14 • Worldwide Travel


Te Travel Guide - brought to you by APL Media • Wednesday 4 March 2026 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE


BASEBALL GAME AT TARGET FIELD IN MINNEAPOLIS


SPLIT ROCK LIGHTHOUSE STATE PARK/PAUL VINCENT


CANOEING BOUNDARY WATERS/PAUL VINCENT Minnesota: where the natural and urban align


Minnesota has a remarkable ability to surprise even the most seasoned of travellers


In this Midwestern US state, exciting culture, friendly locals, serene wilderness, big-city vibes and small-town charm meet in the most unexpected — and exhilarating — ways. For those keen to try somewhere different and authentic, Minnesota offers a refreshing alternative to the more familiar US hotspots.


A MUSICAL PILGRIMAGE Minnesota’s musical heritage runs deep. Fans of global icon Prince can step inside Paisley Park, his creative sanctuary in the Minneapolis suburb of Chanhassen. Part museum, part recording studio, it offers an intimate window into the life and artistry of the bestselling artist. Across the state in Hibbing, music-lovers can explore the early years of another legend: Bob Dylan. His hometown reveals landmarks from his youth and adds meaningful context to the Nobel Prize winner behind some of America’s most influential and era-defining songwriting.


WHERE THE MISSISSIPPI BEGINS Few travellers realise that the mighty Mississippi River — the 2,350-mile waterway that’s woven deeply into American identity — begins in northern Minnesota. At Itasca State Park, you can literally walk across the river’s first gentle trickle. From there, scenic routes follow its path, including sections of the Great River Road, where historic towns, bluff-top vistas and wildlife- rich wetlands create a quintessential American road trip experience — spend a few hours or several days exploring the route.


THE ‘LAND OF 10,000 LAKES’ Minnesota’s nickname is well-earned — its abundance of water makes the state a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is one of North America’s most pristine paddling destinations: a wildlife-rich mosaic of forest and mirror-calm lakes where days are spent gliding across water and nights are lit by star-studded skies. Further west, Voyageurs National


Park offers remote tranquillity that’s worlds away from modern life. Many visitors stay on houseboats, using them as floating bases to explore hidden coves and quiet islands. Beyond the water, Minnesota’s trail networks cater to hikers and cyclists with routes that weave through boreal forest, glacial ridges and dramatic lake-country landscapes.


A RETAIL PARADISE If you love shopping, you’ve come to the right place. Minnesota is famously tax-free on clothing, making it one of the best-value shopping destinations in the US. The crown jewel is the Mall of America, a vast retail and entertainment complex in


MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ART/PAUL VINCENT


Bloomington, just south of Minneapolis, boasting more than 500 stores, thrill rides and immersive attractions. Whether you’re seeking high fashion or quirky local brands, it’s a destination in its own right.


TWIN CITIES, DOUBLE THE EXCITEMENT Minneapolis-St Paul offers an urban contrast to the state’s rural appeal. The Twin Cities are creative, diverse and full of surprises. Minneapolis in particular has an impressive arts scene, world-class museums and neighbourhoods humming with independent restaurants, craft breweries and live music. And don’t forget sports — the Twin Cities are one of only 12 metro areas in the US with a team in every major league. But even here, nature is never


far away — locals love hiking to Minnehaha Falls, an urban oasis where a rushing torrent cuts through wooded parkland. Cycling is another city highlight. Minneapolis is consistently ranked among the most bike-friendly cities in the US, with miles of dedicated trails linking lakes, parks and buzzing districts.


GET THERE DAILY FROM LONDON Perhaps the biggest secret of all is how simple it is to get there. Delta Air Lines operates daily direct flights from Heathrow to Minneapolis-St Paul, making Minnesota an easy, hassle-free gateway to a very different side of America. Musical and cultural, wild and


water-rich, stylish and surprising — Minnesota is a state that refuses to be defined by a single experience. More than anything, it’s a place where curiosity is rewarded — the perfect new experience for UK travellers who thought they’d seen it all.


MALL OF AMERICA, BLOOMINGTON PRINCE MUSEUM, PAISLEY PARK/PAUL VINCENT


Start planning your trip to Minnesota


Delta offers direct flights from Heathrow to Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport daily. Visit: exploreminnesota.com/en-GB


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