Minnesota Travel Guide

Minnesota is known for its breathtaking scenery with sparkling blue lakes, beautiful prairie land, and magnificent forests dotting the state. It has all kinds of wonderful things for you to see and do while you are here. Let’s get you acclimated.

We will start with the Mississippi River. This River originates from Lake Itasca in and stretches more than 2,500 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. You can walk a stone path across the Mississippi source to ensure a happy and long life, according to legend. The 240km Highway 61 is an All-American Road that offers scenic overlooks, state parks, and waterfalls.

Besides the Mississippi, Minnesota is blessed with over 10,000 lakes which provides some of the best fishing, hunting, and boating found anywhere in the world. Lake Superior forms a spectacular coastline along the northeastern part of the state and the Duluth Harbor is an international port for commercial shipping. It is a welcoming and lively place hopping with a vibrant lakefront scene as well as breweries.

Minnesota’s geography changes dramatically from north to south. The northern end is primarily a forest land and lake country which makes it a year-round destination for outdoor recreation. In the northeastern tip is the Grand Portage and in its southwestern corner is the Pipestone National Monument. These two national monuments preserve the rich fur-trapping and American heritage of the state. Outdoor recreation opportunities include the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Voyagers National park. Additionally, 2 national forests, 58 state forests and 76 state parks provide biking, hiking, camping, and scenic driving experiences for visitors of all skills and ages.

The major industries include paper and iron ore production. Heading south, the terrain turns into fertile prairie land and Minnesota is a national leader in the production of corn, soybeans, and dairy products. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul formed the 13th largest market in the country with over two million people living in the seven-county metro area. 16 fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in Minnesota and business is good. The metro area is also a Mecca for the Arts and ranks second to New York City in the number of live theater seats. Minnesota has one of the strongest educational systems in the country.

The people of Minnesota place a high value on their quality of life. With four distinct seasons, abundant recreational opportunities, robust business climate, extensive cultural activities, and a strong educational system it’s no wonder Minnesota has been ranked as the number one most livable state since 1997.