Best of Minnesota

Minnesota Essentials

Minnesota's landscape ranges from the 53-foot Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis to the rugged North Shore, where Split Rock Lighthouse and Gooseberry Falls overlook Lake Superior. Historical sites include the Grand Portage National Monument, a former fur-trading hub, and Pipestone National Monument, where Indigenous people have quarried sacred red pipestone for centuries. Cultural icons include the 55-foot Jolly Green Giant statue in Blue Earth and the 5-8 Club, one of the originators of the cheese-stuffed Juicy Lucy burger.

Minnesota Essentials — Map

United States Army Corps of Engineers,… / Public domain

A

Minnehaha Regional Park

Minnehaha Park is a city park in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, and home to Minnehaha Falls and the lower reaches of Minnehaha…

B

Grand Portage National Monument

Reconstructed 18th-century fur trading post of the North West Company on the shore of Lake Superior, highlighting the historical relationship between the Ojibwe people and European voyagers.

Jonathunder / Public domain

C

Green Giant

Green Giant and Le Sueur are brands of frozen and canned vegetables owned by B&G Foods. The company's mascot is the Jolly Green Giant.

Jonathunder / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota is an American museum focused on topics in technology, natural history, physical science, and mathematics…

Bobak Ha'Eri / CC BY 3.0

E

Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

The Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway is a federally protected system of riverways located in eastern Minnesota and northwestern…

Pete Markham / CC BY-SA 2.0

F

Split Rock Lighthouse

Split Rock Lighthouse is a lighthouse located southwest of Silver Bay, Minnesota, USA on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Wigdad1977 / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Mille Lacs Lake

Mille Lacs Lake is a large but shallow lake in the U.S. state of Minnesota.

H

Pipestone National Monument Visitor Center

Features exhibits on the history of Native American pipestone quarrying and live demonstrations of traditional pipe carving by Indigenous artisans.

I

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Known as the Gateway to the North Shore, this park features a spectacular three-tiered waterfall on the Gooseberry River and historic stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

J

5-8 Club

Established in 1928 as a speakeasy, this historic Minneapolis tavern is one of two local establishments claiming to have invented the Juicy Lucy, a burger with cheese melted inside the patty.

Other Lists

Minnesota Nature & Outdoors Minnesota’s Historic Landmarks Regional Airports & Hubs