You’ll come across plenty of natural and cultural beauty while vacationing in this part of the world. Here, we’ve listed some of the popular attractions that you can explore during your time in Minnesota:

1. International Wolf Center

Your visit to the International Wolf Center allows you to learn more about the natural history of wolves. Located near the city of Ely, this educational center promotes and supports the survival of these wild animals. There’s a resident wolf pack at the center, which you can observe during your visit.

You’ll also get some valuable information on wolves by browsing the center’s hands-on exhibits and demonstrations of wolf-tracking methods. The International Wolf Center also offers a range of programs and visitor experiences. They include Wolf Photography Workshops and overnight visits for groups of interested individuals.

2. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

You’ll find a lot of animals in the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, ranging from monkeys to polar bears. This is one of the state’s best family attractions. Visitors of this zoo get to have loads of fun for the entire day. The zoo and conservatory provides free entry, but donations from visitors are always appreciated.

Feeding the giraffes is one of the most unforgettable interactions with animals that you can experience here. You’ll be able to experience the delight of feeding them Romaine lettuce with your own hands. This zoo and conservatory also includes a beautiful glass building called the ‘Sunken Garden’. It is a fragrant area with beautiful plants worth photographing.

3. Minnesota State Capitol Building

Guided tours are available for exploring this majestic building every day. You can also explore certain areas of Minnesota State Capitol Building with self-guided tours. These areas include the Governor’s Reception Room and the Rotunda. This building was built during the period between 1896 and 1905.

In order to bring back its original charm, the building underwent renovations between 2013 and 2017. This included repairs to the interior’s restored furnishings and the exterior’s marble. The renovations were also instrumental in adding more accessibility and public space for its visitors.

4. Minneapolis Institute of Art

Located in the city of Minneapolis, this building attracts over 700,000 visitors every year. You’ll find a variety of artworks and other attractions in Minneapolis Institute of Art. The best part is that you can enjoy all of this with a free entry. The collection here features over 89,000 works of art.

The temporary as well as permanent exhibits cover everything from American modernism in art to ancient artifacts. You’ll find many other installations while exploring this place. Don’t forget to check out the exquisite pieces of Korean and Japanese art. The Minneapolis Institute of Art also provides free daily public tours and family programs.

5. Cathedral of St. Paul

Constructed during the early 20th century, this splendid cathedral is a pilgrimage site today. It is also known as the National Shrine of the Apostle Paul. The building has a Classical Renaissance design and its interior can accommodate up to 3,000 individuals.

The Cathedral of St. Paul is an active place of worship as well. It is open to the public for most part of the day. Tourist visits are discouraged at the time of mass and other holy services. You can also choose to explore the cathedral with a one-hour guided tour. It is available from Tuesday to Friday at 1:00 pm.

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It’s bordered by the states of Michigan, South Dakota, Iowa, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. The capital city of Minnesota is Saint Paul, located in the south-eastern part of the state. These are some of the facts that you probably know. Now, let’s tell you some of the astonishing facts about Minnesota that you probably don’t know:

1. The state is the birthplace of many globally renowned authors

Two of the total number of Americans who have been awarded the Nobel Prize in literature are from Minnesota. Sinclair Lewis was the first author from the United States to win the coveted prize. He was a famous novelist from Minnesota’s Sauk Centre. Bob Dylan became the most recent Nobel laureate in literature from the state. He is a talented lyricist from Hibbing, located on the Iron Range.

Another author worth mentioning here is F. Scott Fitzgerald. He was from St. Paul. Fitzgerald wrote some of the world-renowned works, such as The Great Gatsby. Although he didn’t win the Nobel Prize, he is considered one of the greatest authors.

2. Minnesota tops the American states for most professional hockey players

More number of NHL players are from Minnesota than any of the other American states. Apparently, the people of Minnesota love hockey a lot. Kids from the state begin playing hockey at a young age. Many of the universities here have Division I hockey programs for men.

Schools allow students to watch the high school hockey tournaments. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that so many pro players in hockey come from Minnesota.

3. Pioneers of shopping malls

Yes, you read it right. The nation’s first climate-controlled, fully-enclosed mall was the Southdale Center in Edina. So, it won’t be wrong to say that the Minnesotans are the pioneers of shopping malls in the United States. The biggest mall in the country for several years was Bloomington’s Mall of America.

This mall has over 500 stores, an indoor amusement park, and an aquarium. The state is so famous for malls that Eden Prairie Center became the setting for the movie Mallrats. This mall was chosen by Kevin Smith for the film.

4. The ex-governor of the state is a tough guy

Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura had served a term as the governor of Minnesota. Despite this, the professional wrestler turned governor never moved into the Governor’s Mansion. This happened in 1998, which was many years before Arnold Schwarzenegger became the governor of California.

He wanted to decriminalize prostitution and even bragged about doing shots with president Clinton. Another interesting fact is that he and Schwarzenegger were co-stars in the movie Predator.

5. Gathering of the zombies

Minneapolis holds the world record for the ‘largest gathering of zombies’. Of course, this honor has gone to other cities every now and then, but Minneapolis has held it twice. Every October, people become undead-for-a-day and bar-hop in the city’s downtown. This happens during the annual Zombie Pub Crawl.

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1. Witness marvelous scenes along the North Shore Scenic Drive

Following the northern shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to Thunder Bay is the North Shore Scenic Drive. You’ll come across many popular state parks along this route. During the long drive, you’ll also get to see many rocky cliffs, waterfalls, and other fascinating views.

You can try recreational activities like fishing, boating, and mountain-biking in areas that can be accessed through this route. In winter, opportunities for snowshoeing, skiing, and ice-fishing can be explored in these areas. You can also hike the Superior Hiking Trail, which stretches to more than 300 miles.

2. Enjoy shopping at the Mall of America

Opened in 1992, this is one of America’s largest malls. It offers hotel accommodations, theaters, and several other facilities. Mall of America has over 500 shops and many restaurants. It is located in the Bloomington suburb on the outskirts of St. Paul.

Over 400 events take place here every year, which range from dance parties to fan celebrations. You can also book one of the ‘stay and shop’ packages to enjoy shopping and accommodation at the mall.

3. Take a stroll through Munsinger Clemens Gardens

The Munsinger Clemens Gardens feature nearly 80,000 annual plants. They sit amid a wonderful setting of trees, ponds, swings, benches, and fountains. The gardens are also popular for over 1,100 rose bushes and an all-white garden. Munsinger Clemens Gardens is located in St. Cloud and is a great place to visit during summers.

Every other Sunday in the season, you can enjoy Music in the Gardens. This event would be an unforgettable experience for those visiting the park during this time of the year. Another popular event is Art Fair in the Gardens. It features artists and musicians from different corners of Minnesota.

4. Visit Itasca State Park for camping

You’ll find plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation in Itasca State Park. It covers more than 32,000 acres of land and has an abundance of lakes and wild lands. There are fire towers, hiking trails, and forests of old-growth Red Pine. The campsites at Itasca for backpackers provide overnight accommodations.

If you’re a backpacker, you can stay at this campsite in one of the lodges and cabins. During your stay, you can also explore Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center and Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center.

5. Go hiking in the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

The name of this park comes from the lighthouse built here in the early 20th century. The Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is located on the northern shore of Lake Superior. You can take a tour of the lighthouse during your visit to this park.

Besides this, the park gives you the chance to enjoy hiking with numerous options to indulge in the activity. The trails will lead you through the pebble beaches, forest, and some charming vantage points. During winter, you can enjoy fat tire biking in this park.

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