In the News | Explore Minnesota

A drone shot of the Mississippi River in St. Paul / Paul Vincent

Minnesota is so majestic, it's no wonder why AFAR, The New York Times and Wall Street Journal have all named us a top place to travel.

While we're super proud of those selections, it's not the only time Minnesota has attracted the attention of influential media. Check out a list of recent Minnesota accolades below to learn what the experts (and we) love about Minnesota.

Noteworthy Accolades

The 10 Cutest Small Towns in the Midwest

Winona was selected for its "small-town main street", Victorian buildings, and "beautiful location" right near bluffs on the Mississippi River.

Minnesota Is Having a Moment

"The questions have been flooding in lately from people pondering a move — 'is it as good as it seems?'"

52 Places to Go

"This roadless wilderness is pristine, a place to fish for walleye, hear the haunting call of a loon and camp in thick boreal forest"

Restaurants of the Year

"Chef Sean Sherman provides a vision of what modern Indigenous food can be"

America's Best Small Towns

"We’re happily calling Grand Marais the nation’s best small lake town... a grand foray on America’s 'Fresh Coast'"

8 Best Spots for Aurora Borealis Viewing

"To see the northern lights within the contiguous 48 states, head to Minnesota, where dark skies and plenty of winter activities welcome you."

The 15 Happiest Places to Live in the U.S.

"If COVID taught Minneapolis residents anything, it’s that the city’s ample green-space goes a long way toward healing and happiness."

America's Top States for Business

Minnesota rounds up the Top 5 with especially high ratings in the infrastructure, life, health & inclusion, and tech & innovation sectors.

10 Best States to Live and Work

"People in the North Star State pride themselves on being 'Minnesota Nice.' It’s more than just a feeling."

America's Best Small Lake Town

An unexpected arts enclave, tiny Grand Marais, Minnesota, bursts with galleries, local shops and restaurants, and lake-filled getaways galore.

8 Craft Breweries With the Coolest On-site Games

"Cider lovers will appreciate this Minneapolis site for both its craft ciders made from 100 percent real fruit and its fierce dedication to pickleball."

Our 13 Favorite Scenic Byways

"This 154-mile byway... features waterfalls, state parks, shoreline towns, and attractions, including the Split Rock Lighthouse."

25 essential drives for a U.S. road trip

"There are beautiful waterfalls throughout the park, and coastal cliffs that make for excellent hiking. You can even catch the Northern Lights if your timing is right."

This Idyllic Destination Is Called 'Minnesota's Playground'

It's also "one of the best places to buy a lake home in the U.S."

The 15 Best Rail Trails in the U.S.

"If the trail name doesn’t get you, the landscape will."

20 Most Beautiful Winter Towns in the U.S.

"Winter in Lanesboro — a gem of a town that’s tucked away in the bluffs of the Root River Valley, about two hours southeast of the Twin Cities — looks like a painting."

23 Best Road Trips in the U.S.

"Minnesota's Lake Superior shoreline is a thing of glacial beauty."

Best Places to Travel 2023

"Minneapolis has the perfect combination of nature, art and world-class dining — all in a welcoming environment that 'won’t break the bank'."

The Best Hotels for Seeing the Northern Lights

"The 12-acre Sandy Point Lodge, with its 12 cabins and 5 hotel-style main-lodge rooms, pairs Voyageurs’ signature night skies with views over Kabetogama Lake. "

The Best Places to Travel in 2023

"From charming lake towns to expedition cruises, there are many good reasons to explore the Great Lakes... from New York in the east to Minnesota in the west."

One of the Best Places to See Northern Lights

To catch the light show, you need to be up north in a place with skies so dark that the greens, purples, and reds of the aurora can pop... Enter, Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota.

The 8 Best US Ice Fishing Destinations for 2022

"Brainerd [has] earned its place among the top ice fishing destinations in the U.S... Over 460 lakes within 25 miles of the city make it a perfect location for angling enthusiasts."

The Coolest Ice Castles and Sculptures in America

"Head to Long Lake Regional Park in the Twin Cities suburb of New Brighton, and you’ll be greeted with quite the frozen sight to behold."

The World's 6 Best Places to See Northern Lights

Voyageurs National Park, designated by the International Dark-Sky Association as an official dark sky park in 2020 because of its lack of light pollution, is #1 on this list.

Visit These Bucket List Rooftops Around the World

"Hewing Hotel, Minneapolis, MN: Minnesotans know how to do winter, as evidenced by the year-round heated rooftop spa pool and a dry sauna."

2022 Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the Midwest

Four Minnesota destinations made this list, including Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (#1) and Bear Head Lake State Park #2).

2022 Bicycle Friendly State℠ Ranking

Minnesota made the top five, and was one of only two states to score an A for infrastructure.

America's 10 most fun states to visit this summer

The personal finance website Wallethub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across two key dimensions: “entertainment and recreation” and “nightlife.” Minnesota made the top 10.

The 10 Best Domestic Airports

"As for major hubs that have made the list, two of the most notable are No. 4 Minneapolis–St. Paul International and No. 8 Detroit Metro, both of which have undergone major renovations."

The 10 Best Resorts in the Midwest

"Minnesota is paradise for outdoorsy types, so it's no surprise the state earned three spots on this year's list."

10 Best Cities in the U.S. for Outdoor Adventures

"Located about two hours north of the Twin Cities, Duluth will put you in close proximity to a hearty supply of satisfying outdoor exploration."

10 Places Food Lovers Should Visit in 2023

"If you're looking for the perfect place to grab a cold one and have a traditional meal, Duluth, Minnesota, is where you want to go."

The 10 Best Cities to Visit for Sports Fanatics

"Minneapolis is a great city for sports fans, especially those in wheelchairs...It's very easy to get to both Target Field and U.S. Bank stadium downtown."

The 12 Best National Forests to See Fall Foliage

"Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes, and the unspoiled Superior National Forest has its fair share, with 2,000 lakes and streams across 3 million acres."

The Best Food Neighborhoods in the U.S.

Just south of downtown Minneapolis, Nicollet Avenue -- aka "Eat Street" -- is lined with restaurants serving authentic Malaysian, German, Chinese, Trinidadian, Greek and other global fare.

These 7 Cities Embrace Winter Like Nowhere Else

Minneapolis made this list because it offers ice fishing and pond hockey, bike paths plowed for winter cyclists, and the ten-day Great Northern Festival in late January.

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