20 Epic Outdoorsy Things In Minnesota Anyone Can Do
By Jo Magliocco|Published May 23, 2016
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Jo Magliocco
Author
Minnesota staff writer for Only in Your State and owner of Minnesota blog NorthGuide.co, I'm a Minneapolis transplant who loves my cats, camera, and local coffee. On the weekends I'm usually exploring the North Shore or making my way through the list of Minnesota's State Parks. Want to talk about MN or ask me a question? Tweet me @sotafiedjo!
Most Minnesotans love exploring nature, but not all of us are built for extreme sports or even long hikes. But we needn’t worry because many of our favorite outdoor attractions are not only easy to explore, but accessible for everyone. Now that we know about these places, there’s no excuse to hold back when it comes to experiencing the best of Minnesota’s natural beauty.
1. Explore Historic Forestville and the Mystery Cave in southeastern Minnesota for a day of real adventure. The one hour stroller and wheelchair accessible scenic tour of the cave is only $7 for children and $12 for adults.
2. Play disc golf! There are many free courses throughout the state, several in regional parks, and all you need is the disc for hours of entertainment.
3. Explore a sculpture garden. Franconia, the Walker, and the Anderson Center are all good choices. The Anderson Center even has paved, accessible trails to help everyone enjoy the acres of art.
4. Visit one of our stunning gardens like Munsinger/Clemens or the Duluth Rose Garden. They have beautiful blooms in the spring and summer, and the fall colors are usually spectacular too.
9. Cross the Stone Arch Bridge for a new view of Minneapolis. Embrace the city's history and culture with a trip to the iconic bridge, which is accessible to everyone.
10. Visit the Vince Shute Bear Sanctuary and walk near these beautiful bears. It is easy to access these cute creatures, and kids especially love watching them play.
11. See the animals at the free Como Zoo! It is a wonderful place for kids to interact with animals and you can't beat the price of a donation!
Flickr/Amy Meredith
12. Tour the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. See the cities like never before with a trip through the woods and lakes that weave throughout our largest metropolitan area.
14. See the Mississippi Headwaters at Itasca State Park. The short, wide trail is easy for anyone to navigate, and the daring can even cross the very beginning of this great river.
15. Check out Minnehaha Falls! With an equally stunning park to match it, the falls can be viewed from multiple spots. Most of the views from above are wheelchair accessible.
16. Explore Gooseberry Falls! Everyone's favorite North Shore falls are also accessible via a short paved trail that offers unreal views of the cascading water.
17. Tour Canal Park in Duluth. Experience the history of the port and marvel at the shore and bridge. All the paths along the lake walk are accessible.
19. Explore Pipestone National Monument. A less than 1 mile accessible path serves as the main byway to experience the history of this stunning monument.
