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.

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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

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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.

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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. 

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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!

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23. Eat at all the best restaurants around the Twin Cities.

I’m especially excited about the restaurants on water!

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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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I know this list is only the tip of the iceberg, but I had to start somewhere! PLEASE leave me a comment if there is something I need to do, see, eat or you know of a place I must go.

Have you been to one of these places and have something to say about it, please leave a comment.

If you’d like to read a few tips about fitting in as a Minnesota transplant, click here.

Click here to read the 20 gifts Minnesota Give the world, CLICK HERE.