Enter Your Dream State

‘Tis the season to plan your ultimate winter getaway. Will this be the year you take up cross-country skiing or learn to embrace ice fishing or explore a new snowmobile trail? Or does your idea of an ideal winter day involve seeking out stellar museums and other indoor fun? Either way, you’ll find plenty of travel ideas here to help you make the most of winter.

Dream State Guides By Region

Dinner at Travail in Robbinsdale / Ryan Taylor

Feel the Big-City Buzz in the Twin Cities

With its glittering skyline, scores of manicured trails and greenspaces, world-class theater and concert venues, megalithic mall, and restaurants repping nearly every cuisine under the sun, there isn’t much Minneapolis and St. Paul lack.

A couple goes mountain biking in Cuyuna during the fall — Mountain biking in Cuyuna during the fall / Roy Son

Shred the Red in Central Minnesota

Migratory birds aren’t the only ones flocking to Central Minnesota. Beyond its array of protected nature reserves, the area is known for world-class golfing, dazzling flower gardens, incredible fall hiking and some of the Upper Midwest’s most exhilarating mountain biking trails.

Turquoise-colored underground lake in a cave. — The Turquoise Lake is one of many points of interest in Mystery Cave.

Head Underground in Southern Minnesota

Say the words "Southern Minnesota," and a wide-open prairie — or perhaps the SPAM Museum — probably springs to mind. But this part of the state also possesses awe-inspiring caves, majestic river valleys and national monuments rich in Dakota history.

Dark skies over the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the Superior National Forest / Paul Vincent

Scan the Dark Skies Over Northeast Minnesota

Traveling to Northeast Minnesota is like plunging into the pages of a beloved storybook. Expect wild beauty around every corner, from the thundering waterfalls and soaring cliffs in the state parks sprinkled along Lake Superior to the pristine wilderness that runs along the Canadian border. And did we mention the Dark Skies that shine above the Boundary Waters and Voyageurs National Park?

Mississippi headwaters, Itasca State Park — The Mississippi headwaters at Itasca State Park / Kvidt Creative

Walk Along the Headwaters in Northwestern Minnesota

Home to some of the state’s largest lakes, fairytale forests and the headwaters of the Mississippi, the northwestern corner of Minnesota is a playground for outdoor adventurers.

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U.S. map with various cities highlighted in proximity to Minneapolis St. Paul Airport in Minnesota

Getting Here

Fly into the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), one of the best airports of its size in North America in 2021 and 2022. Getting here is easy! Minnesota is only a short flight away from most U.S. locations. That means more time to explore the dream state! See how to get here.

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.

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