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Minnesota's Uncharted Wonders: A Guide to the State's Best Kept Secrets

Venture beyond the well-trodden tourist attractions to explore Minnesota's hidden gems. This collection uncovers lesser-known spots that offer unique experiences, breathtaking nature, and quaint charm throughout the state. From idyllic small towns to secluded natural wonders, each point of interest promises a peek into the most enchanting and underrated facets of Minnesota.

Devil's Kettle
Devil's Kettle

Judge C.R. Magney State Park, USA

Mysterious waterfall with a seemingly bottomless pothole.

Niagara Cave
Niagara Cave

Harmony, USA

A subterranean adventure complete with an underground waterfall.

Witch Tree
Witch Tree

Grand Portage, USA

Ancient, sacred tree revered by the Ojibwe people.

Jeffers Petroglyphs
Jeffers Petroglyphs

Comfrey, USA

A rocky outcrop filled with ancient Native American carvings.

Franz Jevne State Park
Franz Jevne State Park

Birchdale, USA

A tranquil park featuring picturesque views of the Rainy River.

Glensheen Historic Estate
Glensheen Historic Estate

Duluth, USA

A lavish 20th-century estate with expansive grounds and history.

Forestville Mystery Cave State Park
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park

Preston, USA

State park offering tours of Minnesota's longest cave.

Soudan Underground Mine State Park
Soudan Underground Mine State Park

Soudan, USA

Former iron mine turned museum with subterranean tours.

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Two Harbors, USA

Iconic lighthouse with stunning views over Lake Superior.

Bell Museum of Natural History
Bell Museum of Natural History

Saint Paul, USA

Showcase of Minnesota's flora, fauna, and natural landscapes.

Itasca State Park
Itasca State Park

Park Rapids, USA

The oldest and famous park home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens
Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens

Saint Cloud, USA

Beautifully designed gardens on the banks of the Mississippi.

Swinging Bridge
Swinging Bridge

Carlton, USA

Historic suspension bridge in Jay Cooke State Park.

Pipestone National Monument
Pipestone National Monument

Pipestone, USA

Sacred site for Native Americans where red pipestone is quarried.

Big Bog State Recreation Area
Big Bog State Recreation Area

Waskish, USA

Northern peat bog offering boardwalks and wildlife viewing.

Garden of Quiet Listening at Carleton College
Garden of Quiet Listening at Carleton College

Northfield, USA

Serene Japanese garden on a college campus.

Hill Annex Mine State Park
Hill Annex Mine State Park

Calumet, USA

Park preserving the mining history of Minnesota’s Iron Range.

Old Mill Park
Old Mill Park

Hastings, USA

Charming park around the ruins of an old milling operation.

Blue Mounds State Park
Blue Mounds State Park

Luverne, USA

Home to bison herds and a distinctive quartzite cliff.

Tettegouche State Park
Tettegouche State Park

Silver Bay, USA

Rugged park known for its waterfalls, cliffs, and rock formations.

Viking Altar Rock
Viking Altar Rock

Alexandria, USA

A glacial boulder steeped in local Norse folklore.

Lou T. Fisk
Lou T. Fisk

Madison, Minnesota

A whimsical ode to a traditional Scandinavian dish stands in front of the Lutefisk Capital of the USA

World’s Largest Boot
World’s Largest Boot

Red Wing, USA

Giant replica of a classic Red Wing boot at the Red Wing Shoe Store & Museum.

Comstock House
Comstock House

Moorhead, USA

Historical Victorian house offering a glimpse into the lives of a prominent Moorhead family.

Minnehaha Falls
Minnehaha Falls

Minneapolis, USA

A stunning waterfall located within Minnehaha Park in the city of Minneapolis.

James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge
James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge

Minneapolis, USA

Historic bridge over the Mississippi river, great for photos and walks.

Foshay Tower
Foshay Tower

Minneapolis, USA

An art deco skyscraper that was once the tallest building in Minneapolis.

Aerial Lift Bridge
Aerial Lift Bridge

Duluth, USA

Iconic structure and engineering marvel spanning the Duluth Ship Canal.

Banning State Park
Banning State Park

Sandstone, USA

Park known for its breathtaking waterfalls, rapids, and historic quarry ruins.

Enger Tower
Enger Tower

Duluth, USA

An 80-foot tall tower on Enger Hill providing panoramic views of Duluth and Lake Superior.

Seppmann Mill
Seppmann Mill

Mankato, USA

A rare surviving example of a wind-driven gristmill in an idyllic setting.

Winnewissa Falls
Winnewissa Falls

Pipestone, USA

The highlight of Pipestone National Monument, this waterfall is both scenic and sacred.

Devil's Kettle Mysterious waterfall with a seemingly bottomless pothole.

Devil's Kettle
Devil's Kettle Mysterious waterfall with a seemingly bottomless pothole.
Niagara Cave A subterranean adventure complete with an underground waterfall.

Niagara Cave
Niagara Cave A subterranean adventure complete with an underground waterfall.
Witch Tree Ancient, sacred tree revered by the Ojibwe people.

Witch Tree
Witch Tree Ancient, sacred tree revered by the Ojibwe people.
Jeffers Petroglyphs A rocky outcrop filled with ancient Native American carvings.

Jeffers Petroglyphs
Jeffers Petroglyphs A rocky outcrop filled with ancient Native American carvings.
Franz Jevne State Park A tranquil park featuring picturesque views of the Rainy River.

