Things to Do in Minnesota

Published Aug 14, 2026 · Things to Do ·

Minnesota — the North Star State — is packed with attractions for every kind of traveler. Here are the top places to put on your list.

Top attractions & activities

How do I plan a trip to Minnesota?

Start with the Minnesota state guide for key facts (capital St. Paul, population 5,706,494 (2020 census)), then explore city guides for Minneapolis and other major cities in the state.

City guides: St. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth, Rochester.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top things to do in Minnesota?

The most-visited places in Minnesota include Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Minneapolis Chain of Lakes and Mall of America. The full list is above, and the Minnesota state guide has more detail.

What is the capital of Minnesota?

The capital of Minnesota is St. Paul; the largest city is Minneapolis.

How do I plan a trip to Minnesota?

Start with the Minnesota state guide for key facts, then check the official state tourism office and National Park Service sites for current hours, fees and seasonal closures.

Sources

National Park Service, state tourism offices and official attraction websites. Details verified at time of publication — always check official sites for hours, fees and seasonal closures.

More Minnesota guides

Moving to Minnesota

Relocation

Key facts and what to know before relocating to the North Star State.

All 50 States

Nationwide

Browse state guides for every state in the U.S.

Nearby states

North Dakota Guide

Midwest

Capital Bismarck, population 779,094 (2020 census) and top places to visit across the Peace Garden State.

South Dakota Guide

Midwest

Capital Pierre, population 886,667 (2020 census) and top places to visit across the Mount Rushmore State.

Iowa Guide

Midwest

Capital Des Moines, population 3,190,369 (2020 census) and top places to visit across the Hawkeye State.

Wisconsin Guide

Midwest

Capital Madison, population 5,893,718 (2020 census) and top places to visit across the Badger State.

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