Dream On
Sometimes the magic of the moment is hard to put into words, and the memory gets more extraordinary each time it’s shared. Travel — especially in Minnesota — has a way of creating those larger-than-life moments and memories.
Like the time when the moon filled the entire sky. Or when the forest was set aglow by what seemed like a million fireflies. Or when you tasted that life-changing entrée after an afternoon of paddling, with the downtown skyline in the background.
Was that a dream?
No, that was Minnesota.
Fun Adventures in Your True North
From relaxing canoe trips in the Boundary Waters to bike tours along the Mississippi River, adventure is always on the horizon in Minnesota. With more than 10,000 lakes, immense forests and rugged bluffs, Minnesota is an exciting outpost for outdoor lovers of all kinds. Or head to cozy restaurants and food halls, renowned museums, intimate live music venues, enticing shopping areas and more to get a taste of the state's vibrant cities and towns.
The NorShor Theatre brings world-class live performances to the heart of downtown Duluth / Paul Vincent
Ride roller coasters indoors at Nickelodeon Universe / Mall of America
Hike to the scenic overlook at Honeymoon Bluff, deep in the Superior National Forest / Roy Son
Explore the State
From prairies, lakes and forests to charming river towns and bustling cities – choose a region on the map to learn more about Minnesota.
Minnesota by Season
-
5 Picture-Perfect Long Weekend Bike Trips
Planning the perfect long weekend bike trip is a delicate thing. If your destination is too far…
10 Minnesota State Parks for Your Next RV Camping TripNo matter what your outdoor goals are—fishing, hiking, swimming, skiing, hunting or just nature…
10 of Minnesota's Top Hiking TrailsFrom winding dirt trails to flower-covered fields, our hiking guide showcases different paths…
7 Great Places to Paddleboard in MinnesotaAs one of the fastest growing water sports, paddleboarding has become one of the most favored…
-
Must-See Theater and Music in Minnesota This Spring
Minnesota has an incredibly strong performing arts community. Venues range from venerable…
Minnesota’s Best Museums, According to Latinx Artist Luis FitchA hotbed of culture and creativity, Minnesota’s Twin Cities (and beyond) make for an artistic…
10 of Minnesota's Top Spots For Outdoor MusicThe following story is taken from Explore Minnesota's annual travel guide, which can be ordered…
Five Ways to Witness Frank Lloyd Wright’s Architecture in MinnesotaFrank Lloyd Wright may have been born in Wisconsin and based in Spring Green for much of his life…
-
Plan Your Next Pizza Night at These Minnesota Farms
Venturing out to Minnesota’s farmland, you may expect to see fields of corn, big red barns and…
Your Guide to Hiking with KidsAn essential part of any road trip, as any adult in the front seat knows, is stopping once in a…
Eight Ways to Encounter Animals in MinnesotaZoos aren’t the only ways animal lovers can see and learn about their favorite species throughout…
Great Minnesota Vacations for Grandparents, Parents & KidsThink back to your most cherished childhood memories and you’ll find most of them share a common…
-
10 Charming Minnesota Main Streets
From tree-lined avenues with late Victorian charm to clusters of homey cafes and artsy boutiques,…
Minnesota's Roadside Attractions Are Larger Than LifeWhen driving through Minnesota, don't be surprised if you come across something claiming to be…
Where to Sample Wine, Buy Pottery, and Walk Llamas in WaconiaWith gas prices hovering at an all-time high heading into the summer of 2022, Explore Minnesota…
Unique Places to See on Your Next Minnesota Road TripMinnesota is full of unique, just-off-the-highway attractions ready to entertain the whole family…
-
Rainbow Routes: 10 Fall Color Drives in Minnesota
Hit the road for an unforgettable drive through a rainbow of colorful fall foliage in Minnesota…
Take a Fall Drive on the Lake Mille Lacs Scenic BywayIn 2019, the 68-mile loop of gently curving roads around Lake Mille Lacs graduated from a …
3 Days on Minnesota's North Shore Beer TrailEvery North Shore adventure begins in Duluth. For craft beer lovers, that means two chances to…
Road Trips & Scenic BywaysRalph Waldo Emerson wasn't talking about Minnesota's scenic byways when he said, "It's not the…
-
Fall is Prime Time for Fishing
With cooler weather, more active fish and a beautiful backdrop of changing leaves, fall is one of…
6 Hot Spots for Watching the Fall Bird MigrationAutumn offers some of Minnesota’s best bird watching, with mild temperatures, congregating flocks…
The Prettiest Places to Hike in Minnesota in FallThere's not much room for debate: Fall hiking is simply the best. Moderate temperatures,…
Ride Your Bike to These Minnesota Apple OrchardsWith dozens of charming Minnesota orchards dotting the state map like apples on the ground, the…
-
9 Minnesota Pumpkin Patches for a Family Adventure
Maybe it is the smell of fresh-baked pumpkin pies wafting through the cool fall air, or some well…
