Minnesota

A northern state billed as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," with lake wilderness, Twin Cities culture and the source of the Mississippi River.

Minnesota lies at the northern tip of the Midwest, bordering Canada, with glaciation having left behind countless lakes. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have rich arts venues and lakeside parks, and the nearby Mall of America is enormous; the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in the north and the North Shore of Lake Superior are great for outdoor adventure, and Itasca State Park is the source of the Mississippi River. Summer and early fall are the best times to visit, and winters are bitterly cold. The main gateway is Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport.

Destinations

• Minneapolis–Saint Paul
• Duluth
• Grand Marais, Minnesota
• Thunder Bay
• La Crosse

Itineraries

• Minnesota North Shore to Grand Portage – Drive north along Lake Superior's Highway 61 to see lighthouses, waterfalls, and the high falls on the Canadian border.
• Lake Superior North Shore & Agawa Canyon Train – Head north from Toronto to Sault Ste. Marie for the canyon train, then follow Highway 17 around the lake to Thunder Bay
• Great River Road: Twin Cities to St. Louis – Follow the Mississippi River south through blufftop towns, historic Galena, and Mark Twain's hometown.