Wandermore in Minnesota: Exploring the Land of 10,000 Lakes

Seth Varner is not your average road-tripper. He’s made it his mission to explore every incorporated city across multiple Midwestern states including Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Seth is now turning his lens toward Minnesota. With the same curiosity and dedication, he’s visiting every incorporated city in the state to spotlight their unique stories, landmarks, and local flavor. Whether it’s a bustling urban center or a quiet town with a population in the single digits, each place has something worth discovering.

Grand Marais

Cook County’s lone municipality, Grand Marais, on the shores of Lake Superior, has long been treasured by Minnesotans as one of the most beautiful and unique cities in the state. For millennia, the natural twin harbors of the site were called “Gitchi-Bitobig” (now Artist’s Point) by the Indigenous. French Canadian Voyageurs and fur traders arrived in the 1700s. They called their discovery “Grand Marais,” meaning “great marsh,” referencing a twenty-acre marsh that has long since disappeared. Small bays and rock outcroppings came together to offer a naturally protected safe harbor, thus the reason a town was established here in the first place.

Despite losing some of its buildings in an April 13, 2020 fire, Grand Marais has retained its status as one of Minnesota’s finest tourist areas with its restaurants, activities, resorts, natural beauty, and access to numerous State Parks. The Gunflint Trail starts in Grand Marais and leads into the largely unpopulated stretches of northwest Cook County known as the Boundary Waters region.

There’s about a million places where one can stay when visiting Grand Marais, but the one that caught my eye was the Best Western Plus Superior Inn. Since I had Eliese with me, I knew it would be worth checking out! Between the welcoming robes on our bed, the cozy fireplace, and the balcony view overlooking Lake Superior, I’m not sure if we could’ve felt any more spoiled at any other lodging spot in the area. The bar’s got drinks from local breweries, and the breakfast was fantastic. I’m not a scones guy but they were the BEST! If we’re ever back in the North Shore again for leisure, I know where we’re gonna stay again!

Bemidji

The largest city of industry between Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Duluth, Minnesota (a distance of about 246 miles as the crow flies) also serves as a central haven for members of the Red Lake, White Earth, and Leech Lake Indian Reservations. Its unique name was derived from the Ojibwe’s “bemijigamaag,” meaning a “lake with crossing waters.” The Mississippi River connects to Lake Bemidji near modern-day Brinkman Park.

Like other communities in this part of Minnesota, Bemidji’s primary industry (following the decline of the fur trade) was logging.

As the Great Depression era approached and many other area logging communities switched to agriculture, Bemidji’s townspeople doubled down on their primary industry, providing much-needed materials for the New Deal projects of the Civilian Conservation Corps. During this era, one of Minnesota’s most iconic landmarks, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, was built in 1937 by Cyril M. Dickinson and Jim Payton to welcome tourists to a winter carnival. The 18-foot-tall Bunyan and 23-foot-long Blue statues were reported to be the “second most photographed statues in the United States” by the Kodak Company, behind only Mount Rushmore. They were added to the National Register of Historic Places in March 1988 and are the most unique amongst Bemidji’s seven NRHP-designated locations.

Lake Bemidji State Park was established in 1923 to preserve a spruce-tamarack bog and provide ample opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, swimming, boating, camping, biking, fishing, and winter sports. Several other recreational areas, parks, and forests, like the Big Bog State Recreation Area, Itasca State Park, and Chippewa National Forest, are located near Bemidji and over 400 lakes within a 25-mile radius of the city.

After posing for a picture with Paul & Babe, exploring the State Park, and perusing the shops of downtown Bemidji, I had a marvelous stay with Best Western Bemidji! I got some work done poolside and then enjoyed some much-needed shuteye before hitting the road again the next morning bright and early at 5am. These guys won’t kick you out quite THAT early, but they’re a great option for a good night’s rest if you’re in the area!

Alexandria

With its notoriety of being the host site of the famous Kensington Runestone, the City of Alexandria has dubbed itself as the “Birthplace of America.” A twenty-eight-foot-tall Viking named Big Ole (created in 1965 for the New York City World’s Fair) stands guard over the Douglas County seat and welcomes visitors to the resort town and its surrounding forty-two named lakes.

