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We come to Minnesota just about every summer from Texas. We always figure out a way to make it to Nelson Bros for breakfast and to pick up their baked goods. I had the spinach Alfredo omelet... EGGcellent!

It’s a great place to eat!! Loved it! Went back again on the way home!

The staff and the food are more than great. You will not find a better place to enjoy good company and food. Don’t even get me started on the selection in the bakery department.

Went last night for the pasta bar it was phenomenal lots of fun great service!

“Koo-pon” or “Kyoo-pon”, no matter how you say it, there are savings in store for you!

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Minnesota Bucket List | 13 Absolute Best Things To Do There!

This post may contain affiliate links, view our disclosure policy .

If you’re looking to explore the U.S. state of Minnesota, our Minnesota Bucket List will guide you to the top 13 absolute best things to do here!

With water being the primary draw to this upper Midwest state, Minnesota is aptly known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” though it actually has 11,842 lakes (Wow!) .

Having been born and raised in Minnesota, and now currently raising my own family here, the experiences mentioned here are near and dear to my heart and have helped shape who I am as a person today.

This perfectly crafted Minnesota Bucket List is divided by activities found in the Northern and Southern halves of the state in order to best guide you in your travels.

Though there are so many more amazing places and attractions to visit in Minnesota, here is a look at 13 hand-picked gems!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link.   For more info, see disclosure.

Table of Contents

Minnesota Bucket List: Northern Minnesota

Northern Minnesota is characterized by wild beauty, panoramic lake views, scenic rivers, and dramatic woodlands – as well as pleasant summers and frigidly cold winters!

The essence and splendor of Northern Minnesota’s rugged landscapes and glistening freshwater lakes are any outdoor enthusiast’s dream.

Fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and canoeing are king in summer, spring, and fall.

Winters consist of ice hockey, ice skating, ice fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

Here are the Minnesota bucket-list-worthy experiences and attractions found in the Northernmost half of the state of Minnesota.

1. Discover Voyageur’s National Park

One of the best places to visit in Minnesota that tops our Minnesota bucket list is Voyageur’s National Park !

This solely water-based National Park is so different than its more popular counterparts (Yellowstone, Arches, Acadia, etc.) in that you absolutely must get out of your car to experience it. 

You see, Voyageurs consists of 500 islands, 655 miles of shoreline, and more than 200,000 acres of land and water, most of which are only accessible by boat.

Popular summer activities here include front and back-country camping, walleye fishing, hiking, and boating.

Winter activities in Voyageurs National Park include snowmobiling, ice fishing, winter camping, and cross-country skiing.

Voyageur’s National Park lodging options include anything from rustic resorts and cabins to distinguished hotels , gigantic houseboats, or secluded campsites.

2. Explore the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Accessible primarily by canoe, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) in Northern Minnesota is one of America’s most beautiful and remote adventures making it a Minnesota bucket list highlight!

BWCA is a backpacker’s paradise in that it is home to over 2,000 lakes connected by rivers and portages that are only accessible to paddlers.

In fact, one of the hardest things about planning your first  Boundary Waters trip is deciding where to go within the vast preserve’s 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 11 hiking trails, and approximately 2,000 designated campsites.

While there, Up North experiences include paddling, portaging, and cooking over an open fire.

Likewise, visitors can expect to spot moose, black bears, loons, and bald eagles, as well as experience the Superior National Forest.

Keep in mind that outfitters in getaway towns such as Ely, Crane Lake, Grand Marias, and Tofte, Minnesota can provide able guides and supplies to orchestrate your trip and help fulfill your camping checklist .

3. Visit Duluth & Canal Park

Visiting the Northeast port city of Duluth, MN is another one of the absolute best things to do in Minnesota!

Duluth sits on the north shore of Lake Superior, which is the largest of the 4 Great Lakes of North America.

Its lakeshore location offers a nautical vibe complete with plenty of activities for those seeing outdoor lakeside leisure.

Considered one of the “Best Outdoor Cities in America,” and “The Craft Beer Capital of Minnesota”, the perfect Duluth itinerary consists of experiences and attractions that appeal to a wide variety of ages and interests.

As an active port city, our favorite activity in Duluth is watching ships from around the world transporting grain, coal, and iron ore into Duluth’s harbor via the canal.

Other free things to do in Duluth include exploring Duluth’s world-famous Canal Park, the Lighthouse Pier, Lakefront Trail, and Duluth’s Aerial Life Bridge.

For these reasons and more, Duluth’s Great Lake attractions are Minnesota Bucket List must-dos!

We love visiting our home state of Minnesota so much, that we’ve written several other guides to help you plan a trip there!

• Complete 3-Day Duluth, MN Itinerary
• A Complete List of Duluth, MN Attractions
• Minnesota Wineries: 15 Must-Try Locations!
• The Best Zoos in Minnesota for Fun Animal Encounters
• The Best Indoor Waterparks in Minnesota!

4. Travel the North Shore Scenic Drive

The North Shore Scenic Drive is a 154-mile scenic “All American Roadway” that extends from Duluth to Two Harbors, MN (on Co. Rd. 61), and from Two Harbors to Grand Portage, MN (on Hwy. 61).

What makes the North Shore Scenic Driver so special is that it includes 7 state parks, as well as breathtaking views of Lake Superior and its surrounding cliffs, forests, and waterfalls.

The must-see stops on the Minnesota North Shore include Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse, Palisade Head, and Tettegouche State Park.

The quaint towns and lakeside villages on the North Shore provide picturesque views of the pine trees, rock formations, and lakeside beauty.

In addition, be sure to discover the unforgettable things to do in Grand Marais , as this is a town that will leave a lasting impression on your heart!

The North Shore Scenic Drive is a family getaway that you simply won’t forget.

Additional planning tip: Heading up the North Shore in the winter? Be sure to stop and experience the best skiing in Minnesota at Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort located in Lutsen, MN.

*Read about our best family road trip tips in order to cruise this American roadways with ease.

5. Spend a Summer Vacation in the Brainerd Lakes Area

The Brainerd Lakes Area offers a small-town Minnesota charm set alongside the most popular lakes and resorts in Minnesota.

Located just 125 miles north of Minneapolis/St. Paul, there are dozens of things to do in Brainerd, along with its rivers and lakes that offer wildlife and recreational fun.

