in the same area.
www.golf.exploreminnesota.com

Eagles, Wolves and Bears the Focus of Three Wildlife Centers
On the banks of the Mississippi River in the southeastern river town of Wabasha, the National Eagle Center showcases the hundreds of migrating and wintering eagles in a sparkling new facility, including four resident eagles which can no longer survive in the wild. The eagle-watching deck has spotting scopes and binoculars for visitors. At Ely, a town in the heart of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, are two other centers dedicated to animals of this region: the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center. Both have exhibits and the opportunity to watch their featured animals in their natural habitats.
www.nationaleaglecenter.org
www.wolf.org
www.bear.org

Numerous Sites Profile Minnesota's Indian Heritage
Minnesota is home to Dakota and Ojibwe, and the history and heritage of these American Indians is the focus at several historic sites and museums. The Pipestone National Monument (in the southeast corner of the state) is the site of quarries that for centuries have been the source of the red stone used for making peace pipes and a variety of tokens. Today, visitors can watch artisans quarry the stone and carve it into pipes and other objects. Also in southern Minnesota, the Jeffers Petroglyphs are ancient stone carvings, messages left behind in the prairie by long-ago peoples. Several sites along the Minnesota River, including the Lower Sioux Agency near Redwood Falls, tell the tragic story of the U.S. Dakota Conflict of 1862. The Mille Lacs Indian Museum, a state historic site near Onamia, focuses on the culture of the local Ojibwe people, as does the Bois Forte Heritage Center near Tower. Grand Portage National Monument at the northeast tip of the state focuses on the era of Indian and voyageur fur trade.
www.exploreminnesota.com/travel-ideas/minnesota-museums-month/discover-minnesotas-ethnic-heritage/index.aspx

Scenic Byways Explore Minnesota

Minnesota has designated more than 2500 miles of roads as scenic byways to help visitors discover the state's wide variety of landscapes: countryside dappled with lakes, the north woods, tumbling waterfalls, ribbons of prairie, rolling bluffs, city parks and winding rivers. The 21 Minnesota Scenic Byways offer plenty of reasons to stop along the way and visit historic sites, art galleries and antique shops, hiking trails, and much more. North Shore Scenic Drive, which travels along the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior, is designated as an All-American Road. Six are National Scenic Byways, including the Great River Road and Grand Rounds – one of only two urban byways in the nation.
www.exploreminnesota.com/where-to-go/scenic-byways/index.aspx

New Science Museum Exhibit Focuses on Mayan Culture
From June 21, 2013 to January 5, 2014, the Science Museum of Minnesota in downtown St. Paul will feature a new exhibit on one of the most complex and advanced civilizations of the ancient world. Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed explores the fascinating social, natural and spiritual realms of the Maya through the eyes of powerful kings and queens and the lesser-known people who were the backbone of Maya society. Displays use authentic artifacts, multimedia components and hands-on activities to tell the story of the ancient Maya and their modern descendants. This is the largest exhibition ever assembled about the ancient Maya.
www.Smm.org

Sculpture Garden Features Art of Mini-Golf
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, adjacent to the Walker Art Center just west of downtown Minneapolis, celebrates its 25th anniversary this summer with a special series of performances, family programs, film screenings and other events from May through September. A highlight will be the highly popular artist-designed mini-golf, last presented in 2008. Two seven-hole courses, with a shared eight hole, feature Garden-themed holes designed by Minnesota architects, artists and designers. Best known among the Sculpture Garden's 40 outdoor art works is the iconic "Spoonbridge and Cherry."
Garden.walkerart.org

Happy Anniversary, Great River Road!
Great River Road, the national route following the iconic Mississippi River, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. So it's the perfect time to explore some or all of the 575 miles of the Mississippi that wind through Minnesota, more miles of the river than in any other state. Here, the Great River Road starts at the headwaters of the river in Itasca State Park, arcs across the north woods and past big lakes, runs through the downtowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and below the soaring bluffs of the southeast. Along the way are many state parks, historic sites and inviting river towns.
www.Mnmississipppiriver.com

New Downhill Mountain Bike Trails Open in Duluth
Two exciting new mountain bike trails open May 23, 2013 at the Adventure Park of the Spirit Mountain Recreation Area in Duluth. Both are designed as downhill only trails, with riders taking a chairlift with their bikes back to the top of the hill for another exhilarating ride down the slope. A 1.5 mile trail, with large berms and jumps, was designed as a trail to learn and develop skills for "gravity-based" mountain biking. The more challenging one-mile trail features large berms, jumps, rocks and a five-foot drop. This type of trail is called a flow trail, because it "flows" downhill with few if any uphill or flat sections. The new trails are a joint effort between the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), Spirit Mountain and local biking club Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores. Another IMBA partnership, with Minnesota State Parks, resulted in the state-of-the art, 25-mile mountain bike network at Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area at Crosby. Several loops of single-track trail were carved into the rocky terrain, circling mine lakes and winding over hills.
www.Spiritmt.com
www.Mndnr.gov/parks

