The state of Minnesota is part of the Upper Midwest region, bordered by Canada in the north, Wisconsin in the east, Iowa in the south, and North and South Dakota in the west. Minnesota goes by the literal nickname "Land of 10,000 Lakes", and also contains a portion of Lake Superior and the Mississippi River, as well as many forests, parks, and wilderness areas. Over fifty percent of the Minnesota state population of five million lives in the Twin Cities, otherwise known as the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.
The metropolitan region known as the Twin Cities is home to more than three million residents. The Twin Cities are considered the center of business as well as arts and culture for the state, with numerous attractions. The Twin Cities region borders on the Mississippi River
Buffalo is a small town of ten thousand located on Interstate 94, just outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Buffalo has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with the Buffalo Community Orchestra and Buffalo Community Theatre. Also popular is recreation surrounding Buffalo Lake
Ramsey is a small city in the northern Twin Cities area. Ramsey is situated between the Rum River and the Mississippi River with over five hundred acres of parks throughout the city. Ramsey is located along US Route 10 and State Route 47
Forest Lake is a small community in the eastern Twin Cities area, located along Interstate 35. Forest Lake and Lakeside Park are the two city attractions
Hastings is located on the Mississippi and St. Croix River on the eastern border of Minnesota. Take a tour of the Alexis Bailly Vineyard and be sure to see the nearby Vermillion Falls on the Vermillion River, located just south of Hastings
Oakdale is a small city located in the eastern part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Oakdale is provides a relaxed environment where fishing and golf are popular, yet the city is just minutes from many big-city attractions
Stillwater is a city of fifteen thousand located directly across the St. Croix River from Wisconsin. Stillwater is one of the oldest cities in Minnesota. Stillwater is a popular location to visit its historical sites, riverfront scenery, and unique antique shops and restaurants.
Also known as the 'first city of the Mississippi, Bemidji is located on the shores of Lake Bemidji, the northenmost lake feeding the Mississippi River. It's a pristine area with crystal clear waters, world class fishing and amazing forests, like the Chippewa National Forest.
Coon Rapids is a large northern Twin Cities suburb, with over sixty thousand residents. Bunker Hills Park is the site of the famous Bunker Hills Golf Course, as well as the Bunker Beach Water Park. Also visit the Bunker Hills Campground, Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, and Bunker Hills Ski Trail.
Roseville is located just north of St. Paul. Roseville is a local shopping and dining destination, with the Roseville shopping center and the Har Mar Mall. Recreation is popular around over five area lakes, in places like Central Park, Bennett Lake, and Langton Lake Park
Cottage Grove is considered a bedroom community of St. Paul, located just eight miles south. Along with thirty community parks, Cottage Grove includes numerous historic places such as the Schilling Archaeological District, Hope Glen Farm, and Historic Dr. Arthur Steen House
Woodbury is a suburb of the Twin Cities located east of St. Paul on Interstate 94. Woodbury features two golf courses, over forty parks, and the Valley Creek and Woodbury Lakes shopping centers
Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota and its second-largest city. St. Paul is one of the core cities of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. St. Paul has a history of inhabitance by the Hopewell Indians, and the city was originally founded as a landing port along the Mississippi River. St. Paul today has an economy driven by industry, technology, and government. Popular St. Paul attractions include the Como Zoo and Conservatory, Fort Snelling State Park, and Wabasha Street Caves. St. Paul also contains numerous museums such as the Minnesota Museum of American Art, Science Museum of Minnesota, and the Traces Center for History and Culture
Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota, and together with St. Paul makes up the prominent cities of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Minneapolis is an exciting place to visit for outdoor enthusiasts, as it contains miles of waterfront along the Mississippi River, the Chain of Lakes, and the St. Anthony Falls. Performing arts, live theatre and music, and sporting events are popular pastimes in Minneapolis. Nightlife and entertainment can be found along the Minneapolis Riverfront and the Hennepin District, and upscale shopping and dining at Grand Avenue and Nicollet Mall. The city is well-connected by a light rail transit and system of skyways, making it easy to access many popular spots
Plymouth is a large city in Hennepin County, just outside Minneapolis. Plymouth is located on Medicine Lake and has been nationally recognized as an excellent residential community. Visitors can see the Plymouth Town Square and beautiful Millennium Gardens
Bloomington is the fifth-largest city in Minnesota, with a population of eighty thousand. Bloomington is part of the Twin Cities metro area and lies ten minutes south of downtown Minneapolis on Interstate 35. The southern border of Bloomington is formed by the Minnesota River and the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Bloomington is the home of the famous Mall of America; as the largest mall in the country, it receives over forty million visitors each year. Along with shopping, Mall of America features and aquarium, concert pavilion, wedding chapel, movie theatre, and Nickelodeon Universe.
