Your Ultimate Minnesota Bucket List: 45 Best Things To Do In Minnesota
5 years ago I moved to Minnesota, unknowing of all the beauty throughout the entire state! It has so much to offer such as the incredible landscapes along the North Shore, the bluffs of the driftless region with the Mississippi River running through them & all the activities in the cities!
It seems this Minnesota bucket list continues to grow the longer I live here so be sure to check back in the future to see what else I find!
Ultimate Minnesota Bucket List: The Best Places And Attractions
Here are 45 Minnesota bucket list worthy places to visit, things to do, points of interest, & more!
1. Discover Voyaguer’s National Park (International Falls, MN)
With 218,055 acres Voyageurs National Park provides year round opportunities no matter your level of outdoor adventurousness. there’s something for everyone. Visitors can explore the park by both land or water and there are many other activities available too; from fishing in front of an old-growth forest, getting up close with moose or even ice skating on some frozen lakes!
2. Spend a Day at the Mall of America (Bloomington, MN)
The Mall of America is a massive attraction with 500+ stores, several places to eat and much more. It has been voted the number one mall in North America for several years due to its vast size. This colossal complex contains not only shops but also major attractions such as Nickelodeon Universe amusement park, Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium & IMAX Theatre which are sure make any family’s visit worthwhile!
3. Explore the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (Lake County, MN)
One of the most beautiful, remote, and well-known places in America is The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Spanning 150 miles along the U.S.-Canada border with over 1,100 lakes that offer more than 1,500 canoe routes for outdoor enthusiasts from all around the country who want to enjoy its rugged beauty year round without any concerns about crowds or traffic jams!
4. Visit the Minnesota State Capitol (St. Paul, MN)
The Minnesota State Capitol is a beauty to behold. With the marble floor, intricate architectural details and classical columns rising up into the air it’s straight out of some ancient Rome. A few blocks away sits Minnesotans’ current residence: The Governor’s Mansion which has been home to every governor since 1905.
5. Chase Waterfalls (Throughout MN)
Did you know there are 130+ waterfalls in the state of Minnesota? During the spring months as the ice & snow begin to melt, these waterfalls rush heavily making it a great time to see these waterfalls!
Head to the northern portion of Minnesota where you will find most of the waterfalls & you can make an entire trip out of chasing the Minnesota waterfalls! Check Explore Minnesota’s list of waterfalls by region & start marking waterfalls off of your Minnesota bucket list!
6. Visit Duluth’s Great Lakes Attractions (Duluth, MN)
Duluth, Minnesota has a plethora of tourist attractions and activities. Visitors can visit Canal Park, which offers free exhibits about the shipping industry in Duluth’s port on Lake Superior – it also has great views from its observation tower.
There are also several restaurants in this district including locally made specialty shops. With many events hosted throughout the year like Grandma’s Marathon Weekend or Labor Day Festival you will never run out of things to do at this Minnesota bucket list destination!
7. Travel the North Shore Scenic Drive (Duluth-Grand Portage, MN)
Driving along the North Shore Scenic Route starting in Duluth all the way up to the Canadian border, will have you in awe of its beauty and has been designated as an ‘All-American Road.’ A number of small shoreline towns offer mouthwatering meals made from locally sourced ingredients, unique shops, art galleries and much more!
Not to mention, the eight state parks along this route are perfect for exploring & getting some fresh air! Fall is a very popular time to take this drive. Wondering where to find the best fall colors? Click here.
8. Visit Downtown Rochester (Rochester, MN)
Rochester, MN has a thriving downtown where you can enjoy unique dining and entertainment options. The city’s many restaurants, bars, stores are connected with skyways or by underground walkways to make traveling easy!
Also located in downtown Rochester is the historic & world class Mayo Clinic, which worth checking out. They also offer many tours, both self-guided & scheduled. Don’t miss some of Rochester’s wonderful parks while you are in the area!
9. International Wolf Center (Ely, MN)
For those interested in wolves, the International Wolf Center is well worth a visit. The International Wolf Center in Minnesota It is a sanctuary for wolves and wolf-dogs.
Wolves are highly endangered animals, making the center’s mission to provide care to these creatures crucial to their survival. The center has many wolf-related displays and information about them that it would be impossible to find anywhere else!
10. Spend A Day At Valleyfair (Shakopee, MN)
Valleyfair is a massive amusement park, located on 125 acres of land. This park hosts over 75 rides and attractions including eight roller coasters.
