MN Bucket List

Minnesota Bucket List

1. Basilica Block Party

2. Attend a concert at First Ave

3. Attend a Twins game with dinner and drinks downtown before the game

4. Oake on the Water (now called Sun Soaker Thursday)

5. Eat at Stella’s on their rooftop

6. Brewery Tours at Schell’s, Surly, Summit, and Brau Bros Brewery

7. Visit the Split Rock Lighthouse

8. Hike at Pipestone National Park and eat at Lange’s Cafe while there

9. Take a solo weekend trip to Duluth

9a. Visit the Glensheen Castle, Fitger’s Brewery and the Great Lakes Aquarium while in Duluth

10. Eat an ice cream sundae at Minnesoda Fountain

11. Visit Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store, which is part of Jim’s Apple Farm, in Jordan, MN

12. Have a night out at Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy at the Mall of America

13. Visit Minnehaha Falls

14. Visit the Grand Portage State Park, which features a 120 ft. water fall

15. Visit the US Hockey Hall of Fame museum

16. Eat at Mickey’s Diner

17. Spend time at the St. Croix Vineyards

18. Spend a day at the Canterbury Race track

19. See the Northern Lights

20. Attend a Wild hockey game

21. Go to a Gopher football game

22. Go to a Timberwolves game

23. Go to a Gopher hockey game

24. Attend a Viking/Packer game with tailgating

23. Have a night out at the Gay 90′s

24. WE FEST

25. Get drinks at Sneaky Pete’s

26. See Paul Bunyan

27. Visit the mouth of the Mississippi

28. Camp in the Boundary Waters

29. Go ice fishing

30. Participate in Minneapolis Restaurant Week

31. Go to both the Minnesota Zoo and Como Zoo

32. Run the Medtronic TC 10 mile

33. Run the Twin Cities marathon

34. Eat at Chino Latino and Brit’s Pub

35. Go for a run around Lake Nakomis

36. Visit the Water Park of America

37. Spend a weekend up in Lutsen with a group of friends

38. Go to a show at the Guthrie theater

39. Volunteer at Grandma’s Marathon

40.Attend the St. Paul Winter Carnival

41. Bundle up for the Holidazzle parade

42. Visit Historic Fort Snelling

43. Go to a drive-in movie

44. Visit the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting

45. Attend a summer concert at the Lake Harriet bandstand

46. Pick a winner of Best Juicy Lucy between the 5*8 Club and Matt’s Bar

47. Eat at the MN restaurants on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives

48. Spend a weekend at a cabin (and eat hot dish)

49. Shop at Woodbury Lakes and Albertville Outlet Malls

50. Go to a concert at the Varsity theater

What would you add to the list??

74 Responses to MN Bucket List

  1. Sara says:

    Hike Jay Cooke State Park, eat at Gordy’s in Cloquet, go cliffing at Ore-be-gone, ride the Timber Twister at Spirit Mountain, bike the Munger Trail, walk the Lakewalk in Duluth, try cross-country skiing at Giants Ridge, hike Gooseberry Falls state park, try ice climbing with Vertical Endeavors, watch the John Beargrease sled dog marathon, shop at the Mall of America, visit Bentleyville.

    • Josh says:

      something tells me that you’re from Duluth lol Don’t forget ride the north shore during the autumn colors!

  2. Samantha says:

    I think you definitely need to add Zorbaz and Long Bridge on this list. You can easily do these two with We Fest.

    • Kristi says:

      If you’re in the area for We Fest, there’s not a better burger to be found than those done by Phil at Maple Beach on Lake Lida.

    • Josh says:

      yes! Zorbaz on Ottertail lake is awesome cuz it’s literally on the lake

  3. Alissa says:

    Since you have a picture of the cherry spoon, you should go to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden!

  4. JC says:

    Hike at Blue Mounds State Park outside of Luverne, MN. You can visit the former home of Fred Manfred, which is now their interpretive center…and if you’re lucky, it’ll be during Hot Dog night in Luverne or Buffalo Days! Also, You must visit and be photographed with every Paul Bunyun/Babe the Blue Ox of course

  5. ColeyJohnson says:

    Go to the Irish Fair, the second weekend of August every year on Harriet Island. Great music, food, & more!

  6. Jacqueline says:

    Visit Grand Marais . Go to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha. While in the area go to Lark Toys in Kellogg.

  7. Jacqueline says:

    Minnesota State Fair!

