The American State of Minnesota is located in the mid-western region of the country, populated with a many a natural and man-made wonders. The state boasts of more than 10,000 lakes, cultural landmarks and a modern art museum. No matter what area of Minnesota you choose to be in; a state park, a lake or just any road-side spot; every part of the state offers a stunning view.
Minnesota is a quintessential destination to go away to for some quiet, relaxed time. Here some of Minnesota’s Points of Interest.
Superior National Forest
With its pristine lakes and calm rivers, The Superior National Forest is spread through large areas of North-East Minnesota. Spread over 3 million acres, almost 700 square miles of the forest is made up of water. Within the forest lies the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a well known spot of paddling enthusiasts all over USA and Canada. One of the best areas for kayaking and back-country canoeing trips and also fishing, the boundary waters have earned their name as they are located along the boundaries of the two countries. This remote area supports wild-life and you can see animals like wolfs, bears and even the moose.
Voyageurs National Park
Minnesota is laden with a lot of Wilderness and the Voyageurs National Park is another great example of it. But, when it comes to this particular park; you can find both history and natural beauty here. For lovers of calm water activities such as boating, fishing and canoeing, spending a day at Voyageurs National Park is a great idea. The primary ways of getting to this backcountry park are through air or water. This is another park where you can find wild-life in action. Historically, this area found prominence during the years of the Fur trade. French-Canadian voyagers used to travel through these waters in huge birch-bark canoes.
The International Wolf Centre
Another popular landmark in Minnesota is The International Wolf Centre. The wolves in the state are endangered and therefore federally classified as threatened. It is a state law that one cannot kill a wolf, unless it is for self defence. The International Wolf Centre near Ely in Saint Louis County is Minnesota’s educational centre for wolves that works towards their survival. Visitors can observe the resident wolf pack and learn about their tracking methods through various exhibits.
Mall of America
Ten miles to the South of Minneapolis is the Mall of America. Built in 1992, it is visited by more than 40 million people each year. One of the largest in America and certainly the biggest in Minnesota, this mall is so much more than a shopping experience. It boasts of more than 500 stores and more than a dozen restaurants. There is also an indoor amusement park, a butterfly garden and an aquarium on the vicinity.
North Shore State Parks
On the North of Duluth is the State highway 61, on every turn of which, you will come across many beautiful state parks. There are as many as eight parks that sit along the north shore, each more striking than the other. Of them, the most visited ones are the Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, and Tettegouche. With a stupendous view of Lake Superior in the background, you will also see some of the most stunning waterfalls and forest-trails.
Itasca State Park
Twenty miles to the north of Park- Rapids, is the Itasca State Park which is characterized by its old-growth forests and the beautiful Mississippi river; a chief reason that attracts tourists here. People love to come to the park mainly to walk on the tiny headwaters of the grand Mississippi or make a day out of it by renting canoes and bikes, or going on hikes. The breath-taking views of the gorgeous pine trees and the sparkling water of Lake Itasca are the real show-stealers.
Aerial Lift Bridge
Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge was built in 1905 and started as an aerial transfer bridge. The bridge rises or lifts more than 20 times every single day in order to make way for huge boats and ships travelling between Duluth harbor and Lake Superior. More than 50 tons of traffic is carried on a gondola, whether it is pedestrians, horse drawn-wagons or automobiles. Because of its iconic structure, it has found a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Minnesota State Capitol
Located in the Capital of Minnesota, Saint Paul, the Minnesota State Capitol was designed by Butler-Cass Gilbert, who also designed the U.S. Supreme Court Building. It was built in 1905 by Ryan Construction and modeled after Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica. Among its impressive features is the Gilded Quadriga (golden horses) on the building’s exterior that was sculpted by Daniel Chester French. Made of copper, these figures are then covered with gold leaf. The interiors were recently renovated costing approximately $310 million and have been reopened for tourists.
The State of Minnesota is defined by its fine waters. It is called the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” although there are almost 12000 of them. The state is truly special if you are a nature lover; you will appreciate its wilderness that you can only explore if you are willing to paddle. The star attraction is of course the Mississippi River and the twin cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul’s with almost 920 lakes in the area alone. So are you all set to take a trip to Minnesota soon?
Be the first to comment