Minnesota
Where the art and culture kept impressing us.
Saint Paul · Minneapolis · Duluth · Silver Bay · Grand Marais
The Journey
Minnesota unexpectedly became one of my favorite states.
We started out in Minneapolis, where we visited some of the city’s iconic landmarks. At the Mall of America, the girls had a fantastic time at Nickelodeon Universe. We then visited the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and were mesmerized by the art. The Spoonbridge and Cherry definitely took the cake.
In Saint Paul, we visited the State Capitol, continuing our journey through every capital in America. The beautiful white marble building and enormous dome were impressively beautiful.
From there, we made our way north to historic Duluth, which later became one of my favorite American cities. It was filled with character and culture. We got ourselves a big mug of coffee at Duluth Grill, spent time in the little boutique shops, visited the Spice and Tea Exchange and stocked up on some of our favorites. Art seemed to be everywhere.
Even our hotel became part of the experience. Our room was inside a former warehouse building converted into beautiful loft style spaces. It felt chic, creative, and very Duluth. And, of course, we visited the famous Aerial Lift Bridge.
Then we made our way up the North Shore, which I would rank as one of our best days traveling anywhere in America.
We visited the magnificent Split Rock Lighthouse, sitting dramatically on the edge of the cliffs overlooking Lake Superior, and took some beautiful family photos. At Iona’s Beach, we sat for hours listening to the water wash over the pink stone pebbles. The sound of those stones moving back and forth with every wave was magical.
We also visited the Black Beach near Silver Bay, which the girls particularly loved, and stopped at some of the beautiful waterfalls along the way.
The North Shore of Minnesota is simply a must for anyone who loves an American road trip.
Minnesota is not defined only by its cities. The lakes, forests, open roads, art, and enormous northern landscape are everywhere. They do not call it the Land of 10,000 Lakes for nothing.
Jewish Minnesota
Our Jewish Minnesota journey took us from the Twin Cities all the way north to Duluth.
In Saint Paul, we visited Mount Zion Temple, founded in 1856 and the oldest Jewish congregation in Minnesota. We also enjoyed some great kosher food and got a glimpse of the established Jewish life that exists throughout Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Duluth gave us a very different Jewish experience.
We visited the site of the former Adas Israel Synagogue, which was tragically destroyed by fire in 2019. Standing there, knowing that generations of Jews had prayed on that spot, we stopped and said a prayer.
We also visited the Jewish cemetery on Howard Gnesen Road. It was not in the best condition when we were there, and seeing the old graves surrounded by the quiet northern Minnesota landscape was moving in its own way.
That became Jewish Minnesota for me. A thriving community in the Twin Cities, and farther north, traces of smaller Jewish communities that once built synagogues, cemeteries, and lives along the shores of Lake Superior.
What Stayed With Me
What stayed with me about Minnesota was just how much character it had.
From the art and energy of Minneapolis, to the creativity of Duluth, to the magnificent nature of the North Shore, everywhere we went seemed to offer something different.
The art was vibrant. The towns had personality. The forests and lakes were beautiful. And that day driving along Lake Superior, stopping at beaches, waterfalls, cliffs, and the lighthouse, remains one of my favorite days of our entire journey.
Minnesota surprised me. It is definitely a state we hope to come back to.
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