BEST Minnesota’s A GUIDE TO
Our neighbors to the west have a lot to offer – beautiful parks and waterfronts, great dining, iconic museums and much more. Find places to go and things to do in this guide, and then plan a trip of your own!
On the Water
Minnesota is all about lake life. From the tip of Lake Superior to Voyageurs National Park down to Lake Minnetonka and across hundreds of hidden gems, the state is filled with beautiful destinations for a weekend of kayaking and canoeing – or just sitting by the water with your fishing rod and a few cold ones. Here are just some of the top spots.
Fishing
With tens of thousands of miles of waterways, Minnesota has myriad places to fish for walleye, bass, crappie and other freshwater species.
LAKE FISHING
Lake Minnetonka
Nearly 40 different water basins coalesce into over 14,000 acres of prime fishing waters at Lake Minnetonka. Because of the diverse basins, which include different bottom types, water depths and cover structures, Lake Minnetonka has a dynamic variety of potential catches. There are bluegill, crappie, large- and smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye and more. Plus, the lake is just a 45-minute drive from the Twin Cities, making it an easy stop on a weekend trip. But make sure to come early to beat the crowds – especially on summer weekends.
Mille Lacs Lake
Touted as the “premier walleye factory in Central Minnesota,” Mille Lacs is Minnesota’s second-largest inland lake and is home to bass, northern pike and muskie. The clear water is beautiful to look at, but savvy fisherman gather near the darker shallow mudflats to make their big catch.
MORE SPOTS TO LAKE FISH
Nestled in the Chippewa National Forest, Leech Lake is the third-largest inland lake in Minnesota and nationally recognized for its abundant game fish. If you’re looking for trout, try Snowbank Lake up near the Boundary Waters, where you’ll find plenty. On the border of Minnesota and South Dakota, Big Stone Lake is a popular angling spot year-round.
RIVER FISHING
Cannon River
MUST-SEE!
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Walker Art Center: Explore 11 acres of compelling outdoor art at the garden and center, home of the famous cherry spoon sculpture.
This scenic tributary runs into the Mississippi River near the town of Red Wing. Along the way, anglers fish up and down some 100 miles of river from bridges, riverbanks and canoes. Expect to find northern pike, black crappies, bluegills and bullheads in the stretch north of Faribault, and smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye downstream and into the Cannon Falls region.
Rum River
Connecting Mille Lacs Lake to the Mississippi River, Rum River is a gradually graded 145 miles. It supports walleye, northern pike, muskellunge and smallmouth bass, with the biggest population of smallmouth bass found in the upper stretches of the river. The shallow, gentle waterway makes it a great option for beginner anglers or families.
MORE SPOTS TO RIVER FISH
In the southwestern region of the state, the Minnesota River is best known for its flathead and channel catfish. The Root River in the southeast is the place to go for brook, rainbow and brown trout. And northwestern Minnesota, where the Thief River and Red Lake River meet, is a popular destination for fishing and small game hunting alike.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Whether you’re looking for a serene paddle on a tranquil lake or an adrenaline-pumping rush through challenging waters, Minnesota’s waterways have you covered.
Boundary Waters
These glacial waterways are famous for good reason. There are over 1,200 miles of routes across 1,000 bodies of water in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, offering breathtaking vistas of pristine nature. Kayakers and canoers must have experience and should be comfortable with class II to III rapids.
MUST-SEE!
Minneapolis Institute of Art: A world class art museum, one of the largest in the nation, MIA has a collection representing 5,000 years of world history.
Crow Wing River State Trail
Adventurers looking for an easier (but equally scenic) destination than the Boundary Water can visit Crow Wing. Flanked by dense marshes and pine forests, this river offers miles of incredible sights. The water is seldom more than 3 feet deep, with gentle rapids that are easy on kayakers and canoers of all skill levels.
MORE SPOTS TO KAYAK AND CANOE ...
