Destination attractions things to do in minnesota

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

If a visit to Minnesota includes a stop at the state's capital city, Saint Paul, visitors may want to start by seeing some architecture with the same name. Standing tall and majestic at 239 Selby Avenue is the Cathedral of Saint Paul. The Renaissance styled building sits on Summit Hill overlooking the city. The Cathedral has a total height of 306 feet and the body is made of granite stone and is built in the shape of a Greek cross. The architecture, windows, shrine, chapels, and sanctuary are all magnificent. Tours are given on certain days and various times, so check ahead for tours as well as Mass times if you desire to attend one of the services.

The Science Museum of Minnesota is located at 120 West Kellogg Boulevard. Two permanent displays are the Human Body Gallery and the Dinosaurs and Fossils Gallery. Other areas and things to do include touring an authentic towboat from the Mississippi River and seeing an Egyptian mummy. Touring this extensive museum could easily take an entire morning or afternoon if time allows.

Another attraction in this city is the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory at 1250 Kaufman Drive North. In operation since 1897, this free admission zoo houses many animals of various species, some endangered. The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is on the National Register of Historic Places. This huge "garden under a glass dome" covers about half an acre.

Known as a "twin city" to Saint Paul is Minneapolis. Always a worthwhile stop in this city is the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Found at 2400 Third Avenue South, more than one hundred thousand objects are housed here. African and Asian art, ancient art, paintings, sculptures, and other forms of art comprise the exhibits.

Another fun way to spend some time in Minneapolis is shopping and dining at Mercado Central, a Mexican type of outdoor market. Mercado Central is located at Lake and Bloomington Streets. If a visitor needs some quiet time, or exercise time, try the Chain of Lakes area. The paths around these three lakes are perfect for walking or jogging.

Elsewhere in Minnesota, if visiting the Duluth area, one of the top attractions is Spirit Mountain. Take your skis or snowboard for a day of fun here if you are visiting during the winter season. Summertime activities at Spirit Mountain include a campground as well as plenty of biking, hiking, and paintballing.

Find the Great Lakes Aquarium on the waterfront (353 Harbor Drive) in Duluth. This is an all-freshwater aquarium and it offers many exhibits and activities. The aquarium covers more than 62,000 square feet and has one tank alone holding 120,000 gallons of water. This site also offers an interactive science center.

72nd Avenue West and Grand Avenue in Duluth is the place to find the Lake Superior Zoo. Guests will want to see the two story Diana Monkey exhibit as well as other special areas of the zoo including the Australian Outback, the African Savanna, the Asian Caravan, and the Polar Shores.

In the Grand Rapids area, one interesting stop is at the Forest History Center near Highways 2 and 169. Plan to spend at least two hours here while exploring the history of Minnesota forests. In addition to the self guided trails, this is a living history museum with costumed guides in three different areas. These areas are a Forest Service cabin from 1934, a logging camp from 1900, and the 1901 River Wanigan.

Walnut Grove, Minnesota, is the setting for the Little House on the Prairie series of books and the homestead for Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family for part of Laura's life. In this town, visitors can see the Ingalls' Homestead, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, and Plum Creek.

Anyone who enjoys shopping will be familiar with one of the most visited attractions in Minnesota. The Mall of America at 60 East Broadway in Bloomington, Minnesota isn't just "any old mall" and in addition to more than five hundred stores, the mall hosts a seven acre theme park called Camp Snoopy, a huge aquarium (1.2 million gallons!) called Underwater Adventures, and a four story LEGO Imagination Center. If that is not enough, other attractions include Jillian's Hi Life Lanes with a dozen lanes for bowling and huge video screens, and NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway for indoor stock car racing competition.

Also found at the Mall of America are movie theaters, night clubs, and more than fifty restaurants ranging from fast food to full service. The complex covers more than 4 million square feet and operates forty escalators and fifteen elevators.

Finally, if your itinerary while visiting Minnesota includes a stop at a casino, all of the casinos in the state are located on Indian reservations. The only table game that is allowed is blackjack and any slot machines need to be the electronic kind with video screens. Visitors must be 18 to gamble, but 21 if liquor is served on site. There are over a dozen casinos in the state.