Soaring through the air on a Minnesota zip line is the ultimate blend of adrenaline, adventure and excitement. Experience the thrill of the zip as you glide among tree tops and take in aerial views from the safety of your harness! Zip Line Tours in Greater Minnesota For a zip lining experience among the old-growth forests and pristine lakes of northeast Minnesota, head to the Towering Pines Canopy Tour along the Gunflin

Minnesota consistently ranks as one of the best places for bass fishing in the country. Anglers from all over the United States talk about Minnesota’s lakes and rivers as ideal for catching smallmouth and largemouth bass. Largemouth bass are more widespread than smallmouth bass. More than 2,000 lakes have resident largemouth bass populations, while more than 500 lakes have smallmouth bass. Some lakes are home to both sp

Voyageurs National Park is an expanse of lakes and forests at the end of the road on Minnesota’s northern border with Canada. While the interior of this unique national park is accessible only by water for much of the year, visitors have a variety of watercraft options to explore Voyageurs four large lakes, the Ash River, 26 smaller interior lakes, vast numbers of secluded bays, hundreds of islands and more than 650 miles of beautiful shoreline. Voyageurs’ dark skies are ideal for viewing endles

Autumn offers some of Minnesota’s best bird watching, with mild temperatures, congregating flocks and vibrant forests enhancing bird hikes and road trips. The Mississippi River Flyway is one of North Americas most traveled routes during spring and fall bird migrations. Roughly 325 species of birds and about 40 percent of waterfowl use this super highway during migration. Minnesota is well-positioned in this major flyway, with lots of smaller flight paths and numerous Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

While much of Minnesota is characterized by woods and water, the southwest corner of the state has a special appeal of its own. Picturesque farmsteads, towering wind turbines and charming small towns give visitors a distinct vibe that cant be found anywhere else. First-time visitors may be surprised to discover all there is to see and do in this region. In no particular order, here are six unique attractions you can only find in southwest Minnesota.

When you visit a place that’s nicknamed “Land of 10,000 Lakes” (make that 11,842, to be precise), its pretty much required that you explore one or two of them while you’re here. In fact, many would argue you haven’t had the full Minnesota experience until youve gone to the lake. After all, they’re not hard to find! As you plan your Minnesota getaway, be sure to carve out some time at a lake—whether it’s a side trip for an afternoon or the focus of your whole vacation. Here are five great ways to

Whether youre biking the paved lakefront trails in the bustling port city of Duluth, mountain biking in an abandoned iron mine or bikepacking the Superior National Forest, bicycling in northeast Minnesota is an experience unlike any other: a rare hodge-podge of beauty and grit, mines and mountains. Across the region, these five unique bicycling experiences are waiting for you. Ride the Duluth Traverse From End to End

Every Minnesotan remembers where they were on April 21, 2016, when they learned about the untimely passing of the state’s most iconic artist. Admired by music critics and beloved by his millions of fans around the world, Prince was born, grew up and decided to stay in Minnesota for the majority of his 57 years. From his residence and recording studio in Chanhassen to the Minneapolis nightclub he immortalized in “Purple Rain,” these places played a big role in the much-too-short life of Prince. P

Minnesota has long been a melting pot of cultures. From the Dakota and Ojibwe, to the Swedes, to the Hmong, Somalis and Mexicans, the newcomers to Minnesota have made the states culture richer and more diverse. During your visit, be sure to explore the many different communities that make Minnesota unique. Over the past thirty years, newer immigrant and refugee groups—particularly Hmong, Somali and Mexican populations—have brought distinctive and exciting foods, music, art, handiwork and more to

Minneapolis and St. Paul have a lot of connections: The Mississippi River flows through them both, their residents root for the same sports teams, and their museums and theaters are world class. They’re also physically connected by the Metro Green Line light rail, which runs between Minneapolis’ Target Field and St. Paul’s Union Depot, with more than 20 stops along the way. Exploring these two cities on this sleek mode of transportation offers a different perspective, even for lifelong residents

