Welcome to Minnesota

They don’t call Minnesota the Land of 10,000 Lakes for nothing. In fact, the state is home to more than 11,000 lakes that are 10 acres in size or larger—so you can rest assured, finding a spot to fish or kayak will be the least of your troubles.

Finding a load of family-friendly destinations to add to your North Star State vacation itinerary won’t pose any difficulties, either. In the Twin Cities area surrounding Minneapolis-Saint Paul, you’ll find attractions like the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Minnesota Children’s Museum, Como Town Amusement Park, the Minnesota Zoo and the Minnesota Aquariums, to name just a few.

Further north, in the quiet port city of Duluth, you’ll find yourself perched on the southern shores of scenic Lake Superior. From here, you’re also on the edge of Superior National Forest, the seemingly endless Boundary Waters and the whole of rugged northern Minnesota.

Adventure

Finding great locations for outdoor adventure in the Land of 10,000 Lakes isn’t difficult. Minnesota is positively littered with great parks and clean, crystal-clear lakes. Most of the state comprises scenic, gently rolling plains—left behind with the retreat of glaciers during the last ice age—that are ideal for hikers and bikers.

Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota perhaps best exemplifies all that the North Star State has to offer. Only accessible by water, the park is home to more than 500 different islands, four large lakes and roughly 655 miles of shoreline.

In central Minnesota, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area is composed of multiple visitor centers and a series of parks within parks, including Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Hidden Falls-Crosby Farm Regional Park and St. Anthony Falls. Park rangers at each visitor center lead talks and activities, such as guided hikes and boating trips.

On Minnesota’s eastern border with Wisconsin, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway is renowned for being one of the best canoeing spots in the country, as well as home to great smallmouth bass fishing.

If you’re up for the ultimate camping adventure, head into Superior National Forest and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.