Established in May 11, 1858, Minnesota is home to many impressive historic sites, lakes, buildings, parks, and more. With its rich history and plenty of entertaining things to do year-round, it’s no wonder its residents take pride in where they live, and why out-of-towners think this state is one of the best to visit. Here are a few things that are so unique about the state of Minnesota, and why you ought to visit (if you haven’t yet settled down in this great state).
It Lives up to Its “Land of Lakes” Nickname
You may have seen the words “10,000 lakes” displayed on Minnesota license plates, which is already an impressive feat. It actually has 11,842 lakes, which Minnesota defines as a body of water covering at least 10 acres. This makes it the perfect destination for boating, swimming, fishing, and other outdoor activities. One of its most significant lakes is Lake Itasca, which is where the Mississippi river starts. You can visit Itasca State Park and hop aboard a boat tour to learn about how the Mississippi first started.
On hot, summer days, there are plenty of sandy beaches relax on in cities like Detroit Lakes, Waconia, Spicer, or Fairmont. You can also grab the family and camp along the Minnesota lakeshores. There are camping spots available in state parks like Lake Bemidji, Father Hennepin, and Maplewood. You’ll also find plenty of fishing areas around these lakes. Bring your own boat or rent one. Their resort offices also offer fishing guides to help you detect the best spots to catch fish like bass, walleye, muskie, and more.
Of course, you can’t forget about Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes in North America. Here, you can go sailing on the waters, gaze at the gorgeous waterfalls, or cycle down one of the winding biking trails.
The Food Is Hard to Beat
If you’re a fan of fried food, you’ll fit right in with Minnesotans. The best place you can find unique fried dishes is at the annual Minnesota State Fair, which hosts around two million people total each year. Every August vendors from far and wide travel to the Minnesota State Fair to sell guests their newest culinary creations. You can try foods like cheese curds, gator nuggets, bacon, and olives at the fair.
You can also choose from a wide variety of dishes sold from food trucks in Minnesota. In almost every major downtown area of the state, you’ll find trucks with unique dishes. Minneapolis, in particular, has over 200 food trucks in its metro area. When you take a stroll downtown, you’re bound to find a meal for whatever type of food you’re craving. There are dishes like sea salt-infused ice cream, sustainable street cuisine, sushi burritos and bowls, barbeque, Hibachi, and more.
Explore the Mall of America
When in Minnesota, you have to visit the iconic Mall of America. This is the largest mall in the states and the fifth largest in North America. It opened in 1992 and holds not just retail stores, but exciting attractions like Nickelodeon Universe, Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, and a flight simulation ride called “FlyOver America”.
Many consider the Mall of America to be an impressive building because it holds several sustainable energy. For example, it uses passive solar energy, rather than a heating system and purifies the air with over 300 trees and 30,000 live plants. Additionally, they have recently built a new entrance using electrochromic glass skylight to save a significant amount of energy.
View the Stunning Architecture
If you’re planning to explore the architecture in Minnesota, there are several buildings to add to your list. This state has an impressive mixture of both modern and mid-century architecture. In the Lowry Hill neighborhoods of Minneapolis, you’ll find Walker Art Century. It displays contemporary art both inside and outside, with the building’s exterior portraying a geometric and abstract design.
Another modern architecture piece is the Guthrie Theater, designed in 2006 by Jean Nouvel, which sits along the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. One of its iconic designs is the Endless Bridge, which is attached to the face of the building and extends 178 feet.
Sports fans will love the US Bank Stadium, which houses many Minnesota Vikings games. The building is slanted with pointy ends. Many fans believe this is because it’s intended to look like a Viking hat. It actually follows traditional Scandinavian design techniques as a nod to the community of Scandinavian-American citizens in Minnesota.
If you’re a lover of older architecture, visit churches like the Cathedral of St. Paul in Minneapolis, The Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, and the Church of the Assumption Catholic Church in St. Paul to find gorgeous and historic pieces of art. Visit the Van Dusen Mansion in Minneapolis for both Romanesque and French Renaissance-inspired designs. Stop by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester to find the Plummer building, which stands at an impressive 298 feet.
Pick Lots of Apples at Different Orchards
Minnesota is the perfect place for apple connoisseurs to visit in the fall. The University of Minnesota has a rich history of breeding plants and growing delicious foods, which led to developing the Honeycrisp apple in 1991. The university’s research scientists are still creating new apple varieties by cross-pollinating different trees in the spring.
Minnesotans are constantly traveling around to different apple orchards in the fall to pick Honeycrisps and other types of apples. Visit the rural parts of Minnesota during peak apple-picking season, which is around mid-August to late October.
There are many biking trails you can travel down as you collect apples in your basket and enjoy a beautiful view along the way. Ride down the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail between Mankato and Faribault. There, you’ll find Trumps Orchard, which has not just apple trees, but pumpkin patches, grapevines, and more. Another orchard you’ll find along this trail is the Irish Mountain Orchard, containing Honeycrisp apples, Chestnut Crab Apples, and Stella Minnesota apples. You’ll also find pear varieties like Dutchess and Parker Pears at this orchard.
As you can see, there are many great things about the impressive state of Minnesota. At Tom Kadlec Kia, we’re proud to call Minnesota our home state. Is there anything you love about this state that you think we missed? Contact us and let us know. We’d love to learn more about what makes Minnesota so incredible.
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