If you’re on a hunt for the best places to take pictures in Minnesota, make sure you visit the Cathedral of St. Paul. The Cathedral of Saint Paul, National Shrine of the Apostle Paul, commonly known as St. Paul’s Cathedral, is one of the most beautiful buildings in the whole state. The distinctive copper dome of the cathedral makes it one of the most recognizable cathedrals in the United States. The building, which is one of the best examples of Beaux-Arts architecture, is comparable to the great cathedrals of Europe. The cathedral, which is typically open seven days a week. is listed as a landmark on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

The cathedral, which was built in the 1900s, is now a pilgrimage site. It has a capacity of 3000 people and a Classical Renaissance design. The cathedral, which is an active place of worship, is open to the public for much of the day, though tourist visits are discouraged during Masses and other holy services.

If you want to learn more about the history of the building, you can take a one-hour guided tour at 1 pm. These tours take place from Tuesday to Friday and will teach you quite a bit about the cathedral’s history.

• Best Time To Visit: From June To August
• Best Places To Stay: The Saint Paul Hotel, The Davidson Hotel, Celeste of St. Paul Hotel + Bar
• Website: https://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/
• Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5
  
• Location: Minnesota

If you’re planning an extended family or friend’s trip, make sure to hit the North Shore Scenic Drive that starts right in Duluth. This national scenic byway is along Minnesota State Highway 61. It follows Lake Superior’s shore all the way up to Thunder Bay in Canada. You’ll find many top state parks along the route, including Grand Portage State Park, Superior National Forest, Tettegouche State Park, and Split Rock Lighthouse.

Lined with rocky cliffs, beautiful views, and waterfalls, the drive lives up to its name. The breathtaking scenery and unspoiled fresh air here are something that simply cannot be experienced elsewhere. The Minnesota North Shore can be experienced via several different itineraries and can include combinations of driving, biking, and hiking – making it a highlight of any Minnesota bucket list!

If you get an RV off RVshare, you can stop at many places along the route for ice-fishing, boating, and canoeing. The route is also popular for having some of the best ski places in Minnesota. For travelers who’re not huge fans of enjoying the views from the car, the over 300-mile Superior Hiking Trail takes you along the state’s shoreline, allowing you to view the scenic beauty from above.

• Best Time To Visit: Entire Year
• Best Places To Stay: Breezy Point Cabins On Lake Superior, North Shore Cottages, Larsmont Cottages on Lake Superior
  
• Website: N/A
• Tripadvisor Rating: 5.0/5
  
• Location: Duluth, Minnesota

The largest city in the state is Minneapolis. The city, known for its many interesting neighborhoods, has much to offer nearly any visitor, no matter what they seek. There are over 200 miles of bike trails in the area, many of which wind through parks and forests. Given that no random location in Minneapolis is more than six blocks from a park, there is always natural to be discovered. In addition to a large number of parks, there are numerous museums and art cultural centers located both indoors and outdoors, many of which are free to the public. Visitors will find an extensive calendar of events filled with concerts, shows, festivals, and much more at any time of year.

Sports fans can catch games played by the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Vikings or the Minnesota Timberwolves at stadiums and arenas right in Downtown Minneapolis. Also Downtown is First Avenue, where Minneapolis native Prince filmed Purple Rain, and where you’ll find a great collection of live music venues. If it is art you’re after, there are two world-class choices right in Minneapolis: The Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

Many of the city's top attractions can be accessed by public transportation or without a vehicle, including the more natural settings found in such places as Minnehaha Regional Park. Bike and multi-use pathways, like the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, are a great way to get around.

• Best Time To Visit: May, June, July, August and September
• Best Places To Stay: Aloft Minneapolis, W Minneapolis, Element Minneapolis North Loop
  
• Website: https://www.minneapolis.org/
• Facebook Rating: 4.3/5
  
• Location: Minnesota

The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is about 430 kilometers north of Minneapolis, Minnesota, near the towns of Grand Marais and Ely. The Superior National Forest covers most parts of the state’s northeast. If you want to explore the unspoiled landscape, this wilderness sanctuary is the ultimate place to enjoy the natural beauty of Northern Minnesota.

Meanwhile, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is in the forest, along the US-Canada border. Here, you can canoe, fish, and kayak while enjoying being surrounded by wildlife, such as wolves, moose, and bears. With the water covering 700 square miles and the forest going on for 445,000 acres, you’ll be blanketed by nature. The area also has some cool hiking places in Minnesota that you can find on their official site. While you are visiting, be sure to stop by the International Wolf Center to meet some new friends and get a glimpse of the local history of these fascinating animals.

