Minnesota

"The North Star State"

Minnesota is a land of contrasts. Here you can follow the secluded canoe trails of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, or have a houseboat adventure in Voyageurs National Park. There are Northwoods golf and spa resorts and more shoreline than California, Florida and Hawaii combined and the state also claims world class cities with internationally acclaimed arts, unique entertainment acts and venues, and professional sports teams. The Minneapolis and Saint Paul metropolitan area has a thriving theatre scene with more seats per capita than anywhere outside New York. The Historic State and Orpheum Theatres in Minneapolis and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul host Broadway productions as well as other musical acts. The highly regarded Guthrie Theater’s repertory company stages Shakespeare and contemporary American playwrights. Internationally acclaimed rock, pop and country stars hold forth at the Target Center and Xcel Energy Center. World-class museums abound, such as the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden, and the Weisman Art Museum and Science Museum.

Grand Portage and Pipestone National Monuments preserve the rich Ojibwe and Dakota American Indian and fur trapping heritage. Minnesota is home to the International Wolf Center, North American Bear Center and National Eagle Center.

From bustling downtowns to untouched wilderness, historic landmarks and modern-day attractions, Minnesota is wonderfully diverse. Don't miss the 'start' of the Mississippi River and shimmering waters of Lake Superior.

Lake of the Woods and the Northwest Angle, the nation’s seventh-largest lake, stretches across the Canadian border, cutting off the northern-most point in the U.S., the Northwest Angle.

Land Area: 79,548 square miles; 1/3 of the land area is forest

Population: 5.2 million

State Capital: Saint Paul

Largest City: Minneapolis

Local Time: CST – 6 hrs behind the UK

Four distinct seasons

There are 74 Parks inc Voyageurs National Park and the Mississippi River National Recreation Area.

Dakota Indians first named this land “minisota,” meaning “land of sky-tinted water,” when they settled here more than three centuries ago. Today, Minnesota is still known for its breath-taking scenery, with magnificent forests, beautiful prairieland and sparkling blue lakes dotting the state.

The Mighty Mississippi begins in a small spring-fed lake in Itasca State Park and winds its 1,126-kilometer path through Minnesota before flowing south to the Gulf of America. Visitors can walk a stone path across the source of the Mississippi to ensure a long and happy life, according to legend. The 240-kilometer Highway 61 along Lake Superior’s coast, an All-American Road, offers state parks, scenic overlooks, waterfalls and the Split Rock Lighthouse, whether you’re traveling by auto, bicycle or motorcycle, or hiking the North Shore scenic trail. Visit harbour town Duluth, a lively, welcoming place hopping with breweries and a vibrant lakefront scene. 

Two national monuments and two national park sites offer a glimpse into the history and beauty of Minnesota. Voyageurs National Park, the only water-based national park in the USA, features outdoor recreation opportunities year-round, from boating on luxurious houseboats in the summer to excitement on snowmobile trails in the winter. The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area spans 115 kilometers of riverfront through Minneapolis and St. Paul, providing a spectacular natural setting amid vibrant city life. Two national monuments, Grand Portage on Minnesota’s northeastern tip and Pipestone in the southwest corner, preserve the state’s American Indian and fur-trapping heritage. Canoeing through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, a designated wilderness area with 1,300 lakes, feels like being one of the state’s early explorers. Additionally, more than 75 state parks and over 55 state forests, plus two national forests, provide camping, hiking, biking and scenic driving experiences for visitors of all ages and activity levels. 

In the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, scores of theatres, museums and galleries define the famed Twin Cities as an influential arts haven. The Walker Art Center is one of the nation’s top modern art institutes and includes a beautiful sculpture garden featuring the famous “Spoonbridge and Cherry” sculpture. The stainless steel exterior of Weisman Art Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, sparkles on the University of Minnesota campus. The state’s music scene is legendary, launching native superstars Bob Dylan and Prince, artists whose connections to Minnesota are remembered in murals, displays, annual events, landmarks and attractions. Don’t miss Paisley Park, former home and studio of Prince, now open for tours. Award-winning parks and relaxing boat excursions on lakes and the Mississippi River add a relaxing balance to the energy of this metropolitan area. Mall of America in nearby Bloomington is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the USA. It offers plenty of excitement for all ages, with more than 520 stores and restaurants; Nickelodeon Universe, the nation’s largest indoor theme park; SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium; FlyOver America; and many other attractions and experiences. Plus, there is no tax on clothing or shoes in Minnesota.