Minnesota History

Here is a brief video about Minnesota's history created by the History Channel.

Quick Minnesota Facts

• 2010 Population: 5,303,925
• State Capital: St. Paul
• Largest City: Minneapolis
• State Bird: Loon
• State Nicknames: Gopher State, North Star State, "Land of 10,000 Lakes"
• Current Governor: Mark Dayton   

Video Credit: GreedoUT, The History Channel

Visit a Minnesota County Fair!

By Jason Rhein

As the summer rolls on, make sure you stop by a County Fair  while visiting Minnesota. At a County Fair, you can indulge in some great food, look at some farm animals, ride amusement rides or watch an entertaining show. Here is a list of all of the County Fairs taking place through the end of this month. Click on any one of the fair links to take a glance at what each has to offer.

A County Fair.

• Olmsted
• Anoka
• Becker
• Wadena
• Marshall
• Scott
• St. Louis
• Stearns
• Blue Earth
• Todd
• Yellow Medicine

Jason's Ratings:
scale (1 - 10)
Family Fun: 10
Adult Fun: 10
Lodging (area): varies
Dining (area): varies
Shopping: varies
Arts & Culture: 6
Outdoors: 8

Photo Credit: Snapper

5 Places You Must Visit in Minnesota

By Jason Rhein

With so much to do in the great state of Minnesota, it’s sometimes hard to narrow down your options. However, according to Keegan Leddy, a life-long Minnesota resident and expert Minnesota traveler, there are five places that you must visit when traveling to the land of 10,000 travels. 

The Mall of America in Bloomington, MN.

The Mall of America

When asked about Minnesota, the first place that often comes to one’s mind is the Mall of America (MOA).  MOA is the largest mall in the United States and attracts 40 million visitors annually. With 520 stores, 2 food courts, entertainment options, an amusement park (Nickelodeon Universe) and many restaurants, you can’t go wrong here. It is located in Bloomington, just 10 minutes south of downtown Minneapolis and right next to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Minnesota's North Shore at Cascade State Park.

The North Shore

The North Shore consists of the Lake Superior shoreline between the city of Duluth and the Canadian border. The area is the largest tourist destination in the state of Minnesota. “When traveling to the North Shore of Minnesota, you must first stop in Duluth and visit all of the historic sites and Canal Park,” said Leddy. “After that, head north on the North Shore Scenic Drive to the towns of Two Harbors and Grand Marais for some great entertainment and astonishing views of the lake and surrounding hills.” While on the North Shore, stop by one of Minnesota's State Parks.

The Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, MN.

The Minnesota History Center

Located near the Minnesota State Capitol building just west of downtown St. Paul, the Minnesota History Center is a great place to brush up on your Minnesota knowledge. The Center displays many collections of artifacts from Minnesota’s past. You may also check out one of the many shows occurring during the day or dine at the world class Café Minnesota. For more information on the location, schedules, and events of the Minnesota History Center, visit their website.

The skyline of Minneapolis, MN.

Downtown Minneapolis

There is an endless amount of things to do in Minnesota’s largest city, Minneapolis. Therefore, just head downtown and take a walk around. There are many shops, restaurants, attractions and entertainment options to explore. During the day, check out the Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Mill City Museum. When the sun goes down, dine at one of Minneapolis’ excellent restaurants or have some fun in the Minneapolis nightlife. No matter what time of day, there is always something to do in the city.

Crossing the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca State Park.

Lake Itasca State Park

Take a trip into the north woods to walk across the starting point of the Mississippi River on Lake Itasca. Located about 20 minutes southwest of Bemidji and 5 hours northwest of the Twin Cities, Lake Itasca State Park is a beautiful place to relax or take a hike. Once you enter the state park, you can go to the lake and cross the beginning of the Mississippi River on stepping stones.

Next time you are planning a visit to the land of 10,000 travels, consider visiting these five places.

Photo Credit: Jason Rhein, US Census, Aine D, Cliff, moleofproduction, Karen Rustad

Travel Tips

 

By Jason Rhein

Need some help planning your vacation? Watch this video and learn about the best ways to start your travel planning.

Thanks to Ahmad Hamaden of AAA Travel - Chicago for being a part of this video.

Minnesota Government Opens its Doors



Minnesota Govenor Mark Dayton signs the new budget deal.

By Jason Rhein

After the 20 day Minnesota government shutdown, the longest shutdown in Minnesota history, all government services have reopened and are functioning normally.

This is great news for those planning a vacation to Minnesota, as all Minnesota State Parks and rest areas will be reopening as well.

Most of the parks and rest areas are expected to be fully functioning by this Saturday. If you would like to see more information about the parks, visit the Minnesota DNR website. 

Photo Credit: Jim Mone, AP Images

Explore the Science Museum of Minnesota

By Jason Rhein

The Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul.

There is always something new and exciting going at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The museum is filled with many activities and exhibits for everyone in the family. A must see is the Omnitheater, a surround screen that makes you feel as if you are present in the movie.

Currently at the Science Museum, you can gaze at the ancient treasures from King Tut's tomb in the new Tut exhibit and learn all about how archaeologists discover pharohs' tombs at the Omnitheater.

While visiting the museum, you can dine at a cafe or go mini-golfing on the Science Museum's own golf course.

The Science Museum of Minnesota is open everyday from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm. The Tut exhibit runs everyday through September 5, 2011. The museum is located on Kellogg Blvd. in downtown St. Paul.

Jason's Ratings:
scale (1 - 10)
Family Fun: 10
Adult Fun: 8
Lodging (area): 9
Dining (area): 8
Shopping: 8
Arts & Culture: 9
Outdoors: 4

Photo Credit: Richie Diesterheft

Prepare for the Minnesota Weather!

By Jason Rhein

From -10⁰ to 100⁰, the temperature in Minnesota can change in a heartbeat. The state has bitter cold winters and blazing hot summers. In Minnesota, it is possible to see snowflakes one day and a tornado the next. This is why you should always be prepared for the weather when you travel. Here are some simple tips to be prepared.

• Bring sweatshirts and light coats in summer, thicker coats in late fall, winter and early spring
• Bring sunscreen and sunglasses
• Bring an umbrella
• If camping, bring a weather radio
• Pay attention to the weather and rain and plan you events accordingly
• Do not travel in dangerous conditions
• Take note that northern Minnesota is often cooler that southern Minnesota

 To check the current weather in Minnesota, visit Weather Central.

Photo Credit: Brian Gurrola, Jow Shlabotnik