MINNESOTA: THE NORTH STAR STATE
BY CLAY
LARROY
Travel is
so much more that simply hopping on a flight to a new destination. If you plan
it correctly, it could be a thrilling time you'll never forget. Planning a trip
is fun as there are tons of things to do and see. Do you know how to plan a
trip effectively? Packing light is key to making your travels as easy and free
of stress as possible. Bring one carryon bag that includes everything you need,
not necessarily everything you want. Your smart packing will pay off when you
are happily carrying one bag around on vacation instead of lugging around
multiple bags. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!
Minnesota Travel Guide
It's all
about the water in Minnesota. If you visited a different lake every day here it
would take more than three decades to see them all – yup, there are 11,842
lakes to choose from, meaning virtually limitless opportunities for aquatic
adventures: from waterskiing (invented in this very state) to paddlewheel boat
trips, there's a watersport for everyone.
Grab a kayak, cram it with camping gear, and explore 2,400km
(1,500 miles) of routes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Or
venture into Voyageurs National Park for a Swallows and Amazons-style
experience, exploring hidden islands and trails, and sleeping on a houseboat or
lakeside cabin.
In the
depths of winter, Minnesota completely freezes over, and the lakes and land are
transformed into sparkling playgrounds crisscrossed with snowmobiling,
cross-country skiing and dog-sledding trails, while hardy anglers bundle up for
a spot of ice fishing.
And if
all that open space has you hankering after some urban action, the cosmopolitan
twin cities of Minneapolis and St Paul are home to the humongous Mall of
America, the architectural masterpiece that is the Minnesota State Capitol, and
an unstoppable craft brewery boom. Alternatively, Duluth is a busy, big-city
port on the shore of Lake Superior, and a gateway to your next outdoor
adventure.
Things
to see and do in Minnesota
Explore the
Superior Natural forest
Canoe in the Boundary
Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (www.bwca.cc) in the Superior Natural Forest.
Landmark Center
View the Landmark Center (www.landmarkcenter.org),
which houses the Minnesota Museum of American Art (www.mmaa.org),
once the Federal Court House. Its distinguished history includes the trials of
several famous 1930s gangsters such as John Dillinger and 'Machine Gun' Kelly.
Take the Gangster Tour to visit well known haunts.
Minnehaha Falls
Visit Minnehaha Falls,
made famous in Longfellow's poem, The Song of Hiawatha.
Mississippi
River Visitor Center
Stop by the Mississippi
River Visitor Center a collaboration between the National Park Service and the
Science Museum. The Great River Road that runs south from the Twin Cities to
the Iowa border offers magnificent views of the river and the many bird species,
including the American Bald Eagle that migrate along this route.
Play at Spirit Mountain
Play at Spirit Mountain (www.spiritmt.com),
a year-round holiday and outdoor recreation centre close to Duluth.
Shop at the Mall of America
The Mall of America (www.mallofamerica.com)
is the largest entertainment and retail complex in the USA. Attractions at the
Mall include Camp Snoopy (the largest indoor theme park in the USA), the LEGO
Imagination Center and Underwater Adventures, a 5.4-million-litre
(1.2-million-gallon) walk-through aquarium.
Split Rock
Lighthouse State Park
Visit the Split Rock
Lighthouse State Park (www.mnhs.org/places/sites/srl).
It preserves one of the most scenic lighthouses in the USA, built after 29
ships carrying iron ore on Lake Superior were shipwrecked in a single storm in
1905.
St Louis County
Heritage & Arts Center
Tour the St Louis County
Heritage & Arts Center, known locally as The Depot (www.duluthdepot.org).
This former Union Railroad Depot houses exhibits by four different museums, and
is home to five performing arts organisations.
Stay in one of
Mississippi's resorts
Stay at one of the major
resort areas such as the towns of Bemidji, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Grand
Rapids and the Lake Mille Lacs area.
Take a road trip
down North Shore Drive
Travel the spectacular
North Shore Drive (www.lakesuperiordrive.com) (US Highway 61)
following the north shore of Lake Superior for 240km (150 miles) from Duluth to
the Canadian border. It was designated an 'All American Road' for its unique,
scenic beauty.
Take in a Broadway show
The Twin Cities offer more
theatres than any other US metropolitan area outside New York City, with more
than 100 theatre companies. Broadway shows and theatrical events are performed
at the restored Historic Orpheum Theatre, Historic State Theatre and the
Historic Pantages Theatre in the Hennepin Theater District (www.hennepintheaterdistrict.org) in downtown
Minneapolis.
Walker Art Center
Tour the Walker Art Center
(www.walkerart.org)
and enjoy contemporary art exhibitions, concerts and lectures. The centre also
features an impressive Outdoor Sculpture Garden, the largest of its kind in the
USA. It is open year round.
Winter sports
Enjoy winter sports
offered in abundance due to the state's strategic northern location. Skiing,
ice-skating, sledding, ice fishing, dog sledding and snowmobiling are all
available.
REFERENCE SITES:
I live in Minnesota. Lots of people assume that if you want
to be an actor, you have to live in Hollywood, but not me.
Chris Massoglia
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