Apart from Alaska, Minnesota is the northernmost state in the country. Situated in the upper Midwest, it borders Lake Superior, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Canada. Providing that you don't mind wrapping up warmly, you can beat the spring and summer crowds by visiting the state in March.
Just minutes from Duluth, Spirit Mountain is an ideal vacation spot for winter sports enthusiasts with its 22 downhill runs, all with views of Lake Superior, the largest Terrain Park in the Midwest and more than 13 miles of cross-country ski trails. Thrill seekers will also enjoy the Timber Twister, an alpine coaster that allows singles or pairs to hurtle along a 3,200 foot track, through forests and down the mountain at speeds of up to 26 miles an hour. Many Duluth hotels and motels, such as the A.G. Thompson Bed and Breakfast, the AmericInn and Beacon Pointe Resort offer ski packages which include transportation to Spirit Mountain, as well as lift passes.
Shopping and entertainment lovers will not be able to resist a stay at Mall of America, the nation's largest fully-enclosed retail and entertainment complex. Along with more than 520 shops, the mall contains Nickelodeon Universe, Underwater Adventures Aquarium, A.C.E.S. flight simulators, Moose Mountain Adventure Golf, movie theaters, Amazing Mirror Maze, NASCAR Silicon Motor Speedway and a comedy club. After a busy day of shopping and fun, you can enjoy dinner at one of the 60 restaurants. The romantically inclined can even marry in the Chapel of Love. You do not even have to leave at the end of the day, and can stay at the mall's Ramada Hotel. With everything indoors, you can enjoy a fun vacation, regardless of what the weather is doing outside.
Voyageurs National Park is five hours north of Minneapolis-St. Paul and three hours north of Duluth, and enjoys the strange phenomenon of only being accessible to cars in winter, due to the seven-mile long Rainy Lake Ice Road, which becomes a lake in spring through fall. Visitors can borrow snow shoes free of charge and rent cross-country skis and also take advantage of skiing lessons, ice-fishing clinics and talks and presentations on the park's nature and environment. In March, the park is open Wednesday through Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The nearest city to the park is International Falls which is 10 miles away and has plenty of accommodation options.
Not all of the Mississippi River in southeast Minnesota is frozen throughout the winter, and a trip to Wabasha will delight naturalists since the unfrozen waters attract bald eagles that winter in the area and feed from the river. They are so prolific that the National Eagle Center was established to research and preserve these majestic birds. Wabasha is a quaint river town, and March is a prime time to visit to the shore. The center puts on special events throughout the month featuring naturalists, artists and musicians. While in the area, don't miss the chance to drive an hour south to Austin, or as it calls itself "SPAM Town USA." Open daily, the SPAM Museum provides visitors with a fun and interesting insight into this famed canned meat; admission is free.