The Gull Lake and Whitefish chain of lakes are bustling with dining and lodging options whereas the Crow Wing or Pine Rivers offers a slower pace and more natural landscapes.

Favorite Brainerd Lakes Region resorts include Grand View Lodge, Breezy Point Resort, and Madden’s on Gull Lake.

This area is also home to a few of Minnesota’s best indoor waterparks which is definitely a draw here for families with kids!

With deluxe accommodations, watersports, kids’ activities, golf & spa options, and specialty dining experiences, add a summer vacation to the Brainder Lakes Area to your Minnesota bucket list!

Minnesota Bucket List: Southern Minnesota

Southern Minnesota is home to dozens of charming small towns with historic main streets, as well as the big cities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Rochester, Minnesota.

In addition, most of the state’s cultural centers and historic architecture can be found throughout Southern Minnesota, along with wooded bluffs and winding rivers and streams.

And finally, you’ll find our favorite Minnesota zoos , and several Minnesota wineries that you absolutely don’t want to miss if you’re looking for the best things to do in Minnesota!

Here are the Minnesota bucket-list-worthy experiences and attractions found in the Southern half of the state of Minnesota.

6. Visit the Minnesota State Capitol

The free or self-guided tours offered at the Minnesota State Capitol building in St. Paul, MN are a definite ‘must’ on any Minnesota bucket list.

The Capitol recently underwent a 3-year, $310 million restoration project which brought the already stunning building back to life.

Among its most impressive features are the golden horses on the exterior of the building that can be seen from even miles away (referred to as the quadriga).

While inside, visitors have a chance to see the legislature in action in the restored House and Senate chambers via the public gallery that is located on the third floor.

Other favorite activities here include admiring the gigantic first-floor rotunda and paintings of scenes from Minnesota’s involvement in the Civil War that can be found in the Governor’s Reception Room.

Guided tours lasting 45 minutes leave at the top of each hour from the Capitol Information and Tour Center.

7. Spend a Day at the Mall of America

Your Minnesota bucket list should most definitely include spending a day or more at Bloomington, Minnesota’s  Mall of America , the largest shopping mall in the United States.

Boasting over 40 million visitors a year, you can literally spend an entire weekend here taking it all in!

Not only is Mall of America the nation’s largest retail shopping center, but it is also a mecca of dining, entertainment, and dozens of family-friendly attractions .

For families with children, the crown jewel of the Mall of America is the indoor Nickelodeon Universe theme park found in the center of the mall!

With classic theme-park rides such as rollercoasters, the Log Chute, a Ferris Wheel, and bumper cars, Nickelodeon Universe tops the list of the best things to do in Minnesota with kids!

If visiting the Mall of America ends up on your bucket list, perhaps you’d like to stay there too?

Featuring both luxury and convenience, the  Radisson Blu  and  JW Marriott Minneapolis  are attached to the mall itself. With direct access to the Mall of America, you never have to step foot outside during your visit.

*While there, be sure to experience the other top things to do in Bloomington, MN found here!

8. Stay at Great Wolf Lodge

Located adjacent to the Mall of America is another Minnesota bucket-list favorite, Great Wolf Lodge .

With over 19 locations (and counting!) in the U.S. and Canada, the Great Wolf Lodge resort brand has become a family favorite of many!

What started as a small indoor water park hotel in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Great Wolf Lodge now features a line of family resorts each complete with a water park, restaurants, arcades, spas, and children’s activities.

Part of Great Wolf’s appeal is that it offers a weatherproof getaway where visitors can swim and wear bathing suits regardless of the time of year. For this reason, this resort is hugely popular as a destination during the cold Minnesota winters.

We love Great Wolf Lodge for its rustic-themed rooms and family-friendly atmosphere.

*Read our entire review of Bloomington’s Great Wolf Lodge here!

9. Visit Minnehaha Regional Park

Overlooking the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Regional Park is one of Minneapolis Minnesota’s oldest and most popular parks – an ultimate bucket list idea for sure!

It attracts over 850,000 visitors annually.

A visit to Minnehaha Falls Regional Park , which is home to the enormous Minnehaha Falls, is a must-do recommendation on our Minnesota bucket list.

The 53-foot-tall majestic Minnehaha Falls is one of the greatest urban waterfalls in the United States.

The park also features scenic river overlooks and limestone bluffs.

Be prepared to stand in awestruck wonder at the beautiful Minnehaha Falls located in the middle of Minnesota’s biggest industrial city!

Minnehaha Park is located at the intersection of Hiawatha Avenue and Minnehaha Parkway in a 193-acre wooded setting. 

Additional planning tip: Make it a point to visit the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and see the famous Spoon Bridge and Cherry sculpture that is a convenient 6 miles from Minnehaha Falls!

10. Cheer On the Home Team

Minneapolis, Minnesota happens to be home to four professional sports teams and associated sports complexes that draw enormous crowds during their prospective seasons.

The Minnesota home teams include:

• MLB’s Minnesota Twins at Target Field
• NFL’s Minnesota Vikings at the U.S. Bank Stadium
• NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Lynx at the Target Center
• NHL’s Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center

In the winter, hockey is king in Minnesota.

Attending a Minnesota Wild hockey game is by far one of the best things to do in Minneapolis !

The Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN becomes a haven to over 18,000  Minnesota Wild  spectators each and every time the puck is dropped on home ice.

Not a current fan?

There is no doubt that the activities, enthusiasm, and exciting atmosphere at Xcel Energy will get you into the game.

Likewise, there is literally not a bad seat in the house.

You will always feel at the heart of the action when attending a game here!

12. Visit Rochester and the Mayo Clinic

The historic and world-famous Mayo Clinic is located in Rochester, Minnesota, which is 75 miles south of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Rochester has long been rated as one of the best places to live in the United States by multiple publications such as  Money Magazine .

This is due in part to the presence of its world-class medical facility, Mayo Clinic.

On August 21st, 1883,  The Great Tornado  demolished much of Rochester and there was no medical facility in the immediate area at the time.

Local doctors Will and Charlie Mayo worked together to care for the wounded as well as pioneered several lifesaving medical techniques.

The Mayo practice grew tremendously and is now one of the largest and most well-respected medical facilities in the world.

Many notable people from around the world, including several former U.S. Presidents, have visited Rochester as patients of the Mayo Clinic. International patients include King Hussein of Jordan.

Along with multiple other memorable things to do in Rochester, MN , visiting or admiring the grounds of the Mayo Clinic is one of them!

