Less than half an hour from Minneapolis-St. Paul, the St. Croix River Valley is teeming with plentiful natural beauty, fun on the water, and small rivertown charms. The St. Croix was one of only eight waterways originally designated as a “National Wild and Scenic River” by the federal government in 1968. It’s also widely considered one of the best canoeing rivers in the nation. Get on the water and see the sights along this iconic waterway.

The serenading song of birds and the translucent green glow of freshly unfurled leaves signal the arrival of spring in Minnesota. If you’re lucky, you can add the thunder of waterfalls, too. As winter loosens its grip, snowmelt fills the state’s rivers that roar toward Lake Superior, rumble through hardwoods and cascade across prairie. Northeast Minnesota You have to go north—all the way to the Canadian border—to see Mi

Minnesota is one of the top fishing destinations in North America, and the fine folks at Fishidy have identified the main reasons you should grab a pole and plan your trip today. 10,000 Lakes 10,000 Lakes According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the state is actually home to 11,842 lakes with a surface area of at least 10 acres. And we’re talking l

In Minnesota, heading to Duluth for the holiday season is a cherished annual tradition of many families. From Christmas parades through downtown to awe-inspiring holiday light displays and European-style winter markets, holiday cheer in Duluth awaits.  Christmas City of the North Parade Duluth officially kicks off the season with the Christmas City of the North nighttime parade through downtown the Friday before Thanksgiving. The parade is followed by the Christmas City Express train, the warm g

Minnesotas Land of 10,000 Lakes slogan isnt mere hype—from unnamed country ponds to the sea-like majesty of Lake Superior, the state has aquatic splendor to spare. Its no surprise, then, that theres plenty of good food to be eaten by the shores of the states rivers, lakes and waterfalls. From old-fashioned supper clubs to up-to-date casual seafood eateries, where theres open water, theres often a great meal (and usually a good local brew or cocktail, to boot).

Minimalist design, cozy sweaters, cured meats and hygge: The Nordic lifestyle is on trend like never before. For one of the top places to immerse yourself in Scandinavian culture, food and people in America, look no further than Minnesota. Home to the largest population of Norwegians and Swedes outside of Scandinavia (not to mention an NFL team named the Vikings), the state’s strong Nordic roots are evident and celebrated year-round.

As the name suggests, the northern lights become more pronounced the further north you go, and Minnesota’s location makes it one of the best states in the lower 48 to view them. There’s a perfectly scientific explanation for the aurora borealis phenomenon (more commonly known as the northern lights), and we’ll get to that in a minute. But when you see it in person—weaving, flickering and pulsing across the night sky, li

Accessible primarily by canoe, the Boundary Waters in northern Minnesota is one of Americas most beautiful and remote adventures. Plan your first trip using this four-day beginner-friendly itinerary. One of the hardest things about planning your first Boundary Waters trip is deciding where to go within the vast preserve’s 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 11 hiking trails and approximately 2,000 designated campsites. While it can be tempting to paddle your heart out and see as much as you can, the be

With award-winning parks, trails and urban lakes, outdoor adventures are an essential addition to your Minneapolis-St. Paul vacation. Whether youre biking the Midtown Greenway, kayaking on Lake Harriet or hiking a trail beside the Mississippi River, the Twin Cities are a dream come true for outdoorsy visitors. Take the Chain of Lakes for example, a local favorite year-round and a must-see spot on any visitor’s list. During the warmer months, they’re filled and lined with runners, bikers, volleyb

By getting on the trail and squeezing the throttle, ATV riders can leave civilization behind and witness wild places—not to mention the birds, deer and other creatures that call these areas home. Minnesota boasts dozens of trails for all-terrain vehicle riders. Opportunities exist for riders throughout Minnesota, with the majority of trails clustered in the northern part of the state. There are trails to match every skill level, from flat and open trails that cater to beginners to narrow, windin

Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is best known as a bucket list destination for summer canoe trips. But winter transforms this magnificent landscape into a forested cathedral of ice, snow and silence, offering another adventure like no other—dog sledding. With options for both mushing the dogs yourself as well as riding in the sled, there are many ways to experience dog sledding in the Boundary Waters. Whether you are seeking a simple ride of a few hours or less, a multi-day tri

The Cuyuna iron mines went dormant in 1984, but over the past 10 years theyve been reborn as some of the countrys best mountain bike trails. And with 25 miles of winter-ready trails, Cuyuna is the Midwests next big winter adventure destination. The now-dormant iron ore mines at Cuyuna were once the region’s main economic engine, and in a roundabout way, they still are. Although the mines closed for good back in 1984—abandoned like so many other industrial sites across America during that time—ov

Maybe it is the smell of fresh-baked pumpkin pies wafting through the cool fall air, or some well-hidden secret in the heart of a corn maze. Maybe it’s the lush fall colors, or the unmistakable crunch crunch crunch of fallen leaves underfoot. There’s just something magical about exploring a pumpkin patch in the fall—and whatever that magic may be, pumpkin patches in Minnesota sure have a lot of it! Minnesota farmers grow some of the best pumpkins in the country, from awe-inspiring giant pumpkins

Whether youre into art, animals or ice fishing, youre sure to find an event worth traveling to this year in Minnesota. Find even more fun in the Festivals & Events calendar. January I.C.E. Fest Watch as Little Falls attempts to regain the World Record for the Largest Ice Carousel, which will be carved on top of a frozen lake and solar powered. Curling, skating, fat biking and igloo building round out the on-ice fun.

In the Land of 10,000 Lakes (actual number: 11,842), its impossible to say which ones are the best. These 12 represent just a handful of the many great places to start your Minnesota lake adventure. Explore them all, then find more fun on the water statewide. Lake Superior Youll need to catch your breath after your first glimpse of Lake Superior from Minnesotas North Shore. This magnificent body of water looks like an o

Six diverse and unique national park sites can be found in Minnesota, preserving and highlighting some of our most distinctive natural, historical and cultural resources. Voyageurs National Park Voyageurs National Park is uniquely water-based among national parks, its interior accessible only by water. 240 sites designated for houseboats, tent camping or day use dot the shores of four large, island-studded lakes, and do

With innovative and challenging trails that flow through the entire lakefront city, Duluth is easily one of the top mountain bike destinations in the Midwest. From downhill to cross-country, youll find every style of riding in Duluth. Over the past few decades, the port city of Duluth has reinvented itself as one of the Midwests premier hubs for outdoor adventures, including mountain biking. Minnesotas City on a Hill boasts lift-served downhill trails, flowy cross-country and more berms than you

Memorialized in the once hugely popular cowboy/folk song “Red River Valley,” going back to at least 1879, the slow, gentle river offers hundreds of miles of mostly easy canoeing on a well-mapped Minnesota state water trail. The Red also boasts some of the Midwest’s biggest channel catfish, often coming in at 20 or more pounds, as well as huge walleyes, northern pike and more than 70 species of fish. In the state where t

From skiing to snowmobiling to urban adventures, options for fun in the snow are practically endless in Minnesota. This winter, take advantage of nature’s gift to the North. And dont delay—the snow will be gone before you know it. Cross-Country Skiing Cross-Country Skiing Minnesota is known for its great cross-country skiing, with more than 2,000 miles of dedicated t

Experience the thrill of downhill skiing in Minnesota at 18 scenic and affordable ski areas. Whether you prefer fast technical lines or long cruising runs, Minnesota ski areas offer a mixture of terrain to keep every level of skier challenged. Northeast Minnesota Ski Areas Minnesota may be known for its lakes and prairies, but the North Shore’s Sawtooth Mountains offer spectacular drops and some of the Midwest’s biggest