5 Places to Visit in Minnesota

Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 lakes and notorious for their bitter cold winters. However, in the summer it is beautiful. There are many places see and encounter across the state. Being outdoors and experiencing the wilderness is a must. If it is your first time in Minnesota, it won't be your last. Here is a list of 5 places you should visit while in this magnificent state.

As Minnesota's oldest State Park it marks the beginning of the mighty Mississippi. It encompasses 32,000 acres. Within Itasca State Park there around 100 lakes, 50 miles of hiking trails, 100 electric campsites, and over 200 drive-in campsites. You can enjoy plenty of camping, fishing, and hiking. If you feel overwhelmed you can also receive a tour of the park. Additionally, there are plenty of historical sites to see as well as guaranteed sightings of wildlife. Itasca State Park is located 4 hours north of the Twin Cities near Park Rapids.

The Boundary Waters is located in the arrowhead region of Minnesota bordering Canada. The Boundary Waters is for the camping enthusiast. You will experience plenty of camping, canoeing, and fishing. It is very popular to canoe down the river during the day and camp on the shores at night. This is a beautiful way to relax as you experience the peaceful scenery around you and listen to the sounds of the river at night. It is recommended that you have camping experience since the area is populated with bears. You will experience few other campers because the area is so vast. As a result it will be one of the most tranquil and serene camping trips. 

The Mall of America is the second largest mall in the United States yet it is by far the most popular. It is located in Bloomington, Minnesota just 10 minutes south of the Twin Cities. There are 520 stores throughout the enormous three level mall. Consequently, the Mall of America attracts millions of tourists every year. There are multiple attractions such as the indoor theme park Nickelodeon Universe, formerly known as Camp Snoopy. This theme park includes rollercoasters, rides, games, and other attractions. Additionally, the mall includes the Underwater Adventues Aquarium. Enjoy walking through a 300 ft. tunnel and staring at sharks, turtles, stingrays, and multitudes of fish. Other attractions in the mall include; Lego Land, a Movie Theatre, and a flight simulator. There is enough in this mall to occupy you for a whole day or more. 

Lake Minnetonka is a 14,528 acre lake located in the West suburbs of the Twin Cities containing 125 miles of shoreline. It is a very popular destination for young and old. You can rent a boat or take a luxurious cruise. Throughout the lake you will see multi-million dollar homes and lavish boats. You can troll the shoreline and fish for walleye, northern pike, muskies, and large mouth bass. In addition, many people water ski, knee board, wake board, and tube all over the lake. Younger people usually tie up their boats together on one of the many islands. These islands typically have sand bars and tree swings. Plenty of people have been known to camp on the islands. Overall, there is never a shortage of things to enjoy on Lake Minnetonka.  

Gooseberry falls is located by Two Harbors, Minnesota on the shores of Lake Superior. Personally, it is one of my favorite places to visit. The park includes 20 miles of hiking trails and 8 miles of mountain biking. Also, there are plenty of campsites for you to choose from. However, it is not the trails or camping that are attractive. It is the beautiful and calming sights you will see while at Gooseberry falls. There are upper, middle, and lower falls that pour through a rocky gorge. The sounds provide for placid background music throughout the day. One can also walk along Lake Superior's soothing shoreline. Bring a camera because you are guaranteed to see some amazing sights.