Camping is incredibly popular, and you can pop up your tent within view of a clear stream or spot a moose at dawn. Even if you’re not a particularly enthusiastic canoe paddler, the pristine wilderness and stunning scenery makes this one of the best places to visit in Minnesota.

Most visitors come May through September. Minnesota winters are extreme; temperatures can plummet far below 0 degrees Celsius and snowdrifts pile 1.5 meters or higher. That said, winter offers ideal conditions for outdoor sports like dogsledding, skiing and snowshoeing. Keep in mind that this is a true wilderness. Restrooms are available at some campsites, but otherwise it’s you and nature. Everything must be brought in and carried out with you when you leave.

• Best Time To Visit: From Early May Until Late October
• Best Places To Stay: Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast, Deer Ridge Resort, Moose Track Adventures Resort
  
• Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/superior/recarea/?recid=84168
• Tripadvisor Rating: 5.0/5
  
• Location: Duluth, Minnesota

Duluth, Minnesota is a port town filled with excellent history along Lake Superior – the largest freshwater lake in North America. With drastically different climates throughout the year, a visit to Duluth in the winter time is completely different than a trip in the summer, and guests will find there are always new gems to discover with every new visit.

The port city of Duluth is an incredible destination on the shores of Lake Superior. It is widely recognized as one of the most scenic cities in the Midwest, and it is easy to see why. Duluth was originally settled around 700 feet above sea level, so much of Downtown Duluth boasts great views over the lake below.

There are a lot of fun things to do in Duluth, Minnesota, such as visit the Lake Superior Zoo, go on a boat cruise, and explore all the different museums. Beyond the museums and outdoor activities, be sure to check out the state parks located just north of Duluth like Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Gooseberry Falls State Park (located on the Gooseberry River), and Tettegouche State Park.

If you are looking for other exciting things to do in Duluth while you are in town, go to Canal Park where you’ll find some fun nightlife and excellent views of the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge. There are plenty of nearby hotels in that particular area, so you’ll have no shortage of options to stay and play with the nightlife.

• Best Time To Visit: From March To May
• Best Places To Stay: Mont du Lac Resort, Fitger's Inn, The Oliver Inn
  
• Website: https://duluthmn.gov/
• Facebook Rating: 4.0/5
  
• Location: Minnesota

Minnesota is home to a number of scenic state parks, but the largest and most popular is Itasca State Park. The park always has something for everyone, boasting old growth forests, crystal-clear streams and lakes perfect for watersports.

Itasca State Park is a 46,000-acre state park in Minnesota that occupies the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The park offers camping, fishing and hiking. Visit the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center to learn about the natural and cultural history of the area. This outdoor interpretive center is open all year round and is recommended as the starting point of your trek to the headwaters area.

At Douglas Lodge, you may sit back and relax with a cup of coffee while watching local wildlife which includes a variety of birds, including loons, cormorants, grebes, hummingbirds, finches, and warblers. Take a drive across Wilderness Drive to appreciate big north woods pines, or go on the beautiful Bohall and Nicollet hiking trails for a walk. This makes for one of the better weekend trips you can have in Minnesota for outdoor adventures. In the winter, you can take on cross-country skiing if you’re up for braving the cold weather and snowy conditions.

• Best Time To Visit: The Fall
• Best Places To Stay: HI Mississippi Headwaters Hostel, Bert's Cabins, Half Moon Trail
  
• Website: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00181
• Tripadvisor Rating: 5.0/5
  
• Location: Park Rapids, Minnesota

Grand Marais is a Lake Superior coastal city in Cook County, Minnesota. This tiny town had a population of 1,492 at the 2010 census. It was originally named after François Xavier Martin d’Hastrel who was a French aristocrat who had “extensive holdings in North America under the French regime.” The best thing about Grand Marais is its vast outdoor attractions and outdoor recreation opportunities, including the beautiful lakes that are great for fishing, hunting, skiing, and snowmobiling.

If you plan on visiting Grand Marais, be sure to stop by Artist’s Point to take in the natural beauty of the lake. The town has plenty to offer with its amazing antique shops, craft breweries, and classic Minnesotan dining.

The small village of Grand Marais may have a small population, but it boasts an incredible location. Grand Marais is located next to a double harbor right on the edge of Lake Superior’s North Shore. Grand Marais is home to the start of the Superior Hiking Trail, which takes you to countless vantage points along Lake Superior’s shore and even winds all the way up to Canada.