In addition to being an exhilarating theme-park experience with adrenaline junkies would love it too because there’s even a water park called Soak City that comes included with your ticket purchase!
11. Explore Gooseberry Falls State Park (Two Harbors, MN)
The most visited Minnesota State Park, Gooseberry Falls features spectacular waterfalls and scenic overlooks. There are also interpretive programs that highlight history, geology and wildlife of the North Shore, campgrounds, great trails, & a wonderful visitor center.
Whether you love hiking or skiing/snowmobiling there is so much to do here. Don’t miss this Minnesota bucket list worth park!
Check out this Guide to Visiting Gooseberry Falls for more info!
12. Spend A Summer Vacation in the Brainerd Lakes Area (Brainerd, MN)
Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes and Brainerd Lakes Area has 14,842 acres to explore. There’s lots to do in this part of Minnesota including fishing/boating, hiking & biking trails that dot the area; a trip up north should certainly be on your Minnesota bucket list!
13. Visit Minnehaha Regional Park & Minnehaha Falls (Minneapolis, MN)
The Minnehaha Regional Park is a popular destination for tourists & locals alike. This park has the beautiful Minnehaha Falls along with an old mill to explore and trails that lead into the woods surrounding it.
The name of this park means “laughing water” because it came from Sioux language which refers towards waterfall that one can see when they visit here.
14. Explore Glensheen Mansion (Duluth, MN)
Glensheen Mansion is a historic mansion that sits on over 11 acres near lake Superior. Visitors can explore the fascinating history and beautiful architecture.
This gorgeous home was built by wealthy businessman Chester Congdon who commissioned an architect from Chicago with connections to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie School of Architecture style. The result was this magnificent palace that has captivated visitors for decades since its construction back in 1905!
15. Take A Day Trip To Winona (Winona, MN)
Winona is a city in southeastern Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River. Winona has many historic downtown buildings and parks like Garvin Heights where recreational facilities complement those found at local state parks such as hiking trails, biking routes, golfing, & more to allow you to enjoy nature’s gift near Winona.
16. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (Two Harbors)
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is located in the northeastern section of Minnesota. The park has been called “a gem” by visitors and offers over 20 miles worth of scenic hiking trails as well as pristine lakes for fishing, boating, kayaking or canoeing on its shores.
It’s also important to mention that this place happens to be home to a long-standing lighthouse built back in 1858 which still serves an active role today. This lighthouse is a Minnesota bucket list staple!
17. Jeffers Petroglyphs (Comfrey, MN)
Jeffers Petroglyphs is home to about 5,000 sacred rock carvings that depict stories of the ancestors and history of North America. The petroglyphs tell a story all their own connecting visitors across time with those who lived before them on this continent.
18. Superior Hiking Trail (Starting near Schroeder, MN)
The Superior Hiking Trail is arguably the most ambitious hiking trail in Minnesota. The longest stretch of unmaintained trails spans nearly 300 miles from Duluth on Lake Superior to Canada.
This wilderness wonderland features more than 20 different types of trees within its borders such as white pine that grows up to 40 feet high & breathtaking views many do not get to see in their lifetime.
19. St Croix River Dalles (Taylor Falls,MN)
The Dalles of the St. Croix River in Minnesota is a unique part of Interstate State Park and features vertical cliffs, unusual pinnacle forms, an L-shaped segment along the river gorge, as well as rocky slopes.
The state park was designated a State Natural Area by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 1980 for its rare geology formations that are thousands years old due to erosion caused by rivers eroding through rocks over time.
20. Hike The Oberg Mountain Loop (Tofte, MN)
The Oberg Mountain Loop is especially popular in fall due to the wonderful fall foliage. You’ll see beautiful views of Lake Superior and the surrounding landscape as well steep cliffs at the top while taking this 3 mile moderate hike. This trail branches into another spur after 1 mile called “Crossover Trail” on your right if you want to explore further.
Add this hike to your Minnesota bucket list for fall!
21. Experience First Ave 7th Street Entry (Minneapolis, MN)
First Avenue is a music venue in the Twin Cities that has been open since 1970. It’s known as one of the longest-running, independently owned and operated venues in America because it gives artists an opportunity to share their work with other passionate fans.
Artists like Lizzo and Prince launched their careers from First Ave., which offers artists stages where they can perform for audiences who love them!
22. Visit Como Zoo (St. Paul, MN)
Como Zoo has been a Minnesota staple for nearly 120 years. The zoo is home to over 400 animals from all around the world, and showcases everything from penguins in Antarctica to lions on an African savannah!
