50 Interesting & Fun Facts About Minnesota State to Know

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If you were asked to create a list of facts about Minnesota state, how many do you think you could come up with? More than 20? Less? Minnesota is a gem of a state in the Midwest, but most people don't know much about it.

Whether you're a native of the state or are planning a visit here for the first time, there are hundreds of facts that are well worth learning about. Keep reading for 50 interesting and fun facts about Minnesota state that you probably don't know!

50 Minnesota State Facts

Minnesota Fun Facts

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It was the 32nd state

You can't start any list of interesting facts about Minnesota without mentioning that it was the 32nd state in the Union. May 11, 1858 marks the day this great state earned its star on the United States flag.

People have been living in Minnesota long before that, though. However, the state's cold temperatures and large stretches of land slowed immigration until the second half of the 19th century.

Minnesota is where the Mississippi River starts

The mighty Mississippi River is one of the longest in the country. It served as the border between the USA and the western territories before the Louisiana Purchase. However, some people forget that the river begins in Minnesota. The Mississippi's path starts as a run-off from Lake Itasca in the state's north.

It's also called the "The Land of 10,000 Lakes"

The official Minnesota state nickname you'll find on license plates and tourist information might surprise you. Minnesota is also called the "Land of 10,000 Lakes."

That number isn't exact; it's just to show that there are a lot of water bodies in the territory. The actual number of registered lakes in the state is almost 12,000.

Bob Dylan was born in Minnesota

Bob Dylan's music has inspired generations of people. His work has been so impactful that he was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature. Bob Dylan called much of the USA home, but his original hometown can be found in Minnesota. He was born in Duluth in May of 1941.

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The state is home of the Mall of America

One of the most fun facts for Minnesota travelers is that it's the home of the Mall of America. Since it opened in 1992, it's remained the largest mall in the US.

The mall has over 500 stores, a plethora of restaurants, and other activities. It may not be the main reason why people visit Minneapolis, but it's undoubtedly one of the city's most popular attractions.

Scotch tape was invented in Minnesota

It's hard to believe there was a time before Scotch tape. The clear adhesive has become an essential part of daily life. In 1930, 3M's engineer Richard Drew used cellophane to create the first prototype of Scotch Transparent Tape. The invention underwent minor modifications over the years, but it mainly remained similar to Drew's original version.

You can host events at the Wabasha Street Caves

St. Paul is home to one of the most unique event halls in the nation. The Wabasha Street Caves are built into the limestone caves within the city's limits.

The caves used to be a hot spot for gangsters in the early 20th century. Today, you can regularly host events in the caves for up to 200 guests.

It's also known as the "Gopher State"

Minnesota isn't just known for its lakes. It's also unofficially called the "Gopher State." The nickname goes back to a political cartoon from 1858. The drawing featured gophers with the heads of local legislators pulling a cart on a railroad track. It satirized politicians who agreed to lend money to wealthy railroad moguls to help them pay for building new railroads.

There's one recreational boat for every six residents

Since Minnesota has thousands of lakes, it's no surprise it's a popular place for recreational boating. It might be in the Midwest, but it has more boats than many coastal states. In Minnesota, there's one boat for every six residents, ranking the state as first in the country based on the number of recreational watercraft per capita.

Minnesota contains part of the Red River Valley

If you're on the hunt for cool Minnesota facts, you should look into the Red River Valley. The valley gets its name from the red hue of the Earth in the area.

However, the truly impressive part of the valley is its size. It stretches over 40 thousand square miles and covers territory in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Canada.

Another nickname for Minnesota is the "North Star State"

Minnesota has no shortage of nicknames. It's also known as the "North Star State." It's been a moniker since the late 1800s when it first joined the Union. The nickname is obvious when you look at a map. Minnesota is one of the northernmost states in the country.

Washington is further north now, but Minnesota was the furthest north in the country's western territory when it was made a state. But the nickname's true origin is from the state motto, "L'Étoile du Nord, " French for "The Star of the North."

Lake Superior reaches the state

Lake Superior is the world's largest freshwater lake when it comes to surface area. Also, as the largest of the USA's Great Lakes, it's naturally bordered by multiple states. Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota all have borders on the lake. Even Canada reaches this body of water.

