Minnesota has something for everybody be it museums, first class theaters, pristine lakes, untouched forests, resorts or scenic drives. You can explore this beautiful place with your family and have a fantastic vacation with endless things to do.
The Mall of America that is located on the outskirts of St Paul is one of the largest malls in the US. It houses more than a hundred shops, the largest indoor entertainment park, a butterfly garden and a dozen restaurants. It also has an aquarium that is home to more than ten thousand sea creatures.
North of Duluth is the North Shore state parks. The north shore drive follows the north shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. There are many attractions along this breathtaking route, that includes Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, waterfalls,forest trails and Lake Superior. The Split Rock Lighthouse State Park has the best picturesque views of the north shore with 130 foot cliff high historic lighthouse.
Grand Marais is located at the northeastern tip of the state along Lake Superior. You can take a picnic and hike to the Artists Point that juts out into the middle of the lake or trek further on the Gunflint Trail. They have a number of local festivals like Dragon Boat festival and the Fisherman’s Picnic. The whole town is filled with enthusiasm and carnival with musicals, tennis tournaments, log rolling, loon calling contests are all celebrated here.
Jeffers Petroglyphs historic site dates back to thousands of years. It has a series of mysterious carvings into the smooth Red Rock Ridge. There are other illustrations like bears, dragonflies, shamans, thunderbirds and many more. There are also many activities and flora and fauna in the prairie.
Wabasha is located on the Mississippi and is famous for its eagle population. At the National Eagle Center you can see eagles up close. There are educational programs about eagles. You could also spot eagles in the open during winters. Eagles migrate from the the northern zones to this place is search of food.
Itasca State Park is located north of Park Rapids. Many visitors throng here to walk the Mississippi headwaters. This park has the massive Mississippi river flowing along the forest which has pines, Lake Itasca and miles of hiking trails.
Mill City Museum houses the largest mill in the world, the Washburn A. Mill that can ground enough flour in a day to make 12 million loaves of bread. This museum gives a floor by floor tour about the procedures followed in a grinding flour in a beautiful glass elevator.
International wolf center in Ely is a research center about wolves. All kinds of information about wolves like how they hunt, communicate and play are all exhibited here. You could also explore the unspoiled landscape.
Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge rises at a massive height under which skyscraper size ships can travel between Lake Superior and Duluth Harbor. It has a huge gondola that carries more than 60 tons of traffic.
At the northeastern tip of Minnesota is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness that is a backpacker’s paradise. It is located along the boundary between the US and Canada and is an awesome place for backcountry canoe, kayaking trips, as well as fishing.
