Minnesota’s Great Outdoors

America As You Like It • 22 January 2025

Plan your visit to Minnesota, a state brimming with endless possibilities and unforgettable experiences. With sprawling prairies, tranquil lakes, lush forests, picturesque river towns, and lively cities, Minnesota offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Discover the great outdoors and make your next holiday truly extraordinary in this diverse and welcoming destination.

Lutsen Resort

Biking

From the nation’s best urban trails in Minneapolis and Saint Paul to scenic rural rail-trails winding through lush forests and wild prairies, Minnesota’s 4,000+ miles of paved trails are a cyclist’s dream. Many of these trails follow former railroad beds, offering a secluded and picturesque biking experience. Notable long-distance trails include the Root River, Paul Bunyan, and Central Lakes trails.
 
Minnesota also boasts an exceptional variety of mountain bike trails, many of which remain open for fat biking during the winter months. Whether you’re tackling lift-served downhill trails in Duluth or exploring the legendary red dirt at Cuyuna, outstanding mountain biking adventures await across the state. Duluth has become a hub for mountain bikers. Its 40-mile network of beginner-friendly single-track, double-track, and gravel roads connects larger trail centres across the city. Combined with its existing trails, Duluth offers riders more than 85 miles of innovative and challenging routes, all within city limits.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Canoeing and Kayaking

Looking for an adventure on the water? Peaceful multi-day canoe trips through remote northern wilderness await you. If urban sightseeing floats are more your style, you’ll love paddling through the Twin Cities. For those seeking a thrill, adrenaline-pumping white-water rafting opportunities abound on rushing river rapids.


With over 10,000 lakes and nearly 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, Minnesota offers incredible aquatic adventures for every type of paddler. One of the state’s crown jewels is the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, located within Superior National Forest in north-eastern Minnesota. This vast preserve of lakes and woods spans about 100 miles along the U.S.-Canada border. The Boundary Waters features over 1,200 miles of canoe routes across more than 1,000 interconnected lakes, rivers, and streams, accessible by portage trails. Despite attracting 200,000 visitors annually, you can travel for days here and explore the area without any disturbance. 

Family Jumping Off Houseboat

Lakes

Known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”, Minnesota is perfect for boating enthusiasts. Public boat access is available statewide, and rentals make it easy to enjoy canoeing, kayaking, river rafting, tubing, sailing, or even houseboating.

Minnesota’s lakes are fun year-round, whether you are water skiing or tubing in the summer or snowmobiling and snowshoeing in the winter. Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the country, feels like an ocean. Its North Shore is a top holiday destination, stretching 154 miles from Duluth to charming towns like Two Harbors, Tofte, Lutsen, and Grand Marais.

Closer to Minneapolis, the Chain of Lakes, featuring Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet, Lake Cedar, Lake Brownie, and Lake of the Isles, offers a taste of nature in the heart of the city. Three of these lakes are connected and can be paddled as one, creating the illusion of being far from urban life. Summer activities like biking, dining lakeside, and beach-going transition to ice skating and hockey during winter.

Superior Hiking Trail

Hiking

Minnesota is Mother Nature’s playground, offering trails through native prairies, roaring waterfalls, and scenic metro parks. The state is also home to the 300-mile Superior Hiking Trail, a mountainous route along Lake Superior.

An essential part of any Minnesota road trip is stopping to stretch your legs and explore the natural beauty. For example, Afton State Park offers a short, family-friendly trail through a restored prairie, with interpretive signs describing the flora and fauna of this unique habitat. Extend your hike along a paved trail atop a bluff overlooking the St. Croix River, a designated National Scenic Riverway.


Surprisingly, just across Highway 5 from MSP International Airport lies Fort Snelling State Park. This hidden gem greets visitors with turkeys and deer before leading them to the trailhead for Pike Island. Here, hikers can choose from one, two, or three-mile loop trails. The three-mile loop takes you along the shoreline to the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. During the summer, enjoy a picnic and a swim at the park’s beach. In the winter, warm up by the visitor centre’s fireplace after a brisk hike.

The Sounds of Tennessee: Discover the Music That Shaped America

by America As You Like It • 26 October 2026
Imagine stepping into the Memphis recording studio where Elvis Presley first made his mark, discovering the Nashville studio where country music legends recorded their hits, or standing in Bristol, where a series of recordings helped put country music on the map. Across Tennessee, in the southeastern United States, music is woven into the places you visit, from historic recording rooms to lively streets where musicians still play late into the night. For music lovers, a journey through Tennessee offers the chance to get closer to the artists, sounds and stories behind the songs. Nashville, the state capital, reveals the evolution of country music and its connections to other genres, Memphis takes you into the blues, soul and early rock ’n’ roll scenes, while Bristol traces the roots of country music. Together, they offer a fascinating insight into the music that helped shape American culture.