Mayo Clinic offers free guided art, audio, and historical tours for patients and their guests while they are at Mayo.

The general public can tour Mayowood, Assissi Heights, the Plummer House, and W.W Mayo House, all of which are important landmarks in the history of the Mayo Clinic.

11. Visit Forestville and Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

Forestville and Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park is located in Preston, MN which is located 37 miles south of Rochester, MN.

Historic Forestville is a restored 1800s village operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. They offer guided tours that allow visitors to connect with historical figures and experience what life was like at the turn of the 20th century.

Tours begin at the Forestville visitor center and travel through the garden, kitchen, Meighen family house and offices, and general store filled with original 19th-century artifacts and merchandise.

Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park  surrounds Historic Forestville. This park features tours of Mystery Cave, tent and camper cabin camping, horseback riding and a horse camp, hiking trails, and trout fishing.

As Minnesota’s longest and most popular cave, Mystery Cave tours are complete with views of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, beautiful underground pools, and a maze of interconnecting passages.

Parks naturalists lead your tour through various portions of the cave and explain its history, its features, and how it was formed. Modern lighting and walkways enhance accessible tours.

Due to its uniqueness, beauty, and overall appeal, we have included Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park on this Minnesota Bucket List! Plus, who knew that Minnesota has caves?

13. Wheel through Winona

Another one of the best places to visit in Minnesota is the city of Winona!

Located in Southeast Minnesota, Winona is nestled in the scenic bluff country located along the Mississippi River.

Known for its picturesque vistas, multiple parks, and historic sites, the city is highlighted by an extraordinary history.

Winona’s downtown features 11 monumental blocks devoted to its architectural distinction from stone and stained glass masterpieces to remarkable basilica structures.

Some of the best things to do Winona are driving, hiking, or biking to the top of Gavin Heights overlook, walking or biking around Lake Park, and hiking on the trails up the front side of Sugar Loaf bluff.

If you happen to be in the area, I also recommend visiting Wabasha, MN which is located 30 miles north of Winona.

Wabasha is a beautiful lakside community on the Mississippi River and is home to the world-famous National Eagle Center.

This concludes our Minnesota Bucket List! What is one place from this list that you are intrigued to visit? Jen

Before leaving, be sure to check our  Travel Resources Page  to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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12 Comments

I didn’t know there was so much to do in Minnesota! Everything looks so fun and Minnesota isn’t far from me at all.

It is a fantastic state to explore! I hope that you’re able to do some of the things on this list 🙂

I grew up in Minnesota and return annually to visit family. There were some new-to-me things on this list that I’ll have to give a try. I’ve gone camping at BWCS a few times and that’s REAL camping!

You’re so right! BWCA is backwoods camping at its finest! So cool to find out that you grew up in Minnesota!!

Split Rock is on my list of places to visit! Minnehaha Falls too! I visited Forestville when I was little and want to go back! Great post!

We love Split Rock too! One of these days I’d like to drive the entire North Shore with our kids. There are so many amazing things to see up there!

We are hoping to go to Voyageurs this summer. We love National Parks and since we also live in the Midwest, Voyageurs is high on our wishlist.

That’s awesome! Look into renting a houseboat if you can! It is an experience like no other!

I’ve actually never been to Minnesota (even though I grew up in the Midwest – Iowa). All of these are certainly reminding how much I’m missing out on exploring a new state. I’ll add these to my list!

Where did you grow up in Iowa? My husband is from Sioux Center, IA and went to college in Sioux City, IA 🙂

One of my best friend lives in Minneapolis, so I Have been to Minnesota several times. They. have a family cabin up in Mille Laccs (not sure if that is spelled right) I bet some of these outdoor venues would be a good escape during our current social distancing. MN is such a huge state, so diverse. I should write a post about my state (NY) because we have alot of stuff to do and such different areas!

Yes! I never thoughts it’d be so fun to write about my home state, being that ‘traveling’ usually finds up leaving the state. Reflecting back however, we have done a loved so much here! I’d love to hear about your home state!!

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“ This is the perfect travel stop to welcome folks into MN. ” in 2 reviews

“ Has fast food options, a sit down restaurant, caribou coffee , and lots of fun shopping items to look at. ” in 2 reviews

“ We were on a road trip to the Twin Cities from Kansas City and stopping here was exactly what we needed along the way. ” in 2 reviews

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820 Happy Trails Ln

Albert Lea, MN 56007

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This is the perfect travel stop to welcome folks into MN. It's this gigantic log cabin, very Minnesotan. It's huge, clean and has a couple of restaurants- McDonald's, Taco Bell and Caribou. The convenient store is awesome, they have a really good selection of snacks, gifts and really nice quality food items. There is an EV charging station.

As far as travel centers go this one is top notch. We were on a road trip to the Twin Cities from Kansas City and stopping here was exactly what we needed along the way. First of all it's massive. There are tons of spots to gas up so both times we stopped here (on the way out and on the return) we easily found a pump for our car. Once you fuel up and head indoors you will find a super open and clean convenience store full of just about anything you'd want from toys for the kids, to sparkling water, to a light snack. Aside from the cleanliness and the decent restrooms I really loved that they had a Caribou Coffee right in the center of this place. There is something about being able to get a decent cup of coffee that doesn't come out of a can or a stale carafe, while in a gas station that I still find a bit novel. I got an iced coffee which was delicious and kept me awake for the rest of our journey. Honestly, this was the best stop we had both ways so if you're making this journey I can't recommend this stop more.

We stop here often on our way home from a south road trip. This place has EVERYTHING. Local cheese and meats, gift items, clothes, hot lunch, slushees, donuts, you name it. Of course they have public restrooms which are clean and large. They also have a pub/restaurant and Caribou. Everything you could want is here. Great rest stop.

Stopped for gas and lunch. Bathrooms were clean and a bunch of cool local snacks available . Ended up grabbing local farm cheese for my wife and she loved all of them. Moose Out

This is a favorite stop when we are traveling. The location is good for us and they have everything you need. Fuel, food, snack, restaurants, gift shop... you name it. With a bit of a Viking theme. If you get anything off the fast food grill area I recommend you try one of their pulled pork sandwiches.

There's too much Jesus. All they play is Jesus music. Go to the Loves across the street. They play country but it's better than Jesus rock.

