Historic Sites
Split Rock Lighthouse
Shipwrecks from a mighty 1905 November gale prompted this rugged landmark's construction. Completed by the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1910, Split Rock Light Station was soon one of Minnesota's best known landmarks. Restored to its 1920 appearance, the lighthouse offers a glimpse of lighthouse life in this remote and spectacular setting. Visitors can tour the lighthouse, fog-signal building and the restored keeper's dwelling. A history center features an award-winning film, exhibits and a museum store. For information call: (800)657-3535
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The Mille Lacs Indian Museum
The museum offers exhibits dedicated to telling the story of the Band. Trace their journey to settle in Northern Minnesota, learn about their fate during the period of treaties made and broken, and follow their story up to the present. Videos, computer activities, listening stations and objects reveal information about the Band's life today, from how dance traditions are carried on to members' interests in music to sovereignty issues. For information call: (800)657-3535
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Jeffers Petroglyphs
Amid the prairie grasses are islands of uncovered rock, where American Indians left carving - petroglyphs - of shamans (holy men), other humans, deer, elk, buffalo, turtles, thunderbirds, and arrows. They tell a story that spans 5,000 years. The glyphs serve many functions, including recording important events, depicting sacred ceremonies, and emphasizing the importance of animals and hunting. The most common technique of dating the glyphs is identifying the items depicted, then relating them to peoples of a particular time period. By this technique, they appear to range from 3000 B.C. to A.D. 1750. For information call: (800)657-3535
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Historic Fort Snelling
Fort Snelling is Minnesota's oldest military fort. Built on the bluffs of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers, the fort offers a look into life in 1827. The fort's costumed guides conduct tours, demonstrate crafts, present historical skits and practice military drill and weapons firings. There is also a visitors center offering multimedia exhibits. For information call: (800)657-3535
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Pipestone National Monument
Pipestone National Monument occupies the site of the famed pipestone quarries of Minnesota. American Indians often traveled as much as a thousand miles by foot and horseback to obtain the unique stone from which they made their pipes. A widespread legend among the American Indians that the stone was made from the flesh and blood of their ancestors accounts for the fact that it was the object of reverence. The site of the quarry from which the stone is obtained is considered sacred ground where all American Indians meet in peace. For information call: (800)657-3535
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Tourist Attractions
Mall of America
The largest fully-enclosed retail and entertainment complex in the United States, located in Bloomington, MN. The mall has over 520 specialty shops, 60 restaurants and nightclubs, the world's largest indoor family theme park; Knott's Camp Snoopy; LEGO Imagination Center, and Underwater World, a large indoor aquarium. For information call: (800)657-3535
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Minnesota State Fair
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the nation's largest and best-attended agricultural and educational entertainment events, in recent years attracting over 1.5 million people annually from across Minnesota, the U.S. and Canada. This 12-day exposition is held each year on a 310-acre permanent fairgrounds situation midway between the downtown areas of St. Paul and Minneapolis. For information call: (800)657-3535
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Valleyfair
The Upper Midwest's largest family amusement park on 90 acres in Shakopee, Minnesota. The park offers 40 rides, five roller coasters, four water rides, a large water park, and live entertainment. For information call: (800)657-3535
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Minnesota Zoo
The zoo offers indoor and outdoor zoological trails, an interactive marine center, an IMAX 3-D theater, a monorail and over 2,000 animals. The zoo is located in the city of Apple Valley. For information call: (800)657-3535
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Science Museum of Minnesota
Located in St. Paul, the science museum offers hands on exhibits in science and technology along with the area's only domed Omnitheater. For information call: (800)657-3535
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