Santhu
Sometimes it is a good step to skip “United States most visited places” like New York City or Florida instead head on to least visited places like Minnesota. I know you already made this decision, but I’d like to stretch a little further that exploring Minnesota and doing some best things is actually very interesting even with your limited budget.
Yes it is highly possible (I’ll explain briefly later). Before that you’d know Minnesota is bigger than the map in your head. From Minneapolis to Grand Marais, the region covers roughly a 4 and half hour drive and the Canadian border is another 40 minutes.
Reason I’m mentioning in this early stage is to try to avoid spending a long weekend in the car while you are going to do the best things to do in Minnesota. Exploring Minnesota is not just a road trip or driving, it is all about covering up maximum places.
This unique Minnesota guide is organised the way the state actually works; by region, admission prices (where is free or where is not) with accurate and fresh data from official sources. Try to make some notes before packing your backpack to Minnesota about planning details such as permits, parking’s and best seasons.
Things to Do in Minnesota, US
1. The Twin Cities- Place Where Culture Stand without Cover Charge
If you’re looking for a great place to start your dream day here in Minnesota without paying a single penny, maybe you’ll have to look at the Twin Cities. Minneapolis and St. Paul are both unusually epic spots to you.
Minneapolis Institute of Art will be your first choice to head on under these twin cities. Completely free to enter and not just that it allows you to exhibit more than 1,00,000 art works from 5,000 year old pieces. Trying to see every piece of these massive works could be time consuming, so my little advice is pick any 3 major galleries and don’t spend more than 2 hours.
Next one is Minneapolis Sculpture Garden if you’re counting dollars. Here people like you have an open opportunity to see Spoonbridge and Cherry every day. Remember, don’t try to cover ‘Walker Art Center’, it needs an entry ticket, so better to skip it or plan different travel decisions.
If you’re kind of extrovert or looking for something nature centric places within your budget conscious decision, Minnehaha Falls would be a better option to you. This 53 feet limestone gorge Falls fall within your city limit and everybody loves its volume and deep freeze sounds. Avoid during August or winter season, instead choose when rain drizzles.
However, you can choose ‘Bde Maka Ska’ and ‘Lake Harriet’ as your next point. Bde Maka Ska spot is often known as a leisure strolling loop which offers less than a mile of trails to see skyline sunset. Lake Harriet particularly helps you to find rental kiosks during winter.
Try to cover Mill City Museum to get a brief idea about local Minnesota history. It sits right besides Saint Antony Falls and explains how flour built Minneapolis and Stone Arch Bridge. If you go further there is a street called ‘Lake Street’ where there are plenty of Southeast Asian, East African, Mexican and Middle Eastern dishes waiting for you.
Expand your free trip in Twin City to reach ‘Minnesota State Capital’ and ‘Science Museum of Minnesota’. Both will be your solid afternoon relaxing points.
Mall of America and Minnesota Zoo both are best places to go, but if you have $60 dollars in your pocket (not for completely free seekers). Yes, Mall of America offers 7 acres of indoor park with unlimited ride wristbands under $60 dollars.
Minnesota Zoo demands $ 26 from adults and $20 from 3 to 12 year old fellow visitors to see native birds, animals and some safari rides.
2. Duluth and North Shore- Place Where Your Trip Gets Epic
Both Duluth and North Shore are part of Minnesota and it would be a better idea to add your “Best Things to Do in Minnesota”. Every time while you go through Lake Superior looks like an ocean, its shoreline is rugged and towns are least enough to feel personal.
Start from Duluth. Since you’re budget conscious then it could be a great start from Canal Park and Aerial Lift Bridge. Both are completely free to watch freighters squeeze through the canal under Duluth Ritual. Check Bridge schedules prior so you’re there when it lifts.
What I thought is Glensheen will be the most interesting place here in Duluth to you and it happened to many previous visitors. This 39 room Congdon mansion on 12 acres lakeside estate help you to get 20th century life of revered Minnesota wealthy and influential families.
But here you’d have to make some compromise, to get any classical tour guide it demands $20 for adults, $8 for children (age between 5-17) and $18 for seniors and super seniors. Compared to the rest of major Duluth or Minnesota mansions, Glenssheen is comparatively cheaper and runs year round.
Once you start car driving at Highway 61, your North Shore scenic drive will start and it runs approximately 150 miles from Duluth to Grand Portage. Within your 151 mile distances actually I felt 4 major places you’ve covered up;
Firstly you’ll meet Gooseberry Falls State Park. The park is often dotted with remote campgrounds, 2 miles of snowmobile trails, 12 miles cross country ski and some moderated hiking trails. Remember park won’t allow you until you don’t have park permits, buy $7 daily or $35 annual permits.
