5 Things In Minnesota That Exist Nowhere Else In The US
Beyond the usual tourist attractions and points of interest in Minnesota, are interesting and unique sites that are not found anywhere else in the country. A huge state full of such a wide variety of people, Minnesota has produced unusual and creative artifacts and attractions that set it apart from other areas of the midwest. Check out some of these cool sites and attractions that cannot be found anywhere else in the United States.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area
www.bwca.com
A large natural preserve sits in Northeastern Minnesota and consists of 1 million acres of forest and rivers to explore and enjoy. Feel like a French explorer camping, hiking, and canoeing through the Boundary Waters in this famous area of the country. Stay in resorts, go camping on your own, or just enjoy a day of wandering into the wilderness. Encompassing a large part of the Superior National Forest, the BWCA is the most frequently visited wilderness area in the country.
United States Hockey Hall Of Fame
801 Hat Trick Ave.
Eveleth, MN 55734
(218) 744-5167
www.ushockeyhall.com
While a large number of great hockey players come from Minnesota, a larger number of fans reside in the state as well. To celebrate their great talent for playing hockey, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame was established in Minnesota. In the heart of the Iron Range, possibly considered "the middle of nowhere" to many, the small town of Eveleth hosts this national museum. With a population of right around 4,000, Eveleth has also turned out some great hockey players and frequently leads the state in high school hockey talent. In the middle of town, the world's biggest hockey stick marks the deep love of hockey that comes out of Eveleth.
World's Largest Ball Of Twine
Twine Ball Museum
Darwin, MN 55324
(320) 693-7544
www.darwintwineball.com
There may be many largest balls of twine in the United States, but only one that was rolled entirely by a single person. The World's Largest Ball of Twine in Darwin, Minnesota boasts the lifelong project of one man that spent almost 30 years rolling a ball of twine. In the center of this small town, the ball rests in a gazebo built to house the twine masterpiece. Visit the museum dedicated to the twine ball and celebrate Twine Ball Days every August.
Related: Weirdest Museums In Minnesota
Northwest Angle
www.lakeofthewoodsmn.com
The only place in the continental United States that can only be accessed by going through another country is part of Minnesota. Due to a surveying error when drawing up the Canadian-U.S. border, a portion of Minnesota got cut off from the rest of the land. Frequently traveled to by boat to avoid going through customs twice, the Northwest Angle is also the northern-most part of the contiguous United States. Fishing and other lake activities are popular on the Angle.
[UPDATE: A viewer wrote in to correct that there are actually a few other similar enclaves, including Port Roberts, Washington; Estcourt Station, Maine; and a few points in Alaska. WCCO regrets the error.]
Mall Of America
60 E Broadway
Bloomington, MN 55425
(952) 883-8800
www.mallofamerica.com
Minnesota is a shopping innovator. The first state to introduce an enclosed shopping mall structure is also the home to the largest shopping mall in the United States. Covering the site of the old Metropolitan Stadium, where the Minnesota Twins played, the Mall of America contains over 500 stores, an indoor amusement park, an aquarium, museum, comedy club and university, among other things. The Mall is constantly growing and has become a huge tourist attraction for Minnesota. Enjoy several days in and around the Mall; it's too big to cover in just one 24-hour period.
Related: Best Budget Attractions In Minnesota
Andrea Wodele is a freelance writer who has lived in the Twin Cities for the last 10 years. Her hobbies include exercising, driving kids around, watching Minnesota sports, and reading self-help literature. Examiner.com.
