WELCOME TO MINNESOTA
Each region of Minnesota offers adventure, culture and curiosity. City lovers will find daily events and world-class museums in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area; nature buffs will want to explore the North Shore, northwest and central lakes regions; and small-town charm is the hallmark of southern Minnesota.
Discover the Great Outdoors
With more than 10,000 lakes, immense forests and rugged bluffs, Minnesota is an exciting outpost for outdoor lovers of all kinds. Go canoeing or kayaking on the Lake Superior, hike winding trails out to breathtaking overlooks, bike on scenic pathways, or zoom across 900 miles of ATV trails.
Voyageurs National Park calls to travelers of the adventurous sort. The landscape here is breathtaking: Water makes up more than one-third of the park's 218,000 acres, and for most of the year, the park's interior is accessible only by boat (or in winter, by snowmobile). Rent a houseboat, take a boat tour with a park ranger, or hike on more than 27 miles of scenic trails, and keep an eye out for hidden waterfalls and ancient petroglyphs.
The Mississippi River
The second-longest river in the U.S. and the fourth longest in the world, the Mississippi River gets its start at Lake Itasca and flows through nine other states, all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. For its first 650 miles, it meanders through Minnesota's stately pine forests, iron ranges and a deep valley, as well as through the heart of the Twin Cities.
The state capital, St. Paul, and neighboring Minneapolis make up the Twin Cities, an incredibly rich and diverse area with dramatic skylines, exciting pro sports, award-winning theater, renowned restaurants and a booming craft beer scene.
Take a long weekend to immerse yourself in the Twin Cities’ arts and culture scene. Explore a sculpture garden, enjoy the area's famous live theater and check out an art festival, and you'll understand why this is one of the culture hubs of the Midwest.
Feel the Beat
From quaint cafes and coffee shops to historic stages, well-established clubs and major arenas, Minnesota’s nightlife and music scene is vibrant and diverse. Live concerts cover the music spectrum with a mix of fresh, local talent and national touring acts, and annual music festivals and nightly club shows will keep your music calendar filled all year long.
Iconic. Incomparable. Legendary. Minnesota is a musical mecca for fans of Prince. From his birthplace to his recording studio and the legendary nightclub immortalized in “Purple Rain," you can experience it all here.
Root for the Home Team
Every major professional sport is represented in Minnesota, from the Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) to Minnesota Twins (MLB), Minnesota Wild (NHL) and Minnesota United (MLS). No matter the season, you can catch a game at some of the top sports venues in America. Diehard or fair weather, in the heat of summer or the chill of winter, the home teams are eager to have you in their stands.
Mall of America
Mall of America in Bloomington is so much more than a mall; it’s a destination. Although it has 520 stores and 60 restaurants, it also features dozens of fun attractions including a 13-screen movie theater, an indoor theme park, a simulator ride that “soars” over national landmarks, Minnesota’s largest aquarium, arcades, mini-golf and a whole lot more.
With 520 stores, where do you start? Perhaps at Anthropologie's flagship store, or the two-story Zara, or with some of Sarah Jessica Parker’s fashion style at SJP. For some local goods, check out Fourpost.
At Mall of America you will find the nation’s first indoor theme park. Nickelodeon Universe offers over two-dozen attractions, including roller coasters, the nation’s longest indoor zip line, and many other rides featuring beloved characters like Paw Patrol, SpongeBob and TMNT.
Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium gives visitors a chance to experience the wonders of the water up close—from feeding the stingrays and snorkeling with hundreds of tropical fish to walking through a 300-foot ocean tunnel and getting face-to-face with rainforest creatures.