The St. Croix River is a beginner-friendly option along the Wisconsin-Minnesota border. Snake River State Water Trail offers a bigger challenge – be comfortable with class I through III rapids. Southeastern Minnesota’s Root River is surrounded by quaint towns kayakers or canoers can explore after a day of adventure.
Paddleboarding
Take in some of Minnesota’s most scenic vistas perched on a paddleboard.
Lake Winona
The placid waters at Lake Winona make it a great spot to try paddleboarding, especially if you’re new to it. Surrounded by bluffs and forests, the lake has stunning views. Winona is famously home to Sugar Loaf Bluff, a nearly 500-foot limestone feature that juts out over the forest. Paddleboard rentals are available right by the water.
Boat Tours
Looking to just sit back and relax? Try one of these tours.
TAYLORS FALLS
Flanked by the towns of Taylors Falls and St. Croix Falls, the St. Croix River has several unique geological formations formed by glacial activity hundreds of thousands of years ago. Tour down the river to learn about the rocky bluffs and
Cuyuna Country
This unique red-rock landscape was created by the iron-rich minerals and rocks in the area, formed billions of years ago. There are several lakes within the Cuyuna area to explore, including Portsmouth Mine Lake, Pennington Mine Lake and Yawkey Mine Lake.
MORE SPOTS TO PADDLEBOARD…
If you’re visiting the Twin Cities, Square Lake is just a 40-minute drive away. Little Mantrap Lake near Park Rapids is a clear, spring-fed lake close to the popular Little Norway Resort. And paddlers in southwestern Minnesota can visit Lake Okabena, and its nearby Beach Nook, for rentals.
MUST-SEE!
Spam Museum: Everyone’s favorite salty canned meat is made right in Austin, Minnesota, with a museum that celebrates the one-of-a-kind brand.
cliffs, and make a special stop at “The Dalles,” a steep cliff above a narrow gorge. taylorsfallsboat.com
ST. PAUL AND MISSISSIPPI
The city of St. Paul has over 20 miles of Mississippi Riverfront. A boat tour along the mighty Mississippi will bring you to St. Paul High Bridge, Pig’s Eye Cave, the Minnesota River mouth and Pike Island all the way to the Mississippi National Great River Park. riverrides.com
Parks and Trails
From one of the most beautiful national parks in the country to dozens of hidden gems, Minnesota has an abundance of nature worth exploring.
North Country Scenic Trail
The North Country Scenic Trail is one of the longest continuous footpaths in the country, stretching from New York to North Dakota. Minnesota is home to over 850 miles of the trail through remote forests, rolling hills and wetlands. It touches Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, Chippewa and Superior National Forests and Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge.
Voyageurs National Park
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Voyageurs National Park has over 218,000 acres of unadulterated wilderness to explore. The area is ancient and well preserved. You’ll find rocks that are up to 3 billion years old, some of the oldest in North America. It’s also a Dark Sky Park, so stargazers can see a wide, clear view of the Milky Way and at times, even the Northern Lights. STATE
Beaver Creek Valley
Pristine bluffs and ravines make Beaver Creek Valley State Park an incredible place to bird-watch, hike and view an abundance of wildlife. In the southeastern corner of the state, Beaver Creek has several clear streams full of native brook trout.
George Crosby Manitou
In the north, George Crosby Manitou State Park offers a more remote experience for travelers. Its deep forests and rugged
Mill City Museum: Located in the ruins of an old flour mill, the Mill City Museum honors the city’s industrial past through family-friendly shows, labs, films and more.
terrain make for beautiful but challenging hiking trails. But the effort pays off when it leads to sites like the Manitou River or Cascades Waterfall.
Split Rock Lighthouse
One of the most iconic parks in Minnesota, Split Rock offers unmatched panoramic views of Lake Superior and its bluffs. Its famous namesake, the Split Rock Lighthouse, is one of the most photographed and visited spots in the state. Easy-to-navigate trails make it a great trip for families.
