Category: Minnesota

15 Best Summer Tours to Book in Minnesota When There's Nothing Else to Do

3/20/2024

Welcome to Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, endless hiking trails, and unique things to do that you might not find anywhere else. And on the off chance you're bored sometime this summer, we've gathered together all the best things to do throughout the state to add a little bit of excitement to your day. From helicopter sightseeing tours to historical walking tours to learn all about the gangsters that flocked together in St. Paul, we've got a little bit of everything.

Our Essential Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are our favorite websites and resources to help you plan an incredible trip.

For flights, we recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to your destination.

Car rentals comparisons are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you if you're heading somewhere international!

We always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, we always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and always use NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi connections.

For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick, especially for tours in Asia.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for your international or domestic travels.

Summer in Minnesota, What to Expect

We won't be the first to admit that there's plenty to do in the state of Minnesota. However, it typically revolves around life at the lake or spending some time in the outdoors hiking - which isn't always for everyone. As you look into this list of some of the best things to do in Minnesota, we have a few tips to help you best enjoy :

Shoes - we always recommend wearing comfortable, close toed shoes for any of your adventures

Sunscreen - considering these are summer activities and many of them happen outside, we of course also recommend applying sunscreen & reapplying when necessary

Water - if you're joining one of the walking tours, we recommend bringing a water bottle with you to stay hydrated

Our Favorite Tours near the Twin Cities :
- Minneapolis Scenic Trolley
- St. Paul Historic Cave Walking
- Minneapolis Riverwalk Food Tour

15 Best Summer Tours in Minnesota

1. Helicopter Tours
Helicopter Tours are a fun, exciting way to see Minnesota from above. With multiple options, like this 15 mile tour from Duluth, this 30 mile tour along the North Shore, or this ultimate 60 mile helicopter tour, you can choose the one that's right for you!

2. Sea Life
A Mall of America classic, no trip to MOA is complete without a stop at Sea Life. With giant aquariums (including a tunnel aquarium), and a chance to touch starfish, anemones, and stingrays, this is the perfect spot to go if you're looking for something to do with young kiddos!

3. Twin Cities Ghost Tour
Looking for something a little spooky? This nighttime tour along Summit Ave in Minneapolis is perfect for you! During your tour you'll get to view all the huge mansions while learning about all the spooky and haunted sites in the area.

4. St. Paul Gangsters Tour
Starting at the Wabasha Street Caves, you'll learn all about the 1930's Prohibition Era and stop at sights frequented by the mobsters and gangsters of the day.

5. Minneapolis Craft Brewery Tour
On this "all inclusive" tour you'll be brought to 3 different craft breweries - where you can begin your "all-you-can-drink" tour. It says water is included, so we recommend staying hydrated during your adventure and making sure that you have a sober cab set up to get home!

6. Nickelodeon Universe at MOA
Another classic stop at the mall of America is Nickelodeon Universe. Although typically considered a stop for kids, I'll be honest Tyler and I visited this theme park just last year and had an absolute blast. This is a great way to spend a summer day in Minnesota!

7. Lead Yourself on a "Prince" Tour
On this self-guided tour (led via audio tour) through downtown Minneapolis, you'll find yourself exploring for 75 minutes throughout all of Prince's favorite stops like First Avenue.

8. Join a Minneapolis Food Tour
On this 2-3 hour tour, your small group will stop at 5 different restaurants where you'll be able to sample different cuisines! This is a great way to find a new favorite restaurant!

9. Take a Mississippi River Cruise
After your bus tour around some of Minneapolis and St. Paul's top sights, including Minnehaha Falls, you'll find yourself boarding a Mississippi River Cruise on a local riverboat for the next 1.5 hours.

10. Mansion Walking Tour
Many people from out of state don't know this, but there are a surprising number of mansions on Summit Avenue in St. Paul. On this private 2 hour tour, you'll be guided around some of these incredible Victorian Style homes - it's important to note though that because many of these are still lived in, you won't be able to tour the inside of these homes.

11. Learn to Bake Challah
This unique experience is a fun way to spend the day indoors and out of the sun. Challah is a traditional braided bread made from Jewish traditions to celebrate bringing in the Sabbath. For anyone who worked on bread baking during covid, this is an excellent addition to your baking skills!

12. Rent an E-bike to Explore
This is a great way to explore the Twin Cities, and an e-bike makes it a bit easier than riding a manual bike around town. These e-bike rentals are great for families and groups because they come with bluetooth enabled helmets!

13. Try Indoor Skydiving
Unlike other indoor skydiving opportunities, you'll be able to get in 2 jumps on this tour that includes all the instructions and gear that you need for your experience! Plus, afterwards you'll be awarded your very own flight certificate!

14. Rent a Paddleboard
This full day rental in Duluth is a great chance to see the epic sunrises/sunsets on lake superior. Although they can be a little tricky at first, sitting rather than standing on them can really help!

15. Rockclimbing in Interstate Park
The last thing we recommend checking out this summer is rock climbing in Interstate Park. On the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin, you'll have views of the St. Croix River while your guide teaches you all the basics of rock climbing and helps you scale your first rock face!

Binge all our Minnesota Adventures on YouTube!