More Than Just Wine: The Ultimate Guide to Grapevine’s Best Festivals & Events

by America As You Like It • 15 October 2026
Discover Grapevine where historic streets, local wine tasting and the unmistakable spirit of the American West come together. Located in Texas between Dallas and Fort Worth , Grapevine offers the perfect base for discovering local culture, enjoying outdoor adventures and exploring the wider region. Wander along Historic Main Street, step into welcoming winery tasting rooms and browse independent boutiques tucked inside characterful historic buildings. Then take your adventure onto Lake Grapevine, where you can paddle along the shoreline, before heading to Fort Worth to watch the famous Stockyards cattle drive and experience Texas’s Western heritage. Plan your holiday around a lively wine festival, a summer day on the water or Grapevine’s spectacular Christmas celebrations. However you choose to explore, you will find plenty of ways to experience the character of this Texan town.

Wild Maine: A Season for Every Adventure.

by America As You Like It • 12 October 2026
Maine is the largest of the New England states, where rugged Atlantic coastline, forest-covered mountains and historic towns create a holiday full of contrasts. Sail past rocky islands, enjoy a lobster roll beside a working harbour and head inland to discover clear lakes and winding country roads. Add maritime traditions, independent galleries and wildlife encounters, and you will find plenty of reasons to explore beyond the coast. Whether you are planning a summer escape by the sea, an autumn road trip or a winter break surrounded by snow-covered scenery, knowing where to go and when makes all the difference.

Jacksonville: The Flip Side of Florida

by America As You Like It • 1 October 2026
Jacksonville offers a different perspective on Florida. While many travellers head south in search of theme parks and packed resorts, Florida's largest city combines 22 miles of Atlantic coastline with historic neighbourhoods, a thriving food scene and one of the largest urban park systems in the United States. Here, mornings begin with sunrise over the ocean, afternoons are spent exploring rivers, marshes and coastal parks, and evenings revolve around waterfront restaurants, rooftop bars and local sporting events.

Where Adventure Meets Sunshine: Exploring Central Florida

by America As You Like It • 10 July 2026
You have heard of Florida, but let us introduce you to Central Florida, where the Real Florida Magic comes to life. Home to seventeen welcoming communities, including Lakeland and Winter Haven, this region offers a wonderful mix of exciting attractions, rich culture and unforgettable adventures, all within easy reach of Orlando. Whether you are looking for family fun, outdoor adventures or a relaxing escape, you can enjoy everything from thrilling airboat rides and world class theme parks to historic attractions, beautiful gardens and peaceful natural surroundings, making Central Florida the perfect destination for your next holiday.

Nevada: From Neon to Nature

by America As You Like It • 11 June 2026
There are some places that surprise you, and Nevada is one of them.

Make it Memorable―Dutchess County

by America As You Like It • 10 June 2026
Located in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley, Dutchess County blends scenic beauty, rich history, and a vibrant cultural scene. Spanning 800 square miles of rolling countryside and historic landmarks, it invites discovery at every turn—from the riverside charm of Poughkeepsie, known as the Hudson’s Queen City, to its picturesque towns and villages. Home to the Culinary Institute of America and President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt, Dutchess County is where heritage, flavour, and landscape come together in unforgettable ways.

Exploring Crystal River, Florida

by America As You Like It • 14 May 2026
Crystal River invites you into a gentler side of Florida, where spring fed waters wind through quiet forests and wildlife drifts just beneath the surface. Days here move at an unhurried pace, shaped by warm Gulf breezes, peaceful lakes, and encounters with nature that feel both intimate and unforgettable. Whether you are gliding across clear water by kayak, cycling beneath towering trees, dining on freshly caught seafood, or wandering through centuries of history, the region offers a sense of calm and connection that stays with you long after you leave.

My Journey through the Pacific Northwest

by America As You Like It • 8 May 2026
Exploring Oregon and Washington State is an opportunity of a lifetime. From the Hoh Rainforest to the newly renovated Seattle waterfront, there are spectacular opportunities to experience these remarkable states across a variety of climates. I was fortunate enough to travel from Portland to Seattle, including stops along the way in Astoria, the Evergreen Coast, and the Olympic Peninsula.

Race to Bourbon City: Discover Louisville

by America As You Like It • 27 March 2026
Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and a destination rich in culture, history, and sporting heritage. Nestled along the Ohio River on the border with Indiana, the city is perhaps best known for hosting the world-famous Kentucky Derby. Explore attractions such as the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory and the Muhammad Ali Center, making Louisville an engaging destination for travellers with diverse interests.
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