A River Runs Through It
The source of the Mississippi River is a small spring-fed lake in the north-central part of the state. It’s pretty much like the other 9,999 lakes in Minnesota—except this one gathers steam, and steamships, as it winds 2,300 miles south through the state and all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. For even more beautiful scenery, drive along the 150-mile Highway 61 along Lake Superior from Duluth to Canada.
Outdoor Abundance
There are 75 state parks, two national forests and 4,000 miles of paved biking trails connecting Minnesotans and visitors to the great outdoors. Two national monuments—Grand Portage and Pipestone—tell the stories of Minnesota’s rich American Indian and fur-trading heritage. Voyageurs, the only water-based national park in the U.S., features the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness with its 1,300 island-studded lakes.
America’s Mall
There’s one indoor adventure you just can’t pass up when visiting Minnesota—the Mall of America in Bloomington. With more than 500 stores, 50 restaurants, 14 movie theaters, an aquarium, amusement park and a calendar full of free live events, MOA is the biggest in the country. More than 42 million people visit each year—and since there’s no sales tax on clothing, you should probably join them.
Minnesota Hotels
Indoors or out, in a city or out in the wilderness, you’ll never tire of the beauty and creativity all around you. Check out Choice Hotels in Minnesota for great rates, rewards and travel-essential amenities.
Find Your True North in the Land of Lakes
This state is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” for good reason. Minnesota is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise—with its clear blue waters surrounded by dense forests. But did you know this is also where Laura Ingalls Wilder based her “Little House on the Prairie” children’s books? You also may not associate the mighty Mississippi River with this state, but its birthplace is right here—where it starts as barely a trickle. In fact, no matter your reason for visiting, you’ll find plenty of surprises in Minnesota.