Whether you’re a fan of bluegrass, indie rock, symphonies or Shakespeare, there’s never been a better time to visit Winona. So call some friends, pack your bags, and discover one of the Midwest’s most surprising art scenes. These days, it’s hard to imagine Winona without its vibrant summer festival scene. But until recently, this small southern Minnesota city was home to just one multi-day summer festival: Winona Steamboat Days.

Colors bursting from branches, cool air wafting off the lake, charming small town main streets—biking the 40-mile loop around Lake Minnetonka is everything good about fall in Minnesota wrapped up in a tidy, close-to-home bow. No matter how many times I ride around Lake Minnetonka, my brain always brings me back to my first time on the trails. It was a perfect fall day about five years ago—mid-60s, sunny, leaves swaying gently in the breeze like rubies dangling off a necklace. I was biking home f

Colorado riders Steve Wilcox and Megan Barr werent sure what to expect from a mountain bike trip to Minnesota—but after a few days riding in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, they were blown away by the fast and flowy trails at Cuyuna and Detroit Lakes. We all know that Minnesota is one of the USAs most beautiful states. But one thing that doesnt immediately come to mind when you think of the Midwest is mountain biking. But if youre not thinking of mountain biking when you think of Minnesota, youre miss

Colorado riders Steve Wilcox and Megan Barr werent sure what to expect from a mountain bike trip to Minnesota—but after a few days riding in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, they were blown away by the fast and flowy trails at Cuyuna and Detroit Lakes. This past May we traveled to Minnesota to visit two heavily talked about areas for mountain biking - Detroit Mountain and Cuyuna. We absolutely could not get enough, so we had to make another trip back in June to visit Duluth and Lebanon Hills. In an are

More than 11,000 Minnesota lakes draw people to their shores for all kinds of fun on the water, whether it’s a bright summer day, foggy fall morning or brisk winter weekend. In central Minnesota, these waters meld with every vacation desire, from dreamy naps on the dock and daybreak swims to pontoon parties and full-throttle speedboat or snowmobile thrills. Big or small, calm or choppy, frozen or flowing, central Minnesotas waters are what lake life is all about.

Performing arts abound in Minnesota, and it’s not just Twin Cities venues that have audiences cheering. In the northwest part of the state, orchestras, choirs, theater groups and concert halls have a full calendar of impressive performances lined up all year long. Whether you’re headed to Bemidji, Moorhead, Walker, Detroit Lakes, Park Rapids or Thief River Falls, consider adding a live show to your must-see list. All Ge

With fresh snow, towering pines, light displays, seasonal treats and festive activities, the holidays are a magical time in Minnesota. Make the most of all that the season offers with these spirited events. Holiday Light Displays Holiday Light Displays Every winter, Duluth’s Bayfront Festival Park transforms into “Americas Largest Free Walk-Through Lighting Display,

In Minnesota, where the winter sun sets early and the trees are bare, the fun doesn’t move indoors. Instead, we pull on our snow pants, or in some cases, strip down to our swimsuits: It’s polar plunge time! In addition to our plentiful outdoor activities, from cross-country and downhill skiing to snowshoeing and ice fishing, Minnesota hosts numerous festivals and events that celebrate our northern climate and foster a sense of community in spite of the cold. So bundle up and head out into the Mi

For fall-loving travelers looking for more than foliage, the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway is full of eclectic adventures just waiting to be explored. Zip lines whir across forests, military tanks growl and plow through puddles, and bicyclists grind up hills and speed back down. Quench your thirst with one of hundreds of soda flavors at Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store in Jordan, or hoist a cold brew from one of the nation’s oldest family-owned breweries in charming New Ulm. Local history a

The retooling of the apple—from humble mainstay to luxury good—is a relatively recent thing in the United States, but its history goes back to the colonial era when apple trees, brought here by settlers, provided a bounty of products including apple butter, hard cider and fruit pies. The University of Minnesota struck gold when it released the Honeycrisp apple cultivar in 1991. A true, ripe Honeycrisp tastes like an apple with the volume turned up: Both honey-sweet and bracingly tart, it conveys

