Things to see and do Minnesota

The construction of this military fortification, located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, was completed in 1825. It allowed the Americans to control the traffic on the territory. More than just a military stronghold, the base was the place where the Ojibwa and Dakota tribes met to trade and talk. The place has been refurbished as it was in the beginning. In each room of the fort, you will meet a costumed guide who will tell you about his world and his way of life. Every day at noon, they fire a cannonball. Open from May to October.

The Yellow Pages guide of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, with opinions on restaurants, bars, outings.

The official site of the city.

In the centre: Free maps of the city and information on accommodation, restaurants and boat outings.

The Yellow Pages guide of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, with opinions on restaurants, bars, outings.

The tourist office of the region, where you will find all the good addresses to venture into the great forests of the North. Visit Cook County's offices are located in the heart of Grand Marais, a short walk from restaurants and the harbour. You can easily park your car a little further away and walk around the centre. Stop here to stock up on maps and brochures. The website is also very rich in information on activities, accommodation and restaurants. The annual Visitor Guide can be downloaded.

This lighthouse was built after the terrible storm of 1905, which sent dozens of boats to the bottom. It was in operation from 1910 to 1961. You can discover it on your own, starting in the visitor center, or take a guided tour. The tour begins with a twenty-five minute film on the history of the lighthouse. You will then visit the lighthouse and the keeper's house, where guides in period costume will welcome you and give you information about daily life or about the lighthouse itself.

With a surface area of 4.2 km2, and a depth ranging from 6 to 11 metres, this lake was created by the melting of glaciers. It is the heart of the Itasca State Park and occupies a large part of it. You can drive along it, using the Brower Trail, up to the Mississippi Headwaters, located north of the lake. Lake Itasca is the main source of the Mississippi River, at least that is what British geographer and explorer Henry Schoolcraft said in 1832, after being part of an expedition to the area.

On this small square that connects Rice Park to Hamm Memorial Park, we will be pleased to find the bronze statues of the Peanuts' characters: Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus or Schroeder and his piano. They were installed in 2003 to pay tribute to their creator, Charles Schulz, a native of the city. During the high season, there are regularly temporary art installations. In winter, an ice rink is set up, to the delight of the children. It is possible to rent skates on site.

To discover the park at best, first visit the main visitor center, Jacob V. Brower, the name of the park creator in 1891. With the various permanent exhibits, we learn that Itasca is the oldest park in Minnesota, or that it is following the purchase of Louisiana that it has been decided to seek the source of Mississippi. Don't miss a map and above all take a look at the model that represents the park, to find you.

This is where we will stop to pick up brochures, maps and useful information about Ely and the activities the city has to offer. In this tourist office, you can also find a lot of information about the Boundary Waters area. Accommodations, attractions and, most importantly, organizations that offer canoe trips are listed on the website, which is very well done. Good to know: a section is dedicated to winter and the activities you can do in Ely during the cold season.