What to Do in Minnesota – Year Round Adventure!

Narrowing down exactly what to do in Minnesota is a difficult task. Minnesota, home of 10,000 plus lakes, has so many exciting things to see and do, you will have a hard time picking, especially if you are short on time.

Outdoor Activities

Minnesota really does have over 10,000 lakes! There are miles and miles of shoreline to explore. Bring along a bathing suit to your next adventure as there are free beaches on many lakes throughout the state. If swimming isn’t your style, perhaps you might enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fishing or any number of other outdoor activities.

Gardens and Arboretums

If plants and gardens are something you enjoy, there are a fair number of choices across the state. Como Zoo and Conservatory has a beautiful display of plants year round, located on the north side of St. Paul (Twin Cities). In Central Minnesota, check out the St. Cloud Munsinger Gardens. In the Duluth area, check out the Leif Ericson Park. The gardens in St. Cloud and Duluth have beautiful rose gardens that you won’t want to miss.

“The Lake” or “The Cabin”

If you are heading north or west from Minneapolis/St. Paul on a summer Friday afternoon, you will quickly learn that lots of people leave the cities to head out to the lakes. It seems most people that head to “the lake” have a different lake place that they head to.  When someone says they are going to “the lake” it could really mean about any lake.  If you want to know which one, you may have to ask to find out which lake they are heading to. 

Many people have cabins at one lake or another. Other people visit friends or family in rural Minnesota, which may or may not include a lake destination. There are also lots of campgrounds, bed and breakfasts and getaway destinations to be found. We will meander our way through exploring a variety of different lake places available to stay at, to help you find some of these hidden retreat gems so you can find your own bed and breakfast or other retreat to check out on your future getaway to “the lake” – whatever lake you might be headed to.

State Parks

Minnesota has a fantastic system of State Parks.  You can buy a day pass or an annual pass, either one is valid for one specific vehicle, regardless of the number of people.  The pass is well worth the money when you consider the number of places you can access and all you can see and do. 

Some state parks have waterfalls and hiking trails, others have lakes to swim in (some even have chlorinated  man-made lakes).  Fishing and boating are other fun state park activities.  Camping and naturalist events are also widely enjoyed.  In the winter, many state parks are set up for cross country skiing or snow shoeing. 

You can’t go wrong with a state park pass.  Minnesota has a unique variety of State Parks.  We will help guide you to some of the best ones as we meander our way through many of the State Parks all across the state.  Some of our favorites are Split Rock Lighthouse and Temperance River State Park on the North Shore.  Lake Itasca State Park – the source of the mighty Mississippi River, although it is little more than a stream there.  We have lots more favorites – probably too many to list here!