Guthrie Celebrates 50 Years of Great Theater
The Guthrie Theater has been entertaining and inspiring audiences for 50 years, gaining an international reputation for the quality of its productions along the way. The anniversary season features its hallmark mix of dynamic productions of classics and new works by contemporary playwrights. The Guthrie's new three-stage home is an eye-catching landmark on the bank of the Mississippi River near downtown Minneapolis, with three stages. Start your evening at one of the terrific restaurants in this historic mill district, stroll the riverfront, enjoy the scenic view from the Guthrie's cantilevered deck, and of course, sit back and enjoy a play. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area is noteworthy for its concentration of theater companies.
www.Guthrietheater.org

Theater Company Helped Make Rural Village a Destination
The Commonweal Theatre Company was born 25 years ago in the scenic village of Lanesboro in southeastern Minnesota. Since then, its excellent performances have drawn thousands of visitors to this tiny town and brought professional theater to this rural area. Along with the Root River Bike Trail and other grassroots developments, the theater has helped make this once-quiet farming community a tourist destination.
www.Commonwealtheatre.org

Minnesota History Exhibit Focuses on the Civil War
More than 150 years ago, the fledgling state of Minnesota was among the first to offer troops as the Civil War erupted. "Minnesota and the Civil War," an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center in downtown St. Paul, draws on the personal stories of Minnesotans involved in the war, through letters, diaries and memoirs, with numerous artifacts. The Gettysburg Anniversary, July 1-4, will include a re-enactment and military encampment, period music, games and an ice cream social. The exhibit runs through Sept. 8.
www.Mnhs.org

Dinosaurs on the Move at Valleyfair Amusement Park
Thirty animated dinosaurs will liven up the scene at the already lively Valleyfair amusement park in Shakopee, at the southwest edge of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Opening in May 2013, Dinosaurs Alive! includes seven scenes with these prehistoric giants. The new display will feed kids' fascination with dinos. And, oh yes, there are rides! Lots of rides, for the preschool set to the very adventurous among us.
www.Valleyfair.com

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory Feature New Additions
This spring, the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park in St. Paul is opening The Ordway Gardens, an addition that will feature the conservatory's nationally-acclaimed Bonsai collection. The addition also includes a large outdoor terrace with views of the Japanese garden. Both the Japanese garden and the Bonsai collection have been hidden gems at the conservatory, and the new wing and terrace will highlight these features. In addition, at the adjacent zoo, a new exhibit featuring seven gorillas opens June 6.
www.Comozooconservatory.org

Animals of Africa on Display at Minnesota Zoo
The hits just keep on coming at the Minnesota Zoo. Last fall, the Minnesota Trail added black bears, providing up-close views of these north woods creatures. In recent years, the zoo also has added an exhibit with African penguins and another focusing on Russia's Grizzly coast, with grizzly bears and Amur leopards. And for the summer of 2013, the zoo will feature a seasonal exhibit of African animals, including giraffe, ostrich and wildebeest. Other perennial hits, especially with kids, are the family farm, the bird show, and the colorful tropical reef fish tank. The Minnesota Zoo is in Apple Valley, on the south side of the Twin Cities area.
www.Mnzoo.com

Paul Bunyan Byway Features Birding
The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway loops around the lakes north of Brainerd, and through excellent natural habitat for a variety of birds. Signs have been added along the byway to denote good birding spots, including a couple of wildlife management areas. A wide range of species can be observed in areas along the byway, include waterfowl, warblers, and woodland species such as the scarlet tanager, as well as bald eagles and osprey. Bring binoculars and a bird book along for this scenic drive. A map is available online, as well as a birding checklist and detailed listing of places along the byway to look for different types of birds.
www.Birdsofthebyway.com

Nine-Hole Trout Fishing Course Opens
Trout anglers can try their skill at nine designated fishing spots along the Root River at Preston, in the scenic bluff country of southeast Minnesota. The Trout Learning Center in town has laid out a nine-hole course on the trout stream, featuring different trout habitats, such as a riffle, undercut bank or log jam. It's a new way to help anglers explore the possibilities along this peaceful trout stream.
www.Nationaltroutlearningcenter.org

Fly High on a Zip Line
Zip lines are a great adventure, as you soar through the air in a harness hanging below a cable. In Minnesota, enjoy an aerial north woods view along with thrill of the zip. Along the Gunflint Trail in the northeast tip of the state, take an exhilarating trip on the Towering Pines Canopy Tour. Test yourself at the Character Challenge Course near Park Rapids. Or take on the Timber Flyer zip line at the Spirit Mountain recreation area in Duluth.

