Visit Minnesota
If you love the great outdoors and want to celebrate the best of the four seasons, it’s hard to top Minnesota. Considered a top travel destination for outdoor enthusiasts, the Land of 10,000 Lakes is home to renowned attractions like Itasca State Park, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), Mississippi River Headwaters, and more. And with countless convenient day trips from Minneapolis, the list of fun things to do in Minnesota is truly endless. Here’s some helpful information for planning your Minnesota vacation!
Best Time To Visit
Minnesota is the ultimate year-round destination with 10,000+ lakes, 900 miles of maintained OVR trails, and endless off roading.
Climate
In Minnesota, the four seasons don’t whisper—they shout. Summer is idyllic, fall is gorgeous, and winter is all about snowmobiling.
Altitude
Minnesota’s highest point is Eagle Mountain at 2,301 feet—just 13 miles away from its lowest point on the shoreline of Lake Superior.
Terrain
Minnesota boasts vast wilderness, dramatic river bluffs, and prairie grasslands. And, of course, thousands of lakes.
Minnesota Attractions
Lake Superior North Shore
This 154-mile stretch of rugged coastline starting in Duluth and ending in Grand Portage takes you past formidable cliffs, multiple waterfalls, and the iconic Split Rock Lighthouse. Be sure to stop at Gooseberry Falls State Park to view the Gooseberry River thundering down a rocky gorge—an especially dramatic sight in mid-spring months during peak winter thaw.
Gull Lake
With 10,000 acres of pristine water, numerous shoreline restaurants, and some of the state’s best walleye fishing, Gull Lake is the perfect “Up North” destination to rent a pontoon with family and friends. The Alexandria Chain of Lakes and Lake Waconia are two more Minnesota favorites guaranteed to deliver a day of summer fun.
Mississippi River Headwaters
A trip to Itasca State Park should be high on any Minnesota itinerary. The park is home to Lake Itasca, the starting point of the Mississippi River as it begins its 2,320-mile journey south to the Gulf of Mexico. Be sure to take a photo next to the iconic headwaters post that marks the 18-foot wide, knee-deep start of the Mighty Mississippi.
Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway
This 54-mile scenic highway route takes visitors through quintessential Minnesota landscapes (an extra-fun journey when you’re in a Polaris slingshot!) including tall forests, pristine lakes, and quaint small towns. Take your time and stop frequently along the way—especially to see some of the legendary sites associated with Paul Bunyan, one of America’s favorite tall-tale heroes.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area
Regularly making national and even global lists of “must-visit” destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, the BWCA in northeast Minnesota encompasses more than 1 million acres of forest dotted with thousands of lakes, all bisected by 1,200 miles of canoe routes. The town of Ely is considered the gateway to the BWCA and also connects to a vast network of ORV trails.
Polaris Vehicles
Minnesota Vehicle Rentals
Our Minnesota Adventure Outfitters offer the best off road vehicles for every season. Rent a Polaris snowmobile or all terrain vehicle to kick off your next adventure.
Things to Do in Minnesota
Planning a Minnesota vacation? The outdoor adventure options are limitless. Explore Lake Superior’s famed North Shore. Cruise one of the state’s 10,000-plus lakes with family and friends in a pontoon. Snowmobile along the hundreds of miles of groomed trails crisscrossing Minnesota’s diverse terrain. No matter what season you visit or what experiences you’re seeking, the North Star State will deliver.
Minnesota Adventures
VIEW ALL (8+)
Grand Marais Snowmobile Tour
Hungry Jack Lodge, Grand Marais, MN
Starting at
$325
/
9 Credits
Snowmobile Tours: Multi-Day
Lake Darling Resort, Alexandria, MN
Starting at
$325
/
9 Credits
Ely Minnesota Snowmobile Rentals: Multi-Day
Your Boat Club - Ely, Ely, MN
Starting at
$184
/
5 Credits
Ely Minnesota Snowmobile Tours
Your Boat Club - Ely, Ely, MN
Starting at
$275
/
8 Credits
Brainerd Snowmobile Tours
Power Lodge Adventures, Brainerd, MN
Starting at
$259
/
7 Credits
Northern Minnesota Off-Road Tours
Power Lodge Adventures, Outing, MN
Starting at
$325
/
9 Credits
Multi-Day Rentals
Northwoods Recreational Rentals, Moose Lake, MN
Starting at
$799
/
23 Credits
