For anyone looking to plan a fun winter trip, or even looking ahead to next spring break or even a summer vacation, look no further than a visit to the state of Minnesota.
Traveling as a college student is never easy. Oftentimes, travel often includes a group of people, going too far is difficult, and finding things to do can be a challenge. Luckily, a trip to Minnesota offers quite a compromise on all three, and then some. By way of car, Minneapolis is only an eight hour drive, and is a very quick two hour flight for those who choose to go that route.
Depending on where you decide to go into the state will vary costs of the trip, but a run of the mill visit to the state isn’t overly expensive, especially when travelling with a group of people. Last summer, I went for six days with a friend and we spent under $200 a person on our room after dividing the total cost.
The area itself offers quite a bit to do, and its like that year round too. For those who travel to seek time in nature, Minnesota has no shortage of beautiful scenery to see, littered throughout the state. The northern portions of the state see many dense woodlands with cabins littered throughout that can be rented on AirBnb, offering hiking opportunities, or simply a quiet getaway to disconnect from reality for a few days. The further north you travel, travelers with find themselves in Duluth, which offers great beach access in the summer on Lake Superior.
Going further south into the Twin Cities, there is even more to do year around. The nature views don’t stop, even with urbanization. Many different state parks are littered around the cities, including Minnehaha Falls, located in the heart of Minneapolis, which offers walking trail views of one of the many waterfalls the state has to offer. Any avid fishing fans will also enjoy Minnesota, as the state slogan is the Land of 10,000 lakes, providing countless opportunities to sit back and cast a line. Even in the winter, ice fishing becomes a very popular activity for those in the correct areas of the state to do so.
Minneapolis offers a number of great tourist attractions. The state zoo offers many unique animals to the region, including elk, wolves, caribou and deer, as well as the typical group of zoo animals. One thing that is unique to the zoo, compared to others, is that a large portion of it is inside, providing entertainment for those seeking something to do, even in the cold harsh Minnesota winter months.
Of course, Minnesota’s claim to fame with tourism is the Mall of America. The mall, open everyday but Christmas and and Thanksgiving, offers four levels of shopping opportunities and countless different stores throughout. The mall has all of the typical stores, but has some unique ones including Toys-R-Us, the M&M Experience, and the Nickelodeon Experience.
Finally, for a sports lover, Minnesota is a great place to visit. The city offers each of the big four professional sports, with beautiful views from Target Field for the Twins, and a modern stadium at US Bank Stadium for the Vikings included. College sports also dominate the area, with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers football and basketball team playing in the fall and winter. The area also has the St. Paul Saints, the minor league affiliate of the Twins.\\
Foodies will also be treated well up north, especially if traveling during the annual state fair. Like many places, Minnesota offers no shortage of unique food items, with the fair especially showing off different dill pickle recipes, and a clear fondness for cheese curds.
In summary, anyone who wants a quick getaway with plenty of things to do on a budget should look no further than Minnesota. The area has plenty to do, and won’t break the bank in the process.