Franz Jevne State Park
Franz Jevne State Park A tranquil park featuring picturesque views of the Rainy River.
Glensheen Historic Estate A lavish 20th-century estate with expansive grounds and history.

Glensheen Historic Estate
Glensheen Historic Estate A lavish 20th-century estate with expansive grounds and history.
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park State park offering tours of Minnesota's longest cave.

Forestville Mystery Cave State Park
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park State park offering tours of Minnesota's longest cave.
Soudan Underground Mine State Park Former iron mine turned museum with subterranean tours.

Soudan Underground Mine State Park
Soudan Underground Mine State Park Former iron mine turned museum with subterranean tours.
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Iconic lighthouse with stunning views over Lake Superior.

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Iconic lighthouse with stunning views over Lake Superior.
Bell Museum of Natural History Showcase of Minnesota's flora, fauna, and natural landscapes.

Bell Museum of Natural History
Bell Museum of Natural History Showcase of Minnesota's flora, fauna, and natural landscapes.
Itasca State Park The oldest and famous park home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

Itasca State Park
Itasca State Park The oldest and famous park home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens Beautifully designed gardens on the banks of the Mississippi.

Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens
Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens Beautifully designed gardens on the banks of the Mississippi.
Swinging Bridge Historic suspension bridge in Jay Cooke State Park.

Swinging Bridge
Swinging Bridge Historic suspension bridge in Jay Cooke State Park.
Pipestone National Monument Sacred site for Native Americans where red pipestone is quarried.

Pipestone National Monument
Pipestone National Monument Sacred site for Native Americans where red pipestone is quarried.
Big Bog State Recreation Area Northern peat bog offering boardwalks and wildlife viewing.

Big Bog State Recreation Area
Big Bog State Recreation Area Northern peat bog offering boardwalks and wildlife viewing.
Garden of Quiet Listening at Carleton College Serene Japanese garden on a college campus.

Garden of Quiet Listening at Carleton College
Garden of Quiet Listening at Carleton College Serene Japanese garden on a college campus.
Hill Annex Mine State Park Park preserving the mining history of Minnesota’s Iron Range.

Hill Annex Mine State Park
Hill Annex Mine State Park Park preserving the mining history of Minnesota’s Iron Range.
Old Mill Park Charming park around the ruins of an old milling operation.

Old Mill Park
Old Mill Park Charming park around the ruins of an old milling operation.
Blue Mounds State Park Home to bison herds and a distinctive quartzite cliff.

Blue Mounds State Park
Blue Mounds State Park Home to bison herds and a distinctive quartzite cliff.
Tettegouche State Park Rugged park known for its waterfalls, cliffs, and rock formations.

Tettegouche State Park
Tettegouche State Park Rugged park known for its waterfalls, cliffs, and rock formations.
Viking Altar Rock A glacial boulder steeped in local Norse folklore.

Viking Altar Rock
Viking Altar Rock A glacial boulder steeped in local Norse folklore.
Lou T. Fisk A whimsical ode to a traditional Scandinavian dish stands in front of the Lutefisk Capital of the USA

Lou T. Fisk
Lou T. Fisk A whimsical ode to a traditional Scandinavian dish stands in front of the Lutefisk Capital of the USA
World’s Largest Boot Giant replica of a classic Red Wing boot at the Red Wing Shoe Store & Museum.

World’s Largest Boot
World’s Largest Boot Giant replica of a classic Red Wing boot at the Red Wing Shoe Store & Museum.
Comstock House Historical Victorian house offering a glimpse into the lives of a prominent Moorhead family.

Comstock House
Comstock House Historical Victorian house offering a glimpse into the lives of a prominent Moorhead family.
Minnehaha Falls A stunning waterfall located within Minnehaha Park in the city of Minneapolis.

Minnehaha Falls
Minnehaha Falls A stunning waterfall located within Minnehaha Park in the city of Minneapolis.
James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge Historic bridge over the Mississippi river, great for photos and walks.

James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge
James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge Historic bridge over the Mississippi river, great for photos and walks.
Foshay Tower An art deco skyscraper that was once the tallest building in Minneapolis.

Foshay Tower
Foshay Tower An art deco skyscraper that was once the tallest building in Minneapolis.
Aerial Lift Bridge Iconic structure and engineering marvel spanning the Duluth Ship Canal.

Aerial Lift Bridge
Aerial Lift Bridge Iconic structure and engineering marvel spanning the Duluth Ship Canal.
Banning State Park Park known for its breathtaking waterfalls, rapids, and historic quarry ruins.

Banning State Park
Banning State Park Park known for its breathtaking waterfalls, rapids, and historic quarry ruins.
Enger Tower An 80-foot tall tower on Enger Hill providing panoramic views of Duluth and Lake Superior.

Enger Tower
Enger Tower An 80-foot tall tower on Enger Hill providing panoramic views of Duluth and Lake Superior.
Seppmann Mill A rare surviving example of a wind-driven gristmill in an idyllic setting.

Seppmann Mill
Seppmann Mill A rare surviving example of a wind-driven gristmill in an idyllic setting.
Winnewissa Falls The highlight of Pipestone National Monument, this waterfall is both scenic and sacred.

Winnewissa Falls
Winnewissa Falls The highlight of Pipestone National Monument, this waterfall is both scenic and sacred.