Top 10 Minnesota
Summer Vacation Ideas

Your top 10 summer vacation ideas are Minnesota vacation travel guides that will inspire family vacations, couple’s getaways and solo adventures in Minnesota. These attractions are not meant to be a one - ten ranking. All are part of the "best of Minnesota." 

Go to the Lake - Going "up to the lake" is a common expression in Minnesota. With more than 10,000 lakes in the state it's not easy to pinpoint what "the lake" means.  There are lakes in every part of the state; they provide recreation in almost all of our state parks; many towns are named for their lake.

• Fishing Minnesota lakes and rivers is the most popular sport in the state. Minnesota fishing resorts will help you plan your adventure.
• Just a few of the towns or areas in Minnesota that are named for their lakes include: Detroit Lakes , Brainerd Lakes area, & Cass Lake.  
• We all have our favorite Minnesota lakes. It's easy to see why going to the lake is first on our top 10 Minnesota summer vacation ideas.
• Top 10 Minnesota Beaches - A beach vacation in Minnesota? Here are our top picks. Beaches are everywhere. Some of the best are where you will find our Minnesota resorts and lodges.

North Shore of Lake Superior attracts more visitors than any other area of Minnesota. When the weather is hot, we all think of escaping to the cool of the shore. Duluth has many attractions. You will want to take some time there. If you can, plan some time to explore further. We have compiled a list of our favorite Top 10 North Shore attractions.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wildernessis the "trip of a lifetime" for some. Others go back repeatedly to this amazing part of Minnesota. You can have a similar experience in Minnesota's only National Park - Voyageurs National Park. 

Outdoor

Minnesota State Parks - Itasca State Park - 

Minnesota National Parks and Forests - National Forest Campgrounds

Lake Vermillion State Park - 

Road Trip

Road Trips Page

Great River Road

Roadside Attractions

Little Known

Roadside Attractions - Grab your camera and head out to get some photo of you and your family and friends posing beside some really "wacky and tacky" Minnesota roadside attractions including cement statues and roadside sculptures.

Little Known Minnesota 

Vining

Tourist Attractions

Top 10 Minnesota
Summer Vacations Ideas - Theme Vacations 

Nature and Wildlife Tours

Interstate State Park - geological formations

Banning State Park - Some of the most beautiful wildflowers in the state

Jay Cook State Park - swinging bridge over the gorge

Waterfalls (link) Minneopa State Park for Southern Minnesota's largest waterfall. High Falls at Grand Portage State Park

Animals - Wolf Center and Bear Center in Ely - Moose: best place to see one is in the Boundary Waters or Voyageurs National Park - Chippewa National Forest - best place to see breeding eagles (also National Eagle Center in Wabasha)

Buffalo River State Park - Tamarack National Wildlife Refuge

Minnesota History Tours

Grand Portage

Cave Tours - Fossils & Caves - Hill Annex Mine State Park )fossil hunting) and caves in Forestville and Mystery Cave State Parks - Niagra Cave at Harmony MN - Pipestone

Minnesota Museums - Minnesota History Museum

Science Museum of Minnesota - 

Mississippi River Museum 

• Wineries
• Wine Tasting
• Visit Wineries

Attend Festivals & Fairs - 

• Minnesota State Fair
• WeFest
• Saint Paul Winter Carnival
• Irish Fair
• Renaissance Fair
• Water Carnivals – Minneapolis - Detroit Lakes

Link to/with:

Facts About Summer

Family Summer Vacations

Summer Activities for Kids

10 Best Lists

Top 10 Vacation Destinations