If you slightly move forward, Split Rock Lighthouse is waiting for you. Such a unique historic spot built during 1910 after the Mataafa Storm of 1905 wrecked ships on this stretch of the lake. Here also you’ve to pay a certain amount to enter and its admission cost goes like this; $15 if you’re an adult, $12 for seniors (price includes students/military) and $ 8 for ages 5 to 17.
Actually, there’re a lot of things that will attract you to the lighthouse, like its fog signal buildings, keeper’s house and visitors center. Moreover, Split Rock Lighthouse is often known for being one of the “Unique Places to Stay in Minnesota under $500”.
Try to finish your drive at Tettegouche State Park and Betty’s Pies. Stop your car to hike at Tettegouche State Park and to see 63 foot high Baptism River and Palisade Head cliff top view. Pie at Betty’s Pies is really amazing especially during evening time, so try before you start your way to the North Shore.
Lutsen Mountains is the starting point at the North Shore of Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota. Admire its epic beauty through traveling Summit Express Gondola. One of the world’s epic gondola trips help you to take a look below points while rising 1000 feet above Lake Superior.
Don’t worry about its price, tickets are budget friendly and it includes your limit. The most recent price list I found for adults is $ 29, $21 for children (6-15 years) and $25 for senior citizens. If you’re going with your family then the best idea is to buy an all-day adventure pass which is available at $59 and it adds the alpine slide too.
Gunflint Trail is the most chosen hiking trail by visitors and they liked its paved scenic byway 57 miles with easy availability of lodges, accessibility to see lakes and decent chance to see mooses. Not a big fan of hiking or liking half day trail sections, maybe you’d like Superior Hiking Trail or Grand Marais. Both passing via working harbour, galleries and Minnesota folk sections, just try once.
3. The Boundary Waters- Place Where Lakes are Interconnected
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is the most isolated place in Minnesota where you’ll see vast 1.1 million acres of lakes and forest on the Canadian border. Kayaking and Canoeing is not just popular, even more importantly an inevitable option to explore since it doesn’t have any roads inside.
You can paddle here, portage and camp. But some things you’d know before going to Boundary Waters is planning, especially during the Spring, Summer and Autumn season. In that, if you’re going between May 1 to September 30, overnight trips strictly need a quoted permit and that must be booked through Recreation.gov.
However, reservations matter most here. You have to be aware when it allows you. Reservations open in late January and its popular entry points sell very fast, so better to make a plan for three date and entry point combinations ready. If you’re going with family or first time visitors, better to keep an outfitter in Ely for gear along with hold route planners and permits.
Tickets price in The Boundary Waters goes like this; if you’re an adult paying $16 or more than 17 years old then keep $8 per person. Totally confusing with its versatile tickets, then I have an idea, buy $70 permits (going with a group of 4 adults). Sad part is each permit demands a $6 non refundable reservation fee.
4. Northern Wilderness- Place Where Experience Untouched Nature
Northern Wilderness is all about most hidden naturistic gems with a lot less logistics. Start your day at Bear Head Lake State Park located near Ely. With your little budget of $7 you can expect swimming, paddling and calm or quiet bays atmospheres.
But my favourite spot is Voyageurs National Park. Even though Minnesota’s only water based national park, it helps enrich our best things to do in Minnesota through crazy boat rides even canoe or kayaking. If you’re too serious, maybe joining any guided tours or book advance houseboat will be a brilliant idea. Try to stay until lights up to see stargazing or northern lights from its popular parks International Dark Sky Park.
Lastly at Northern Wilderness Ely is the most interesting stopping point to you. Ely actually has 2 seasonal attractions; one is International Wolf Center and another is North American Bear Center. Both these destinations provide most valuable insights about wolf feeding, live wolf pack, family exhibitions rather than petting and animal visibility.
5. The Minnesota State Fair- Place Where Culture and Traditions Meet
This early period state fair focusing solo to bring sufficient revenue to the territory during initial time, later turned out to be one of the most prominent places to visit and most unique things to do in Minnesota.
Normally the Minnesota State Fair runs for 12 days through Labor Day in St. Paul. But the interesting element, you’ve an option to enjoy 900 free performances, 30 carnival rides and more than 500 different food items. In the list of Minnesota top attractions, The Minnesota State Fair is the only event witnessing a record selling 1.94 million tickets in the year of 2025.
Be aware about your ticket price, it purely depends on whether you’re going solely or with family. If you’re going with your family (2 adults and 2 kids) pay $76 at the gate or $68 with presale tickets. While its ticket for solo trippers goes like this; $20 for adults (from 13 to 64), $18 for seniors and even kids too. Remember fair doesn’t have any multi day pass, so every day you attend needs its own tickets. So, book your tickets here carefully.
