Ask a Minnesotan what makes Minnesota unique, and you’ll receive a slew of eager replies.
The outdoors. Lake life. Northern Lights. Nice people. Great food. Great music. Average sports teams.
To the outsider, Minnesota is often treated like a middle child – misunderstood. But in truth, Minnesota is a great state, often ranking among the best in the country to live in. So what is it that makes Minnesota unique? Here are some of Love From USA’s favorites:
Fishing
There’s a reason Minnesota’s nicknamed the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Boasting an actual 11,842 lakes that span a total area of 2.5 billion acres (including rivers) across the state, it’s no wonder Minnesotans love to be near, in or on the water as much as possible. Fishing is one of the most popular activities, enjoyed by many all year long. Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza in Brainerd, MN is the world’s largest ice fishing contest in the world, drawing over 10,000 anglers annually. According to Minnesota DNR, Minnesota boasts 162 species of fish, 141 of which are native. With so much water and so many fish, it’s no wonder Minnesota’s a great state for fishing!
Biking
Another great outdoor activity that Minnesota is known for is biking. With over 4,000 miles of paved trails (not to mention many more unpaved trails), Minnesota regularly ranks among the healthiest states in the country as well as most bike-friendly states in the country. Minneapolis, in particular, is often recognized as one of the best biking cities in the U.S. Like fishing, biking is often enjoyed year-round in Minnesota thanks to the popularization of winter “fat bikes.”
Hiking
With 65 state parks and over 1,351 trails to choose from, hiking in Minnesota is nearly unparalleled. From short local loops to the 310+ mile Superior Hiking Trail, Minnesota offers a kaleidoscope of hiking topographies and views for all ages and skillsets.
Boating
What’s the joy in 10,000 lakes if you don’t have fun on them? Typically, Memorial Day Weekend is the kickoff to cabin weekends in Minnesota. Those who have cabins make the first trip of the year, sweeping out the winter cobwebs and preparing the cabin for summer. Those with watercraft bring them out of winter storage, tune them up and prepare them for a summer on the water. From speed boats to fishing boats, jet skis to inflatable blowups – as long as it floats, Minnesotans will happily while away countless summer hours on it.
Camping
With so much outdoor to explore, it’s no wonder camping is another popular activity in Minnesota. State parks and state recreation areas offer more than 5,000 campsites, while state forests offer another 46 campgrounds and 1,000 campsites. The Star Tribune reports that about 1.8 million people spent a night camping in one of Minnesota’s parks and recreation areas in 2023, and about the same number in 2022. Whether sleeping under the stars for one night or 1,000, there’s no arguing that camping in Minnesota is second to nowhere else.
Loons
There’s state pride, and then there’s Minnesota state pride. Minnesotans may be a people known for their passive aggressive nature, but talk poorly of their culture or icons at your own risk. From professional sports teams to the state bird, Minnesotans will defend them tooth and nail. Speaking of state bird, did you know Minnesota has more common loons than any other state except Alaska? Appointed the state bird in 1961, Minnesotans have proudly worn it, waved it and sang its praises ever since.
Beer
Believe it or not, Minnesota has a long and resilient history of brewing great beer. Breweries like Grain Belt Brewing Company, Hamm’s Brewery, Yoerg Brewing Company and Schell’s Brewery date back to the mid- to late 1800’s. At one time, Hamm’s Brewery (today operating under the name St. Paul Brewing) was the fifth-largest brewery in the nation, while Schell’s in New Ulm, MN remains the second-oldest family-owned brewery in America. The historic Grain Belt sign, originally lit and installed in 1941, stands today as an iconic part of Minneapolis’ backdrop, welcoming drivers and pedestrians crossing the Mississippi River via Hennepin Avenue Bridge.
Show Your Love For Minnesota’s Icons and History
As hopefully you can see by now, Minnesotans have much to boast about. As a Minnesota-based, family-owned and -run business, Love From USA proudly designs, produces and sells products that reflect our state’s culture and heritage. Shop the Minnesota Icons Collection featuring keychains, games, shot glasses, pint glasses, mugs, tee shirts, sweatshirts and more today.
The Great Minnesota Get Together
The "Great Minnesota Get-Together" refers to the Minnesota State Fair, an annual event held in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, near the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. It's one of the largest state fairs in the United States and typically runs for twelve days, ending on Labor Day. The Minnesota State Fair features a wide array of attractions, including agricultural exhibits, livestock competitions, carnival rides, live music performances, food vendors, arts and crafts displays, and commercial exhibitions. One of the highlights of the fair is its food offerings, which include a variety of unique and sometimes indulgent options such as deep-fried candy bars, cheese curds, corn dogs, and anything you can imagine on a stick.