Tettegouche
Another North Shore gem, Tettegouche State Park has several unique features in its over 9,000 acres. Sweeping views can be found at the overlooks at Shovel Point and Palisade Valley. Tettegouche is also home to High Falls, the tallest waterfall in Minnesota.
Blue Mounds
This southwestern spot is unique in the lineup of state parks. Its pastoral plains are surrounded by prairies, prickly pear cactus and Sioux quartzite cliffs. A 533-acre bison pasture is home to about 100 pure-strain bison.
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PHOTO:
MICAH KVIDT
Food and Drink
A trip to Minnesota wouldn’t be complete without sampling the state’s delicious dining. Consider a meal at an outdoor hotspot, a visit to a craft brewery, or a stop at one of the Twin Cities’ many live music destinations.
OUTDOOR DINING
6Smith, Wayzata
Nestled on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, 6Smith is an innovative meat-and-seafood-focused restaurant with an expansive outdoor patio boasting harbor views. If you can’t grab a table outside, the floor-toceiling windows bring the views indoors.
Bar Harbor Supper Club, Lake Shore
What says Minnesota summer more than a supper club dinner on a lake? Helm a boat (or drive a car) right to Bar Harbor and enjoy a drink in an Adirondack before your meal. The supper club serves elevated fare, including ribeye, lobster, short ribs and more, on a sprawling lakefront patio.
502 Restaurant, Walker
Dine waterside at the shores of Leech Lake at 502 Restaurant, a part of Chase on the Lake Resort and Spa. Enjoy a prime rib or shrimp dinner at the patio right along the waterline, or from their upper balcony, where diners get a bird’s eye view of the lake.
Kelly’s Lake House, Lake City
Kelly’s Lake House has a multi-level outdoor patio where diners can enjoy the bar and
grill while taking in the view of the mighty Mississippi. The indoor dining area’s floorto-ceiling windows give diners views that are gorgeous year-round, even when the weather isn’t.
BREWERIES
Fair State, Minneapolis
This is one of the nation’s first-ever cooperatively owned breweries, located in the Northeast neighborhood of Minneapolis. (But you don’t have to be a member to stop by!) Fair State has over 2,000 member-owners, with a beer list that’s drawn praise across the Midwest.
Black Stack, St. Paul
Black Stack took home gold at both the regional and national levels at the 2024 America’s Best Beverage Awards for their Hemp THC lemonade and iced tea drink, Real Trees. Beer lovers – especially IPA lovers – are sure to find a new favorite here.
Castle Danger, Two Harbors
With a scenic taproom overlooking the shores of Lake Superior, Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors which boasts a “clean, balanced and approachable” beer list, is a great stop after a long day of exploring the North Shore.
Schell’s Brewery, New Ulm
This New Ulm staple has been serving beer for over 160 years. It has a menu of classic brews, as well as new craft products. ◆
Live Music in the Twin Cities
FIRST AVENUE
One of the most iconic venues in the country, First Avenue has hosted nearly every major act you can name since opening in 1970. Most famously, Minneapolis legend Prince cut his teeth at this downtown venue.
ICEHOUSE
Icehouse’s story reaches back to the 1860s, when the building was used to store lake ice. In 2012, the building was transformed into an inclusive dance club where local and national acts perform.
DAKOTA
Mall of America: This “Place for Fun” is a famed tourist stop for a very good reason: its 7-acre indoor amusement park.
Catch a jazz, blues or funk show at Dakota, located in Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. It’s one of the few clubs to serve a full dinner menu with live performances every day of the week.
THE PALACE
Originally operated as a vaudeville theater, The Palace Theatre was reopened in 2017 and is now operated by the First Avenue and JAM Productions teams. The midsize venue hosts beloved acts like the Spin Doctors, Wilco and Snow Patrol.
PHOTO: BY PAUL VINCENT
