Minnesota's New Travel Regions

Explore Minnesota Tourism is introducing five newly designated travel regions, to help you get to know Minnesota better.  Each is a vital part of Minnesota, but with its own distinct charm, scenery and assortment of adventures.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

These Twin Cities and their neighboring communities make up an inviting metropolitan area with an appealing array of things to see and do.  This “hip and homey” (Boston Globe) metropolis is cosmopolitan at its heart and country along its perimeter.  The Twin Cities area enjoys an exciting arts scene, landmark architecture, terrific restaurants, big-time shopping, intriguing museums, and lots of fun for kids and their families.  Metro area scenery includes many greenways, lakes, and rivers.

Northeast

The “Arrowhead” is a land of special places, from wilderness lakes along the northern border to magnificent Lake Superior. Along its scenic North Shore, rivers tumble over rapids and waterfalls.  This north country holds national forests, a national park, a designated canoe wilderness, and thousands of pristine lakes.  The mining history and ethnic heritage of the Iron Range are featured at many sites here. The northeast is a great destination for outdoor recreation: hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, and golfing amid beautiful scenery.  Duluth offers big city fun, while smaller towns have many interesting finds.

Northwest

Great things are found in this land where the western prairie meets the North Woods.  It’s home to Minnesota’s largest lakes and the source of the Mississippi River.  Among these woods and waters, there are lots of things to enjoy: fishing and boating, biking miles of paved trails, attending some major music festivals and shopping for “Up North” finds in the region’s attractive towns. This area includes Lake of the Woods, the Red River Valley, and the multitude of lakes surrounding the Mississippi Headwaters, including two of the state’s biggest, Winnibigoshish and Leech.

Central

The heart of Minnesota is dappled with crystal lakes and traced by the Mississippi River. It’s a storybook scene of wooded hills, rolling farmland and picturesque towns.  There’s plenty to do here, with a bounty of scenic golf courses, thousands of fishing lakes including giant Mille Lacs, bike trails through pastoral scenery, antique shops, art galleries and many interesting historic sites.  Main Streets range from quaint to bustling, from tiny hamlet to big city.  The appealing town and country blend of the area attracts many to the shores of these lakes.

Southern

The Mississippi River and many small, quiet streams wind their way through scenic valleys nestled among wooded bluffs. The Minnesota River reaches across the state. The prairie land of southwest Minnesota is now a patchwork of fields and pastures, dotted with barns and stands of woods, with remnants of native prairie. Southern lakes are found in city parks and the rural countryside.  The heritage of both the Dakota Indians and early pioneers is reflected at numerous historic sites, and the communities here are noted for their antique shops, historic architecture, ethnic festivals and bike trails.