local places for minnesotans (and minnesota fans)

places to get gifts this year

Every great adventure deserves a souvenir — and Minnesota is stocked full of treasures that represent the state and the makers within it.

STOCK UP AT THE BEST GIFT SHOPS IN THE TWIN CITIES >>

ENJOY THESE MINNESOTA-MADE ITEMS FOR KIDS >>

SHOP MALL OF AMERICA STORES BASED ON THEIR PERSONALITY >>

LOCAL STORE SHOUT OUTS

• Snag unique giftables at this Willmar store >>
  
  

• Bring the family together through this New London store's childhood classics >>
  
  

• Move toward a better world with this Minneapolis artist's designs >>
  
  

• Find Mexican gifts and jewelry at this Minneapolis location >>
  
  

• Chow down on nostalgic candies and enjoy model trains at this station in Two Harbors >>

places to start your morning

THE BEST PART OF WAKING UP

FIND A NICE CUPPA IN MPLS-STP >>

ENJOY YOUR JOE IN GREATER MN >>

REVEL IN THE BEST BREAKFASTS IN THE TWIN CITIES >>

SELECT YOUR SWEET AT THESE TOP METRO BAKERIES >>

DONUT MISS THESE DELICIOUS DONUT SHOPS >>

LOCAL STORE SHOUT OUTS

• Sip and shop and learn in Askov >>
  
  

• Fuel up and ride sustainably in St. Paul >>
  
  

• Bite into seasonal greatness and grab a gift or two in Minneapolis >>
  
  

• Take a coffee & tea tour of the world in Marshall >>
  
  

• Feed the family with high-quality Halal foods & sweets >>
  
  

places to get your munch on

ICONIC MINNESOTAN FOODS

though the term “minnesota spicy” is thrown around for some residents’ inability to handle the heat, we more than make up for it with a wealth of other flavors.

LEARN WHERE TO TRY 'EM >>

places to complete your look today

If it's time to update your wardrobe, we've rounded up everything from small sustainable brands to big-time luxury to second-hand stores packed with charm.

FIND YOUR STYLE AT THE BEST BOUTIQUES IN THE METRO >>

SCORE GREAT FINDS AT THESE TOP VINTAGE STORES >>

LOCAL STORE SHOUT OUTS

• Get permanent accessories at this unique Stillwater store >>
  
  

• Look good and feel good at this Willmar boutique >>
  
  

• Enjoy trendy women's XS to 6X clothing in this adorable New London store >>
  
  

• Get styled at this western chic boutique in New London >>
  
  

• Rep Minnesota gear and gifts at this Bemidji shop >>

places to cheers at this evening

WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME

Whether you’re hiking the North Country Trail near Walker or savoring a kolacky in Montgomery, you can find a standout place to enjoy your bevvie of choice.

ENJOY A BREW AT THESE TOP GREATER MINNESOTA BREWERIES >>

DRINK UP AT THE BEST BREWERIES IN THE METRO >>

CLINK WITH WINE FROM THE VINE AT THESE WINERIES >>

GET YOUR MIXOLOGIST ON AT OUR FAVORITE DISTILLERIES >>

PICK APPLES FOR THE KIDS & SNAG CIDER FOR THE ADULTS AT THESE APPLE ORCHARDS >>

BELLY UP TO THE BEST COCKTAIL BARS IN THE TWIN CITIES >>

SATISFY YOUR SOBER(CURIOUS) LIFESTYLE IN MINNESOTA'S THRIVING NA SCENE >>

places to eat at this weekend

MINNESOTA IS SO MUCH MORE THAN HOTDISH

native american food

Chefs, caterers, and producers work seasonally — from fish and wild vegetables to fresh maple syrup.

ENJOY THE BEST PLACES FOR NATIVE AMERICAN FOOD >>

african food

These mainstays bring savory goodness for all to enjoy — from egusi and fufu to deeply flavorful doro wat.

CHECK OUT THESE TOP SPOTS FOR AFRICAN FOOD >>

asian food

Discover everything from the deeply regional delicacies of China to the rarely seen recipes of the Hmong diaspora.

DIG IN AT THESE GREAT ASIAN RESTAURANTS >>

south asian food

Don't let these dishes from Nepal to Pakistan be overshadowed — the curries and momos are worth it.

EXPERIENCE DELICIOUS SOUTH ASIAN CUISINE >>

middle eastern food

Dig into these noteworthy plates — from shawarma and kebabs to flatbreads and bagels.

FIND THE TOP SPOTS FOR MIDDLE EASTERN FOOD >>

latin american food

Take your pick from earthy, arepa-slinging Venezuelan fare to Cuban sandwiches to Argentine steakhouses.

CHECK OUT THESE LATIN AMERICAN DINING EXPERIENCES >>

mexican food

Dine at top-flight taquerias and other Mexican restaurants — enjoying everything from Dorilocos to paletas to tacos al pastor, lengua, asada or cabeza.

ENJOY THE BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANTS IN MINNESOTA >>

places that help you chill at night

Now that keeping things cozy isn’t a trend so much as a state of mind, Minnesota would like to stake our claim as the headquarters of all things hygge.

FIND YOUR NEXT READ AT THESE BOOKSTORES IN THE TWIN CITIES >>

SCORE SOME GREAT VINYL AT MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL'S TOP RECORD STORES >>

RELAX WITH MINNESOTA-MADE FURNITURE AND DECOR >>

LOCAL STORE SHOUT OUTS

• Embrace your 90s CD craze at this Marshall store >>
  
  

• Pamper yourself and relieve stress this all natural product shop in Marshall >>
  
  

• Discover a captivating read from local authors in Bemidji >>
  
  

• Engulf yourself in plants a plenty with help from this nursery in Tracy >>

Remember that independent businesses may be operating differently than usual (hours, entrances, etc.). Please be mindful, respectful and kind.  

_

from top to bottom: The Cabana Club in Minneapolis, photo by Matt Lien  |  Soundwoven Goods in Minneapolis, photo by B Schneider  |  SNL Coffee Commercial gif  |  Tandem Vintage in Minneapolis, photo by Paul Vincent  |  How I Met Your Mother gif  |  Gatherings Cafe in Minneapolis, photo by Gatherings Cafe  |  Dilla in Minneapolis, photo by Dilla   |  Gai Noi in Minneapolis, photo by Gai Noi  |  Afghan Darbar in Bloomington, photo by Afghan Darbar  |  Caspian Bistro in Minneapolis, photo by Caspian Bistro  |  Xelas by El Sazon in Stillwater, photo by Xelas by El Sazon  |  El Burrito Mercado in St. Paul, photo by El Burrito Mercado  |  Irreverent Bookworm in Minneapolis, photo by B Schneider

YOUR TEN MUST-DO THINGS THIS WINTER IN MINNESOTA >>

enjoy this email?

121 7th Pl E #360, St. Paul, MN 55101

A big thank you to our partners for supporting the Explore Minnesota newsletters. While sponsorship doesn’t sway what we publish, it plays a vital role in maintaining our operations. Interested in advertising with us? Let’s chat >>

You're receiving this newsletter because you signed up for emails from Explore Minnesota. Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.