5 Minnesota Landmarks Worth a Stop

The North Shore

Split Rock Lighthouse

For a stop with a sweeping view, head to Split Rock Lighthouse on Lake Superior’s North Shore. The lighthouse, cliff, and lake make a striking combination, with viewpoints available at the historic site and along the neighboring state park’s shoreline.

Make this a slower visit. Explore the historic site if you enjoy Minnesota history, or build in time for the surrounding trails. Bring layers: the Minnesota Historical Society notes that North Shore weather can be cool and unpredictable, even in summer.

Find it: 3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Road, north of Two Harbors.

Before you go: Check MNHS visitor information for current hours, admission, and parking details. Historic-site admission and state-park vehicle permits are different things; confirm what your planned visit requires.

Minneapolis

Spoonbridge and Cherry

A spoon and a cherry become something entirely different when they are large enough to anchor a city’s sculpture garden. Created by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Spoonbridge and Cherry is the familiar centerpiece of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

Take the classic photograph, then keep walking. The surrounding artworks make the garden a destination of its own, especially if you want an outing that combines fresh air with art.

Find it: Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, beside the Walker Art Center.

Before you go: The garden is free to enter and does not require tickets. Check the Walker’s garden guide for current hours and visitor information. A visit to the Walker’s indoor galleries is separate.

Blue Earth

The Jolly Green Giant

Blue Earth’s Jolly Green Giant brings a familiar grocery-store character into the landscape. Erected in 1979, the statue honors the importance of agriculture and industry to Faribault County and the community’s connection to Green Giant.

This is a good candidate for a photo break when your travels take you through southern Minnesota. Our photo suggestion: include a person in the frame so the Giant’s scale comes through.

Find it: Blue Earth in south-central Minnesota, near the junction of Interstate 90 and Highway 169.

Before you go: Use the Blue Earth Area Chamber of Commerce visitor website to plan your stop and check local visitor-center information. A photo stop and an indoor museum visit may have different schedules.

Darwin

Darwin’s Ball of Twine

Darwin’s famous ball of twine is a monument to persistence. Francis A. Johnson created the enormous ball himself, and it is celebrated as the world’s largest ball of twine made by one person. That last detail matters: other places have large twine balls too, but Darwin’s story centers on a single maker.

The ball sits in a protective enclosure with viewing panels. A nearby volunteer-run museum adds context about the creation and the town.

Find it: Downtown Darwin, west of the Twin Cities.

Before you go: Explore Minnesota’s visitor listing says the ball is displayed year-round, while museum access depends on volunteer availability or an appointment. Contact the museum ahead if going inside is important to your visit.

Hopkins

The World’s Largest Raspberry

Hopkins’ giant raspberry puts the area’s berry-growing heritage on a much bigger stage. The berry itself measures 11 feet tall and 10 feet wide, suspended from a 22-foot steel vine. It was unveiled in July 2017 and has become a distinctive downtown photo stop.

You can see the outdoor sculpture for free. After your photograph, head toward Mainstreet and make the stop part of a downtown walk, a coffee break, or a meal.

Find it: The east side of 8th Avenue North, just north of Mainstreet in Hopkins.

Before you go: Our World’s Largest Raspberry visitor guide covers directions, public parking, photo ideas, and nearby things to do.

Pick the stops that fit your trip.

Rather than a single driving route, think of these as four regional outings:

• Twin Cities: Pair Minneapolis’ Spoonbridge and Cherry with the raspberry in Hopkins.
• North Shore: Build Split Rock Lighthouse into your Lake Superior plans.
• Southern Minnesota: Add the Jolly Green Giant when you are traveling through Blue Earth.
• West of the Twin Cities: Make Darwin’s Ball of Twine a separate detour.

Check your route, current opening information, and the weather before leaving. Decide whether you want a quick photograph or a longer visit, then leave enough time for the places around the landmark, too.