Love this travel center! It is Viking themed! Loved the mural! And it is CLEAN. It has a Caribou Coffee and clean restrooms... plenty of convenience foods and also FUDGE! I would stop here again.

Great stop except they need more signage to direct towing vehicles for RV parking. The inside store is great! Lots of variety with different franchises and a really diverse food selection in the store. Clean restrooms and placea to eat inside and outside.

Let us prepay for gas even when the gas pumps have been off for a half hour. Now "don't know" about a refund for the gas I'm not getting.

We stop at Trail's Travel Center every time we road trip to visit my family. Great travel stop. Has fast food options, a sit down restaurant, caribou coffee, and lots of fun shopping items to look at. The tile work in the rest stop is done really well too! It looks so nice!!

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This is one of the best stops I make everytime I head south down 35 to Iowa. They have an overwhelming variety of gift items, Caribou Coffee in store, McDonalds and Taco Bell. The service at the McDonalds this visit was very good and all... the travel center employees we encountered were so very nice. More

There is no place like this for smoked meats. It’s always such a highlight for us. This time they served turkey. And as always, it was most tasty and super moist. Also really enjoy their cornbread. Pleasant staff. They just need to add cranberry sauce... on the buffet when they have turkey! I always feel cheated somehow when it’s missing :) More

The store has most anything a traveler would need. Of course, all the snacks that you could want but also some unique stuff such as Nick's meats. We stop by when we're in the area to stock up.There are also books on tape and movies... and other souvenir type stuff that you can buy. I have to give the restaurant a break. It looks like it would have really good comfort foot when it is running normally. I just appreciated that they were open and the food was hot. More

I called ahead and reserved a parking spot for the night. Upon arrival I found that the reserved parking spaces were not marked well and none were available. I wasted $18 and had to go on down the road. Petro app showed that they had... 11 spaces when I reserved and said that 10 were available when I got there and I was n ot able to find any parking at all. More

Needed a ittle help finding supplies for a camping trip last Friday. Both Connor and Kevin wete at the desk took the time tohelp me out, went out of their way to make sure I found everything I needed. Its large store withots to choose... from. Thanks guys. I will be back. Joe More

Great place to stop for snacks, gas, quick meal. Bathrooms are very clean. Stopped for gas &bathroom break. They have a large gift area with great selection of clothing, jewelry, home decor, & many other items. Nice quality. Off to one side, they have a... fast food area - Taco Bell, McDonalds, & one other franchise. I had the Mexican Pizza and it was excellent. One of the best I’ve had. On the right side they have anice restaurant which I can’t rate, but nice visually. In the center they had a great selection of food on the go items. I will definitely stop here again during my travels. Exceptionally clean in all areas. More

A great place to stop when traveling on I-35 south of the Twin Cities. Several options for food and a nice gift shop. If you’re lucky you may even find the gates of hell in the back of the facility close to the restroom.

Considering all the Covid changes, this place is still amazing. Their meats are just as delicious as always! They were serving brisket the day we were there. Nothing like it. The chef is absolutely wonderful and very courteous. We come back every chance we get.... Like all other buffets now, you order & they load. It works just fine. More

This place has done well after adjusting for Covid. Obviously they closed their sitdown restaurant due to Covid. They have adjusted and it is a great place to get gas and has so many activities your family can stretch their legs on a long trip.... Really nice. More

First time at this stop and what a pleasant surprise. Clean, friendly, great selection, music is right on and the flag! Refreshing to walk into a company that isn't afraid to outwardly show its beliefs and stand strong in doing so. Bravo!

We visited the truck stop today as a family to send our daughter and granddaughter off back home to Boston. We have always had a great breakfast there before they became a Petro. The service was prompt and friendly but to our surprise the food... was awful tasting. My husband and I ordered a breakfast omelet and they were cold and tasted like plastic and the food was cold. We were so disappointed as we have always had a great tasting breakfast from the truck stop when dining there. The portions were small for the pricing on some of what we ordered today too . I at this point would not go back again or recommend it to others. We have eaten breakfast at many places so we know good from bad. Truck stops should have great food, this one didn't today! More

Clean, friendly staff, great selection. One of my favorite travel centers in MN And, they have a Caribou Coffee ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

The bad joke they have for a restaurant now is terrible. Everything is on paper plates and Styrofoam cups. For the most part it's a cafeteria. A bad one. So much for a nice friendly stop after a long day.

Neat place that has does have something for everyone. A few fast food options plus a sit down restaurant & bar. This place is a cross between a specialty & gift shop, convenience store and automotive parts store. If you're looking for a place to... fuel up, clean bathrooms, get some food and maybe pick up a gift for your host-this is the place. More

I have found it safer to leave without taking time for breakfast and then stop an hour or two down the road. By then I am ready for a break and feeling good about being out an on the road. There is one place that... I always plan to stop whenever we head south and that is Trails Travel Center (Petro fuel) on HWY 35 just after you pass the Interstate 90 turnoff. Then I like to treat myself to a sit-down breakfast at the Iron Skillet Restaurant. They have a buffet, but I prefer to order from the menu. Lots of choices and it is good truck stop food. It is both a truck stop and travel center and if you forgot something, you probably will find it there. They also have fast food, but I have never tried any of them. There is also Skol Tavern, if this is the end of your day. I have only been there for breakfast, but many times. More

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Minnesotans traveling to see monday's solar eclipse hope to catch 'cosmic dance'.

Thaddeus LaCoursiere has a backup plan for the clouds.

Like many Minnesotans chasing the solar eclipse, LaCoursiere, 35, of St. Paul will make a last-minute decision this weekend based on the cloud cover whether to drive hours across the country to Vermont or trek to Texas — all to catch up to four minutes of a total eclipse on Monday.

"Fingers crossed, it clears up wherever we end up," he said. "It's a chance just to see something you've never ever been able to see before, and may never see again in your lifetime. The moon, we're so familiar with, covers up the sun ... seeing this cosmic dance there in the sky and them meeting up is awe-inspiring."

Many Minnesotans are embarking on road trips to chase "totality" — when the moon completely blocks out the sun. In the Twin Cities, a partial eclipse will be visible , with about three-quarters of the sun obscured by the moon.

Like storm chasers or festival goers, they're monitoring weather forecasts, packing picnics and have booked up hotels or campgrounds months in advance for the big event, a phenomena last seen in the U.S. in 2017 and won't be visible again in the Lower 48 states until 2044.

