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Minnesota
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
Land of 10,000 Lakes · Capital: Saint Paul · The Midwest
Northern lakes, canoe wilderness and a lively Twin Cities culture.
Why go
What makes Minnesota worth the trip.
Lake country
Ten thousand lakes and the Boundary Waters canoe wilderness.
Twin Cities
Minneapolis–St. Paul: arts, food and the Mall of America.
Four true seasons
Green summers, blazing autumns and snowy adventure winters.
Minnesota on the map
The capital and the places worth building a trip around. Click a marker for a quick note and hotels.
Minnesota — State Facts
A short history
Minnesota's lakes and forests have sustained Dakota and Ojibwe communities for millennia, with the Mississippi River's headwaters at Lake Itasca and rich fur-trade routes drawing French voyageurs in the 17th and 18th centuries. That legacy still echoes in place names, canoe routes and a modern paddling culture along the Boundary Waters and the northern border lakes.
Admitted to the Union in 1858 as the 32nd state, Minnesota grew on wheat milling, iron ore from the Mesabi Range, and waves of Scandinavian and German immigration that shaped its civic culture of cooperation and strong public institutions. Minneapolis and St. Paul grew together as the Twin Cities, a river-powered milling and rail hub that became a Midwestern centre of commerce and the arts.
Today Minnesota balances big-city sophistication with wilderness at its doorstep: the Twin Cities offer major museums, theatre and the Mall of America, while the north woods and ten thousand-plus lakes support a fierce outdoor culture that embraces every season, from summer canoeing to genuinely cold, celebrated winters.
Minneapolis and St. Paul grew up as rival twin cities on opposite banks of the Mississippi, and that friendly rivalry over milling, brewing and hockey still shapes how each city sees itself. Fort Snelling sits right at the river confluence and marks where the territory's earliest settlement took hold.
Where to go
The signature places to build a trip around.
Saint Paul
The state capital, forming the eastern half of the Twin Cities with a grand domed Capitol and historic riverfront.
Selected hotels
Boundary Waters
A million acres of paddling wilderness on the border.
Selected hotels
Minneapolis
Lakes within the city, the Walker Art Center and music history.
Selected hotels
North Shore
Lake Superior cliffs, waterfalls and Split Rock Lighthouse.
Selected hotels
Voyageurs National Park
A water-based park best seen by boat.
Selected hotels
Skip the Mall of America crowds and drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior in October, when the maples along the ridgeline turn and the roadside diners still have fresh walleye. Locals eat at the co-op cafes in Minneapolis, not the skyway chains downtown.
When to go
Summer and autumn for lakes; winter for the truly hardy.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Deeply cold with heavy snow; ice fishing, skiing and winter festivals define the season.
Spring (Mar–May)
A gradual thaw with lakes opening up by May, good for city sightseeing before the bugs arrive.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm and green, prime time for the Boundary Waters, North Shore and lake cabins.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Crisp air and brilliant colour along the North Shore before winter sets in.
Minnesota FAQ
What is the capital of Minnesota?
Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota.
What is the largest city in Minnesota?
Minneapolis is the largest city in Minnesota.
When did Minnesota become a state?
Minnesota became the 32nd U.S. state on May 11, 1858.
What is Minnesota known for?
Minnesota is known for northern lakes, canoe wilderness and a lively Twin Cities culture.
When is the best time to visit Minnesota?
Summer and autumn for lakes; winter for the truly hardy.
Plan your Minnesota trip
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