Como also offers educational day camps that are just right for kids between 5-12 years old who want a hands on experience with our animal friends at camp.
23. Stop To Admire Lake Pepin (Lake City, MN)
Nestled in Lake City, Minnesota is the largest naturally occurring lake on the Mississippi River: Lake Pepin. This beautiful spot was formed by sedimentary deposits of Delta and Chippewa Rivers’ backup water behind it; here you can find many shops downtown or walk along trails right next to this natural wonder!
24. Wonder Around Franconia Sculpture Park (Shafer, MN)
This free, 50 acres outdoor museum hosts a variety of community arts programs with art enthusiasts – perfect for some well spent time outside!
Founded in 1996 and located near Minnesota’s scenic St. Croix River Valley, it provides physically wide open spaces that inspire new ways of thinking through access to contemporary sculptures and allows for active artists’ residencies too!
25. Check Out The National Eagle Center (Wabasha, MN)
The center offers interactive exhibits, a theater and classrooms as well as an observation area for viewing eagles at their nest sites in Minnesota’s scenic River Valley region – including bald eagles! The National Eagle Center offers an up close look at these majestic creatures while their beautiful facility overlooks the Mississippi River.
Looking for more things to do in Wabasha? Check out 20 Things To Do In Wabasha, MN & More.
26. Visit The Renaissance Festival (Shakopee, MN)
The annual Renaissance Festival in Minnesota goes on at the end of summer into fall & is a popular event for many people. The festival features live music, street theater and folk dancers to entertain the crowds of visitors. It also has many arts and crafts vendors as well as food stands that sell turkey legs with lots of different sauces on them!
27. Check Out The Stone Arch Bridge (Minneapolis, MN)
The Stone Arch Bridge, situated along Riverside Drive near West River Parkway, was built by railroad tycoon James J Hill who always wanted a more efficient way for his trains to cross from east-west across the Mississippi River into St Paul without having them go through downtown Minneapolis or reverse course back upriver at Hennepin Avenue (now Third Ave).
28. Tour the Mayowood Mansion (Rochester, MN)
The tour of the 23,000 square foot home that was built in 1910, allows visitors to explore the personal lives of famous doctors, Dr. Charlie Mayo and his son Chuck. Inside you’ll notice original family artifacts from world travels with stories about how they used it as a place to entertain guests who came into town on business or pleasure.
29. Stop By Fort Snelling (St. Paul, MN)
The muddy banks of the Minnesota River have seen a lot over time, with Fort Snelling being one of its oldest constructions. The fort was built in 1820 and is now home to state government buildings like the State Armory Building that’s been around for more than 100 years.
It was also once an Indian trade center before it became a military outpost occupied by soldiers on lookout duty during times when tensions arose between settlers and Native Americans.
30. Minneapolis Art Institute (Minneapolis, MN)
The Minneapolis Institute of Art is a community gathering place that features one of the largest and most distinguished collections in North America. The museum also collects, preserves and makes accessible world class works of arts. This institution wants to enrich the community by doing so.
31. Eat At Betty’s Pies (Two Harbors, MN)
Betty’s Pies has been around for years and with good reason; they have delicious pies that are perfect for an after-meal treat or even breakfast (their strawberry rhubarb pie sounds like it would go great with some eggs!). Betty’s will make any trip through Minnesota bucket list adventures more memorable.
32. Enger Tower (Duluth, MN)
Enger Tower stands in Enger Park above Duluth’s West End. It was built to honor Bert Enger, a local furniture dealer who donated money for the park’s development and whose will included more funds following his death. The tower is steeped in history as it serves as a popular wedding location today – you can even see Lake Superior from it!
33. Little Log House Pioneer Village (Hastings, MN)
The Little Log House Pioneer Village in Hastings Minnesota is an excellent place to learn about history. It was created by Steve and Sylvia Bauer as a restored pioneer village that displays some of southern Minnesota’s most prized historical artifacts, including the original cabin from when settlers first came into this area.
34. The Basilica of St. Mary (Minneapolis, MN)
Visiting the Basilica of St. Mary is like stepping into a magical realm that’s full of beauty and wonder. The church has been standing for over 130 years, but its towering pillars are still as majestic today as they were when it was first built with sandstone quarried from nearby Falls City quarry on October 18th 1896.
You can’t miss seeing these beautiful buildings towering above everything else while you’re walking around.