The "path of totality" spans 13 states from Texas to Maine, according to NASA. Totality is the only part of the eclipse that can be viewed with the naked eye instead of with protective glasses. Of course, no sighting is guaranteed; clouds rolled into the Twin Cities during the eclipse in 2017 .

Larry OIson, 62, of Chisago City, hopes to increase his chances by making a last-minute decision which direction to head for clear skies. Four months ago, he booked four different camping reservations from Texas to Ohio to have the flexibility to go east or south, depending on the weather.

If all goes as planned, the retired Medtronic electrical engineer and a friend will be sitting at a campsite Monday under clear skies with his telescope and four cameras set up to capture the eerie show as the skies turn dark in daytime.

"It's more of an adventure," he said of the eclipse road trip. "The fact you can see stars in the middle of the day to me is just an amazing thing to see."

After trekking to a Nebraska park for the 2017 eclipse and getting held up in traffic jams, Olson added an extra day or two on this year's road trip. The solar eclipse in 2017 got a lot of hype, drumming up more eclipse fans, Olson said, so he's expecting bigger crowds this year.

An estimated 5 million people are expected to be traveling the path of totality, according to the Federal Highway Administration — at least the same number if not more than in 2017, snarling roadways across the country.

Tom Taintor, 62, of Apple Valley is doing his own experiment with his family, releasing a 5-foot-wide weather balloon equipped with three tiny, light cameras to capture the eclipse some 80,000 feet up in the air. When the balloon bursts, the equipment will descend with a parachute — and with GPS so it can be recouped.

The software engineer and his son did the same thing in Missouri in 2017 and have practiced with a weather balloon in Iowa fields since then.

"It's like you're looking at outer space," Taintor said of the photos.

He, his wife, their three adult sons and friends will send up a balloon on Monday either from Missouri or Illinois, depending on the weather.

He was transfixed by the experience of witnessing the total eclipse in 2017, marveling at how the sky darkened in daytime, the air suddenly chilled, birds silenced and nighttime bugs started chirping.

"Afterward, you just sit there slack-jawed, trying to take it all in. It's a little addictive," Taintor said. "It was just a life-changing experience. I'd seen partial eclipses before but total eclipses are a totally different thing."

"A partial eclipse is like a cool sunset. A total eclipse is like someone broke the sky," he said quoting from a webcomic called xkcd . "It's just so unusual."

According to NASA , the 2024 eclipse path will pass over more cities and densely populated areas than in 2017 because the path of totality will be wider than in 2017 with the moon closer to Earth this time. The length of totality will also last longer; in 2017, the longest period of totality was less than 3 minutes, but this year it will last more than 4 minutes in parts of Mexico and the U.S., according to NASA.

Plus, the sun is in or near "solar maximum," a cycle every 11 years or so when the sun has more solar activity, NASA explained — something that also increases the chance for vivid northern lights this year. During the eclipse, when the moon completely covers the sun, showing the star's outer atmosphere called the corona, viewers may see more streamers, like loops coming off the sun compared to 2017.

If you miss Monday's solar show, you'll have to travel farther in 2026 when a total eclipse will be viewable in Greenland, Iceland, Russia, Portugal and Spain. Taintor is already eyeing a trip to Spain to see the spectacle.

The next total eclipse in the U.S. will be in 2033 in Alaska while the Lower 48 states won't get a chance for a total eclipse until 2044. The Twin Cities isn't slated to see a total solar eclipse until 2099.

Jill Smook, 58, of Apple Valley stayed home in 2017 for the partial eclipse, dismissing the need to travel for a total eclipse. But when she heard from friends who saw it, she regretted not leaving the state.

Six months ago, she and her husband booked an Airbnb and a flight to Texas before prices skyrocketed. They're meeting friends and packing a picnic; they'll be ready to be stranded in traffic as they drive outside Austin to track down a spot where totality will last almost four minutes.

"It's almost like disaster preparedness in some ways," she said of stocking up on food and water.

They've got their solar glasses and bright color outfits planned for the " Purkinje effect, " which happens when the sky darkens and eyes become more sensitive to certain hues. If clouds roll in and spoil the show, at least they will have a warm weather destination to explore, she said.

It's not just the hunt for the total eclipse, Smook said, but taking part in a collective experience, sharing something special with millions of strangers — all who can say they witnessed the sensation.

"We don't get a lot of that any more," Smook said.

LaCoursiere, who is the planetarium production coordinator at Bell Museum in St. Paul, referred to the eclipse is a "big FOMO moment." The fear of missing out likely will motivate many people to view it. In 2017, he witnessed it in St. Louis, oohing and aahing along with thousands of people. Seven years later, it's an "amazing cosmic coincidence," he said, that the eclipse, usually only seen over oceans, is viewable in the U.S. again.

"We all just want to see something we may never see again," he said. "It's elusive and almost once-in-a-lifetime."

Kelly Smith  covers nonprofits/philanthropy for the Star Tribune and is based in Minneapolis. Since 2010, she’s covered Greater Minnesota on the state/region team, Hennepin County government, west metro suburban government and west metro K-12 education.

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Women's Tennis April 4, 2024

Illini to Host Minnesota, Travel to Wisconsin in First Weekend of April

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. –  Nearly halfway through their 2024 conference schedule, the Fighting Illini will take on a pair of programs in the top half of the Big Ten standings this weekend. Illinois will host Minnesota at Atkins Tennis Center on Friday before hitting the road for a match with Wisconsin on Sunday. The team's dual with the Golden Gophers is set for 3 p.m. CT, while the meeting with the Badgers is slated for 11 a.m. CT.

Minnesota enters the weekend with a 10-7 overall record, including a 3-2 mark in conference play. The Golden Gophers are 3-2 in road matches this season, though they have won two of their three away duals in Big Ten action thus far.

No. 30 Wisconsin is one of two remaining unbeaten teams in league play, holding a 5-0 record against conference opponents and sitting at 14-2 overall. The Badgers have yet to lose on their home courts this season, as Sunday's hosts are 8-0 in matches played in Madison, Wis., in 2024.

No. 32 Illinois is 12-6 on the season, including a 4-1 record in Big Ten play and an 8-1 mark in home matches. 

LAST TIME OUT

Illinois handed Northwestern its first Big Ten loss of the season on Saturday at Atkins Tennis Center. The Wildcats took the doubles point, but a dominant singles performance from the Orange and Blue secured a 5-1 win for the Illini, their fourth consecutive victory over Northwestern.

