Minnesota holidays

With a spruced-up riverside full of parks, promenades and places to eat and drink, Duluth is quickly becoming the next must-see city of the Midwest.

Home to more than a dozen lakes, a thriving parks system and a cultural scene that’s growing in leaps and bounds, Minnesota’s largest city deserves a spot on your travel itinerary.

From kayaking along the Mississippi River to sampling local cider and strolling around historic neighbourhoods, St Cloud is well worth a stop on your Midwestern tour.

Minnesota has a whopping 11,842 lakes. Two of the most popular are Lake Superior (the second-largest in the world) and Lake Minnetonka, both with loads of boat rentals, swimming beaches and fishing spots. For something more remote, head to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a certified ‘quiet park’ that can only be navigated on foot or by canoe.

One of the best things to do in Minnesota is to hop in a car and see where the country roads take you. The Great River Road is a massive scenic byway alongside the Mississippi River with plenty of farm stands and adorable small towns worth stopping for. Take the North Shore Scenic Drive along Lake Superior to see lighthouses, waterfalls and even a ghost town.

Minnesotans make the most of their winters, and so should you. Explore the state’s powdery parks by snowshoe or snowmobile, or visit a downhill ski resort. And there are loads of ice skating rinks on frozen lakes. Events also embrace the winter vibes, like the Twin Cities’ Great Northern Festival (complete with a ‘sauna village’) and the Saint Paul Winter Carnival.

The largest freshwater sandbar in the world, Park Point on Lake Superior is among the most picturesque beaches in Minnesota, with long stretches for swimming and sunning. State parks like McCarthy Beach, Zippel Bay and Father Hennepin combine watery fun with woodland hikes. You can even squeeze in a beach day around the Twin Cities at spots like Lake Nokomis.

Explore everything from dense forests to open prairies at Minnesota’s national and state parks. Trails in Superior National Forest lead you to epic mountain and lake views. A spring hike through Glacial Lake State Park promises wildflowers as far as the eye can see. Or head to Voyageurs National Park, a cluster of more than 500 tiny islands reachable only by boat.

Minnesota may be best known for its comfort food, but the state’s cuisine reflects a wide range of international influences too. At award-winning restaurants in Minnesota, you can find everything from modern takes on Scandinavian to Somalian to Indigenous cuisine. Don’t leave Minneapolis without biting into a ‘Juicy Lucy’, a hamburger stuffed with cheese that was invented in the city.

The best museums in Minnesota are in the Twin Cities. See modern classics at the Walker Art Center, then snap a shot of the iconic ‘Spoonbridge and Cherry’ at the nearby Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. The Minneapolis Institute of Art is home to more than 100,000 works, some dating back to ancient times. Prince fans shouldn’t miss Paisley Park, the musician’s former home and recording studio.

The best time to go to Minnesota depends on what kind of holiday you’re hoping to have. Ready for a classic summer lake stay? Visit between June and August for the best beach weather. Craving quiet hikes with some autumn foliage sprinkled in? Book a trip in September or October. And for winter sports and celebrations, pack your heaviest coat and visit from December to February.

Planning a cheap holiday to Minnesota is fairly easy, as the state is generally more affordable than destinations on the coasts of the US. Expect an inexpensive meal in Minneapolis to cost roughly 20 US dollars ($) and a short taxi ride to be around $9. Food and lodging prices are generally lower outside the Twin Cities, especially in the winter months.