Race Series Promotes Travel around State
The Explore Minnesota Challenge is a series of more than two dozen races in cities around the state, including running, walking, biking and triathlon events. Participants will be awarded a special lapel pin for each of the regions in which they have completed a race, and a special medial will be awarded to those who complete a total of five events, including one in each of the four designated regions. The series is a joint promotion by Anderson Race Management and Explore Minnesota Tourism. Registration for the series is open to the first 500 participants. A list of Challenge events and registration information is available at: www.andersonraces.com

Minnesota boasts many noteworthy festivals and events throughout the year, giving residents and visitors alike the opportunity to participate in a kaleidoscope of activities. Every corner of the state showcases spectacular events, highlighting the heritage and culture of the region, ranging from German Oktoberfest festivities, ice fishing adventures to American Indian pow wows. Visit with colorful fur traders at Big Island Rendezvous in Albert Lea, or experience one of the largest State Fairs in the nation in St. Paul. Minnesota festivals and events offer a unique experience for everyone.

In addition to the sampling of festivals listed below, hundreds of other events take place throughout the state. For more information, please visit www.exploreminnesota.com/events

Brainerd Ice Fishing Extravaganza
January 19, 2013
In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, what's billed the world's ice fishing event, is held each January on Gull Lake, where anglers compete for more than $150,000 in cash and prizes, including a new truck, ATVs, ice augers, ice fishing equipment, more. Competitors and spectators alike will enjoy the camaraderie on what seemingly represents a city on ice with a parking lot, rows of tents, food booths, and even shopping areas. Over 10,000 anglers from around the world compete in this fun outdoor ice event.
icefishing.org

Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship, Saint Paul
January 24 – 26, 2013
The Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship makes its way to Saint Paul, Minnesota for the second year in a row in 2013 as one of five stops around the world. Two hundred of the toughest, fastest, ice cross downhill racers will go head-to-head through a downhill course full of mind-and-body-bending jumps, turns and slides—all against the backdrop of the historic Cathedral of Saint Paul with thousands of spectators. Admission is free.
www.redbullsignatureseries.com

Saint Paul Winter Carnival
January 24 – February 3, 2013
Long known as the nation's oldest winter festival, since 1886 the Carnival provides indoor and outdoor fun, while reliving the ancient legend of springtime's triumph over winter. The celebration includes 75 events including parades, ice and snow carving competitions, ice skating, golf on ice and singing contests.
www.winter-carnival.com

International Eelpout Festival, Walker
February 14 – 17, 2013
This festival is a tradition steeped in ice angling on Leech Lake for one of the ugliest bottom-dwelling fish. The 34th Annual International Eelpout Festival attracts more than 10,000 participants and visitors to the tiny town of Walker, MN (pop. 1,500) for three days in February. Several activities are held throughout the weekend, including the 10th annual Polar Pout Plunge, curling, bull riding, auto ice racing, rugby and a fishing show. Always a spectacle, this bucket-list worth adventure has increasingly drawn national attention, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
www.eelpoutfestival.com

Grumpy Old Men Festival, Wabasha
February 23, 2013
Celebrate winter with that grumpy old man's hobby of ice fishing, in the town that inspired the movie of the same name. 2013 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Grumpy Old Men Festival. Activities include an ice shack contest, the 5th Annual Grumpy Plunge, frisbee games, golf tournaments on snow, bird watching and a spaghetti dinner and dance. You won't run into Walter Matthau or Jack Lemmon, but this quaint Mississippi River town knows how to celebrate.
www.wabashamn.org

Bluff Country Studio Art Tour, Winona
April 26 –28, 2013
Treat yourself to a weekend of art in galleries and artist studios, where the artists will be taking questions and talking about their works. Since the initial tour in 2000 included artists from Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota, the tour extends from Winona along the Mississippi River down to the Iowa border and west to Lanesboro and Harmony. A wide range of art media are on display and galleries offer a variety of art pieces for sale.
www.bluffcountrtystudioarttour.com

