16 Things You Have To Do Before You’re An Official Minnesotan

So you've unpacked all the boxes and you've gotten settled into your new MN digs. Maybe you're here for school or a job, or maybe you were lucky enough to marry someone from this, the best of all states. But before you can go patting yourself on the back and calling yourself a Minnesotan, there are a few things you must experience. Get through this list and you betcha you're on your way to being welcomed into the club with open arms and a whole lot of MN nice.

1. Go on a trip to the lake. Any lake. It's fundamental, and very easy considering how many there are.

2. Survive through an entire Minnesota winter.

3. Have a bonfire in every season.

4. Visit at least 5 of Minnesota's beautiful state parks! We love to talk about all the gorgeous places in our state.

5. Complain about road construction. We all know the struggle.

5. Shovel snow. We also all know this struggle!

6. Go to the Winter Carnival. Does anyone remember this one?

7. Get caught in an unexpected summer downpour. Just wait five minutes and it'll be sunny again!

8. Hike on the North Shore.

9. Go to the State Fair, AND consume a large bucket of the best cookies.

10. Visit the Mississippi Headwaters at Itasca State Park.

11. Experience an MN sporting event, and subsequent disappointment at the end of the season.

12. Take a fall foliage drive, anywhere.

13. Visit the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

14. Go to MOA, and then say you'll never go back (whether or not you actually do).

15. Consume a delicious, molten cheese-filled burger.

16. Go to Aquatennial and celebrate our unique city of lakes.

When you moved to Minnesota did you experience all of these things? If you were born in MN, what else do you think is crucial for people to experience before they can call themselves Minnesotans?