Minnesota is right on the border with Canada, in the north center of the United States. The state has many beautiful landscapes, and is known for its widespread agriculture. The state also has a coastal strip towards Lake Superior with very beautiful views. The capital of Minnesota is Saint Paul, while the largest city is Minneapolis.
Facts about Minnesota
- Inhabitants: 5.5 million
- Density: 25.9 per km²
- Capital: Saint Paul
- Largest city: Minneapolis
- Area: 225,181 km²
- Highest mountain: Eagle Mountain
- Time Zone: UTC-6 (Summer Time UTC-5)
Neighboring states
- Iowa– in the South
- South Dakota– in the southwest
- North Dakota– in the northwest
- Wisconsin– in the east
Things to do in Minnesota
There is much to see and discover in beautiful Minnesota. There is a lot of beautiful nature to enjoy, but also big city life and pleasant small villages.
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
In Minnesota’s capital, Saint Paul, is one of the state’s top visitor destinations, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. The park was founded at the end of the 19th century, and consists of a very large area with many mixed attractions.
Among other things, there is the large orangery, which has fantastic gardens and botanical attractions. The zoo part has many different animal species, and there is also an amusement park and a very nice green area around Lake Como. Read more at www.comozooconservatory.org.
Minneapolis
In Minnesota’s largest city, Minneapolis, there is much to see and do. Among other things, there are several interesting museums to visit, for example the Walker Art Center and the Mill City Museum are definitely worth a visit. The city also has a fantastic public sculpture park that takes visitors through both pleasant nature and beautiful works of art. In Minneapolis there is also exciting Sea World, which you can read more about and book tickets for via the link below.
Minnesota and Minneapolis have a very rich cultural heritage from Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, and one of the most popular museums in the city is the American Swedish Institute, where you can follow the life and journey of the emigrating Swedes in the United States.
Voyageurs National Park
One of the most beautiful sights and excursion destinations in Minnesota is Voyageurs National Park, located right on the Canadian border. There are many fine bodies of water in the park, and it is a very popular destination for those interested in water activities such as kayaking and fishing. There are several beautiful hiking trails in the park with truly incomparable views. Read more at www.nps.gov.
Rent a car in Minnesota
The very best way to travel in Minnesota is to rent a car. With a rental car, the trip becomes both smoother and more pleasant, as it is much easier to get to the state’s various attractions. It is possible to rent a car at all airports in the state, and also in the larger cities.
National parks and beaches
There are several great park areas in Minnesota that offer beautiful views and interesting sights. There are, among other things, several national historical parks with historical buildings. Grand Portage, and Pipestone are two of these historically interesting areas with hiking trails and beautiful scenery.
In Minnesota there are also a number of nice swimming beaches that are perfect for sunbathing and swimming when the weather permits. Two of the very best beaches in the state are located in the town of Annandale and at Lake Pelican. At these beaches there are also opportunities for various water sports, camping and fishing.