The Ultimate And Definitive Bucket List For Everyone In Minnesota
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Jo Magliocco
Author
If you’re looking for places to go in Minnesota, the best way to start is with a Minnesota bucket list of some of the state’s most popular and beautiful attractions. And if you live here long enough, these 31 places will be just the tip of the iceberg. From waterfalls to historic houses, here are the places that nobody can afford to miss in Minnesota. Let’s get exploring!
1. Minnehaha Falls - Minneapolis
Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA
A peaceful getaway in the backyard of the Twin Cities.
2. Glensheen Mansion - Duluth
Glensheen Mansion, 3300 London Rd, Duluth, MN 55804, USA
The most visited historic home in Minnesota, Glensheen Mansion sits on gorgeous Lake Superior, surrounded by amazing gardens. Though it may be beautiful, it has a dark past; the home was the site of double homicide in 1977.
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3. Gooseberry Falls - Two Harbors
Gooseberry Falls State Park, Minnesota 61, Two Harbors, MN, USA
Our favorite and most scenic falls with 3 levels of gushing water.
Check out this YouTube video by an OnlyInYourState author of the waterfall swollen by spring flood melt.
Check out this YouTube video by an OnlyInYourState author of the waterfall swollen by spring flood melt.
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4. Devil's Kettle - Hovland
Judge C.R. Magney State Park, Minnesota 61, Grand Marais, MN, USA
Minnesota's most mysterious natural wonder, Devil's Kettle is where half of the Brule River disappears, and never shows up again where we can see it. It astonishes visitors time and time again, and is one of MN's most beautiful falls to boot.
5. Itasca State Park - Park Rapids
Itasca State Park, 36750 Main Pk Dr, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
The headwaters of the Mississippi are not only beautiful, but easily accessible via a quick hike.
6. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park - Beaver Bay
Split Rock Lighthouse, 3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Rd, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA
Probably the MOST photographed place in Minnesota, Split Rock Lighthouse defines our stunning North Shore.
7.Jeffers Petroglyphs - Comfrey
Jeffers Petroglyphs, 27160 Co Rd 2, Comfrey, MN 56019, USA
Feel connected to the land and history. This is too amazing to skip.
8. Canal Park - Duluth
Canal Park, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
The beautiful neighborhood, lakewalk, and Duluth's aerial lift bridge make this one of the most picturesque landmarks in MN.
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9. Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, USA
Voyageurs National Park is unlike any other in that its campsites and interior are accessible only by water. This park provides one of the only remaining true wilderness experiences, where you can enjoy the beauty of America’s land without human interference.
10. Superior Hiking Trail - Northeastern Minnesota
Consistently regarded as one of the best trails in the country, you can't miss a single mile of this northern adventure.
11. St. Croix River Dalles - Taylors Falls
Interstate State Park, 307 Milltown Rd, Taylors Falls, MN 55084, USA
The St. Croix River is where you'll find some of the most spectacular geological features in MN, from glacial potholes to the scenic cliffs where we can count the lava flows and prove that Minnesota was, indeed, once an ocean state.
12. Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden - Minneapolis
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, 1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405, USA
The oldest public wildflower garden in the United State, this garden is located in Theodore Wirth Regional Park in Minneapolis/Golden Valley.
13. Oberg Mountain Loop - Lutsen
Oberg Mountain Trail Head, Superior Hiking Trail Oberg Mountain Loop, Tofte, MN 55615, USA
Off the Superior Hiking Trail, this loop has unforgettable views of Lake Superior, Oberg Lake and Moose Mountain.
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14. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness - Superior National Forest
The most expansive canoeing area full of phenomenal lakes and streams, the BWCAW is one of the most calming places in the country, and a famous United States destination for true adventurers.
15. Marjorie McNeely Conservatory - St. Paul
Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN, USA
These gardens are a magnificent blend of man-made beauty and nature’s finest work.
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16. Grand Rounds Scenic Byway - Minneapolis
Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, Grand Rounds Scenic Bywy, Minneapolis, MN 55418, USA
An easy bike ride for anyone provides some of the most beautiful scenery in the country and connects the best parks, lakes, and the Mississippi.
17. Lake Vermilion - Soudan Underground Mine State Park - Tower
Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park - Vermilion Ridge Campground, Old, MN-169, Tower, MN 55790, USA
One of Minnesota's most fascinating places, the mine on northern Minnesota's Vermilion Range is the oldest and deepest in MN. The mine's lowest level, the 27th, is 2,341 feet below ground.
