What to do and see in Minnesota, United States: The Best Things to do Adventurous

August 7, 2021 Diedre Savory

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have the famous Mall of America and Walker Art Institute. Bluff Country to the south has water sports and cross country skiing. The Prairielands abound with lake recreations.
Restaurants in Minnesota

1. Hellacious Overlook

Two Harbors, MN
Excellent
91%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 33 reviews

Hellacious Overlook

Viewing point from the Superior Hiking Trail.

Reviewed By lauriee65

We where there 11/15/19 and the road to the overlook was closed for the season. We walked the road up to the overlook as so many others did that day, the weather was beautiful (38 degrees and sunny) for a fall day. At the top the view was beautiful with the sun shinning on the lake. Was totally worth the morning walk for the view at the top.

2. Broken Paddle Guiding Co.

Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 314 reviews

Broken Paddle Guiding Co.

The premier kayaking and outdoor education guiding service on the Upper Mississippi River. We are your connection to the wild waters and natural beauty of the Mississippi River's tributaries and backwater channels. Offering tours on the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin in the Wabasha area.

3. Swiftwater Adventures

Excellent
94%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 500 reviews

Swiftwater Adventures

We offer whitewater kayak lessons and outings, whitewater rafting, whitewater and wilderness canoe trips, cross-country ski, guided nature hikes, and snowshoe outings, and adventure trips focused on environmental and adventure education.

4. Soudan Underground Mine

1379 Stuntz Bay Rd., Soudan, MN 55782 +1 218-300-7000 [email protected] http://mndnr.gov/vermilionsoudan
Excellent
91%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 250 reviews

Soudan Underground Mine

Minnesota's first iron ore mine-the Soudan Mine-opened in 1882. Operations went underground by 1892 since the ore body continued deep into the ground. The mine's value was in the special kind of ore it produced. The ore's high oxygen content was used to make high-quality steel in open-hearth furnaces. When technology changed, the ore from the mine was no longer needed. Low-cost ores of the Mesabi Range took over, and Soudan Mine closed in 1962. Today, you can travel 1/2 mile underground and ride a train car back to last area that the miners worked.

Reviewed By TeamAAR13 - Dayton, United States

I arrived early because I knew I wanted to explore before my tour. All of the buildings open at 9:30 and they are touch-feel-see for the most part because you can walk through and touch the machinery or see how the different parts of the mine worked. If you go to the engine house 15 after the tour starts you can watch the cable move as the car goes down the mine shaft. Our tour guide was Karel and he was AWESOME! very knowledgeable since he worked in a mine for 32 year before working at the state park. He was very personable and learned all the children's names in our tour and even some of the adults. He made it a point to tell us that ear protection was the number one thing he wanted us to take away from his tour. We didn't see any bats since white-nose syndrome practically wiped all of them out a few years earlier. Next time I will be sure to get a front-facing seat on the train ride because the train moves so fast that if you are facing backwards you don't get to see much. I wore a sweatshirt and jeans into the mine and I wasnt cold at all.

5. Brainerd Zip Line Tour

Excellent
97%
Good
3%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 328 reviews

Brainerd Zip Line Tour

Brainerd Zip Line Tour is a guided 2 and 1/2 hour experience including seven zip lines, one suspension bridge, and an optional 50' free fall experience. See the Brainerd Lakes area like never before!

6. Temperance River State Park

7620 West Hwy 61, Schroeder, MN 55613 +1 218-663-7476 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/temperance_river/index.html
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 220 reviews

Temperance River State Park

Intriguing because of its narrow gorge which has created many potholes along the bottom of the river.

Reviewed By 45degN - Minnesota, United States

Temperance River, like many of the state parks along the North Shore, offers immediate access to the falls with excellent (and safe) vantage points. So when were returned a couple years after our first visit, we decided to take a slightly different route and followed the "Hiking Club" labeled path along the north side of the river (go clockwise heading up river). We visited on October 9, which was mid-week and the colors were breathtaking! Truly peak fall colors as best as we had ever seen them. What we loved about this visit was what the Temperance offers once you get past the main falls - the trail gets quieter, the river widens with several additional falls along the route, and all of sudden the view opens up to an incredible back drop of birch-covered hills. We thought, this is a white-capped mountain away from Colorado! The golden leaves mingled in with tall pines and a calming, pristine river was definitely the highlight of our week. We spent about an hour and a half for a pretty leisurely hike (which I think was around 1.5 miles), stopping several times, and with a 2-year-old on the back. Of note, all the state parks are worth visiting, but the farther north one travels, the better they get (including Cascade River)!

7. Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trips

1557 Esterberg Rd, Ely, MN 55731-8203 +1 218-365-4726 [email protected] http://www.elydogsledtrips.com
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 222 reviews

Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trips

All visits and appointments by reservation only, PLEASE! Located near Ely, Minnesota, a special little town known far and wide as the Gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the Superior National Forest, we provide exciting dog sledding adventures to individuals, families, and groups of all kinds. Our knowledgeable, seasoned guides accompany you as you drive your team of eager, friendly, sled dogs over scenic wilderness trails. That, combined with our thorough trip preparation, top-notch equipment, comfortable facilities, and convenient proximity to Ely, makes a Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trip the perfect winter activity.

Reviewed By L3998PYkeiths

Our whole family 8 of us had the time of our lives. The picture perfect scenery, highly educated and experienced guides and the most beautiful, friendly Alaskan huskies were the highlights. The grounds are very well maintained and the property was set up so well for these dog sledding tours. They have a rental shop for items you may need or want along with a great apparel section. We would go back in a heart beat. Amazing job Chilly Dogs!

8. White Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures

Excellent
98%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 169 reviews

White Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures

Personalized dog sledding adventures in the scenic north woods of Minnesota. Learn to drive your own dog team. Custom day trips, yurt stays, lodge vacations, camping and fishing trips by dog team. Active vacations for ages 8 to 88, with friendly sled dogs and professional staff. All skills taught. One or two people/sled. Adventure guaranteed. Explore the Boundary Waters wilderness, pristine frozen lakes and enchanted boreal forests. See website for details and dogsledding packages.

9. Extreme Sandbox - Minnesota

1901 Glendale Rd, Hastings, MN 55033-9377 +1 855-344-4386 [email protected] http://www.extremesandbox.com
Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 605 reviews

Extreme Sandbox - Minnesota

Come play on an excavator or bulldozer for fun! We offer customers the unique opportunity to experience heavy equipment in safe and controlled environment. We let the kid in you play!

Reviewed By 509deeb - Lewisville, United States

What man has not driven past a one of these big machines and said, "Wouldn't that be fun to drive one of those?" Extreme Sandbox provides the environment, the heavy machinery and instruction to have a great time and tick that item off the Bucket List! Fun to do and fun to watch!

10. Drive A Tank

550 Cherry St W, Kasota, MN 56050-2062 +1 507-931-7385 http://www.driveatank.com/
Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
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5.0 based on 34 reviews

Drive A Tank

Reviewed By DonN352

My son really enjoyed his experience. The shooting range was an impressive array of weapons. He really liked driving the armored vehicles. The topping was the Sherman tank, one of the few survivors from WWII. My wife and I could ride with him and take pictures. It was worth the long trip from Texas.

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