In Minnesota, you dont have to venture far from the city to get up close and personal with wildlife. One of the best places to hang out with thousands of furry, finned and feathered friends is the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley, which celebrated its 40th birthday in 2018. Visitors to the states largest zoo will encounter animals and habitats from around the globe in exciting exhibits that house over 500 species and nearly 5,000 animals. Explore the indoor and outdoor habitats by walking or wheeli

Every summer, nearly 2 million people visit the Minnesota State Fair. The Fair is an #OnlyinMN tradition for many Minnesotans and visitors alike. With nearly 500 food items, 30 carnival rides and more than 900 free performances, theres plenty to keep you busy throughout the Fairs 12-day run. Get ready for the “Great Minnesota Get-Back-Together” with these 25 must-dos. Before your visit, review the Minnesota State Fairs 2021 health and safety guidance. 

Like a mass human migration every August for more than 30 years, a steady stream of cars, trucks and campers has converged in Detroit Lakes for Minnesota’s WE Fest. With more than 150,000 attendees, it’s billed as America’s biggest country music and camping festival, and for many, it’s also the ultimate summertime party. Campers have a choice of campgrounds at Soo Pass Ranch, from subdued sites with quiet hours to ones where night owls can find their flock. Here’s a look at some of Minnesota’s o

The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is considered among the best in the country, winning the title of Best Airport in North America for three years running. Before you jet off to your final destination, take some time to discover these 10 highlights. Top-Notch Dining Top-Notch Dining Minnesotas thriving local food scene greets visitors as soon as they touc

Spring seems to start just a little sooner in southern Minnesota. Mild temperatures melt away the snow and reveal the lush greens of the Minnesota River Valley and the wooded bluffs of southeastern Minnesota, and the water starts to flow in the region’s lakes and streams. Get out and have some adventures—ranging from mild to wild—in southern Minnesota this spring!  Have your pancakes and eat them too, with syrup

Powwows or wacipi (Dakota translation: “they dance”) are major Native American celebrations featuring a blend of sacred customs, tribal reunions, music and traditional dances. Open to the general public, powwows give non-Natives a look at the colorful culture and artistry of Minnesota’s Dakota and Ojibwe nations, as well as those of Native Americans from across the country who come to Minnesota for the bigger competitions.

As vaccines and ongoing precautions like facemasks and social distancing help usher in the return of outdoor events, let southern Minnesota entertain you at its fairs and festivals. Have fun and create unforgettable memories at these summer celebrations across the region. Bavarian Blast, New Ulm Bavarian Blast, New Ulm A celebration of German heritage in New Ulm, Bav

You dont have to be Irish to get in on the fun of St. Patricks Day. Parades, parties, races and concerts are held throughout the state, so put on your best green attire and celebrate the Irish way. LuckyPalooza St. Paul, March 14 Start your St. Patricks week off right at LuckyPalooza on West 7th Street. This festive street party has two city blocks worth of action, including three tent parties at McGoverns, Burger Moes

Every fall, hundreds of thousands of hunters clad in blaze orange head out in search of Minnesotas white-tailed deer. For many people, hunting deer during the firearms season is just as much about renewing friendships and a connection with nature as it is about pulling the trigger. Many hunters opt to search for deer on the millions of acres of county, federal and state lands that are spread throughout Minnesota and available for anyone to use—hunters are never far from a place they can hunt. Th

Planning the perfect long weekend bike trip is a delicate thing. If your destination is too far away, you’ll spend the whole trip just getting there; if it’s not far enough from home, it barely even feels like a vacation. To make planning your trip a little easier, we put together this list of fun, three- to four-day bike trips in Minnesota. They’re perfect for your next long holiday weekend (or even just your next “sick day”).