  8. Katie says:

    Love that you included “Go for a run around Lake Nokomis.”
    This is probably my favorite thing to do ever.

    And the Paul Bunyan in Akeley is far more impressive than in Alexandria.

    GREAT list!

  9. Ali says:

    Betty’s Pies in Two Harbors MN. World famous Pie!!

  10. Katie says:

    Great list!

    The spam museum in Austin is great as well!!!

  11. tmiller says:

    Paul Bunyan and Babe the Big Blue Ox is in Bemidji not Alexandria. Big Ole and Kensington Runestone is in Alexandria.

  12. Marie says:

    Visit all of the MN state parks – we did! Don’t miss the cave at Forestville, Lanesboro, Whitewater State Park – no mosquitos!, This is a great list, I’ve done so many but there are so many left to do!

  13. Rlee says:

    Mill City Museum!

  14. Denise says:

    Ride on a paddle boat (like the andiamo) on the St. Croix River, go to the start of the Mississippi River, go ice skating in Minneapolis Depot.

  15. Kristina says:

    I’d probably add Enter a hot dish cookoff!

  16. Pingback: Here comes trouble. | Teaching in Kotzebue

  17. Crystal Steinbach says:

    Visit the Spam Museum in Austin, Mn

  18. Crystal Steinbach says:

    Go to Niagra cave near Harmony Mn, Attend Buffalo Bill days in Lanesboro, Mn.

  19. Dee says:

    Paddle a canoe down the St. Croix River.

  20. Nicole says:

    Vince Schute Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr- up close and personal with black bears 🙂

  21. Jolene says:

    Kettle Falls, where you can look south into Canada while standing in MN

  22. Jessica says:

    I would add the Woodtick Theater in Akeley (you can also see Paul there). And the Eelpout Festival in Walker (held in February); borrow a bike from Backstreet Bike (also in Walker, just ask) and take a ride down the Paul Bunyan or Heartland trails. Also, ditto to Jay Cooke SP!

  23. Leanne Muhl says:

    walk across the mississippi river head waters at itasca state park

  24. Heather says:

    The walleye in garrison!

  25. Casey says:

    Lots of good ideas, including some of the comments! I would add going to Red Wing…home of RW Pottery and RW Shoe Co. While there, drive along the Mississippi bluff country of SE MN and Lake Pepin.

  26. Shari says:

    A good drive in to go to is in Luvern MN I have friends that live across the boarder that go to it quite often.

  27. Nichole says:

    Moondance Jam!

  28. Tammy says:

    The Minnesota State Fair is a must for the Minnesota Bucket list!

  29. Tammy says:

    And to eat at the Dari-Ette in St. Paul!!!! ❤

  30. Julie says:

    -Attend a Summertime at Lake George free concert in St. Cloud
    -Dog Sled in Ely
    -SPAM Museum, Austin
    -Rent tandem bikes in Rochester and bike the trails
    -Walker Art Center (first Sturday of each month there’s no charge for admission)
    -Cold Spring Brewery
    -Lemonaid Art Fair at St. Cloud State University in July

  31. jalac12345 says:

    Road trip to the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota!

  32. Patti Flynn says:

    – Renaissance Festival
    – Apples in LaCrescent
    – Tendermaid lunch in Austin
    – State High School Basketball Finals
    – Pipestone National Monument
    – Ice Fishing for Walleye on Mille Lacs
    – Have pictures taken in front of the Capitol Dome

  33. sarah says:

    Largest ball of twine
    Eat at Don’s Cafe in Morris
    Grape Stomp at Carlos Creek Winery
    Renaissance Festival
    Good ol’ County Fair
    Smelt Feed/Fish Fry at a fire station
    Fireworks on snow
    Hold on frozen lake

  34. sharonmythoughts says:

    Valley Fair

  35. Maria says:

    Go to Val’s in St. Cloud

  36. Cristin says:

    Visit Laura Ingalls Wilder’s (Little House on the Prairie) dugout home & go to the annual pageant in Pipestone.

  37. Julie says:

    Great List! You Should Include The Walker Art Museum And The Minnesota Institute Of The Arts Though!

  38. Taylor says:

    Buy sweet corn from a farm stand on the side of the road!!!

  39. Ashley says:

    No more Holidazzle after 2013, they will have to replace it.

