Hey there, fellow travelers! Today we’re posting from Duluth, Minnesota. We love to help travelers prepare for their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to do, we love to share the things that will shock you upon arriving in a new destination. Today we’re sharing the twelve shocks for travelers who visit Minnesota.
#1 Natural Beauty in Minnesota
Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, and it’s so easy to get back to nature when you visit Minnesota. From the shores of Lake Superior to the Northwoods, and even the city parks in Minneapolis, you are always surrounded by natural beauty in Minnesota.
#2 Friendly People in Minnesota
This is a stereotype that happens to be true; there are so many friendly people in Minnesota. It’s so easy to strike up a conversation, or ask for help or directions. In fact, the locals will probably strike up a conversation with you first. Even if it’s just to apologize when you bump into them!
Read: Ten Things that Will Shock You When Visiting the USA
#3 Minnesotans Love Minnesota
People of Minnesota love their state, and you’ll see that everywhere you go. They love to show their school pride or their state pride with team sweatshirts and stickers, etc. There’s a rumor that Minnesotans love their state so much that they never leave. Every little town has a sports bar, and you can always catch the Vikings game while you’re passing through.
#4 Minnesota is Clean
Minnesota is shockingly clean; the streets are spotless and pristine. We have not seen any trash in the streets of Duluth, and even the Port-A-Potties are clean! That state pride really shows in the way that people take care of their surroundings.
#5 Safety in Minnesota
Crime levels in Minnesota are way lower than other places and it’s a very safe place to visit. Of course, there are areas in Minneapolis to avoid, but in general it’s a very safe state in terms of crime. I’m more worried about running into a bear than a pickpocket. People look out for each other, too.
#6 Driving in Minnesota
When you are driving in Minnesota, you will notice that people are always hauling something, whether it’s a boat, ATV’s, snowmobiles or a camper. You don’t see a lot of semi trucks in Minnesota, but everyone seems to be hauling some kind of recreational equipment.
#7 Traffic Lights on Highway Ramps
Another shock of driving in Minnesota is that in the Twin Cities area, you’ll see stoplights to get on to the highways. These are called ramp meters, and they keep the flow of cars entering the highway at a steady pace, but they can be confusing the first time you see them. Each green light lets one car enter the freeway.
#8 Winter in Minnesota
Summer and fall in Minnesota is beautiful, but winter in Minnesota is an entirely different experience. Minneapolis can get up to 55 inches of snow per year, and Duluth can get over 80 inches of snow in a year! Minnesota is great at dealing with the snow, though. It’s cleaned up quickly, and many cities have a skywalk system that allows you to travel around downtown without going outdoors.
#9 Liquor Laws in Minnesota
They have some restrictive liquor laws in Minnesota, and you can’t buy alcohol at the store on Sunday. So, you have to plan ahead if you want to drink on Sunday, and make sure you hit the store on Saturday. Or, if you’re close to the border, make a run to Wisconsin for booze.
#10 The Minnesota Accent
The Minnesota accent is alive and well, and you’ll hear it everywhere you go. It gets stronger the further north you go as well.
We hope these ten tips help you prepare to visit Minnesota, and lessen the shocks you have upon arrival. Have you been to Minnesota? We’d love to hear what shocked you; just leave a comment below! For more Wolters World travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: