Minnesota Tourism Guide Weather Wise

Travel this spectacular, winding byway by many pristine lakes, forests, swamps, rolling hills, and other unique features. Outdoor recreation, interpretive sites, and other exciting opportunities await the traveler. During fall, the northwoods is adorned with the brilliant colors of red sugar maples, bronze oak trees and glowing gold aspen and birch.

Grand Rounds Scenic Byway

The country's longest continuous system of public urban parkways, this has been the preeminent urban parkway system for more than a century. Lovely parks, trails, lakes and parkways surround the city of Minneapolis. Enjoy the Chain of Lakes, Lake Nokomis, Lake Hiawatha, Minnehaha Falls, and much more.

Great River Road (Wisconsin, Missouri, Mississippi, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas)

Throughout history, the Mississippi River influenced many lives: the Dakota, Chippewa and Hopewell cultures; early French voyagers; African-Americans seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad; and many more. Through its charming river towns and metropolitan cities, historic sites and cultural artifacts, today's Great River Road still links resources, people and history.

Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway

In the small communities and scenic beauty of this byway, visitors find art galleries, antique shops, Amish tours, historic sites, cave tours, and museums. Parks, forests and the Root and Mississippi Rivers provide opportunities for many recreation options, including canoeing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, wildlife watching, fishing and photography.

Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway

The Minnesota River Valley is rich with stories of American Indian lifestyle changes entangled with the struggles of Euro-American immigrants making a home in this unfamiliar land. The establishment of agricultural cooperatives, railroad and river transportation, and land stewardship practices make this one of the most productive agricultural civilizations anywhere.

North Shore Scenic Drive

This byway follows the majestic shoreline of Lake Superior, the world's largest freshwater lake. Experience some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. The drive provides access to eight state parks and the Superior National Forest and offers unlimited opportunities to enjoy the outdoors in all seasons.

Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway

Like nature's table of contents, the lakes and woods of the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway are chapters filled with many recreational opportunities and adventures, just waiting to be discovered. With the wink and wit of Paul Bunyan lore slipped in for fun, sites and events turn easily into sparkling memories.

Minnesota Motorcycle Touring - Grand Portage National Monument - Grand Portage, MN
An oxcart rests in short grass while colorfully dressed reinactors enjoy Rendezvous Days on the front porch of the Great Hall.  For over 400 years Ojibwe families of Grand Portage have tapped maples every spring on a ridge located just off Lake Superior. During the summer, Ojibwe fishermen harvest in the same areas their forefathers have. Before the United States and Canada existed, the trading of furs, ideas and genes between the Ojibwe and French and English fur traders flourished. ...

Minnesota Motorcycle Touring -Mississippi National River & Recreation Area - Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, MN
Canoers enjoying a trip down the Mississippi River in the fall.  Established in 1988, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area includes 72 miles of the Mississippi River stretching from the cities of Dayton and Ramsey to just south of Hastings. [map] The segment of the river flowing through the park has always been of major significance as a spiritual site, a place for recreation, and a tourist attraction. Park Video (wmv)

Minnesota Motorcycle Touring -Pipestone National Monument - Pipestone, MN
 Pipestone National Monument offers an opportunity to explore American Indian culture and the natural resources of the tallgrass prairie. Established by Congress in 1937 to protect the historic pipestone quarries, the site is considered sacred by many American Indians. Spanning centuries of use, American Indians continue to quarry pipestone which they carve into sacred pipes.

Minnesota Motorcycle Touring -Voyageurs National Park - International Falls, Kabetogama, Ash River, and Crane Lake, MN
trees decorate a rocky outcrop in summer  Nearly 200 years ago voyageurs paddled birch bark canoes full of animal pelts and trade goods through this area on their way to Lake Athabaska, Canada. Today, people explore the park by houseboat, motorboat, canoe and kayak. Voyageurs is a water-based park where you must leave your car and take to the water to fully experience the lakes, islands and shorelines of the park.