Richfield is an inner-ring suburb of the Twin Cities. Many smaller and larger businesses, including the Best Buy Company, have their headquarters in Richfield. Richfield includes attractions such as the Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield Ice Arena, and Richfield Aquatic Center
Minnetonka , meaning "great water", is a suburb of fifty thousand located just east of Minneapolis. Minnetonka has a strong history based in farming and industry that dates back to the mid-1800s. The Minnetonka Historical Society still preserves many buildings and sites from that time, such as the Burwell House
Brooklyn Center is a small inner-ring suburb of the Twin Cities, located on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Brooklyn Center is an industrial and residential community, but also features over five hundred acres of parks and recreational areas
Eden Prairie is a suburb of Minneapolis, with a landscape made up of large lakes and ponds. Nature and biking trails, parks, and open spaces overlook the Mississippi River in Eden Prairie. Eden Prairie is an important center for many communications and technology businesses
Maple Grove is a city of fifty thousand in Hennepin County. Founded in 1851 in an area only inhabited by the Winnebago Indians, the city has grown rapidly in recent years to become one of the largest suburbs of the twin cities. Maple Grove has a high concentration of retail shopping, with nice malls such as the Shoppes at Arbor Lakes
Medina is a city of five thousand located near Maple Grove. It is located along State Highway 55
Lakeville is a rapidly-expanding city on the outskirts of the Twin Cities area, located thirty minutes south of Minneapolis. Lakeville is an important agricultural city with farms producing corn, soybeans, and dairy cows.
Eagan is a city of about sixty thousand located in the southern portion of the Twin Cities area. Eagan is the home of a Coca Cola bottling factory and the headquarters of Northwest Airlines, as well as two colleges. The Cascade Bay Waterpark is a popular Eagan attraction
Monticello is situated at the base of a small mountain along the Mississippi River. Although Monticello has less than ten thousand residents, in recent years it has seen rapid expansion and development to include many new shopping areas, restaurants, and entertainment. Monticello is located at the intersection of Interstate 94 and State Highway 25
The Northeast Region contains smaller cities and remote wilderness areas. Northeastern Minnesota is popular during summer for camping and sightseeing, as well as during the winter, where heavy snowfall makes for great skiing and other winter sports
The city of Ely is the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which can be reached by following the Echo Trail. Main Street Ely features shopping and restaurants, as well as the International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center. The area surrounding the city is some of the remote wilderness in America, and nearby you will find the resort village of Crane Lake as well as the Voyageurs National Park
Grand Rapids is named after the corresponding rapids in the Mississippi River, along which the city lies. Grand Rapids was founded as a logging town in the Minnesota wilderness, and today its main industry still revolves around this as the location of the Blandin Paper Mill. An interesting place to visit is the Forest History Center, a living history museum
Cambridge is located on the Rum River at the intersection of State Highway 65 and 95. Cambridge is a major hub for commerce and healthcare, located less than an hour north from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area
Western Minnesota is popular for its tourist resorts and ski areas, and for the fishing amongst its thousands of lakes. The Red River Valley runs through western Minnesota, featuring the Lake Bronson State Park, Buffalo River State Park, Old Mill State Park, and many other natural sights.
The city of Albany is located along Interstate 94 and State Highway 238. Visit the Albany Golf Club, and enjoy the local businesses and restaurants in a small-town environment. Located just twenty minutes west of St. Cloud, Albany is clost to all the attractions of larger nearby cities
The city of Fergus Falls is located in Otter Tail County of western Minnesota, along the Ottertail River. Pebble Beach, Lake Alice, and River Walk Park are popular places to visit.
Detroit Lakes is a popular seasonal tourist destination located in Becker County. Detroit Lakes is full of resorts which feature golf courses, farms, and ranches. In the summer fishing, boating, swimming and scuba diving along beaches is popular; in the winter, tourists flock for skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling.
Saint Cloud is one of the largest cities in Minnesota outside of the Twin Cities area. St. Cloud is named after the city of St. Cloud, France. St. Cloud is located on the Mississippi River, with the thirty Beaver Islands in the southern part of the city. Unique attractions in St. Cloud include the Quarry Park, Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens from the 1930s, and the Stearns County Historical Museum. St. Cloud is located along Interstate 94, US Route 10, and State Highway 23.