The village is also a blossoming arts hub, with many downtown establishments selling local paintings, drawings and sculptures. Summer is known as their ‘Peak Season’. Therefore, rates are going to be higher at all the locations.

• Best Time To Visit: Late July – ate August
• Best Places To Stay: Best Western Plus Superior Inn, Cascade Lodge Lutsen MN, Mangy Moose
  
• Website: N/A
• Tripadvisor Rating: 4.4/5
  
• Location: Minnesota

If you plan to visit Minnesota, chances are you’ve heard of Mall of America. Recognized as the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the United States and one of the most visited tourist attractions on the globe, the Mall of America receives roughly 40 million visitors a year. The mall is located just 15 minutes from Downtown Minneapolis. With more than 500 stores and 5.6 million square feet of gross building area, this is the place to shop till you drop.

If you're not in the mood to shop, the Mall of America is also home to several family-friendly attractions, including the Nickelodeon Universe amusement park – complete with more than 25 different rides and attractions – and the SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium. Also make time for FlyOver America, a flight simulation ride. With so much to do, it's easy to make a trip to the mall a day-long activity. On the downside, the perpetual crowds and the sheer size of the space can be exhausting, according to past visitors. Others described the mall as clean and safe, and a great place to entertain the whole family.

The other main attraction of Mall of America is the number of celebrations that take place there every year. It’s known for hosting over 400 events a year – that’s more than the number of days in a year. On the downside, the perpetual crowds and the sheer size of the space can be exhausting, according to past visitors. Others described the mall as clean and safe, and a great place to entertain the whole family.

• Best Time To Visit: Entire Year
• Best Places To Stay: Radisson Blu Mall of America, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Bloomington at Mall of America, MN
  
• Website: https://www.mallofamerica.com/
• Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5
  
• Location: Bloomington, Minnesota

Voyageurs National Park may be Minnesota’s only national park. The park is located in one of the most Northern parts of Minnesota in International Falls bordering Canada. The best thing about this National Park, however, is that it contains the most diverse ecosystem in the country. The park is surrounded by water and boasts miles of pristine, undeveloped shoreline as well as countless small and uninhabited islands.

It is the perfect place to get outdoors and explore, and even during the busiest parts of summer you can easily escape the crowds. More than 50 miles of hiking trails are a big draw, and hiking can allow you to see some of the local wildlife. The park is known for its population of Eastern Timber Wolves, and you can also spot bald eagles, otters and even the occasional moose.

This national park is best known for its camping facilities, canoeing opportunities, and fishing experiences making it one of the best national parks to visit in the US. The best time to visit the park is during the summer months. This allows visitors to enjoy themselves with swimming, hiking, and canoeing-related activities.

Voyageurs National Park is considered to be one of the best places to go if you want to experience nature at its best and go completely off the grid. Like the Boundary Waters, you’ll be close to the International Wolf Center. So, stop by on your way to the park or out of the park.

• Best Time To Visit: September and October
• Best Places To Stay: Northern Lights Resort & Outfitting, Ebel's Voyageur Houseboats, Ebel's Voyageur Houseboats
  
• Website: https://www.voyageurs.org/
• Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5
  
• Location: International Falls, MN 56649

Tucked along the banks of the Root River in Southeastern Minnesota you’ll find a hidden gem - Historic Lanesboro. This quaint townsite offers invigorating outdoor adventures, breathtaking views, rich artistic and cultural experiences, unique shopping, locally grown foods, wine and fine dining.

There are many ways to enjoy the gorgeous driftless area. Take a bike ride on the famous 60 mile, paved Root River State Bike Trail system or an adventurous canoe or kayak trip down the Root River. Lanesboro is the Bed & Breakfast Capital of Minnesota and offers a diverse array of lodging choices! Whether it’s a romantic dinner with wine and candlelight or a down home, local experience; the Lanesboro has got your appetities and tastes covered.

In town, the historic district offers a glimpse of days gone by. There are no fast food outlets, no stoplights and no chain stores. There is, however, lots of art and culture. Visitors can take in a drama or a comedy at the art theater, check out the work of talented regional artists, attend gallery openings and even catch a live concert. Lanesboro is also home to a historical museum that hosts a collection of a variety of items of the past, including the famous Buffalo Bill memorabilia.

• Best Time To Visit: From September To October
• Best Places To Stay: Historic Scanlan House B & B, Hotel Lanesboro, Root River Inn & Suites
  
• Website: https://www.lanesboro.com/
• Facebook Rating: 4.1/5
• Location: Minnesota