Everyone In Minnesota Should Check Out These 15 Tourist Attractions, According To Locals
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Trent Jonas
Author
The Land of 10,000 Lakes is full of wonders – natural and otherwise – for us to enjoy, but we were wondering what the absolute must-visits were. So, we put out the call on our Only In Minnesota Facebook page, and you, our readers, responded. According to the results, here are 15 attractions in Minnesota that everyone must check out.
1. Franconia Sculpture Park - Shafer
Franconia Sculpture Park, 29836 St Croix Trail N, Shafer, MN 55074, USA
This quirky park near Taylors Falls features gigantic, interactive sculptures. The art rotates on a regular basis, so be sure to visit often.
2. SPAM Museum - Austin
SPAM Museum, 101 3rd Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912, USA
Hawaiians eat the most of it, but it was invented right here in Minnesota. Visit the SPAM museum to learn all you need to know about this amazingly versatile meat product.
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3. Pipestone National Monument - Pipestone
Pipestone National Monument, 36 Reservation Ave, Pipestone, MN 56164, USA
One of two national monuments in Minnesota, Pipestone is a geologic wonder - an upwelling of Sioux quartzite on the prairie with a natural waterfall - and rich in history. All Minnesotans should visit this amazing place at least once.
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4. World's largest Paul Bunyan - Akeley
Paul Bunyan Historical Museum, Akeley, MN 56433, USA
It's not the tallest, (because he's kneeling so you can sit in his hand), but the Paul Bunyan statue in Akeley is the largest.
5. Lucette, Paul Bunyan's Sweetheart - Hackensack
Lucette Statue (Paul Bunyan's Sweetheart), 108 Fleisher Ave, Hackensack, MN 56452, USA
Speaking of Paul Bunyan, did you know he has a sweetheart? Well, he does. Her name is Lucette, and you'll find her in Hackensack.
6. Headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park - Park Rapids
Itasca State Park, 36750 Main Pk Dr, Park Rapids, MN 56470, USA
The headwaters of the Mississippi River is one of the best-known natural attractions in Minnesota. You'll find it at Itasca State Park - the oldest in Minnesota and one of the oldest state parks in the country.
7. Big Ole and the Kensington Runestone - Alexandria Museum
Big Ole - Big Viking Statue, Central Lakes Trail, Alexandria, MN 56308, USA
In western Minnesota, you'll find the statue of a Viking named Big Ole, and he holds a shield proclaiming that Alexandria is the "birthplace of America." How is this possible? You'll have to visit the nearby Kensington Runestone Museum to find out.
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8. Grand Portage National Monument and Pigeon River High Falls - Grand Portage
Grand Portage National Monument, 170 Mile Creek Rd, Grand Portage, MN 55605, USA
Grand Portage is another two (or more!) for one attraction. You've got Minnesota's other national monument - Grand Portage - as well as Grand Portage State Park. The latter is home to the High Falls on the Pigeon River, which are the tallest in Minnesota, and the reason for all the portaging going on up here.
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9. World's Largest Tiger Muskie - Nevis
World's Largest Tiger Muskie, Bunyan Trails Rd, Nevis, MN 56467, USA
The world's largest tiger muskie (statue) is located in a park in Nevis. Come for the muskie, but stay for the lovely community!
10. Split Rock Lighthouse - Two Harbors
Split Rock Lighthouse, 3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Rd, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA
Often called the most photographed lighthouse in the country, Split Rock Lighthouse is necessary on any Minnesota bucket list.
11. World's Largest Ball of Twine - Darwin
World's Largest Ball Of Twine, 1st St, Darwin, MN 55324, USA
There are a few competitors out there now, but the world's largest ball of twine has long been in Darwin, Minnesota. Just ask anybody in Darwin.
12. Gooseberry Falls at Gooseberry Falls State Park - Two Harbors
Gooseberry Falls State Park, 3206 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USA
The most visited state park in Minnesota is home to one of the (if not the) most photographed waterfalls in Minnesota. A stop by Gooseberry Falls is a must during your time in the North Star State.
13. Big Fish Supper Club - Bena
The Big Fish Supper Club and Resort, 456 US-2, Bena, MN 56626, USA
Another giant muskie? Yes, but it's not a tiger muskie - and this one gave birth to a restaurant, the aptly named Big Fish Supper Club. You may recognize it from the opening credits of National Lampoon's Vacation.
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14. Minnehaha Falls - Minneapolis
Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA
The other contender for most photographed waterfall in Minnesota is Minnehaha Falls, which is located in the regional park of the same name in Minneapolis. This cascade is particularly striking in the winter when it freezes.
15. Pelican Pete - Pelican Rapids
Pelican Pete, E.L. Peterson Park, Pelican Rapids, MN 56572, USA
Not to be outdone by fish, lumberjacks, and Vikings, Pelican Rapids is also strong in the outsized statue game. Pelican Pete is probably the biggest concrete pelican you'll ever see.
Other popular answers included your houses, yards, and porches – but we didn’t have images of those, so they weren’t included. (Kidding!) You could definitely string a few of these attractions together and make a weekend road trip or two out of them.
Which of these 15 attractions in Minnesota have you visited? Which are your favorites? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments!
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