Minnesotas state parks are among our crown jewels, welcoming millions of residents and visitors alike to learn about the state’s ecosystems, recreate in the outdoors or simply commune with nature. The state park system, which includes 76 parks and recreation areas that range in size from small to vast, got its start more than 100 years ago with the 1890s designation of Itasca and Interstate state parks. Many people use the campgrounds and hiking trails that are staples of state parks, but there

The equivalent of a modern-day treasure hunt, geocaching takes people to places they otherwise may never have gone. Joshua Johnson, for example, has followed his passion for geocaching–a location-based game in which participants navigate to hidden caches–by cliffs near Duluth and to parks all across Minnesota. He’s discovered waterfalls he never knew existed, happened upon interesting sculptures, and discovered some of the most beautiful scenery he’s ever laid eyes on. “One of the biggest things

Shinrin-Yoku is a Japanese mindfulness activity that translates to “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” It was developed in the 1980s to help relieve stress and improve physical and mental health—and scientific research shows it’s doing just that. Proven benefits of forest bathing include lowered blood pressure, improved immune function and lowered cortisol—our body’s long-term stress hormone that cont

From berries to mushrooms to wild rice, Minnesota offers an abundance of native foods for people to harvest and eat. In recent years, as the desire has grown to eat locally sourced food, foraging has become an increasingly popular pastime, allowing people to be outside with a goal in mind during the spring, summer and fall. Some folks simply like the idea of spending time in the woods and having a chance to find their own food. Others are more purposeful about foraging and use the food items the

With dozens of charming Minnesota orchards dotting the state map like apples on the ground, the North Star State is an apple lover’s paradise. Thanks to our extensive, statewide bicycle trail network, it’s easy to plan a pedal-powered orchard adventure in Minnesota. Whether you bring a small bag of apples home in your pannier, load up the trailer with a whole season’s worth of pie supplies, or simply enjoy a slice of warm apple pie on the farm, you’ll love biking to Minnesota’s many trailside ap

The U.S. Bicycle Route (USBR) system is a fast-emerging network of numbered cross-country bicycle routes, already spanning more than 11,000 miles across the nation. Many biking enthusiasts are familiar with Minnesotas first U.S. Bicycle Route, the Mississippi River Trail (USBR 45), but its second deserves equal renown. Geography & Culture of the North Star Route Passing through a cross-section of Minnesota geography

For many anglers, the sight of an olive and gold-colored fish with an unmistakable white tip on its tail emerging from the depths of a lake is enough to send chills up their spine.  Walleye don’t grow as large as muskie and northern pike, and it’s often easier to fill the boat with bluegills or crappies, but Minnesota’s state fish is No. 1 in the minds of many who appreciate the challenge of catching them and the delectable taste of their firm, white meat.

As home to America’s fittest city according to FitBit, Minnesota offers countless trails all over the state to get your steps in and log some extra miles. Even better, many of Minnesota’s paved trails pass by scenic landscapes, glistening lakes and iconic landmarks that make the miles feel like less of a workout and more of an adventure. So the next time you want to add some memorable steps to your Minnesota vacation, look no further than these scenic trails. Northeast Minnesota

Theres not much room for debate: Fall hiking is simply the best. Moderate temperatures, infrequent rain, no mosquitoes and lighter crowds are added bonuses to the breathtaking landscapes bursting with fall color—nature’s buffet enticing hikers to push forth and feast upon the next spectacular view. From the craggy North Shore to majestic hardwood forests to beautiful Bluff Country, here are some of the prettiest places to hike in Minnesota this fall.

Bass anglers who visit southern Minnesota can easily hook into some outstanding fishing. The southernmost area of the state is known for its variety of lakes as well as the Mississippi, Minnesota and other rivers that pop up in and around the area’s small towns. On the eastern side of the state, the Mississippi River’s sprawling backwaters and mile-wide pools offer excellent opportunities for catching largemouth and sma