Alexandria , located near Interstate 94 and State Highways 27 and 29, goes by the motto "Easy to get to, hard to leave". The Alexandria Lakes area offers a wealth of opportunities for year-round recreation, and is popular with fishing and hunting enthusiasts, as well as for water sports, golf, and skiing. The Central Lakes Trail stretches fifty-five miles through pristine, unpopulated forests and prairies and was made for hiking and biking. Kensington Runestone Park and Lake Carlos State park are located in Alexandria
Breckenridge is located on the western border of Minnesota on the prairie of the Red River Valley of the North. Headwaters Park is a popular area for boating and fishing on the Red River which flows north from Breckenridge to Lake Winnipeg in Canada. Breckenridge is a historic railroad and riverboat town, with sites like the Wilkin County Historical Museum, Railroad Park, and a Historic Walking Trail
Southern Minnesota is a scenic area traversed by five National Scenic Byways, a great way to see all the sights. Southern Minnesota consists of the Minnesota River Valley, vast prairieland, and the Little Crow Lakes and Southern Lakes areas
Red Wing is a historically preserved community noted for its impressive architecture and stunning natural scenery along the Mississippi River. The Red Wing Bridge connects the city to Wisconsin and the Cannon Valley Trail connects to the Welch Village Ski Area and Cannon Falls, Minnesota. Red Wing is located near the Prairie Island Indian Reservation, which features the Treasure Island Resort and Casino
Marshall is situated on the Redwood River, located in southwestern Minnesota. Marshall is a regional center for education and business and the home of Southwest Minnesota State University. Marshall contains many interesting museums such as the Southwest Minnesota History Center, Natural Science Museum, and Museum of Anthropology. The arts are featured in the MAFAC Arts Center, Southwest Minnesota Orchestra, and William Whipple Art Gallery. Recreation and camping can be found in Camden State Park, Garvin Park, and Lake Shetek State Park
Benson is located along the Chippewa River in Swift County. Visit the Swift County Historical Museum and the Benson Golf Club, and go camping in the Ambush Park Campground or the Swift Falls County Park
Owatonna is the home of the Steele County Fairgrounds, and hosts the popular local event the Steele County Free Fair, which has been running annually for over a hundred years. Owatonna contains many historic sites such as the National Farmers Bank, State School Museum, and Owatonna Arts Center. Owatonna is located in southern Minnesota, along Interstate 35 and State Route 14
Albert Lea is centrally located in Freeborn County, at the junction of Interstate 35 and Interstate 90. Situated on the shores of Albert Lea Lake, Fountain Lake, and Lake Chapeau, the city has over three hundred acres of parks and recreational areas. Places to see include the Myre-Big Island State Park, the Audubon Nature and Wildlife Preserve, and the Freeborn County Historical Museum and Pioneer Village. For entertainment, visit the Albert Lea Community Theatre and Marion Ross Performing Arts Center
Rochester is the third-largest city in Minnesota, with nearly one hundred thousand residents. Rochester is located along the banks of the Zumbro River in southern Minnesota. Rochester is the home of the world-famous Mayo Clinic medical school and research facility. Rochester is also noted for its interesting architecture, with many historic buildings and three homes designed by renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Rochester offers over fifty miles of recreational trails, as well as golf courses and the Quarry Hill Nature Center
Hutchinson is a historical city of fifteen thousand. Hutchinson is located in southern Minnesota along the Crow River.
Springfield is a city of only two thousand in Brown County, located on US Route 14
Mankato is located at the confluence of the Minnesota River and the Blue Earth River. Outdoor recreation is in abundance in the Sibley Park, Land of Memories Park, and Minneopa State Park
Worthington is located on Lake Okabena in Nobles County. This city hosts many exciting festivals throughout the year, including the Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration and the Fulda Wood Duck Festival. Be sure to see the living history at the Nobles County Pioneer Village
Austin is settled on the Cedar River in southern Minnesota, at the intersection of Interstate 90 and US Highway 218. Austin is nicknamed "Spam Town USA" because it is the home of Hormel Foods Corporation and the Spam Museum.
Winona is located along the bluffs of eastern Minnesota along the Mississippi River. Winona is home to a small arts community and also features the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and two professional theatre companies. Winona contains numerous historic sites from its inception as a railroad and milling town from the mid-1800s
Duluth is the fourth-largest city in Minnesota, with a population of nearly ninety thousand. Duluth, along with the city of Superior, Wisconsin, forms the Twin Ports metropolitan area, and important Great Lakes shipping port. Duluth is also a tourist destination for the Midwest, the city lies on the north shore of Lake Superior with miles of beaches. Places to visit include the Great Lakes Aquarium, Miller Hill Mall, Canal Park, and the Tweed Museum of Art
A trip to Minnesota is one that is full of surprises, with spectacular sights and fascinating cities to visit. You can choose to spend your time exploring a major metropolitan area or enjoying the remote wilderness outside the cities. Either way, your vacation in Minnesota will offer more than you could ask for
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