Festival of Nations, Saint Paul
May 2 – 5, 2013
The Festival of Nations is the largest multi-cultural event in Minnesota. Held at the St. Paul RiverCentre, the Festival of Nations offers visitors the opportunity to develop an appreciation of the culture of others as we build for the future together. The celebration includes demonstrations, exhibits, ethnic foods and dance performances.
www.festivalofnations.com

Grand Celebration Pow Wow, Hinckley
June 2013
This American Indian event is the largest Pow Wow in the Midwest with over 1,200 dancers, drummers and singers from nearly every tribe in the USA and Canada participating. In addition to the dancing, visitors learn about American Indian traditions, eat Indian food and can purchase Indian crafts.
www.millelacsojibwe.org

Grandma's Marathon, Duluth
June 22, 2013
The 37th annual running of Grandma's Marathon is more than a marathon - it's a weekend festival the whole family will enjoy. The scenic 26.2-mile course runs along Minnesota's beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior. Enthusiastic volunteers and spectators from all over the world cheer on participants on as they stride toward the finish line in Duluth's charming Canal Park. After the race, visitors can enjoy the great bars and restaurants, boutiques and shops in town, and a really fun post-race party, complete with live music, under a giant tent in Canal Park
grandmasmarathon.com

Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival, Moorhead
June 28 – 29, 2013
Authentic Scandinavian event featuring dancing, entertainment, booths and food celebrating the heritage of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The festival takes place at the Heritage Hjemkomst Center, home of the Viking ship that sailed from Minnesota to Norway in 1982.
www.nordiccultureclubs.org

Basilica Block Party, Minneapolis
July 12 – 13, 2013
A favorite summertime event in the Twin Cities, the Basilica Block Party is a great way to celebrate good music, nice weather and community. The two-day festival is family-friendly event that attracts diverse crowds of all ages. Festival goers not only jam to the beat of good music, but to a good cause, as all concert proceeds go to preserving the historic Basilica of St. Mary – a landmark that has been an integral part of the community for more than a century, and also benefits the St. Vincent de Paul outreach program, an organization that provides food and shelter to nearly 3,500 people each month.
basilicablockparty.org

Minneapolis Aquatennial Festival, Minneapolis
July 12 –20, 2013
Summer in the Twin Cities is full of festivals – one of the biggest and the oldest being the Minneapolis Aquatennial. Touted as "the best days of summer," thousands of Minneapolis residents, workers, and visitors participate in the nine day celebration, enjoying everything from sandcastle building tournaments, water ski shows, triathlons to parades and firework displays.
www.aquatennial.com

Tall Ships Challenge, Duluth
July 24 – 30, 2013
Visit Duluth is once again bringing the Tall Ships® to Minnesota. Duluth will be one of only a handful of Great Lakes ports that will host the prestigious Tall Ships Challenge® and is the only challenge destination on Lake Superior. Tall Ships Duluth 2013 promises to be the largest event in the region's history featuring ship tours, day sails, educational programming, food and beverage, entertainment and fun for the entire family!
www.visitduluth.com/tallships2013

Blueberry Art Festival, Ely
July 26 – 28, 2013
This three-day event in Whiteside Park in beautiful Ely Minnesota features 300 exhibitors of original art, photography, handcraft items, clothing, ethnic foods, plus a variety of musical entertainment. And to top it off, blueberry pancake breakfasts are served both Saturday and Sunday mornings at the event.
www.ely.org

WE Fest, Detroit Lakes
August 1 – 3, 2013
One of the leading country music festivals in the nation, WE Fest celebrates 30 years of camping and great country music. The event attracts popular country music headliners, including Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Eric Church in 2013, and takes place at Soo Pass Ranch campground in Detroit Lakes – boasting over 9,000 campsites and a full concert venue.
www.wefest.com

Bayfront Blues Festival, Duluth
August 9 –11, 2013
One of the largest outdoor music festivals in the Midwest, the 25th annual Bayfront Blues Festival showcases nearly 30 national performances on two concert stages. Additional weekend events include a Moonlight Mardi Gras Cruise and live Blues performances at nearly 20 Duluth nightclubs. The event takes place in Canal Park on Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world.
www.bayfrontblues.com

Minnesota Renaissance Festival
August 17 – September 29, 2013
Journey back in time to a 16th Century European village at the 43rd annual Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, MN. The popular festival dons 120 European food booths, live jousting, elephant rides, and belly dancing. Plus, an abundance of artisans, selling everything from 16th Century attire, pottery, hand blown glass to real battle axes. The event welcomes over 300,000 people each year, becoming the largest renaissance festivals in the country.
www.renaissancefest.com