35. Experience the Minnesota State Fair (St. Paul, MN)
Also known as, the Great Minnesota Get-Together, lasts for 12 days leading up to and through Labor Day with more than 2 million guests flocking annually to Minnesota State Fair, a popular tourist destination. This end-of-summer tradition is held at its home in St. Paul’s Como Park neighborhood for each summer.
The mission of the fair is education and involvement by providing “a world class showcase that’s innovative, entertaining & fun” (MinnesotaStateFair). Each summer, this event is a Minnesota bucket list item for those who live far & near.
36. Normandale Japanese Garden (Bloomington, MN)
In the Japanese Garden at Normandale Community College, a collection of 300+ plants from across Minnesota’s climate has been placed. They range in plant type and provide different colors to mimic Japan’s flowers.
The garden is also accessible thanks to its soft tar paths which have replaced grass for easier accessibility on wheelchairs and strollers alike!
37. Go On An Adventure At Itasca State Park (Park Rapids, MN)
Established in 1891, Minnesota’s oldest State Park is Itasca. At 32,000 acres of pristine wilderness and stunning scenery that includes the mighty Mississippi River beginning its 2,552 mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. Great birding sites include common loon which can be found in abundance here along with black backed woodpeckers, winter wrens & more!
38. Minnesota Marine Art Museum (Winona, MN)
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum offers artwork from many different artists that can be seen by taking one of their many tours both inside and out in the gardens surrounding it-or simply walking around on your own time as well!
The galleries are also stocked with some really great pieces like paintings; sculptures; photographs–there’s even jewelry hanging up too.
39. Cathedral of St Paul (St. Paul, MN)
The Cathedral of St Paul is a beautiful place, with its dome reaching high into the air.
Its rich history that spans across different faiths from its origins with St Michael’s Roman Catholic church on 7th Street East Town 1857 following Minnesota Territory becoming a state 1957 when architect Edward J Long was commissioned with designing an episcopal cathedral at ground level height
40. Attend a Minnesota Vikings Game (Minneapolis, MN)
One thing that you might want do while in town is attend one of their many popular games, for example, attending an NFL Vikings game! The Vikings have a new stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium, that brings fan from all over to experience its uniqueness & fun atmosphere.
41. See the Northern Lights
Minnesota is a great place to view the northern lights! Due to undisturbed light pollution in urban areas, natural darkness reigns as you venture into Minnesota’s north-most regions with early sunsets lasting long star filled nights during fall & winter being popular times despite what people have heard.
The Aurora Borealis is notably seen in the Boundary Waters, on the Gunflint Trail & at Voyageurs National Park.
42. Minnesota Children’s Museum (St. Paul & Rochester, MN)
With locations in St. Paul & Rochester, the Minnesota Children’s Museum allows kids to explore and play to their heart’s content. It provides open-ended experiences for children where they have fun while developing life skills like communication or critical thinking. Through many interactive exhibits fun activities, the Minnesota Children’s Museum is a great Minnesota bucket list item for families!
43. Take A Ride On The Cuyuna Mountain Bike Trail System (Cuyuna County, MN)
In the 1970s, mining companies abandoned this area of Minnesota. This left lands to regenerate and now boasts 5,000 acres of regenerated vegetation with stunning views & s a variety of recreational opportunities including biking, fishing, boating, hiking/wildlife-watching, & camping.
44. Visit the American Swedish Institute (Minneapolis, MN)
The American Swedish Institute is a center for art, culture and environmental dialogue. The building itself was designed to resemble the traditional architecture of rural Sweden while simultaneously embracing its modern surroundings in Minneapolis. It’s also home to various exhibitions that focus on migration as well as cultural connections with their Nordic roots.
45. Find Our State Bird, The Loon
You can’t visit Minnesota with out checking this Minnesota bucket list item off – see our state bird! It is black and white with long wings, making for an awkward but beautiful bird. The red eyes are the most striking feature of this native Minnesotan animal because they light up in darkness or water to help see prey more clearly when hunting at night.
Overview: Your Ultimate Minnesota Bucket List
Minnesota is a state with many fun things to do, and this list just scratches the surface. Whether you want to see some of our beautiful lakes or go fishing in one of them, take your time exploring all that Minnesota has to offer! Have you completed any of these Minnesota bucket list items? If so, what are some other must-do activities in the Land of 10,000 Lakes that I could add to this list?
Check out my Minnesota tab for more ideas!