Kasia Treiber  earned a 6-3, 6-3 win at No. 4 singles to even the match at 1-1 before  Kida Ferrari  secured a 6-3, 2-6, 6-4 decision at No. 5 to put the Illini in front.  Josie Frazier  pushed Illinois' lead to 3-1 with a three-set win at No. 3 singles.

Alice Xu  earned a hard-fought win at No. 6 singles, and  McKenna Schaefbauer  won her tiebreaker just seconds later, bringing the match's final score to 5-1 in the Illini's favor.

ILLINI VS. THE FIELD

Illinois leads the all-time series with Minnesota, 35-18, while the Illini have won each of the last 12 meetings with Golden Gophers. Head coach Evan Clark is 7-0 against Minnesota during his time at Illinois.

Wisconsin has the edge in the all-time series between the programs, as the Illini are 24-27 against the Badgers. Illinois won last season's meeting, 4-3, though Wisconsin had taken the previous four meetings.

ILLINI NOTES

• The Illini now sit at No. 32 with an 12-6 record.
• On Feb. 21,  Kasia Treiber  was tabbed the Big Ten Women's Tennis Player of the Week - the first honor of her career. Treiber posted a 2-0 weekend at No. 3 singles in the Fighting Illini's wins over Brown and Marshall at Atkins Tennis Center. Both were straight-set victories.
• Illinois is off to a 8-1 start when playing at the Atkins Tennis Center this season, while the Illini are 1-2 in their road match this season.
• After an 8-1 start when working together in doubles play, Heuser and Xu made their first appearance in the ITA rankings at No. 35 on March 5.
• Freshman  Alice Xu  registered her first clinch of her collegiate career against Northwestern on March 30, a result that moved her overall singles record to 10-4 in addition to her 6-0 mark in duals.
• Head coach  Evan Clark  is in his ninth year as the head coach of Illinois women's tennis, holds an overall dual record of 126-81 (.609), and is 62-29 (.681) in Big Ten play during his time as an Illini. Including his time as the head coach at UNC-Wilmington, Clark owns a 157-92 record overall.
• The Illini are coming off an 18-10 season with an 8-3 Big Ten record in 2022-23. The Illini's 18 wins tied the sixth-most in a single season in program history. UI earned its 14th appearance to the NCAA Team Tournament in program history. The last time Illinois made the NCAA Tournament as a team was the 2019 campaign. The 2023 appearance marked the third with Clark at the helm.
• Illinois returns six of its eight players from last season, including fifth-year senior  Josie Frazier  and senior  Kate Duong . Additionally,  Megan Heuser ,  Kasia Treiber , and  Kida Ferrari  return for their junior campaigns, and  Violeta Martinez  begins her sophomore dual season. The Illini welcomed South Carolina transfer, but Illinois native,  McKenna Schaefbauer  along with freshmen  Rosie Seccia  and  Alice Xu .

DOUBLES POINTS

Jan. 14 vs. EIU - 2: Ferrari/Martinez, 3: Treiber/Xu Jan. 20 vs. No. 15 Duke - 2: Duong/Frazier, 3: Ferrari/Martinez Feb. 11 vs. Ole Miss - 2: Heuser/Xu, 3: Martinez/Treiber Feb. 18 vs. Marshall - 1: Heuser/Xu, 2: Schaefbauer/Martinez Feb. 23 vs. Tulsa - 1: Heuser/Xu, 2: Schaefbauer/Martinez Feb. 23 vs. Wake Forest - 1: Heuser/Xu, 3: Frazier/Ferrari March 1 vs. Washington - 1: Heuser/Xu, 2: Schaefbauer/Martinez March 15 vs. Maryland - 1: Heuser/ Xu, 3: Schaefbauer/Treiber March 17 vs. Rutgers - 2: Ferrari/Frazier, 3: Schaefbauer/Treiber March 22 at Iowa - 2: Ferrari/Frazier, 3: Schaefbauer/Treiber

Jan. 14 vs. Missouri -  Violeta Martinez  (No. 4 singles) Jan. 14 vs. EIU -  Violeta Martinez  (No. 2 singles) Jan. 19 vs. Charlotte -  Megan Heuser  (No. 1 singles) Jan. 28 vs. No. 23 UCF -  Kasia Treiber  (No. 3 singles) Feb. 11 vs. Ole Miss -  Kasia Treiber  (No. 3 singles) Feb. 17 vs. Brown -  Josie Frazier  (No. 5 singles) Feb. 18 vs. Marshall -  Kasia Treiber  (No. 3 singles) Feb. 23 vs. Tulsa -  Josie Frazier  (No. 5 singles) March 15 vs. Maryland -  Megan Heuser  (No. 1 singles) March 17 vs. Rutgers -  Kasia Treiber  (No. 4 singles) March 24 at Nebraska -  Josie Frazier  (No. 3 singles) March 30 vs. Northwestern - Alice Xu  (No. 6 singles)

RANKING NOTES

Team (1-75)

• 30 – Wisconsin (14-2)
• 32 – Illinois (12-6)

Doubles (1-60)

Singles (1-125)

• No. 78 Maria Sholokhova (Wisconsin)

Illinois will host its final two regular-season home matches of the campaign next weekend. The Illini will take on Indiana on April 12 at 3 p.m. before playing host to Purdue on April 14 at 12 p.m. for Senior Day.

Players Mentioned

Kida Ferrari

Josie Frazier

Megan Heuser

Violeta Martinez

Kasia Treiber

McKenna Schaefbauer

Rosie Seccia

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What's the longest skyway in Minnesota?

Paul Saverinske knows a thing or two about skyways.

Five days a week, he drives a modified golf cart through one of the newest of these flying corridors in Minneapolis, shuttling patients between Abbott Northwestern Hospital and a massive parking garage south of the medical center.

At a length of 823 feet, this bridging skyway that opened last year is nearly the length of three football fields.

But is it the state's longest?

"This has gotta be one of them," Saverinske said.

There's no one source for data on all the skyways in Minnesota. These climate-controlled, elevated walkways — hallmarks of the state's largest cities and many health care campuses — include what are actually two different architectural features. There are those that pass through building interiors, and then there are flashier flyover bridges, which are suspended on pillars and adjacent structures.

