Minnesota was the 32nd state in the USA; it became a state on May 11, 1858. The State Capital is St. Paul but the largest City is Minneapolis. Minnesota is the 12th biggest state and the 21st most populous state in the USA.
Minneapolis
The Mississippi River flows through the city of Minneapolis and this resulted in early settlers having lumber and milling industry.
Falls of St. Anthony. You can see the Upper and Lower St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam by walking on the Stone Arch Bridge. There's a 50' drop between the top of the V-shaped dam just ahead of the falls and the bottom of the main spillway.
Minneapolis Skyline
Nicollet Mall. It meanders through the heart of the city. It's a walking mall connected by several segments of the downtown skyway system.
Berger Fountain. In Loring Park right downtown.
Minneapolis City Hall Clocktower. It was built in 1903.
Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.. It is an 11-acre urban garden features 40 sculptures. The most noteable ones are is the Cowles Conservatory, and Spoonbridge and Cherry, a giant fountain-sculpture. Walk around the gardens and there is a path to a foot bridge leading to downtown Mineapolis, and a view of Basilica of St.Mary.
Basilica of St.Mary. It was the first basilica built in America. It's a grand architectural landmark housing in a bustling and lively urban community.
Minnehaha Falls. Probably the most photographed geographic feature of the whole city. Minnehaha falls is where Minnehaha Creek drops a good 50' or so. The creek then goes on through an abandoned channel of the Mississippi River to eventually join the Mississippi just above Fort Snelling.
Weisman Art Museum. This museum is located on the Minneapolis campus of the U of M and is well known of the exterior of the building.
University of Minnesota. A top ten university. Take a walk around the campus, even though there is always constrution. Take a nap on the Northrup Mall area or just pause and enjoy the surrounding campus buildings.
Uptown. It is a commercial and residential community in south Minneapolis. Its hub, the intersection of Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue, is the center of a lively, upbeat business district. This section is known as Calhoun Square. Uptown is an eclectic, vibrant, constantly changing mix of shopping, working, entertainment and living experiences.
Lake of the Isles. This is one of the prettiest of the lakes surrounding Minneapolis, that is an island and has an irregular shape.
Lake Calhoun. This is the see and be seen lake. From this lake there is a nice view of the skyline of Minneapolis.
Mall of America. It is one of the most visited destinations in the United States. There are over 520 retail stores, 4 big name brand store chains, a seven-acre amusement park in the center, a hugh movie theater complex, 2 food courts, and Underwater World, an aquarium.
St. Paul
It is the capital city of Minnesota. It city has roots in an Irish community.
Cathedral of St.Paul. It is the fourth largest Cathedral in the United States and was place on the National Register in 1974. The Mother Church for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis was built 1906 - 1915 in the Classical Renaissance style of architecture.
State Capital. Take a tour to see the restored Senate, House, Supreme Court, as well as, the Quadriga, or golden horses right below the dome on the outside. The outside offers spectacular views of downtown St. Paul and the winding Mississippi River.
St. Paul Zoo and Conservatory.It is the largest glass-domed botanical garden in the region. The Sunken Garden is considered the most beautiful room featuring five seasonal flower shows annually.
Historic Fort Snelling. Reconstructed 1820s U.S. Army fort featuring a living history museum, gift shop and World War II exhibit.
Science Museum of Minnesota. It is the Midwest's most popular museum, offering visitors the chance to enjoy breathtaking large-format films, wonder at one of the world's only complete mounted Triceratops, create and destroy a tornado, and examine an authentic Egyptian mummy.
Summit Avenue. Drive this stretch of road to see Victorian architecture--beginning at the European-style Saint Paul Cathedral and running to the Mississippi River.
Stillwater
This charming old city is nestled into the bluffs of the St. Croix River and considered to be the birthplace of Minnesota. The main street showcases very old brick and limestone buildings that used to house merchants of the old logging town now are home to a host of a variety of stores, especially antique and paddlewheel boats. Stroll along the riverside and see the historic drawbridge.
Taylors Falls
Interstate State Park. Interstate Park is one of the few parks that crosses state boundaries. There is a Minnesota and a Wisconsin area of the park. It is also one of Minnesota's oldest State Parks, established in 1895. Located at a dramatic bend in the St. Croix National Scenic River, it provides beautiful views and interesting geology and history to park visitors. The Pothole area provides visitors with interesting trails through the natural potholes carved into the rocks and into the surrounding bluffs. This area is also known as The Dalles of the St. Croix River.
Hastings
Hastings is about 20 miles south of the Twin Cities.It has beautiful scenery, which consist of the Mississippi River to the north of the city, and the bluffs of the St. Croix River on the east. The Vermillion River runs through the City on the south, producing a good size waterfall located at Vermillion Falls Park. Although, it is hard to get a good pictures of the falls because of the area it is in. You have to lean over a railing to try to get a decent shot of the fall.
Duluth
It is the largest city outside of the Twin Cities area. It is at the tip of the giant Lake Superior. The center of activities is the waterfront.
Aerial Lift Bridge. The bridge at Canal Park rises to let massive seafaring vessels to enter the harbor.
Lakewalk. Take a stroll along the edges of the waterfront by Lake Superior.
Skyline Parkway. A long road in the hills offering beautiful views of Duluth and Lake Superior.
North Shore
Drive the scenic route from Duluth to Two Harbors to enjoy the impressive shoreline of the rugged beauty of Lake Superior. There are seven state parks in the 150 miles between Duluth and Canada. The ones listed below are the ones we have seen. We will eventually get to the others. When we went it was in the winter and not the best time to visit.
Two Harbors Lighthouse. It was constructed in 1892 and is the oldest, operating Minnesota Lighthouse, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Near the lighthouse is a Railway Museum.
Gooseberry Falls State Park. Scenic rocky gorge where water plunges over a series of 30-foot waterfalls (5 waterfalls and Gooseberry River gorge). It wasn't that impressive in the winter but I can only imagine it in the summer. Views of Lake Superior, as well as, many hiking trails.
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. This is the most popular destination on the shore. Tour the historic lighthouse, walk near the mouth of the Split Rock River, enjoy hiking on steep cliffs overlooking Lake Superior.
Tettegouche State Park. Enjoy miles of hiking, views of four waterfalls on the Baptism River, including Minnesota's highest waterfall. I would not suggest visiting in the winter. We hiked in knee deep snow for 45 minutes each way to see one of the waterfalls and couldn't get a good view.
Chimney Rock