Kid-Friendly Road Trips from MinneapolisPack your suitcase, buckle up the kids and make family memories on a Minnesota road trip. Back…
Family Favorites: Fun Places to Take the KidsWhen it comes to family fun, Minnesota is second to none. New kid-friendly attractions open every…
Finding Family Fun in Taylors FallsLooking for a fun place to travel with the entire family? It can be a tricky task. On the top of…
-
Farms & Gardens
You can see (and taste) Minnesota's long tradition of farming, from apple orchards and alpaca…
Where to Pick, Eat & Drink Minnesota ApplesThe retooling of the apple — from humble mainstay to luxury good — is a relatively recent thing…
Visit the Cheese Farms of Southern MinnesotaMinnesota Fiber: The Journey from Farm to YarnThere’s a tree that stands atop a hill in the middle of Vicki Fossum’s 120-acre family farm on…
-
Winter is Hygge Season in Minnesota
Minnesota takes a lot of cues from Scandinavia, including the concept of hygge (pronounced HEW…
6 of the Coziest & Most Charming Restaurants in MinnesotaWhat's the definition of a "cozy restaurant"? It varies from diner to diner, but it usually…
4 Must-Try Minnesota Drinks to Warm Your Bones This WinterIn Minnesota, we're no strangers to creative hot beverages, and there are generally some tempting…
Warm Up at Minnesota Spas & SaunasAs snowflakes flutter softly to the ground outside, there’s no better time to drape a fuzzy robe…
-
Twin Cities Art & Theater Weekend
Take a long weekend in Minneapolis and St. Paul to immerse yourself in culture, theater, music…
Explore Amazing Art Museums Across MinnesotaMinnesota museums and sculpture parks boast amazing collections of art from thousands of years…
The Music Plays on in Minnesota's Historic VenuesCelebrate the Life of Prince on This Self-Guided TourEvery Minnesotan remembers where they were on April 21, 2016, when they learned about the…
-
7 Ways to Have Fun in the Minnesota Snow
From skiing to snowmobiling to urban adventures, options for fun in the snow are practically…
Embrace Ice Fishing in MinnesotaThe arrival of January and February in Minnesota triggers a parade of ice houses to favorite…
Dog Sledding the Boundary WatersMinnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is best known as a bucket list destination for…
Winter SportsIn Minnesota, we know winter very well. And we don't mind the cold, because as some of our…
-
Make a Splash at Minnesota's Indoor Water Parks
Just because the sun isn't out doesn't mean the swimsuits and beach towels have to go back into…
What's New at Mall of AmericaMall of America has always been big, and it's not done growing. The famous mall, home to more…
Find Frosty Fun at These Minnesota Winter FestivalsWe don't hide from winter weather in Minnesota; we celebrate it at festivals by engaging in…
Iconic Destinations
Use the previous and next buttons or the left and right arrow keys to navigate between slides.
Split Rock Lighthouse overlooking the North Shore of Lake Superior / Paul Vincent
The greatest of the Great Lakes is also the world’s largest freshwater lake by surface area. Go for a sail to experience the vastness of the lake and dramatic views of water and land.
Read More about Lake Superior
Northern lights over a houseboat in Voyageurs National Park
The ultimate escape if you love boating, camping and fishing, this stunning park offers outdoor recreation for every season. Northern Lights can make for dramatically beautiful night skies.
Read More about Voyageurs National Park
Walk across the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park
Explore Itasca State Park, the birthplace of the mighty Mississippi. Take a road trip on the Great River Road, and visit the charming towns and historic sites along the way. In Minnesota, there's no wrong way to do the Mississippi.
Read More about Mississippi River
Scenic overlooks provide majestic Mississippi River vistas at Great River Bluffs State Park / Zane Spang
Dotted with scenic river towns, trout streams, hardwood forests and apple orchards, this idyllic strand of the state is known for serene retreats and breathtaking views.
Read More about Bluff Country
Mall of America in Bloomington
America’s largest shopping and entertainment hub is much more than a mall. This epic shopping and entertainment hub in Bloomington is home to more than 500 stores, 60 restaurants, a theme park and an aquarium.
Read More about Mall of America
Accessible primarily by canoe, the Boundary Waters is one of America's most remote and cherished wilderness areas / Paul Vincent
One of National Geographic Traveler’s "50 Places of a Lifetime," this vast preserve of lakes and woods stretches for about 150 miles along the U.S. border with Canada.
Read More about Boundary WatersLooking for something special?
Plan a Minnesota journey to fit your travel style.
Get help from the experts to plan your trip
Want to know the best spots in Minnesota? How about tips on how to make the most of your time in a specific city? Our Minnesota experts can answer your questions, offer advice, or plan the perfect Minnesota trip for you. For free.