Something special about moving to a new state is discovering the things that make that place UNIQUE – the things you can ONLY DO in that state.
I enjoyed discovering the best things to do in Colorado Springs and created a top ten list here, and now I’ve created one for Minnesota. It’s been fun talking to locals, looking on Pinterest, and exploring the “only in your state” website. I’m excited about all the things we will get to see and do here in the land of 10,000 lakes!
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1.Hike Minnehaha Falls
I checked this off my bucket list soon after arriving in Minnesota – we LOVED it! Click here to read that post and see pictures.
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2. Spend time in St. Paul – Drive down Summit Avenue to see the historic mansions, stop and visit the Cathedral, tour the Minnesota State Capitol Building, then eat a Jucy Lucy at Matt’s
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3. Eat Breakfast at Hope Kitchen, then visit the Minnesota History Center
Hope Breakfast Bar is inside a beautiful old fire station and is a restaurant that invests back into their community. The History Center is close by and is a fantastic ‘hands-on’ museum where you will learn more about Minnesota.
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4. Visit Walker Sculpture Garden
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5. Stop by Cafe Ceres for a latte, then take a walk around Lake Harriet
We visit here over and over and it never disappoints! The lake is pretty, but the historic homes surrounding the lake are even prettier.
There is a 3-mile paved path around the lake for bikes, walking or running. You can also fish or play at a small beach. There are concerts at the Pavilion and a food stand too.
Visit the Roberts Bird Sanctuary or pack a picnic/get takeout and have lunch/dinner at the Beard’s Plaisance park!
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6. Ride the roller coaster at Nickelodeon Universe in the Mall of America
Click here to read about our visit and the BEST DAY to go!
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7. Visit Como park zoo and conservatory
Take the kids to Como Park across the street for a picnic and to play. Click here to read about it.
Como Zoo and Conservatory
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8. Walk across the Mississippi River headwaters in Itasca State Park
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9. Visit the Minnesota Zoo
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10. Visit the Science Museum of Minnesota
Our family of 6 visited the Science Museum and loved it. I can’t wait to go back!
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11. Attend a Minnesota Vikings Game
My husband and son went to a game last season and had a great time. I hope to go soon too.
As a family, we went to see the Vikings practice. Click here to read about that.
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12. Explore the Mill City Museum
Click here to read about our visit and what we thought about Mill City Museum
The Remains of the inside of the General Mills Factory
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13. Minnesota Children’s Museum in St Paul
All four of my boys loved it and want to go again!
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14. See the Northern Lights.
Get as far north and away from lights as possible and wait for midnight, when they tend to shine brightest.
Northern lights
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15. Walk across a frozen lake
A frozen lake covered in snow is like a GIANT art canvas! My kids made paths and snow fort. They also shoveled a section for an ice rink.
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16. Visit historic Minnesota towns like Stillwater and Red Wing
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17. Go Ice Fishing
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18. Spend a weekend in Duluth, then drive along the shore to see Gooseberry Falls and/or Split Rock Lighthouse
We finally made a trip here and ABSOLUTELY loved it! Click here to read all the best things to do in Duluth.
Love this place and these people
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19. Canoe and/or Camp in the Boundary waters
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20. Visit the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
This place is AMAZING! Click to read my post here.
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21. Explore the Bakken museum inside an old Mansion
Click here for peek inside and our review of this museum.
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22. Visit the American Swedish Institute (inside a different mansion!)
Click here for a peek into our visit to this magnificent mansion!
Turnblad mansion
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23. Eat at all the best restaurants around the Twin Cities.
I’m especially excited about the restaurants on water!
Colita is one of the best restaurants in the Twin Cities
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24. Go skiing and tubing at Buck Hill
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25. Explore the beautiful parks around the Twin Cities:
– Lebonon Hills Regional Park
– Eloise Butterfly Garden
– Nine Mile Creek
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13 Comments
Jillian
August 2, 2018 at 9:02 amHere are my favorite Minnesota things:
-Eelpout Festival in Walker on Leech Lake: a festival on the frozen lake celebrating Minnesota’s most ugly fish: http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/Blogs/Journeys-Blog/The-39th-Annual-International-Eelpout-Festival/
-Devil’s Kettle on the north shore of Lake Superior: a waterfall that splits in two with one half disappearing into the earth: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/devils-kettle
-Soudan Underground Mine Tours: Take a tour of Minnesota’s underground mine and underground physics research lab, former home of the MINOS neutrino detector: https://www.twincities.com/2016/11/05/its-work-done-huge-physics-lab-being-razed-deep-under-the-iron-range/
-The Lost 40: 40 acres of old growth forest that was mis-mapped by the logging companies and never logged away: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/08/26/minnesota-lost-40#gallery
-Mystery Cave State Park: a 13-mile long cave in Southern Minnesota: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mystery_cave/index.html
Kathryn
August 2, 2018 at 10:48 amWow, thank you SO much!!!! Love those suggestions!
Corey
August 2, 2018 at 7:32 pmWhat an awesome list! I’ve been here two years and have only done 10 of the things on your list! I’d add:
– go see a show at the Orpheum theater
– spend a weekend in a cabin on a lake
– go to the Minnesota State Fair
So fun!
Kathryn
August 3, 2018 at 11:06 amThat’s funny, our realtor told me I need to add the fair too! I like all your ideas, thank you!
Corey
August 3, 2018 at 9:34 pmWe’re going on Wed Aug. 29. You guys should come with us!
Kathryn
August 4, 2018 at 8:29 amOkay! In the evening? Is there something special happening that day?
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