Minnesota Off The Beaten Path Travel Articles

Lake Itasca: Where the Mississippi Starts

Lake Itasca is where the Mississippi River begins, in northern Minnesota. Exploring the lake, the state park, and what you can enjoy during a visit.

Inspiring Ely Minnesota, Winter Activities are #1

Located on Lake Superior near the Canadian border, winter in Ely Minnesota is the perfect time to snowshoe, dogsled, XC-Ski or warm up by a campfire.

Minnesota, from North to the South

Highlights of Minnesota, from Minneapolis St. Paul to the Minnesota River Valley in the South, a guide to the many sites in this big US state.

A Guide to Northern Minnesota’s Mining Towns

Northern Minnesota is full of towns with a rich history of mining– Hibbing, Virginia, Chisholm, all part of the Mesabi Iron Range. A book excerpt.

Howling with the Wolves in Ely, Minnesota

Ely, Minnesota: Heidi Hunt learns about wolves at the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota, views an eagle’s nest on Basswood Lake and visits the Vince Shute Bear Sanctuary.

Finding My Inner Fisherwoman at Leech Lake

Kelly Westhoff goes fishing on Leech Lake in Minnesota with her husband Quang Nystrom, and catches a 23-inch walleye. A guide to fishing on Leech Lake.