The state motto is "L'Étoile du Nord"

If you ever see the official seal, you'll likely run into the Minnesota state motto. One of the most fun facts about Minnesota is that the motto isn't in Latin like many other states. "L'Étoile du Nord" means "Star of the North", and it's been the Minnesota motto since 1861. It's the only state motto to be written in the French language.

Sauk Centre was home to a Nobel Prize winner

Sauk Centre is an often underrated Minnesota city. However, though many people today don't even know the city exists, it's still made major contributions to American culture.

Sauk Centre was the birthplace of Sinclair Lewis, the first American to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. Lewis used his town and experiences growing up in Sauk Centre as inspiration for the book that gained him international recognition.

The name Minnesota was derived from a Dakota Sioux word

The name "Minnesota" comes from a Dakota Sioux word, "Mnisota," which means "cloudy water" or "sky-tinted water." It refers to the Minnesota River, and the state was named after this river.

Interesting Facts About Minnesota

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Minnesota ranks near the top for the highest life expectancy at birth

According to the National Vital Statistics Reports 2020 report, Minnesota came in third for the highest life expectancy at birth with an average of 79.1 years. Spot number one was given to Hawaii at 80.7 years, followed by Washington at 79.2 years.

The Minnesota State Fair is the second-largest in the US

Every summer, you can find hundreds of fairs around the USA. Typically, the largest fairs are state fairs. While each state fair is impressive, Minnesota gets the honor of being the second largest in the country after the Texas State Fair, which has more total visitors. The Minnesota State Fair gets almost 2 million visitors each year.

It was the Minnesota Territory for nearly 10 years

Before becoming a state in 1858, Minnesota was a Union territory. Ownership of Minnesota was transferred to the US in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. However, it wasn't officially deemed an official federal territory until 1849.

The Minnesota River is almost 12,000 years old

The Minnesota River may not be as well known as some of the country's other rivers, but it's an important Mississippi tributary. According to archaeological studies, it's one of the oldest bodies of water in the states.

The Minnesota River's portion of the Mississippi is 12,000 years old. During that time, native tribes likely began to settle in the territory due to the consistent and reliable water supply.

First Avenue is one of the oldest venues in the US

Minnesota is home to First Avenue, one of the oldest independently owned entertainment and music venues in the United States. The building originally served as a Northland-Greyhound Bus Depot.

When the bus depot was relocated in 1968, the place was transformed into a rock club that served alcohol. First Avenue has seen its fair share of music legends, including Ike & Tina Turner, Prince, U2, and The Fugees.

The Palmer House Hotel was the first with electricity in Sauk Centre

The Palmer House Hotel is an important landmark in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Built in 1901, it was considered a modern hotel by historical standards. Since the hotel was popular among traveling salespeople who came to the area, it needed to innovate to keep attracting guests. That's why it was the first building in the city to have electricity in the early 1900s.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a remote forest

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is a massive and remote section of the Superior National Forest. The area stretches over one million acres along the state's Canadian border. Due to its rich forest and protected status, it's home to one of Minnesota's most important wildlife specimens, the wolf.

Minneapolis isn't the capital

Many people flock to Minneapolis to get a glimpse of the Minnesota State Capitol. Though Minneapolis is one of the biggest cities in the state, it's not the capital.

That honor would go to its neighbor St. Paul. The decision was a logistic one. To keep all the state's major institutions from being concentrated in one place, the capitol was built in St. Paul, and the state university was built in Minneapolis.

Don't mix up the Twin Cities

Although Saint Paul (also spelled St. Paul) and Minneapolis are two major cities that share a metropolitan area, Minnesotans hate it when you confuse the cities. The cities got their shared identity because they share major institutions due to their close proximity to each other, hence the "Twin Cities" identity.

Minnesota state parks go back centuries

Minnesota has the second-oldest state park system in the country. Minnesota's state park system dates back to the 1800s. Itasca Park was the first to be established as a state park in 1891. Today, Minnesota has 66 state parks. An average of 9,857,793 visitors head to these parks each year.

Scary Facts About Minnesota

Joseph Forepaugh's restaurant is haunted

Joseph Forepaugh's restaurant is now an upscale French restaurant with a little twist. It's supposedly one of the most haunted places in Saint Paul! Apparently, the building is haunted by the founder's (Forepaugh) mistress after she died on the premises. Some people even say he roams the restaurant's halls since he passed away in the forest nearby.

