Whether you’re interested in fishing for walleye at a beautiful lakeside resort or enjoying the air conditioning at the Mall of America in Minneapolis as you shop for hours on end, Minnesota provides a variety of exciting summertime activities.
Vacation in the Great Northwest, Where the Prairie Meets the North Woods
The Great Northwest contributes to Minnesota’s nickname, “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” but proud residents will quickly correct that number to 12,000! This area of the state is home to Mississippi’s headwaters and largest lakes, so you know you’re in for a scenic vacation with lakeside resorts and campgrounds, fantastic fishing, biking trails, and challenging golf courses. Along the border, the Red River feeds agricultural lands and provides anglers generous amounts of catfish. Local summer theatre, music and heritage festivals add to summer celebrations in Lake of the Woods and the Red River Valley. To the Northeast, lakefront lodges, cabins and campgrounds dot the wilderness and hug the sprawling shores of Lake Superior.
Southern Minnesota and the Twin Cities
Southern Minnesota evokes pioneer heritage and Dakota Indian traditions in a stream and river-laced landscape. Nearly 600 feet above the Mississippi, Winona enjoys a spectacular riverside setting with panoramic views of the valley. The National Eagle Center and Minnesota Marine Art Museum are popular sites, and quaint communities feature festivals, antique shops, and some lovely, 19th-century architecture.
If you’re looking for a cosmopolitan experience, visit The Twin Cities area for a stimulating arts scene, popular professional sports, diverse museums and considerable greenways. Dozens of lakes and the Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix Rivers contribute to the area’s natural beauty and roster of outdoor activities. Popular attractions include a zoo, aquarium and science centers, as well as the overwhelmingly huge Mall of America.
Savor Small Towns on the King of Trails Byway
Minnesota’s segment of Historic Highway 75 flows for over 400 miles between lush farmland and small, traditional towns like Crookston, where many buildings are in the National Register of Historic Places; and Pipestone, where small town cafes follow their daily hot dish with your choice of homemade pies. That’s pretty typical cuisine for a state largely settled by meat-and-potato-loving Scandinavians and Germans. Other state favorites include fresh, light and flaky walleye (the state fish), Norwegian lefse (a potato-based sort of tortilla), and Minnesota’s home-grown wild rice, harvested for hundreds of years by Native Americans.
