Explore Minnesota

Most airports are a means to an end: places to be navigated, tolerated, and escaped as quickly as possible. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is different. Consistently ranked among the best airports in North America, MSP has earned J.D. Power’s highest passenger-satisfaction ranking among mega airports three times in four years, including in 2025. It gets all the basics right while still finding ways to remind travelers that they are unmistakably in Minnesota.

Known for our sky blue waters, clear night skies and top-rated urban parks, Minnesota is a natural choice for eco-conscious travelers. Some of our state’s most popular pastimes — camping, biking, canoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing and birding, to name a few — are environmentally friendly and have a low carbon footprint.

Ole and Lena jokes aside, Minnesotans aren’t exactly known for their sidesplitting sense of humor. And yet the state’s comedy scene is as diverse as its residents. From no-holds-barred stadium sellouts to offbeat observational comics and every sketch-comedy weirdo in between, there is no shortage of noteworthy stand-up stages. Not to mention a massive built-in audience, especially in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

On the par 4 fifth hole, our joy turned to confusion as we approached the water fronting two greens—a unique feature of this course. I played to the much smaller but closer bailout green, while John went for the larger green 60 yards away. A better choice, as he parred the hole with a pleasing thunk into the cup while a loud splash completed my shot. A few enjoyable hours later, we arrived at the signature, par 3 seventeenth hole.

Minneapolis, St. Paul and the greater metro area have some of the most noteworthy Middle Eastern cuisine you’ll find in the Midwest. No matter the region or cuisine — from shawarma and kebabs to flatbreads and bagels — one is likely to find it here in Minnesota. Here are 12 of the best spots for Middle Eastern food.

Kabuli palao at Afghan Dabar Located in the same Bloomington strip mall as TBS Mart International Foods, Afghan Darbar fills a void left by Khyber Pass — the only Afghan restaurant in the Twin Cities. Mantu (dumplings filled with ground beef and garnished with yogurt, cilantro, chickpeas, and dried mint) and Kabuli pulao (basmati rice cooked with carrots, raisins and a secret blend of aromatic spices) are two of the many fantastic dishes that can be found in this hidden gem.

Judging by a growing number of national accolades (the James Beard Awards, Food & Wine, The New York Times), it’s no secret that Minnesota is home to a wide range of Asian cuisines — everything from the deeply regional delicacies of China to the rarely seen recipes of the Hmong diaspora, which has winding roots in Southern China, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Here are 16 beloved, rightfully acclaimed restaurants in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area that serve fantastic Asian food.

Brooklyn Center has a significant African population, particularly from West African countries such as Nigeria and Liberia. African Deli has met the needs of this growing demographic since 2009. Specializing in Liberian, Nigerian, and Ghanaian dishes, it is one of the few places where you can find egusi — soup made from the seeds of green melons, served with a side of fufu — and Ghanaian waakye, a distinctly red dish made with rice, beans, sorghum leaves, and powdered limestone.

Minnesota may not be the first or even 20th state that jumps to mind when thinking of American fashion hubs, but it holds its own on the style front — and not solely for its heritage-inspired apparel brands. Sure, Askov Finlayson made a big splash with its “Keep the North Cold” campaign, blending climate activism with Nordic-cool outerwear. And yes, you should probably own a pair of lumberjack-tough Red Wing boots or hand-sewn Steger Mukluks by now.

Monday, November 10, 2025 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year marks both the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the 40th anniversary of Split Rock Lighthouse’s annual memorial beacon lighting. Throughout the day, guests can explore the lighthouse, fog signal building, and visitor center. Guided tours and a brief film will be available that share the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald and her final voyage.