Minnesota State Fair, Saint Paul
August 22 – September 2, 2013
The Great Minnesota Get-together features world-class entertainment, agricultural exhibits, horse shows, a rodeo, arts and craft displays, amusement park rides, a daily parade and food of every variety, most often served on a stick! The event attracts almost 2 million visitors each year.
www.mnstatefair.org

The Defeat of Jesse James Days
September 4 – 8, 2013
Each year on the second weekend of September, townspeople of Northfield, Minnesota and visitors alike commemorate and re-enact the James-Younger Gang's notorious 1876 bank raid on the town. The popular event features a bank raid re-enactment, Jesse James Bike tour, horseshoe hunt, classic car show, old-time tractor pull, parade, arts festival, carnival, and much more.
http://www.djjd.org

Oktoberfest, New Ulm
October 4 – 5, 2013
This old world celebration features live local, regional, and European entertainment, along with plenty of great German food and locally brewed August Schell's beer products. The festival also boasts musical entertainment, including New Ulm's famous Concord Singers, German brass bands, polka bands and more, and was even ranked one of "10 great places to celebrate Octoberfest" by USA Today Travel.
www.newulmoktoberfest.com

Big Island Rendezvous & Festival, Albert Lea
October 5 – 6, 2013
A celebration of history during the fur trade period of America (1650-1840) and early Frontier America features music performances by groups from throughout the US and Canada, over 300 tents and campfires with more than 1,000 living history re-enactors carrying on daily life as it would have been over 200 years ago. Demonstrations of colonial crafts, Native American skills and pioneer life are showcased throughout the festival so you can try your hand at rigid heddle weaving, spinning and spoon carving or watch a gunsmith create a work of art.
www.bigislandfestivalandbbq.org

Bentleyville Tour of Lights, Duluth
November 23 – December 28, 2013
Tis' the season for holiday tradition filled with family, friends and celebration on the shores of Lake Superior at Bayfront Festival Park, home to the largest holiday display in the Midwest. Bentleyville Tour of Lights is a magical display of nearly three million lights and the tallest Christmas tree in the U.S. (twice the height of New York City's famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree). Admission to Bentleyville Tour of Lights is free to the public.
www.bentleyvilleusa.org

Holidazzle Parades, Minneapolis
November 29 – December 22, 2013
The annual Target Holidazzle Parade displays over one million brilliant lights as visitors watch their favorite storybook characters come to life. Lighted elaborate floats, musical groups and costumed characters parade down the Nicollet Mall at 6:30pm, even as the winter weather descends upon Minneapolis. The parade is free to watch, and runs Thursday through Sunday during the holiday season.
www.holidazzle.com

News about the Minnesota Tourism Industry

New TV Ads Part of Spring/Summer Minnesota Tourism Marketing
A series of new television ads promoting Minnesota tourism feature images of a variety of fun travel activities. They are part of the Explore Minnesota marketing campaign targeted at select markets in the upper Midwest. A study of last year's advertising campaign found that for every dollar invested in state tourism marketing by Minnesota, $84 are spent by travelers here in the state, representing a significant return on investment.
April 1 Press Release

Media Invited to Governor's Fishing Opener, May 9-12, Park Rapids
This event is an annual tradition, organized by Explore Minnesota Tourism and a host community; Park Rapids is the site of the 66th Governor's Fishing Opener. Media are invited to fish area waters; interview local and state officials about fishing, tourism and more; explore the area on tours to Itasca State Park and the Mississippi headwaters, the Heartland Bike Trail, Black Swan Cooperage and more. Attending the opener provides background information for media stories on fishing in the Park Rapids area and/or a travel feature on this area, with attractions ranging from lakeside resorts to summer theater. Media should register in advance. For more information:
Alyssa.ebel@state.mn.us
www.mngovernorsopener.com

Pedal Minnesota Promotes the Great State of Biking
Minnesota has perhaps the best collection of paved bike trails than anywhere in the country. These scenic trails can be found throughout the state, from the heart of Minneapolis to the suburbs of this metro area, and from the rolling rural countryside to the north woods. A partnership of several government agencies and private organizations, called Pedal Minnesota, is encouraging bicycling in Minnesota. It was launched in 2012, and includes a website dedicated to many different aspects of biking. The newest edition of the Minnesota Biking brochure, part of the Pedal Minnesota promotion, features about 30 paved trails throughout the state, several prime mountain biking areas, and on-road touring, including the Mississippi River Trail route. (The brochure can be viewed or ordered online at: exploreminnesota.com.) In 2013, the promotion will include bicycle tune-up stations.
www.pedalmn.com