6. Historic Fort Snelling- Place Where to See History Detour
If you’re too concerned to seek Minnesota all-time favourite historic spot I blindly refer to; Historic Fort Snelling. Kind of a unique historic place located at St. Paul at Bdote, where the Mississippi and Minnesota River meets.
The place once home to Dakota peoples, but today its legacy transferred to fort military story and fur trade over its enslaved people.
Most of the events highlight the confinement of Dakota families after the U.S-Dakota War of 1862. Even today visitors (even locals) often visit to see how devastating war effects are.
But the interesting point here is Owamni. It is an Indigenous owned restaurant where you can eat Indigenous centered foods along with some historic events. It is only available to those who book in advance.
7. Minnesota River Towns and Head Waters- Place Where to See Tallgrass Prairies
Southern and Central Minnesota are great alternative places to escape from Twin Cities. In your Minnesota River town expeditions, start your day from “Birthplace of Minnesota- Stillwater”.
Stillwater’s iconic Lift Bridge, the most eye-catching thing built in 1931 to help tourists and daily strollers to take leisure walks once afternoon crowds leave. Try to extend your walk till historic downtown to catch up antique shops and enjoy riverboat cruises.
Drive your car to the Mississippi, Red Wing to see bluff views of the Mississippi river and famous boots. Lake Pepin is a 21 mile widening river space that includes a scenic loop passing through Lake City and Wabasha. Stop your car at Wabasha to see the National Eagle Center.
In this list my favourite spot is Lanesboro. Often called a cycling town set in the Southeast of Minnesota, but the interesting part here is, it allows you to ride its “The Root River State Trail”. While cycling its trail you don’t forget to take perfect photos of beautiful limestone bluffs, towns and small inns.
At the same time visit any nearby cafes or theatres, you’ll get different experiences. Under Lanesboro, the sad part is most backpackers plan it as a weekend, not a stop.
Itasca State Park is Minnesota’s oldest tourist spot and I thought it must be added in the first place of “Best Things to Do in Minnesota”. Initially the park protected the Mississippi headwaters in 1891, but later on its role slightly turned to walking spaces across the shallow outlets where one the world’s great rivers begins.
I’d like to highlight 2 more state parks which are equivalent to Itasca State Park. Interstate State Park and Blue Mounds State Park. Interstate State Park is a must visit when you’re close to the Twin Cities for its vibrant glacial potholes and scenic river gorge. Whereas Blue Mounds are quite unique, it offers us to see bison from its vast observation deck.
When to Go to- Minnesota by Season
1. Summer
Great choice if you’re a true fan of lakes, paddling and road trips. Early summer offers a great experience of Labour Day Nights, but be aware of mosquitoes and black flies in the north sections of Minnesota. Nights are cooler than you expected.
2. Winter
The most ideal season to experience the majestic beauty of Minnesota. From January to February, Ely, Listen and St. Paul’s are great places to hike ski terrain, do dog sledding and attend Winter Carnivals. Plan museums, conservatories and Mall of America as your indoor trip ideas.
3. Fall
For the fall season I recommend you choose North Shore. While you drive on its roads, the trees colors turn green to yellow, especially in early October. Lodging along highway 61 book out early, so be conscious about your early bookings.
4. Spring
Perfect season for those who like to spend hours and hours of time at Minnesota waterfalls and muddiest trails. Spring is even a great spot to capture some of the brilliant naturistic photos from your surroundings. Don’t choose the spring season as your core hiking period.
What Minnesota Trip Actually Costa- For Budget Conscious Backpackers
This below table does not cover your lodgings, food costs and fuel prices, it listing only attraction, museum, and parks admission costs and permit prices.
| Places in Minnesota | Who | Admission and Permits | Price in $ |
| Twin Cities for a Day. | 2 Adults | Mia, Minnehaha Falls, Lake Walk and Sculpture Garden. | Completely Free |
| Duluth and Split Rock Day. | 2 Adults | State Park Permits ($7 one vehicle), Glensheen and Split Rock. | $77 |
| Family (2 adults and 2 Kids, between age of 5-17) | Glensheen, SplitRock and State Park Permit. | $109 | |
| Boundary Waters Permit. | 4 Adults | 4x $16= $64 and $6 as reservation fee. | $70 |
Since you’re an economical backpacker this pattern is worth noticing. Most of the attractions are cheap and even some completely free to enter. So, here in Minnesota the real costs go to lodging, restaurants/ food prices, gear rentals and gas/fuel prices. So, build your budget around these price patterns and complete your Minnesota journey as affordable as possible.
Related Searches:
1. Things to do in Minnesota during Summer.
2. Things to do in Minnesota for Couples.
3. Things to do in Mineesota with Kids.
Additional References;
1. Where to Stay in Minnesota.
2. Most Iconic Foods in Minnesota.
