Planning Your Next Vacation? Try The Land Of 10,000 Lakes
By Riley Hendersen
Growing up in the Midwest I had the pleasure of living in a border town with Minnesota. If you have never been to Minnesota you are missing one this country's greatest states. This northern state has the motto of "The Land of 10,000 Lakes". While I have not counted all of them, there are a lot.
I fondly remember going on a drive every Sunday for an entire summer and going to a different lake each week. Growing up my family would often rent a cabin for a week on a lake. There is nothing like relaxing and fishing all day. It may sound boring, but once you try it I almost guarantee you will be doing it again.
On the off chance you aren't into the fishing thing, Minnesota is still a great place to visit. My favorite city, or I should say cities, are Minneapolis and St. Paul. One of the best attractions in Minneapolis is the Mall of America. Located in Bloomington it is the biggest Mall in the US. It has over 500 stores, an amusement park with all the latest rides, an aquarium and well, you just have to see this thing to believe it.
Many of you remember that Little House on the Prairie was about life in Minnesota, but do you also remember that Mary Tyler Moore was about life in Minneapolis? Or how about the long running radio program A Prairie Home Companion. It was also set in the wonderful state of Minnesota.
Did you know that Minneapolis was a master planned city that emphasized the inclusion of parks and lakes? It is one of the most amazing environmental designs in a major city that I have ever seen. It is like brining part of the relaxing countryside right into the city.
While it is true that it can get cold, okay really cold at times in Minnesota, it also means you can go ice skating on the numerous city lakes and even ice fishing. If you have never been ice fishing you are missing something truly remarkable. Picture yourself in the middle of a lake, in a warm shed catching fish through a hole in the ice. Okay I may not have made that sound very enticing but it is a great way to spend an afternoon.
If you visit in the winter you should time it to coincide with the annual Ice Festival. You will be able to see ice sculptures that are truly amazing. Artists come from all over the country to showcase there abilities. All of this can be seen right in the middle of the city. Go look at them during the day to admire the craftsmanship and then visit them at night to see the shimmering glows and colors as they dance off the ice sculptures.
As you can see, Minnesota is a unique place to visit that many pass up as a place without anything to do. Now you know that nothing could be further from the truth.
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