The new skyway segment at Abbott Northwestern is a fancy flyover bridge. It's comprised of a permanent section, with end-to-end, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a temporary corridor with views of the worksite where Allina Health is building a new surgery and critical care facility.

"We believe this to be the largest we've built in Minnesota," said Mike Labukas, market executive at Mortenson, a Minneapolis-based builder and developer serving as general contractor.

"The length of this skyway was entirely defined by site conditions and re-routing staff/patient/material deliveries outside the patient tower construction site," Labukas said in an email. "It would likely never become an 'industry standard' to create skyways of this length."

But that doesn't mean it's not without peers in Minnesota.

Star Tribune reporting shows the state has more than a dozen skyway bridges that measure at least 300 feet long. There's a river-spanning segment in Rochester, a transit center freeway overpass in Eagan and a north-south corridor in the heart of St. Paul. While the survey was wide ranging, some candidates may have been overlooked.

Exactly how should you measure a Mayo Clinic structure that stands as the seven-layer dip of skyways, connecting two clinic buildings on seven different levels? We considered the cumulative length of all seven layers for ranking on the list.

In Duluth, a mighty skyway extends from the downtown business district all the way across Interstate 35 to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. While it includes a support structure that once provided stairway access to street level, functionally, we deemed this to be one rather than two conjoined skyways.

Jennifer Yoos, an architecture professor at the University of Minnesota, said she's eager to find out the identity of the state's longest skyway bridge, as she's uncertain of the answer.

In 2016, Yoos published a book detailing how skyways have been a recurrent concept in urban planning and design since the 19th century. They are most remarkable when skyways are part of large networks that create a distinct layer teeming with urban life, she said. Yet the longest segments often function more like spurs.

"I think the long bridges are really fascinating, because they're not so much a part of a network — they're kind of an extension of it," Yoos said. "In some cases, it seems to be more about parking."

Start asking questions about skyways in Minneapolis, and Michael McLaughlin's name quickly surfaces. About 20 years ago, while working for the Downtown Council, McLaughlin was staff administrator for a city-appointed group called the Skyway Advisory Committee, now defunct.

At about 9.5 miles in total length, the city's skyway network is regarded, at least by Wikipedia , as one of the two largest in North America. Calgary's network spans 9.9 miles , although not all segments are contiguous as they are in the Minneapolis. McLaughlin says his data suggests the Minneapolis system actually is bigger, stretching for more than 11 miles.

While acknowledging it's not very Minnesotan of him to say, McLaughlin believes his skywayaccess.com website has the very best map of the Minneapolis skyway system. He uses it in his consulting work with business owners, making sure designated skyway paths are open for crowds walking to large events at Target Center and U.S. Bank stadium.

Complete with GIS coordinates, McLaughlin's map shows 101 distinct skyway bridges in the Minneapolis system. About half of them measure between 50 and 100 feet. One of the shortest stretches just 15 feet between the Lumber Exchange and Midtown Garage.

The longest stretches between the hulking A and B parking ramps at the west edge of downtown, a corridor that measures 705 feet when you include two spurs to Target Center, McLaughlin said.

If you don't include the spurs, the longest bridge in downtown Minneapolis stretches 560 feet across Washington Avenue before passing beneath the overhang at 100 Washington Square and traveling out to a retail building adjacent to Churchill Apartments. This segment is the closest the downtown skyway network gets to the Mississippi River.

"I have walked every segment of the skyway that exists and those that had existed — and even those that are no longer open to the public," McLaughlin said. "Throughout the history of skyways in Minneapolis, building owners have done the math and determined that being connected to the system was more valuable than not being connected."

Considering McLaughlin's data, the Abbott Northwestern skyway is the longest in Minneapolis, but what about statewide?

In Rochester, city officials say their skyway crossing the Zumbro River measures an impressive 445 feet. But the Star Tribune awards the southern regional crown for longest skyway to Mayo Clinic, with its seven-layer skyway spanning W. Center St. Each layer measures nearly 90 feet for a cumulative 629 feet of skyway between the Gonda and Charlton buildings.

Yet that's not as much skyway as the bridge to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC).

The Star Tribune adopted McLaughlin's measurement convention that allows a support structure to be included, putting the DECC skyway length at 651 feet.

"In the late '70s and early '80s, I believe the skywalk ran 917 feet without running through a building," said Phil McLoughlin, the Duluth convention center's director of building services. Portions have since been incorporated in other structures.

The Star Tribune award for the state's longest bridge goes to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and its bridge connecting the C and G concourses, where moving walkways help air travelers trek its 977-foot length.

Rankings are fluid, of course. The skyway at Abbott Northwestern will get shorter as the construction project moves to completion over the next two years. Starting in 2025, the pedestrian path is scheduled to be re-routed to a temporary corridor within the new hospital building, at which point the temporary portion of the skyway will be dismantled.

When the new building opens in 2026, the permanent skyway will measure 448 feet.

For now, the fastest way through the corridor is on Paul Saverinske's golf cart, although he's careful not to drive too quickly. The best part of the job, he said, is meeting people and talking with them during the 60 or so round trips he makes each day.

They can talk about things like: Boy, this skyway is pretty long, isn't it?

"That just passes the time for the three minutes that it basically takes to get down there," Saverinske said. "Because I figure they want a little chit-chat — a little conversation."

©2024 StarTribune. Visit startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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511 Travel Info

News releases

April 3, 2024

Latest news releases

Highway 14 traffic impacts begin April 14 for improvements between Dodge Center and Byron

BYRON, Minn. – Motorists on County Road 9 will not be able to cross or turn left on Highway 14, and Highway 14 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction between 200th Avenue and 260th Avenue beginning April 14 as construction starts, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The project is expected to be completed late summer 2024. Prime contractor Rochester Sand & Gravel will be making the below improvements during construction.

• Construct a  J-turn  at Highway 14 and County Road 9
• Install a  high-tension cable median barrier  between Dodge Center and Kasson
• Resurface pavement between Kasson and Byron
• Improve and repair drainage
• Rehabilitate the eastbound and westbound Highway 14 bridges over Highway 57. The work includes new end posts, approach panels and expansion joints
• Upgrade the  Road Weather Information System (RWIS) site  near Byron with new pavement sensors and processing unit

Traffic impacts

Motorists may experience traffic delays at the project area during heavier travel times such as the morning and afternoon commuting times. Beginning April 14, vehicles will not be able to cross or turn left onto Highway 14 from County Road 9. It's anticipated that construction of the J-turn will be completed by the end of June.

