Planning a little vacation to unwind? If you are considering Minnesota, you are in for a treat. You can stay at one of these distinctive resorts and lodges in Minnesota that are situated on scenic lakes and rivers if you’re seeking the ideal place to unwind, go lake fishing, hiking, and try new sports.
Families will find plenty of room and comfort in the well-appointed cottages, homes, and villas on our list, all of which have kitchens, living rooms, baths, and porches. Most overlook beautiful lakes that are great for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and other outdoor activities.
Minnesota, sometimes called the Land of 10,000 Lakes, is located in the Midwest of the United States. Actually, Minnesota has a lot more lakes than that. It’s obvious that the state is a great location for water sports enthusiasts. It also has a number of charming cities, beautiful national parks, and some of the greatest shopping in the nation.
Here are some of Minnesota’s top tourist destinations.
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1. Check Out Minneapolis
Minneapolis is the state’s biggest city. This city has everything, whether you’re interested in sports, nightlife, parks, or culture. In Downtown Minneapolis, there are stadiums and arenas where sports fans may attend games, including the Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, or Minnesota Timberwolves.
First Avenue, where Minneapolis native Prince shot Purple Rain, is also located Downtown and is home to a fantastic selection of live music venues. The Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts are two top-notch options in Minneapolis if it’s the art you’re pursuing.
2. Drive The North Shore Scenic Highway
Get behind the wheel and locate the North Shore Scenic Drive to view Lake Superior’s shoreline in all its splendor. The journey is a little over 151 miles long in all. It can be completed in a single day. However, you might choose to travel one day, stay the night, and then return the next.
Beginning at Duluth’s Canal Park, travel all the way up to Grand Portage, which is close to the Canadian border. Look out the window as you travel to see the Sawtooth Mountains, Lake Superior’s azure seas, beautiful lighthouses, and a tonne of idyllic tiny towns and villages. Driving along the North Shore has its picturesque benefits, including waterfalls like Gooseberry Falls and High Falls.
3. Walk Around Duluth
Duluth, a port city on the beaches of Lake Superior, is a fantastic vacation spot. It is largely acknowledged as one of the Midwest’s most picturesque cities, and it is simple to understand why. Since Duluth was first inhabited at a height of around 700 feet above sea level, a large portion of its downtown offers stunning views of the lake below.
Canal Park should be your one and only stop while in Duluth. A four-mile waterside promenade, a lighthouse pier, an aquarium, and a plethora of stores, eateries, and tourist destinations are all located at Canal Park.
4. Visit Itasca State Park To Go Fishing
There are several beautiful state parks in Minnesota, but Itasca State Park is the biggest and busiest. With old-growth forests, sparkling streams, and lakes ideal for water activities, the park has plenty to offer everyone.
The Mississippi Headwaters is located in Itasca State Park, where the mighty Mississippi originates and weaves its way all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Visit the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center to discover more about the amazing Mississippi River in addition to hiking, camping, fishing, and birding.
5. Hiking from Grand Marais
Grand Marais is a little community with a small population, yet it is in a fantastic setting. Grand Marais is situated close to a twin harbor directly on the North Shore of Lake Superior. The Superior Hiking Trail begins at Grand Marais and leads to several viewpoints along the edge of Lake Superior, even reaching up into Canada. The highest point of the hike is 2301 feet.
The community is also a thriving center for the arts, with several businesses downtown selling regional paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Grand Marais’ position as the entrance to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a major incentive for outdoor enthusiasts to travel there.
6. Visit Pipestone National Monument Now
The Pipestone National Monument is the city of Pipestone’s top tourist destination. The monument, which was built in 1937, symbolizes the quarries where Native Americans from the area lived and worked. Buffalo Ridge, where the Pipestone National Monument is located, provides a breathtaking view of the plains below.
You may see how Native American artisans use pipestone from the quarries to create amazing handicrafts like ceremonial pipes. Don’t leave without seeing Pipestone, where most of the local architecture is constructed from the pink Sioux Quartzite mineral.
7. Relax in the Gull Lake
The picturesque and well-liked sandy beach location provides a wealth of breathtaking vistas and family-friendly activities on land and in the sea. You can even stay at a Gull Lake Beach Vacation Rental if you have a big group of friends or family members. You can also book a resort where you may spend the season and create lifelong memories together.
Minnesota has a diversified environment and intriguing history, from the Mississippi River’s start at Lake Itasca to the Twin Cities’ Midwestern charm. Minnesota is a wonderful state with a native dialect, magnificent lakes, flea shops, and unrestrained access to the outdoors. It is the best place to go if you want to go on a complete vacation, including hiking, sightseeing, shopping, scenic drives, and more.