At the Kensington Runestone Museum, tourists can admire the museum’s namesake runestone discovered in 1898 by Olof Ohman and other strange artifacts like Spotty, the taxidermized fox terrier, who waits for his 1970s owners to return. Ohman, a Swedish immigrant, brought much excitement to the area in 1898 when he claimed he had found a 202-pound greywacke stone covered with a series of ancient Nordic runes. While clearing land, he is said to have stumbled across the stone between the roots of a poplar tree, which he called an “Indian almanac.” Extensive scientific research has been conducted on the stone, which was labeled as a hoax due to issues regarding the lack of weathering of the stone in a five-hundred-year period and the absence of linguistic and grammatical similarities to the Old Swedish language and alphabet. Hoax or not, the stone has become synonymous with Alexandria and the nearby hamlet of Kensington, thus its name, the Kensington Runestone. The actual stone is displayed in the aforementioned museum. An 18-ton replica runestone was erected east of downtown on August 12, 1951.

For those interested in maritime history, the Legacy of the Lakes Museum has many rare examples of wooden boats, exhibits on Lake Superior shipwrecks, and more.

Thank you so much to my friends at Best Western Alexandria Inn for hosting my visit to Alex! After a long day of “wandering more,” it was so nice to kick back in a comfortable bed and enjoy some poolside and hot tub time. I know where I’ll be staying again if I’m ever back in the “Birthplace of America!”

Albert Lea

Albert Lea rewards visitors who take the time to look beyond the highway, offering a blend of outdoor recreation, downtown character, and local landmarks that invite exploration. Time spent in town naturally stretches between nearby parks, distinctive sites like the Itasca Rock Garden, and familiar local favorites downtown, creating a well-rounded experience that feels easy and unhurried. Best Western Plus Albert Lea I-90/I-35 Hotel supports that discovery with a comfortable stay and friendly service that makes settling in feel effortless, turning a simple visit into a more complete and enjoyable experience.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis offers a dynamic urban experience shaped by creativity, culture, and a strong sense of place, inviting visitors to spend time exploring its downtown streets and neighboring St. Paul. The city’s identity, rooted in music, art, and innovation comes through in its walkable core and layered neighborhoods, where discovery feels organic rather than curated. Staying at Best Western Plus The Normandy Inn & Suites places you right in the middle of it all, pairing a central location with a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that reflects the city’s character. Cozy fireplaces, historic charm, and a meal at Normandy Kitchen & Bar make the hotel feel like part of the Minneapolis experience itself, offering a warm, distinctive retreat after full days immersed in the city.

St. Cloud

St. Cloud carries the energy of a true river city, where the Mississippi River shapes both the landscape and the pace of everyday life downtown. As a regional hub, the city feels active and approachable, with a steady flow of visitors, students, and locals giving it a lived-in vibrancy rather than a tourist veneer. Best Western Plus Kelly Inn sits prominently in the heart of that activity, offering river views and a central location that makes it easy to step into the city. Time here naturally blends city exploration with simple pleasures, quiet moments by the pool, casual meals next door, and the comfort of staying somewhere that feels connected to the rhythm of St. Cloud rather than separate from it.

Blaine

Blaine is defined by energy and movement, known for its strong connection to sports and large-scale events that bring visitors from near and far. The presence of the National Sports Center shapes the experience here, creating a destination that feels active and purpose-driven, especially during tournaments and competitions. Best Western Plus Blaine at the National Sports Center is uniquely suited to that environment, offering amenities like an on-site arcade and spacious accommodations that cater naturally to teams, families, and event travelers. Staying here feels seamlessly tied to what draws people to Blaine in the first place, convenient, engaging, and built around shared experiences.

Bloomington

Bloomington delivers a high-energy, experience-driven visit centered around the Mall of America, where shopping, dining, and entertainment come together on a scale found nowhere else in the region. The city’s identity is closely tied to this destination, creating days that naturally fill with exploration, discovery, and entertainment all in one place. Staying in Bloomington keeps you close to the action, making it easy to enjoy everything the Mall of America offers while still having a comfortable place to unwind at the end of the day. The Best Western Bloomington Edina supports that experience with a convenient, familiar stay that complements a visit designed around maximizing time and ease.

Rochester

Rochester delivers a city experience that feels both purposeful and welcoming, shaped by its role as a regional center and its walkable downtown energy. Time here naturally revolves around exploring the city core, where history, architecture, and everyday activity create a sense of momentum without feeling overwhelming. Staying at Best Western Rochester Hotel (Mayo Clinic Area) places you close to downtown, making it easy to come and go while experiencing the city at your own pace. Highlights of the stay include standout amenities like a pool with a large waterslide and a staff that genuinely engages with guests, adding warmth and personality to a visit that feels active, comfortable, and well supported.

Ready to wander more?

Follow more of Seth’s travels across Minnesota on Facebook at Wandermore In Minnesota.

Whether you’re drawn to historic downtowns, scenic landscape escapes, or quirky roadside attractions, Minnesota has something waiting for you. Discover the charm for yourself at bestwesternminnesota.com.  Your next great getaway might be just a few miles away.