Things To Do in Minnesota
Sports
Minnesota United Game
The Minnesota United FC is a professional soccer team. They play at Allianz Field in downtown St. Paul. The stadium was just recently built in 2019 and has just under 20,000 seats. I went to my first professional soccer game last summer and although I didn’t fully understand the game, the atmosphere was so fun. Would definitely go again!
Skiing or Snowboarding
There are so many places to ski or snowboard in Minnesota. Winter is long up north and the snow usually sticks from November to March, giving you plenty of time to hit the slopes. My favorite resorts are: Powder Ridge (Kimball, MN), Buck Hill (Burnsville, MN), Mount Ski Gull (Nisswa, MN), and Afton Alps (Hastings, MN). Buck Hill and Powder Ridge have plenty of beginner hills while Mount Ski Gull and Afton Alps are a bit more intense. All are equally as fun and enjoyable.
Minnesota Twins Game
A trip to Minnesota would be incomplete without visiting Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. The stadium is located in downtown Minneapolis and is breathtaking. The atmosphere is so energetic and there is never a dull moment. At the game pictured, the Twins played the Yankees — my favorite team, hence my outfit choice. Although the food is a bit pricey, it is so worth it to eat ballpark chicken tenders and french fries out of a mock batter’s helmet. I go to multiple Twins games a year and it is one of my favorite parts of summer.
Outdoor
Hill Lake, Minnesota
Minnesota has over 10,000 lakes. Pictured is Hill Lake, about 3 hours north of the Twin Cities. On your trip to Minnesota, consider renting a cabin on a lake and enjoying a hot summer day boating, tanning, fishing, and being outside.
Gooseberry falls state park
It’s a bit of a drive but definitely worth it for these views. Gooseberry Falls State Park is located on the North Shore, about 15 minutes from Two Harbors and 3 and a half hours from the Twin Cities. The park is located right on Lake Superior and is great to visit if you like hiking, biking, camping, or really any activity outside. I enjoy photography and took so many pictures of the falls and nature when I travelled there a couple summers ago. I would recommend spending at least a couple days in the area.
Activities
Minnesota Zoo
The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Vally, Minnesota and is home to so many animals, including penguins, bears, tigers, camels, monkeys, birds, dolphins and more. I went this past summer and took this picture of a gorilla through the glass. All of the animals were so friendly, but especially the monkeys. I was able to put my camera right on the opposite side of the gorilla, just a couple inches away and he didn’t move an inch. I thought it was so cool that I was able to get so close and that he was looking directly at me.
Concert
Concerts are always traveling in and out of the Twins Cities. This was a Darius Rucker concert I went to in March of 2022 at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. The venue was amazing and he performed a great show. Other concert venues include Target Center, First Avenue, Palace Theater, The Armory, and many more. There are also several casinos in the area and there is almost always someone performing on weekends. This is a great way to spend time with friends and connect with your favorite artists.
Visit Carl’s Lovable Llamas
Carl’s Lovable Llamas was a place I just discovered this past fall. I was scrolling through TikTok and saw someone post about this business located in Waconia, Minnesota. It was about a 40 minute drive for me but it was such a cool experience. I got to pet the baby llamas, learn more about llamas and alpacas, take this llama for a walk, and feed and pet it. They were so tame and great walkers. This is an experience I have never seen offered anywhere else before and was so cool!
Food and Drinks
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop is located on the north end of Minneapolis. I first went there this summer and was so impressed. The service was so fast and their menu was much more diverse than I was expecting. My favorite part about eating here was the large strawberry margarita I got. It was so delicious and I loved how much sugar they used to line the rim of the glass. Something unique about Fuzzy’s is the location. Outside the shop, there is a large courtyard and you are able to play yard games like bags and bocce ball while you wait for your food.
The capital grille
The Capital Grille is located in the North Loop of downtown Minneapolis. It is an upscale restaurant that is most known for steaks. I was very impressed by the wait staff, the fast wait time, the atmosphere, and the quality of food at this location. The burgers pictured were fabulous and their menu was extensive. I also ordered cheesecake and it was so good. I would recommend checking out this location for sure while you are traveling Minneapolis.