The Mounds Theatre has ghost tours

The Mounds Theatre used to be the entertainment hub in Minnesota's capital. It was once one of the state's most popular silent movie cinemas. Today, the theatre has reopened for live entertainment.

It regularly hosts shows for all ages but also hosts ghost tours. The theatre's history has drawn the attention of paranormal investigation shows that have been filmed on the premises.

Minnesota was the site of the country's largest mass execution

The Dakota War marked a definitive shift in the United States' sovereignty over the Native American tribes that inhabited the country. After a long and bloody war, the Sioux uprising was quelled.

Unfortunately, to deter further wars, the US made an example of some of the warriors who were taken prisoner. In December of 1862, 38 Sioux men were hanged in the country's largest mass execution.

It's full of haunted places

Minnesota has been the site of many important historic events. It was where the Dakota War took place. It is home to a legendary music venue, famous hotels and mansions, and other historical sites.

Places with that much history tend to promote the spread of ghost stories. Minnesota is full of haunted places. However, many of them are found in St. Paul and Minneapolis, with some spread all over the state.

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There's a haunted brewery

Did you know you can find a haunted brewery in Minnesota's capital? Schmidt Brewery was once a booming factory that was then converted into lofts.

The Schmidt family had a colorful history full of involvement with crime, which would already be enough to cause rumors of ghosts to swirl around the building. However, workers had a habit of dying in strange and unusual ways when it was still an active factory.

Minnesota History Facts

Historic Fort Snelling is known for creating US sovereignty in the region

Fort Snelling, founded in 1819, is a historic Minnesota landmark that was crucial to U.S. westward expansion. Initially a military outpost, it evolved into a Civil War training ground and World War II internment camp. This site was pivotal in shaping Minnesota's history and beyond, serving as a nexus for trade, military operations, and cultural interactions.

French explorer Daniel Greysolon settled Duluth

Daniel Greysolon was a French explorer and trader and one of the first Europeans to visit Minnesota. While he didn't explore the entire Minnesota territory, he is known for thoroughly exploring the Duluth area.

The city actually gets its name from the explorer. Greysolon's full name was Daniel Greysolon, Sieur du Lhut. He is also known for exploring other areas of the upper Midwest, particularly parts of Wisconsin.

Minnesota was the site of the Dakota War

Just a few years after it was granted statehood, Minnesota was the site of one of the worst conflicts between US settlers and Native American tribes. The Dakota War, also known as the Sioux Uprising, broke out in 1862.

The war broke out as Sioux tribes resisted further restrictions on their freedom as settlers encroached on their land. Unfortunately, the US victory led to a rapid decline in the native population.

Pierre Esprit Radisson was one of the first Europeans to travel to Minnesota

In the 1600s, not many settlers made it all the way to Minnesota. That began to change after 1659 with Pierre Esprit Radisson's exploration of the Lake Superior area .

Radisson's explorations were prompted by his fur trading in an attempt to expand his market. Though his voyage to modern-day Minnesota was selfish and economic in nature, it helped make the state what it is today.

The flag dates back to the 1890s

It took 35 years after Minnesota's statehood before its flag was created. In 1893, the state government approved the first design of what would become the Minnesota state flag . The flag has undergone some modifications through the years, but the basic symbolism remains.

The flag has the state's seal and its motto in the center of a blue background. The flag incorporates blue to represent the state's lakes, and the stars symbolize the states of the US, with the largest one signifying Minnesota.

Cool Facts About Minnesota

The common loon is the Minnesota state bird

Minnesota might not have a state mammal, but it does have a state bird. The common loon has been a Minnesota symbol since 1961. However, if you ask Minnesotans what the state bird is, you'll likely hear a more unofficial answer. Locals joke that the state bird should be the mosquito. Since there are so many lakes, you'll find many of these types of insects flying around.

It's one of the best states for education

Minnesota might not be home to any famous Ivy League schools, but it's still one of the best states for education. It ranks 6th in the country for its public school system.

According to statistics, the state had a high school graduation rate of nearly 85% in 2021. It also has one of the largest universities in the Midwest, which accepts hundreds of new students every year.

The red pine is the Minnesota state tree

If you look at a list of Minnesota state symbols, you'll notice that it doesn't just have a designated state flower but also a state tree. The red pine has had that title since 1953.

