Sparkling Lake Superior, great outdoor activities and Victorian mansions, Minnesota has something for every taste.

Wildlife such as the moose and black bear still roam free in Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. The best way to see these animals is by trekking the marked walking trails. For indoor animal encounters, head to the Great Lakes Aquarium. Here you can pet a friendly stingray or watch the otters play.

Native Americans once lived and hunted on this land. Visit the Itasca Indian Cemetery, in the Itasca State Park, to learn about their fascinating burial rites. The park also offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, kayaking and canoeing.

The twin cities of Minneapolis and St Pauls offer all the usual attractions you expect from large American cities such as zoos, vast shopping malls and casinos. In addition, St Pauls is home to the largest collection of Victorian houses in the United States. Summit Avenue, which runs from the imposing cathedral down to the Mississippi River, is lined with stately Victorian houses. One of these, the James J Hill house, runs guided tours which offer a peak into the 19th century life of the plutocrats who inhabited these houses and the servants who served them. To get a taste of bygone refinement, take a trip on the Minneapolis Queen Riverboat as she makes a leisurely journey down the great Mississippi.

Finally, Murphy’s Landing in Shakopee is a living museum which recreates 19th century Minnesota life. Find out about the challenges of life in the villages and farms in the days before electricity and shopping malls!

Minnesota vacation rentals and summer rentals include log cabins and lake houses.

Self-catering holiday cottages and apartments to rent in Minnesota: