The Ultimate Minnesota Travel Guide

| Destination |

Minnesota nice. It describes the people and the place. From the twin cities to the rugged North Shore, there is plenty to see and do in Minnesota. You can visit the city for a weekend or you can rent a lake house for the week. However long you decide to stay, you’ll find plenty to entertain you and your family in this charming Midwest destination. Continue reading this Minnesota travel guide to plan your next Minnesota vacation to the land of 10,000 lakes. As former Minnesota residents, we’ve compiled our favorite things to do in Minnesota and shared them with you here. From road tripping the North Shore to exploring the parks of Minneapolis, you’ll find something here to leave you thinking Minnesota is NICE!

Top 5 Things to do in Minnesota

Minneapolis Sculpture Garden — Minneapolis

St. Croix River Road Trip — Interstate State Park

The Midwest has this great saying: If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes. This is true of Minnesota weather.

However, from May-September you can pretty much guarantee that the weather will be tolerable if not plain gorgeous. The summers in Minnesota are warm without being stifling and the warm weather will help you to enjoy at least one of those 10,000 lakes. Summer is our favorite time in Minnesota.

Fall can also be a great time to visit this tree filled state. If you can time your visit perfectly to align with the changing colors you’ll have a great time in the Northwoods. However, cooler temperatures in fall mean you will not be able to enjoy some outdoor activities.

Winter and spring are pleasant enough but we wouldn’t recommend visiting during this time of year unless you are only visiting the twin cities. Lots of outdoor activities close in the winter and early spring (unless you’re specifically looking for snow sports). However, the twin cities, with all of their indoor activities are great to visit year round.

Know Before You Go

Currency and Budget:

The currency used in Minnesota is the US dollar. You’ll find that credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout the state. Visa, Mastercard and Discover are the most common. Cash is also widely used.

The prices in Minnesota are reasonable compared with other US areas. Hotels average between $130-$200. Meal prices average from $13-$35 depending on type of restaurant. You will find price surges in popular areas like Minneapolis and the North Shore.

Language:

The official language of the US is English. While you may hear other languages in parts of Minnesota, you do need to speak English to visit a majority of the state.

Getting Around:

With attractions spread out and few major airports, picking a central base camp and traveling by car is the best way to see the best of Minnesota. If you’re visiting the twin cities, a car would not be needed. However, we think renting a car and doing day trips outside of the cities is the best way to see all of the state.

Minnesota has one main airport: Minneapolis/St. Paul. This international airport makes air travel to and from Minnesota easy and inexpensive. Duluth also has a relatively inexpensive airport if you are planning on visiting northern Minnesota but this airport offers very few direct flights.

Safety:

Minnesota is a relatively safe place to travel. Petty crime like theft can occur, especially in popular tourist destinations so keep an eye on your belongings.

Cell service can be difficult to find in remote areas in the northern part of the state so make sure to plan your supplies accordingly.

Also, if traveling in winter, be aware of road conditions and possible travel challenges associated with snow. Consider renting a 4WD car if traveling in more remote areas in the winter.