  40. Alexis says:

    The science museum of Minnesota. They change the main exibit ever 6 or so months

  41. TCM Staff says:

    Great to see the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and Medtronic TC 10 Mile on your list; we think so, too! PS – registration for the marathon just hit 75%! Now’s your chance 🙂

  42. Kristin Fellows says:

    Visit Mall of America, Hike Temperance River, Visit Grand Marais, Spend a day at Valleyfair, Spend a Thursday or Saturday morning going to garage sales, go snow tubing at Buck Hill, go for a cruise down the river on the Jonathan Paddleford

  43. Cara Edwards says:

    blueberry picking up north.

  44. Annie says:

    King Turkey Day in Worthington! Watch turkeys race down main street! Can’t forget the pancake feed by the fire department.

  45. Claire Berg says:

    What about walking across the Mississippi River at the Headwaters in Itasca State Park.

  46. Dusty says:

    While getting Val’s in St. Cloud take it to Munsinger Gardens and have a picnic and then walk along the river and through the flower gardens.

  47. Ashley says:

    Zorbaz on Pelican lake and Maple beach burgers on lake Lida!

  48. Tracy says:

    Snowshoe in a state park, bike the Grand Rounds, visit old historic courthouses, Jesse James days in Northfield

  49. Ashley says:

    Eat at Betty’s Pies!

  50. Roxanne Strom says:

    Walker art center and mini golf at the sculpture garden.

  51. Kit says:

    Ride bike on the grand rounds
    MS bike-a-thon from the Twin Cities to Duluth
    Sculpture garden
    Minneapolis Farmers Market (off of Lyndale)
    St. Paul Saints game
    Portage a canoe
    Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (hike up Hill Trail)
    Audubon Center of the Northwoods (family winter event)

  52. Robin says:

    Walk the hallowed halls of the World Famous Mayo Clinic. They have a small museum.

  53. Mary Kaye says:

    Go to a Lynx game, Visit the World Famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, Hiking in Whitewater State Park and Winona (Sugar Loaf)

  54. Jen says:

    I would love a list for families/kids!

  55. Cheri Auvinen says:

    High School Hockey tourney, and snowmobiling

  56. Kathleen C says:

    Eat an apple at the Apple Capital – La Crescent, Minnesota. U of M developed an apple called La Crescent!

  57. Nancy Woods says:

    Drive through Theodore Worth Parkway in the Fall, Winter, and Spring time. Eat cake doughnuts at A Baker’s Wife and glaze doughnuts at Mell-o-glaze. Have a gyro at Holyland meat store and grocery. Go shopping at Midtown mall, or Global Market as some ppl call it, in South Minneapolis.

  58. Cheryl says:

    Roseau……visit Polaris Experience Center, eat at Earl’s Drive-In with carhops, tour Polaris Industries.

    Warroad…..visit The Shed- tons of cool cars, tour Marvin Windows, eat at Bec’s Drive-in: also with carhops, and of course there is Lake of the Woods …go walleye fishing

  59. Dee says:

    McCarthys beach state park, Side Lake. Beautiful sand beach!

  60. The Fagen Fighter’s WWII museum in Granite Falls and their air show June 20, 2015, also Andrew Volstead’s House Museum and the Prohibition Story walking tour.

  61. Jane Peterson says:

    I’d add historic sites like the James J Hill House and Mill City Museum.

  62. stacey says:

    Just am FYI on 9a…it’s Glensheen Mansion, not castle.

  63. Shelby says:

    Visit Stillwater and stop at Nelson’s ice cream as you head back towards the cities;

  64. Christine says:

    Palasade Head, turtle races in Nisswa

  65. Mikayla says:

    You should visit the Tour of the Lights in Bentleyville around Christmas time. So much fun. It’s like a little Christmas village.

  66. Sharen severson says:

    Eat at sven and Ole in grand Marais. Hike part of the superior hiking trail. Hike to lookout mountain, the highest point in minnesota. Take a picture with Paul bunyon, aitkin? Bemidji? There’s several of them around. Take a long ride on a bike trail. Voyager national park. Cutest small town: new london, mn
    I traveled all around the state of minnesota for a quilt shop hop and found a new appreciation for how beautiful our state is. I would recommend a shop hop or a brewery tour around the state.

  67. Sophia says:

    Go to the spam museum.

  68. Robin Ann says:

    I like #47. They all sound like an adventure. Fun.

  69. Sandee says:

    Drive up “Apple Blossom Drive” in southeastern Mn and enjoy the beautiful scenery and winery’s in the area

Leave a reply to Mikayla Cancel reply