WHETHER YOU’RE A LIFE-LONG Minnesotan, a newbie or a visitor, Julie Jo Larson’s newly-published 100 Things to Do in Minnesota Before You Die guidebook is an invaluable resource for exploring this place I call home. I’ve lived here my entire life, but only experienced or visited one-quarter of the listings in Larson’s travel guide.
Minnesota is an expansive state, spanning 400 miles from north to south and 350 miles from east to west. So there’s lots to see and do from prairie to woodland, from lakes to rivers, from bluffs to valleys, from small towns to bigger cities. Larson offers a good mix of destinations and activities.
I should note that I feel a kinship with Larson in a commonality of roots. She was born in New Ulm, in Brown County next to my home county of Redwood in southwestern Minnesota. New Ulm, situated in the Minnesota River Valley and rich in German heritage and culture, has long been a favorite community of mine. There’s so much to see and do from touring and sampling beer at August Schell Brewing Company; shopping at compact German import store, Domeier’s; exploring Flandrau State Park along the Cottonwood River; watching the Glockenspiel; and lots more. Larson now lives in rural Brainerd and has already written a guide on the Minnesota Northwoods. Her love for Minnesota shines.
In creating this travel book, Larson divides her suggested “things to do” into five categories: Food and Drink, Music and Entertainment, Sports and Recreation, Culture and History, and Shopping and Fashion.
I so now want to try the chicken wild rice pizza at Poor Guy’s Pizza in Moose Lake. That—the wild rice part—sounds incredibly Minnesotan. I want to tour the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in New Ulm to learn more about musicians and bands like Monroe Crossing, which performs each July Fourth in North Morristown. I want to wander among the 50 metal sculptures crafted by Ken Nyberg in Vining simply because I love outdoor public art. I want to tour the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post in Onamia to learn more about that region’s Indigenous peoples. I want to peruse the handcrafted goods at The Shoppes of Little Falls. I want to…
Yes, there’s a lot to do in Minnesota. Some things on Larson’s list, though, I won’t do. I won’t travel into the depths of the earth at the Soudan iron ore mine. I won’t climb to the top of a fire tower at Pequot Lakes, although I’ve hiked to it. I won’t zip through the trees 175 feet off the ground on a Kerfoot Canopy Tour in the Minnesota River Valley at Henderson. But other readers of Larson’s guidebook will and that’s good. Her “100 things to do” offers a variety of experiences and places that appeal to diverse interests.
As a life-long southern Minnesotan who has explored this region extensively, I especially appreciate Larson’s tips from other areas of this vast state. She even breaks down her list to activities by seasons and suggested itineraries. Black-and-white photos scattered through the pages and a centerfold of color images only further entice readers to get out and explore.
Bottom line, 100 Things to Do in Minnesota Before You Die rates as an excellent resource for anyone planning a road trip, looking for something to do/see while in a specific area of Minnesota or even just seeking to learn more about the North Star State.
Looking for a great slice of pie? Larson recommends (and so do I) the Rapidan Dam Store, yes, by the dam at Rapidan (which is near Mankato). Want to enjoy art in a top-notch museum along the Mississippi River? Visit the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona. Interested in a cave tour? Head to Niagra Cave near Harmony. Wanna see a replica Viking ship? The Hjemkost Center in Moorhead features one. Need a book fix? Visit any one of Minnesota’s independent bookstores.
And while we’re talking books, buy a copy of 100 Things to Do in Minnesota Before You Die, published by Reedy Press. Support a Minnesota author while, bonus, learning about all sorts of places to visit and things to do in this place Larson and I call home.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
what a great resource from someone who clearly knows her stuff. like you, there is so much around me in our state that I’ve never experienced and many things I never even knew existed. I plan to make it an initiative to learn and see more.
I always tell people, “It’s right here in your own backyard.” Good for you to aim on discovering more of Michigan.
These books are so popular! I think Sara (Broers) might be on her 3rd one now for Midwest locations. Reedy Press has a good thing going with this line and they really are fun to work through. Thanks for sharing.
I need to revisit Reedy Press as I didn’t realize this was a series. Is that Sara from your Iowa blogging group?
Yep! She has one out about Iowa and one about midwest destinations.https://www.reedypress.com/author/broers/sara-broers/
Thanks for the info. I’ll need to find that book as I want to explore our neighbor to the south more than I have. I’ve enjoyed your once home in Mason City, Clear Lake, Decorah, Dubuque, Marquette and McGregor…
So glad to hear about this book- definitely will check it out!
Yes, I encourage you to check out this book and learn more about Minnesota.
I am on board in trying wild rice on a pizza – YUM! There is so much to see and do in MN. I love exploring places and enjoy when you can get out to walk and see a variety of things too. Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
I’ve always appreciated your adventuresome spirit and love of life. Happy exploring!
This is wonderful! Thank you for reading and reviewing!
You are welcome. Julie Jo’s book is a great resource. Lots of places I now need to venture to after reading her travel guide.
Great review! I love Minnesota!
Thank you, Krista. Glad you enjoyed the review and that you LOVE Minnesota. So do I (except maybe when winter gets too long).
These sound like must have books for me. I’ve been to some of the places you mentioned: walked through Ken’s art in Vining, climbed Pequot Lakes fire tower, and visited the Hjemkost Center. There’re many more things I’d love to see and do in this state.
You’re braver than me to climb that fire tower. Even Randy couldn’t make it to the top. I don’t like heights so I didn’t even try. Have you been to Bean Hole Days in Pequot Lakes? It’s a must-attend event. The Stave church at the Hjemkost Center was especially architecturally interesting. There’s so much to see and do right here in Minnesota and Julie Jo does a good job of sharing 100 places and experiences in her travel guidebook.
I chuckled when I got to the things you won’t do. That mine at Soudan? I went down there as a kid, with my parents!
And I bet you loved the mine. No way would I enter that mine.
Sounds like a great guide.
It really is and there’s a whole series published by Reedy Press.