Exploring magnificent Minnesota

Land of 10,000 Lakes - Known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesota actually has more: 11,842 to be exact.

The Devil's Kettle - The curiously-named Devil's Kettle is a mind- bending tourist attraction located in Judge C.R. Magney State Park, on Lake Superior's North Shore.

Split Rock Lighthouse - One of the most-photographed spots in the state, Split Rock Lighthouse is an intact 1910 light station sitting on a cliff edge on the rocky coast of Lake Superior.

Boundary Waters - If you want to get away from it all and take an active break in splendid isolation, Boundary Park is the place to do it.

Basilica of Saint Mary - The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis also merits a visit. Sitting pretty in the city's downtown and built in the early 1900s.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory - For over 100 years, this flower-filled attraction in Saint Paul has been wowing visitors year-round.

Mall of America - Ready for some serious shopping? The Mall of America, 10 miles (16 km) south of Minneapolis, is the nation's biggest mall.

Minnesota State Fair - State fair lovers should plan to be in Minnesota during late August and early September, for the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Mill Ruins Park - Visitors can cycle or stroll along across the Stone Arch Bridge at this intriguing park set among the ruins of water-powered mills.

Mill City Museum - It's now a fascinating museum, complete with vintage railroad cars and an enormous freight elevator that hoists visitors from floor to floor.

Walker Art Center - This slick contemporary art center in Minneapolis was the upper Midwest's first public art gallery when it opened in 1927.

Minnesota Sculpture Garden - Right next to the museum, the impressive Minnesota Sculpture Garden is one of the largest urban sculpture parks in the US.

Weisman Art Museum - The eye-catching, Frank Gehry-designed exterior should be enough to entice you into this impressive Minneapolis gallery.

State Capitol - This stunning 1905 building in Saint Paul is a masterwork from Cass Gilbert, architect of the United States Supreme Court.

Minnesota History Center - Minnesota excels at its kid-friendly approach to bringing the past to life.

Minneapolis Institute of Art - One of the largest art museums in the US, it houses more than 90,000 pieces of art from over 5,000 years of history.

Explore Minneapolis after dark - Minneapolis has a famously lively nightlife scene, with each of its neighborhoods offering a distinctively different vibe.

Itasca State Park - Established in 1891, this is Minnesota's oldest state park, and the spot where the Mississippi River begins its mighty journey towards the Gulf of Mexico.