Discover 14 Of Minnesota's Most Iconic Views On This Epic 14-Hour Road Trip
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Trent Jonas
Author
There are certain sights that most any Minnesotan – and many folks who’ve visited the Land of 10,000 Lakes – will know instantly. When you see them, they just say “Minnesota!” That’s what makes these vistas icons of the North Star State, and you should definitely experience as many of them as you can in real life – don’t just rely on photos (as beautiful as they may be). As such, we thought we’d put together a road trip that connects several of these iconic views in Minnesota. Clearly, it’s not all of them – not by any stretch – but we also wanted to keep the travel distance somewhat reasonable. So, go ahead: Pack up your car, bring along plenty of snacks, and let’s hit the road on this trip to some of the most recognizable views in our gorgeous state!
We recommend taking at least two days to complete the trip - but three or more days will allow more time for exploring. Tap or click on the map above to follow along or to customize the itinerary in Google Maps.
1. Pipestone National Monument - Pipestone
Your itinerary starts in southwest Minnesota, at Pipestone National Monument. Its famous Sioux quartzite outcropping and little waterfall on the prairie make this sacred site a Minnesota icon.
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2. Blue Mounds State Park - Luverne
Blue Mounds State Park, 1410 161st St, Luverne, MN 56156, USA
Just south of Pipestone, near Luverne, you'll find Blue Mounds State Park. It's home to a portion of Minnesota's bison herd and the vistas of its massive Sioux quartzite cliffs and tallgrass prairies epitomize this part of the state.
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3. Minneopa Falls - Mankato
Minneopa State Park, 54497 Gadwall Rd, Mankato, MN 56001, USA
In south central Minnesota, there may not be a more iconic sight than the view of Minneopa Falls in Mankato. At Minneopa State Park, where the waterfall is located, you'll also find another portion of the state bison herd on a range that you can access in your vehicle.
4. Great River Bluffs State Park - Plainview
Great River Bluffs State Park, 43605 Kipp Dr, Winona, MN 55987, USA
The mighty Mississippi carves part of the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin, and the incredible bluff views over the river in this part of the state are truly remarkable. Only Wisconsin and Iowa can claim similar vistas. One of the best places to experience them in Minnesota is Great River Bluffs State Park.
5. Minnesota History Center - St. Paul
Minnesota History Center, 345 W Kellogg Blvd, St Paul, MN 55102, USA
From the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, you'll have fantastic views of the Minnesota state capitol building, the Cathedral of Saint Paul, and the downtown St. Paul skyline - three iconic views in one stop. You can also take the opportunity to delve deep into the history of Minnesota.
6. Historic Fort Snelling - Minneapolis/St. Paul
Historic Fort Snelling, 200 Tower Ave, St Paul, MN 55111, USA
Although its history is controversial, Historic Fort Snelling at B'dote is an iconic sight on Minnesota's modern landscape. It's located on top of a bluff at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers on the border of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
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7. Minnehaha Falls - Minneapolis
Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA
The next stop is just a few minutes from Fort Snelling. There may not be a more iconic Minnesota waterfall than Minnehaha Falls, and this stop is a must on this list.
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8. Stone Arch Bridge - Minneapolis
Stone Arch Bridge, 100 Portland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
Your next urban stop on our itinerary is the historic Stone Arch Bridge in downtown Minneapolis. There may not be a more iconic view of the city than this.
9. Spoonbridge and Cherry - Minneapolis
Spoonbridge and Cherry, 14357 Loring Greenway, Minneapolis, MN 55403, USA
The Stone Arch Bridge's competition for most iconic Minneapolis skyline view is your last Twin Cities stop on the itinerary. The view of the skyline over Spoonbridge and Cherry at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is another iconic view that just about any Minnesotan would recognize.
10. Canal Park and Aerial Lift Bridge - Duluth
Canal Park, Duluth, MN 55802, USA
From the Cities, you'll head north to Duluth. There, you'll take in views of the city's iconic Aerial Lift Bridge from its popular Canal Park district.
11. Gooseberry Falls - Two Harbors
Gooseberry Falls State Park, 3206 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA
From Duluth, you'll head up the beautiful shore of Lake Superior to Gooseberry Falls State Park. It's the most visited of our state parks, and its eponymous waterfalls are the stuff of Minnesota legend.
12. Split Rock Lighthouse - Beaver Bay
Split Rock Lighthouse, 3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Rd, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA
Just a few minutes up the shore from Gooseberry Falls, you'll find one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States. Historic Split Rock Lighthouse and its namesake state park are must-stops for any North Shore visitor. And any Minnesotan would recognize this view immediately.
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13. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox - Bemidji
Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox Statues, 300 Bemidji Ave N, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA
Heading west again, you'll come to the iconic Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statutes in the Northwoods town of Bemidji. There are many Paul Bunyan statues in Minnesota, but none are more iconic than Bemidji's.
14. Headwaters of the Mississippi River - Park Rapids
Lake Itasca, South Clearwater, MN, USA
By the time you get to the final stop on this road trip, you will have seen and crossed the Mississippi River many times. That's because the human history of Minnesota is inextricably interwoven with this mighty river. And it all starts at Lake Itasca, near Park Rapids, where you'll find the iconic headwaters of the Mississippi River. The site is located within Itasca State Park, the oldest state park in Minnesota and one of the first in the United States.
Even if you visit just a few of these iconic views in Minnesota, we’re sure you won’t be disappointed. If you have time to do any hiking when you visit the parks in which some of these sites sites are located, bring along the AllTrails Plus app for easy navigation at your fingertips. What other classic Bold North views should be included on this road trip itinerary? Let us know in the comments!
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