Minnesota Travel Guide

Minnesota is located in the North of the U.S. and borders on Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota.

The twin city metropolis of St.Paul and Minneapolis is the biggest urban area in the state. The Mississipi river separates the two cities. A narrow corridor of land on either side of the Mississippi River extending from Dayton on the north boundary through the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and downstream to Hastings, is designated National River and Recreation area.

In the north of the state you find some great national parks. Voyageurs, Isle Royale and Apostle Islands are all great for the real outdoors. Voyageurs is the only of the three located in Minnesota. Isle Royale is part of Michigan, while Apostle Islands belongs to Wisconsin.  Grand Portage Indian Reservation is also in the north and gives you a unique insight in both the 18th century fur trade activity and the Ojibwe heritage.

Closer to home, you find the Saint Croix River which is a national park and a great place for rafting, canoeing and kayaking. The Riverway is a unique area with a diversity of habitat, which provides many opportunities for viewing wildlife. A variety of recreational activities can be enjoyed in this picturesque setting. The upper stretches are ideal for canoeists, the rivers are shallow and narrow with some rapids. The lower stretches broaden and widen and can be used by boats.

For people that get their kicks from the reals of commerce rather than the wild outdoors, Minnesota is also home to the Mall of America, the largest shopping mall in the United States, with four levels and an indoor amusement park.

Eagle Bend, with its population of 525 is located almost in the center of Minnesota. It is located on U.S. Highway 71 about 150 miles northwest of Minneapolis in the heart of Minnesota's dairy country. A half hour's drive will take you to some of the best fishing in the state, as well as camping, theatres and large shopping centers.