Why Not Head North This Summer?
Everyone knows Minnesota is a great place to live, but it’s also a great place to visit? This summer, when you’re looking for a vacation destination that combines the fun and adventure of being outdoors with the comfort of staying in a quaint town or city, look no further than “The Land of 10,000 Lakes.” This state’s variety means there’s something for everyone—from waterfalls and gorgeous lakes to hiking trails and tons of places to camp. So if you’re planning your next getaway trip, consider one of these five destinations:
- Voyageurs National Park
- Grand Marais
- Itasca State Park
- Duluth
- North Shore Waterfalls
Voyageurs National Park
Voyageurs National Park is located in the north-central part of Minnesota. It’s a great place to go if you love being outdoors, as the park offers plenty of activities for all types of outdoor enthusiasts. It also has some beautiful scenery and wildlife to enjoy!
- Voyageurs National Park is embedded in the island-studded waters where the Rainy River meets Lake Of The Woods. It’s home to more than 500 islands, 432 square miles of water, 273 square miles of land, and 65 large mammals like moose and black bears. This park is the perfect destination for all outdoor enthusiasts who love boating (and can handle driving on icy roads during the winter months). You can enjoy viewing wildlife at one of its many overlooks or spend some time hiking along scenic trails through virgin forests—which are now protected by law thanks to our national parks! I highly recommend exploring as much as possible because there are many different things to see here!
Best Things to Do in Voyageurs National Park
My favorite activity was kayaking around all day long while having lunch on an island now and then! Another bonus? Accessible campsites are offered throughout most nights during peak season, so don’t worry about finding somewhere safe yet still affordable when staying overnight. Grand Marais is the “gateway” into northern Minnesota from the Duluth area because it sits on Lake Superior.
Hiking: The park has over 500 miles of trails that allow visitors to explore its many lakes and rivers.
Camping: If you like camping but don’t have time to set up a tent, several cabins are available at Voyageurs National Park. You can stay in one or rent out an entire place with your friends and family members!
Wildlife viewing: The area around Voyageurs National Park has been referred to as “the duck factory” because many different kinds of ducks live there! In addition to ducks, there are many other types of animals living here, too, including moose, bears (black bears), wolves (gray wolves), foxes (red foxes), and more! These animals will add some excitement during your trip if you’re lucky enough to see them up close!
Grand Marais
Grand Marais is a small town in northern Minnesota, located on the North Shore of Lake Superior. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state because of its scenic beauty and abundance of outdoor activities.
The harbor at Grand Marais is home to several historic lighthouses that overlook Lake Superior, including beautiful views of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Isle Royale National Park (the largest island in any U.S. national park). For this reason, many people choose to take boat tours through these areas during their visit to Grand Marais—but you don’t have to go far at all before you start seeing breathtaking scenery!
If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind experiences while exploring this region during your summer vacation, consider taking an ice fishing trip with guides trained by Minnesota Department Of Natural Resources professionals, floating down rivers on inner tubes or rafts, or renting kayaks or canoes from local businesses for your excursion into nature’s beauty.
Itasca State Park
If you’re looking for the best place to visit in Minnesota, try Itasca State Park. Located north of Grand Rapids, this park is home to one of Mother Nature’s most beautiful wonders: the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River begins at Lake Itasca and flows through eight states before reaching its endpoint at the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi is also the prime highway for Asian Carp traveling up from fish farms in the south. These invasive species threaten the Great Lakes.
Itasca State Park has a lot to offer visitors—hiking trails, fishing spots, swimming spots—and it’s a trendy spot for people who love nature and outdoor activities. Bring your dog along to keep you company in the wilds of Minnesota woods. If you want to get away from city life for a while and experience something different from what you’re used to seeing every day, why not spend some time in Itasca State Park?
Duluth
A popular summer destination, Duluth is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for outdoor activities. You can kayak or paddleboard along the lakefront, go hiking up one of its many trails and enjoy various water activities on Lake Superior. Of course, it’s also a great place to visit for shopping and dining!
The city has more than 100 shops and restaurants downtown. Many of them are housed in historic buildings that were built during Duluth’s heyday as an important shipping port between 1890 – 1920
North Shore Waterfalls
The North Shore Waterfalls are a great place to visit if you want to see beautiful waterfalls without traveling far. You can find them on both sides of the St. Louis River, located in Duluth and Superior, Minnesota.
These waterfalls are well known and featured in many TV shows, including Fargo and Northern Exposure.
The best time to visit these falls is between May and October when there aren’t many leaves on the trees so that you can see all of the beauty surrounding them!
You can visit these waterfalls by driving along Highway 61 or trip across Lake Superior by sailboat or ferry boat from nearby cities like Duluth or Two Harbors, Minnesota! If you’re looking for other things to do nearby, we recommend checking out our local lakeside campground, where you’ll feel right at home!
Minnesota is Full of Great Places for Summer Fun
Minnesota is full of great places for summer fun. The state’s national parks, state parks, national forests, and lakeshores offer visitors the chance to explore Minnesota’s natural wonders. However, if you want to enjoy the great outdoors without hiking those grueling trails yourself, check out one of the many state-run campgrounds or cabins. You can even rent a boat on one of Minnesota’s lakes during your stay by contacting one of the state’s many marinas! Also Read some Entertainment News at MediaTakeOut.
If you’d rather stay in town than go camping in the woods, there are plenty of things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul! First, head down to Nicollet Mall for some shopping and sightseeing at two of our most famous landmarks: Target Center (home to the professional basketball team Minnesota Timberwolves) and Mill City Museum (exhibits about how flour was first made). There are also plenty more museums that depict all aspects of life here – from music history at First Avenue nightclub, where Prince played his first gig ever back in 1977, up through today’s rock scene with groups like Doomtree making their mark on downtown Minneapolis nightlife today).
Final Thoughts On the Best Places to Visit in Minnesota
Remember that these are just a few of the many Minnesota summer spots we could recommend. There’s so much to do and see in this beautiful state—and we hope you’re able to check out at least one of these places during your upcoming vacation.
In an informative tone: If you need more ideas, consult our blog post on Great Lakes Beaches for more suggestions on where to go in other seasons. Or check out our list of favorite things about Minnesota for even more great information about the state!