Though the tree is also called the Norway pine, it's native to North America. These trees can reach impressive heights of almost 150 feet. Their population is also on the rise all over the country.

No water flows into the state

Since Minnesota is known for its lakes, you might be surprised to learn that no water flows into the state from other parts of the US. Typically, water flows downstream. Since Minnesota is a northern border state, it's upstream of every US river.

Of course, with as many lakes as there are in the state, some water may flow in from Canada. However, much more water generally flows out of Minnesota than in.

The Minnesota state flower was picked in 1923

Minnesota has a unique state flower. The showy lady's slipper is a striking white and pink orchid that is native to the state.

The flower is just 1 of the 43 types of orchids that grow in the Land of 10,000 lakes. It was declared a state symbol in 1902 and has been under state protection since 1925.

Random Facts About Minnesota

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Minnesota is one of the healthiest states

Often, when people think of Minnesota, they think of cold weather and expect people who live there to stay inside all the time. However, that's not the case! Minnesotans are generally quite active. The state ranks 30th as far as obesity is concerned, and its other health statistics are even better! Overall, it's a pretty healthy state.

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It has the world's largest continuous network of elevated "skyways"

If you were unaware, skyways are elevated footbridges that connect different buildings. They get their name from the fact that you don't have to walk on the ground to get from one place to another.

Minneapolis has so many skyways it's formed a network. You can walk 80 blocks, or 9.5 miles, in the city's downtown area without using the street below.

Eagle Mountain is the highest point in Minnesota

A list of fun Minnesota facts needs to include Eagle Mountain. At 2,301 feet of elevation, it's the highest natural point in the state. While the name might be impressive, don't let it fool you. Eagle Mountain is more of a big hill in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of the Superior National Forest.

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It has the largest indoor theme park in the USA

You now know that the Mall of America is huge, but did you also know it's big enough to hold an amusement park? Not only that, but it has the largest indoor amusement park in the country.

Currently themed as a Nickelodeon park, the Mall of America has seven acres of indoor space for rides, games, and other activities. It has so much space that the theme park is divided into two amusement areas!

Minnesota has the world's largest pelican

Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, may not be the most commonly known city in the state, but it has something nowhere else does. It's the home of the world's largest pelican.

The pelican isn't alive; it's a sculpture named Pelican Pete that you can find in the city's downtown area. It stands over 15 feet tall and has been affectionately dubbed the "Mother of All Pelicans."

Crazy Facts About Minnesota

Some items don't have sales tax

Sales tax is a normal part of everyday life all over the world. Minnesota has some exemptions to this particular tax. You don't have to pay sales tax if you buy grocery items, general clothing items, or medication. These items are considered necessary, and state law removed taxes to help ensure people who need them can afford them.

Mystery Cave is the longest in the state

Mystery Cave is the focal point of the Mystery Cave State Park, which opened in 1973. The cave itself was discovered almost 40 years earlier, in 1937. The cave is the longest in the state, stretching more than 13 miles underground.

Several tours take visitors through different areas of the underground passages. Some of the features of the Mystery Cave include fossils and underground pools.

It has some of the oldest rocks in the world

Would you have guessed that some of the Earth's oldest rocks can be found in Minnesota? Granite Falls is home to the oldest known rock in the world. The gneiss rock is also part of the landscape, though it's protected now and dates back 3.6 billion years.

The Metrodome has held multiple big sports events

The Metrodome is Minneapolis' largest sports stadium. Unlike many stadiums, it was built to serve multiple types of sporting events. It was the location for Super Bowl XXVI and numerous baseball, basketball, and other football games. Thanks to its large capacity, it's also regularly used for concerts and other significant events.

It has a large wolf population

An interesting fact about Minnesota is that it has one of the largest wolf populations in the country. As of 2019, the state has an estimated 2,700 wild wolves.

In much of the continental US, wolves were driven to near-extinction. Thanks to Minnesota's remote wilderness and proximity to Canada, they were able to survive in the state. Today, there are also various sanctuaries to promote their population.

In Summary

Minnesota has something for everyone. From historical and cultural facts to spooky attractions, there's a fact about this great state that will make you want to plan a trip to it as soon as possible.

Even if you think it'll be a while before you make it to Minnesota, you can put your new knowledge to good use. Impress your family and friends with all the trivia you've just learned about the land of 10,000 lakes!

This article was edited by Henry Grahame.

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