Highest-rated things to do in Minnesota by visitors
When planning your next holiday, you might feel an instinctual pull toward destinations that would take you across oceans, like Tokyo or Paris, but there are experiences closer to home that will have you thinking twice before booking a trip abroad ever again.
If you're craving a burst of adrenaline, why not reserve a spot in Michigan's famed Saugatuck Dune Rides? The activity's charmingly dated website is a great indication of its word-of-mouth notoriety and timeless appeal. Over in Arizona, you might be surprised to find that it's not just the Grand Canyon that tempts travelers to its desert landscape鈥攊t's also one-of-a-kind venues like the Musical Instrument Museum, where music enthusiasts can find over 7,500 instruments from 200 countries around the world.
Indeed, even if you've lived in Minnesota your whole life, you might be surprised by just how many top-rated things you've yet to cross off your list. From architectural wonders and picturesque views to historical museums and other must-see sights, you'll find your appreciation for Minnesota reignited just by reading through this list of top-rated things to do.
compiled a list of the highest-rated things to do in Minnesota using data from . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 15, 2025.
Whether you're a family of five traveling in a recreational vehicle or a duo of friends looking for a quick getaway in Minnesota, read on for a list of sights you could easily plan a trip around.
#30. Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
- Rating: 4.7/5 (633 reviews)
- City: Chanhassen
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#29. Park Point
- Rating: 4.6/5 (341 reviews)
- City: Duluth
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#28. Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,192 reviews)
- City: Saint Paul
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#27. Minnesota Zoo
- Rating: 4.3/5 (854 reviews)
- City: Apple Valley
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#26. Black Beach
- Rating: 4.6/5 (69 reviews)
- City: Silver Bay
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#25. North American Bear Center
- Rating: 4.8/5 (757 reviews)
- City: Ely
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#24. American Swedish Institute
- Rating: 4.6/5 (517 reviews)
- City: Minneapolis
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#23. Chain of Lakes
- Rating: 4.8/5 (416 reviews)
- City: Minneapolis
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#22. Itasca State Park
- Rating: 4.8/5 (559 reviews)
- City: Park Rapids
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#21. Minneapolis Skyway System
- Rating: 4.3/5 (756 reviews)
- City: Minneapolis
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#20. Science Museum of Minnesota
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,141 reviews)
- City: Saint Paul
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#19. Enger Park and Tower
- Rating: 4.7/5 (923 reviews)
- City: Duluth
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#18. Paisley Park
- Rating: 4.4/5 (757 reviews)
- City: Chanhassen
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#17. Spam Museum and Visitor Center
- Rating: 4.6/5 (734 reviews)
- City: Austin
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#16. Glensheen - The Historic Congdon Estate
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,305 reviews)
- City: Duluth
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#15. Cathedral of Saint Paul
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,095 reviews)
- City: Saint Paul
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#14. Canal Park
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,469 reviews)
- City: Duluth
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#13. Minnesota State Fair
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,252 reviews)
- City: Saint Paul
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#12. Split Rock Lighthouse
- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,130 reviews)
- City: Two Harbors
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#11. Minnehaha Falls
- Rating: 4.6/5 (507 reviews)
- City: Minneapolis
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#10. Aerial Lift Bridge
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,742 reviews)
- City: Duluth
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#9. Guthrie Theater
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,070 reviews)
- City: Minneapolis
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#8. Target Field
- Rating: 4.7/5 (3,062 reviews)
- City: Minneapolis
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#7. Mill City Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,586 reviews)
- City: Minneapolis
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#6. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,839 reviews)
- City: Minneapolis
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#5. Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,681 reviews)
- City: Two Harbors
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#4. Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Rating: 4.8/5 (2,416 reviews)
- City: Minneapolis
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#3. Minnehaha Park
- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,512 reviews)
- City: Minneapolis
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#2. North Shore Scenic Drive
- Rating: 4.8/5 (2,021 reviews)
- City: Duluth
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#1. Mall of America
- Rating: 4.3/5 (6,046 reviews)
- City: Bloomington
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.