• Vehicles to the north of Highway 14 will be detoured west on County Road 34 to southbound 200th Avenue/Airport Drive N to Highway 14.
• Vehicles to the south of Highway 14 will be detoured west on County Road 10 to County Road 25/Airport Drive S to Highway 14.

One lane of traffic in each direction on Highway 14 will be open throughout construction. Highway 14 traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction between 200th Avenue and 260th Avenue beginning April 14, and this will last several weeks. There will also be a lane closure in each direction for the resurfacing work between Kasson and Byron. A start date will be announced once scheduled. It is expected that the resurfacing work will be finished by the end of August.

There will be a detour for the bridge improvements at Highway 57. It is anticipated the detour will last a couple days. Exact dates will be shared once determined. To learn more this project, go to MnDOT’s website where you can also sign up for email and text message updates.

Stay connected, informed

• Check out other MnDOT southeast Minnesota construction projects and sign up for construction updates.
• Join the  MnDOT Southeast Minnesota Facebook group  and follow us on  MnDOT Southeast on Twitter .
• Sign up to receive  text message and/or email alerts  during significant road closures or winter weather events that affect state highways in southeast Minnesota.
• Find road updates in Minnesota on  511mn.org or get a free app at Google Play or the App Store .
• Interested in a job with MnDOT? Career information for the State of Minnesota can be found at the Minnesota Management and Budget website . Come join us.

• Solar Eclipse 2024

See the 2024 Solar Eclipse’s Path of Totality

A total solar eclipse is expected to pass through the United States on April 8, 2024, giving stargazers across the country the opportunity to view the celestial phenomenon in which the sun is completely covered by the moon.

The eclipse will enter the U.S. in Texas and exit in Maine. It is the last time a total solar eclipse will be visible in the contiguous United States until 2044.

Here's what to know about the path of the eclipse and where you can see it.

Read More : How Animals and Nature React to an Eclipse

Where can you see the total solar eclipse?

The eclipse will cross through North America, passing over parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada. 

The eclipse will enter the United States in Texas, and travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse.

Much of the eclipse's visibility depends on the weather. A cloudy day could prevent visitors from seeing the spectacle altogether.

When does the solar eclipse start and end?

The solar eclipse will begin in Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT. It will exit continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.

The longest duration of totality—which is when the moon completely covers the sun — will be 4 minutes, 28 seconds, near Torreón, Mexico. Most places along the path of totality will see a totality duration between 3.5 and 4 minutes.

Read More : The Eclipse Could Bring $1.5 Billion Into States on the Path of Totality

Where’s the best place to see the total solar eclipse?

The best place to witness the event is along the path of totality. Thirteen states will be along the path of totality, and many towns across the country are preparing for the deluge of visitors— planning eclipse watch parties and events in the days leading up to totality.

In Rochester, NY, the Rochester Museum and Science Center is hosting a multi-day festival that includes a range of events and activities. Russellville, Arkansas will host an event with activities including live music, science presentations, tethered hot-air balloon rides, and telescope viewings.

More Must-Reads From TIME

• Jane Fonda Champions Climate Action for Every Generation
• Passengers Are Flying up to 30 Hours to See Four Minutes of the Eclipse
• Biden’s Campaign Is In Trouble. Will the Turnaround Plan Work?
• Essay: The Complicated Dread of Early Spring
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• Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time

Write to Simmone Shah at [email protected]

You May Also Like

When will solar eclipse reach your town? These maps show path's timing, how long it lasts.

Hundreds of cities in 13 u.s. states fall directly on the april 8 eclipse's path of totality as the moon blocks the sun's disc and ushers in darkness. these interactive maps offer a closer look..

Come Monday, millions of Americans from Texas to Maine will stop what they're doing to step outside and spend a few minutes gazing skyward .

Few celestial events have the power to capture our collective attention the way this upcoming total solar eclipse has managed to do. And for those making time to witness it, two questions are bound to be on their mind : Will totality reach my area and if so, how long will the resulting darkness last?

Most people across the country are bound to experience the eclipse in some form, but only 13 states fall directly on the path of totality, where the moon will appear large enough to shield all but the sun's outermost layer, the corona.

As you make your eclipse-viewing plans, these interactive maps should help you chart the time and duration for when totality will occur in cities along the path.

Solar eclipse experiment: Here's why NASA is launching 3 sounding rockets into space during the total solar eclipse

Total solar eclipse path of totality map

The 115-mile-wide path of totality will pass from southwest to northeast over portions of Mexico the United States and Canada.

Mexico's Pacific coast will be the first location in continental North America to experience totality, which will occur at about 11:07 a.m. PDT,  according to NASA .

As the moon's shadow travels northeast, totality in the U.S. will begin at 1:27 p.m. CDT in Eagle Pass, Texas. From there, the path will cut diagonally across the country before ending around 3:35 p.m. EDT in Lee, Maine.

Remember: If you plan to witness the eclipse, proper eyewear is a must until the eclipse reaches totality, then it can be viewed with the naked eye.

Here's a map of some of the larger cities in each of the 13 states on the path to show how the duration of totality will vary:

Cities, states on the path of totality

All told, nearly 500 cities in 13 U.S. states are located on the eclipse's path of totality. Here are some of the major cities in each of the 13 states:

• Dallas and San Antonio, Texas
• Idabel, Oklahoma
• Poplar Bluff, Missouri
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Paducah, Kentucky
• Indianapolis and Evansville, Indiana
• Carbondale, Illinois
• Cleveland and Toledo, Ohio
• Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, New York
• Burlington, Vermont
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
• Caribou, Maine
• Erie, Pennsylvania

This interactive map provides a closer look at cities along the path, when totality will arrive there and how long totality will last:

Eclipse watch parties, festivals

Such a rare event is sure to attract skygazing tourists unlucky enough to live outside the path of totality. Fortunately, many cities that will experience the total eclipse are planning plenty of festivities for tourists and locals alike.

This map , courtesy of Kristian Campana at festivalguidesandreviews.com , includes locations of watch parties, music festivals and more all tied to the eclipse's arrival:

2024 total solar eclipse interactive map with zip code search

Perhaps the easiest way to see how the eclipse will impact your city or town, is to put your zip code into USA TODAY's interactive eclipse map .

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]