Minnesota's Voyageurs National Park, State Fair Get National Love

Two totally different spots right here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes just landed on a national list of the Best Places to Visit in the entire U.S.!

One of the best parts about living in a country as big as the U.S.? There’s no shortage of amazing places to check out. Whether you’re into thrill rides, scenic hikes, sandy beaches, or a little slice of history, there’s something cool waiting just down the road-- and many of those places are right here in the Bold North.

Hey, Minnesota isn't just flyover country, right? As it turns out, it’s a must-see destination too. Because two of the Best Places to Visit in the entire United States happen to be right here in the North Star State again this year. That's the word from this new list compiled by World Population Review (WPR).

ALSO INTERESTING: Here's the Best Free Thing To Do in MN This Summer

WPR partnered with the travel site Expedia to determine the best places to visit in each state. WPR noted that Expedia looked at how many travelers booked hotels near certain attractions and then at the popularity of points of interest based on search volume. They then combined those two stats to determine a couple of must-sees for every U.S. state.

And here in Minnesota, one of our two 'Best Places to Visit in the US' is... Voyageurs National Park!

Voyageurs National Park in International Falls, MN (Canva)

Voyageurs National Park, located in far northern Minnesota (and the ONLY national park located here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes), made the list for several reasons:

Voyageurs has over 500 islands to explore and 655 miles of shoreline, perfect for adventurers looking to canoe, kayak, fish, and hike. In the winter, visitors can snowshoe and cross-country ski.

But, wait-- there's more! The North Star State secured a second spot on the WPR 'Best Places To Visit' in the U.S. list as well. And, our second-best place to visit is... the Minnesota State Fair!

The Ferris Wheel at the Minnesota State Fair (MN State Fair)

Get our free mobile app

As all Minnesotans likely know, the Great Minnesota Get-Together, held every year in late August through Labor Day, takes place on the fairgrounds in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, and is a GREAT place to visit. WPR thought so, too, noting:

For visitors looking for shows, rides, and fun food, the Minnesota State Fair Grounds host the famous Minnesota State Fair for 12 days from the end of August to early September.

The State Fair, which was first put on back in 1859 (a year after Minnesota became a state), officially runs from August 21st through Labor Day, September 1st, this year.