18. Niagara Cave - Harmony
Niagara Cave, 29842 Co Rd 30, Harmony, MN 55939, USA
Near Harmony, discover the depths of Niagara cave, one the Midwest's largest caves, with fossils, a waterfall, and even a wedding chapel. The beautiful water-sculpted passageways make for a truly one-of-a-kind walk.
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19. Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden - Minneapolis
Walker Art Center, 725 Vineland Pl, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
World class art and a one-of-a-kind sculpture garden.
20. Capitol Building - Saint Paul
Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard., St Paul, MN 55155, USA
When you get to St. Paul, you can actually call 877-411-4123 for an over the phone History on the Spot Walking Tour! Talk about hi-tech!
21. First Avenue and 7th Street Entry - Minneapolis
First Avenue, 701 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
This is easily the best and most legendary music venue in the state.
22. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory - Saint Paul
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, Estabrook Drive, Saint Paul, MN, USA
This public zoo offers free admission to see lions, tigers, and POLAR BEARS! Oh my!
23. National Eagle Center - Wabasha
National Eagle Center, Pembroke Avenue, Wabasha, MN, USA
Visit Wabasha for the daily programs with the eagle ambassadors.
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24. International Wolf Center - Ely
International Wolf Center, 1396 MN-169, Ely, MN 55731, USA
Head up to Ely to see these stunning animals.
25. Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary - Orr
Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, 12541 Nett Lake Rd, Orr, MN 55771, USA
Enjoy a day of adorable bears and amazing scenery.
26. Saint Paul Winter Carnival - Saint Paul
Saint Paul Winter Carnival, 75 W 5th St #429, St Paul, MN 55102, USA
The best winter event of the year in Saint Paul has been happening since 1886!
27. Minnesota Renaissance Festival - Shakopee
Minnesota Renaissance Festival, 12364 Chestnut Blvd, Shakopee, MN 55379, USA
The amazing entertainment makes this a can’t miss every year!
28. Stone Arch Bridge - Minneapolis
Stone Arch Bridge, 100 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
The views of downtown Minneapolis and the Stone Arch Bridge are some of the most photographed in MN and highlight the beautiful historic and modern sides of the Twin Cities.
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29. Hermann Heights Monument - New Ulm
The Hermann Monument Society, 10 Monument St, New Ulm, MN 56073, USA
View small town Minnesota from this famous monument in New Ulm.
30. James J. Hill House - Saint Paul
James J. Hill House, Summit Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, USA
Learn about the life and home of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway!
31. Mayowood Mansion - Rochester
Mayowood Historic Home, 3720 Mayowood Rd SW, Rochester, MN 55902, USA
Designed by Dr. Charles H. Mayo of the Mayo Clinic, this amazing mansion and the surrounding gardens are full of historic charm.
Have you visited any of these places in the Land of 10,000 Lakes? What would you add to your own Minnesota bucket list? Be sure to let us know in the comments!
One of the best ways to check these places off your list may be a Minnesota bucket list road trip. Just pack up the car and spend a weekend exploring the best that the state has to offer.
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More to Explore
Minnesota Bucket List
There are so many things to see and do in the Land of 10,000 Lakes that it’s almost impossible to put together a Minnesota bucket list of the things that you absolutely need to see in the North Star State. Some things that really stand out, though, tend to be the natural wonders that our state is blessed with. Take a look at these Minnesota bucket list suggestions!
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness - If there’s one Minnesota natural wonder that folks from across the United States know about, it’s probably the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. At more than 1 million acres, the Boundary Waters is one of the largest wilderness areas in the Lower 48. Part of the Superior National Forest along the Canadian border, the BWCAW is home to clean air and dark skies, making it a premier destination for stargazing and northern lights viewing, as well as just getting away from civilization for a few days.
- Voyageurs National Park - Voyageurs National Park shares the same geography that makes up that makes up the Boundary Waters, including the dark skies, moose, bears, and wolves. But, as a national park, it’s more accessible - and doesn’t require a permit to visit. One of the least visited national parks, Voyageurs is an awesome place to enjoy a national park experience without the national park crowds.
- Pipestone National Monument and Blue Mounds State Park - Located in the extreme southwest corner of the state, Pipestone National Monument and Blue Mounds State Park are characterized by the same geological feature: a miles-long upwelling of Sioux quartzite that sets these places apart from the surrounding tallgrass prairie. Instead of rolling prairie, you’ll find sudden, pink cliffs, and even a waterfall when visiting these parks. You’ll also learn about the area’s incredible Native history.