Minnesota has been ranked as the second most bicycle-friendly state in the nation, and Pedal Minnesota is dedicated to helping bicyclists get out and take advantage of its countless trails and biking resources.

There has been amazing growth in the number of vineyards and wineries in Minnesota since the first opened here in 1978. There are now more than 40 wineries in the state, and they make a great outing. In fact, several have organized as "wine trails" to make it easy for visitors to explore nearby wineries.

The fertile countryside of southern Minnesota is dotted with farms and creameries, and some of the best cheese in the region is emerging from small independent makers amid the area's hills and plains. Food lovers have a number of options for places to visit--and creations to taste--throughout the region.

The culture of Minnesota was created, and continues to be influenced, by immigrants. For centuries, wave after wave of newcomers have brought pieces of the old country into the new country, which has become far richer and more diverse as a result.

The North Shore of Lake Superior, where waves crash against jagged cliffs crowned with pine forests, and countless waterfalls tumble down to the great lake, yields some of the most rugged and dramatic scenery Minnesota has to offer. The 150-mile drive offers enough eye candy and coastal village charm for a weekend or more.

This photo of the Minneapolis skyline from a kayak on the Mississippi River was submitted to the #OnlyinMN hashtag last month. Check out our top picks from May in our Facebook photo gallery.

Photo by Paul Johnstone - @paul_johnstone

From tree-lined avenues to homey cafes and artsy boutiques, Minnesota claims its share of classic American main streets. Visit these charming downtowns ideal for leisurely strolls, unique shopping, and wrapping your hands around warm cups of coffee or chilled microbrews while taking in the local vibe.

The great heritage of Minnesota’s state park system began in 1891 at Itasca State Park, home to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, launching what is now the second-oldest state park system in the nation. The system has continued to grow, and Itasca remains one of the most beloved of the state’s 67 state parks.

Minnesota Museums Month is a 31-day celebration of the hundreds of historic sites, art museums, zoos, and science centers located across the state. Take some time to explore and learn at one of the more than 500 museums, zoos and gardens across the state.

The wait is over: The St. Paul Saints have a new stadium to call their own. Making its debut for the May 21 home opener, CHS Field represents the next chapter in the team’s story, as well as the revitalization of St. Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood.

This summer, AmericInn is celebrating the wild, wacky and wonderful attractions near AmericInn hotels. Take a selfie and submit it into the Great AmericInn Adventure photo contest. Each day, the person submitting the best photo will win a free night at any AmericInn.

This photo of lightning over a lake in Buffalo was submitted to the #OnlyinMN hashtag last month. Check out our top picks from April in our Facebook photo gallery.

Photo by Christine - @dreaming_big_mn

Toasting marshmallows around the campfire, staying up late to catch fireflies, playing tag with the kids from the next cabin. If you grew up in Minnesota, these images may remind you of summers spent at a lakeside resort. Even if you haven’t been to one, it’s never too late to start a new tradition and make some memories of your own.

Spring is an exciting time in Minnesota. The weather warms up, the waterways open, and the flowers start to bloom. It’s also a busy time for zoos, with baby animals and special events kicking off the new season.

Airport dining has evolved, and we're all better for it. Restaurants that emphasize creative use of high-quality (and often local) ingredients are on the rise at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Many Minnesota anglers who have spent their lives with a spinning rod and reel, cranking baits and plopping bobbers, think fly fishing is too difficult and too refined for regular folks. Fly fishing expert and guide Bob Nasby says different. .

Grab your binoculars! Explore Minnesota's monthly birding report provides tips for finding migratory and resident birds throughout the year. 

The updates are also available on the web anytime.

This photo of the Northern Lights in Lake City was submitted to the #OnlyinMN hashtag last month. Check out our top picks from March in our Facebook photo gallery.

Photo by Manda B - @russ.man

The most romantic place isn't always a beach with an umbrella drink in hand and flowers in your hair. Sometimes it's a quiet, cozy, firelit retreat, with snow drifting silently outside.

Finding a good cup of coffee is at the top of many travelers' lists as soon as they arrive at their destination. In Minnesota, a local coffee shop is never far away, whether it's on a small town main street or in a big city neighborhood.

From October to April, basketball fans gather at Target Center in Minneapolis to cheer on the NBA team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. All-star Kevin Garnett returned to the team this month, having led them to their 2004 Midwest Division title.

"Design Cycles: A Bike Show" presents a short history of the bicycle and its place in today's multimodal world. The exhibit, held at the Goldstein Museum of Design at the University of Minnesota, runs through May 10.

Skiers, snowmobilers, and other winter sports lovers can get this week's winter trail conditions delivered to their email inbox for free, as well as downhill ski hill reports. The updates are also available on the web anytime.

This photo of a cozy cabin along the Gunflint Trail was submitted to the #OnlyinMN hashtag last month. Check out our top picks from February in our Facebook photo gallery.

Photo by @suitcaseheart

There’s little that rekindles romance like a cozy B&B room with a fireplace at the end of a crisp winter’s day exploring the sights together. The river towns of southeast Minnesota are ideal for that sort of getaway.

New attractions, events and entertainment options mean there's even more to see and do in Minnesota in 2015, from Tony Award-winning shows to a new wildlife park in Brainerd. Check out some of this year's highlights.

A relaxing sauna, a massage with hot stones and a plush robe can warm the soul on even the coldest winter day. In Minnesota, a spa retreat is never far away, whether it’s tucked into a lakeside resort or in a posh downtown hotel. 

In Minnesota, the fishing stays hot even after the lakes freeze over. Just drill a hole in the ice (power augers help!), drop in a line and relax until a fish takes a nibble. 

Skiers, snowmobilers, and other winter sports lovers can get this week's winter trail conditions delivered to their email inbox for free, as well as downhill ski hill reports. The updates are also available on the web anytime.

This plump perch, titled "Catch of the Day," was posted on Instagram with the #OnlyinMN hashtag last month. Check out our top picks from January in our Facebook photo gallery.

Photo by Britt -- @brzaaa

Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is best known for wilderness canoeing. But winter transforms this magnificent landscape into a forested cathedral of ice, snow and silence.

Just because the snow is falling doesn't mean it's time to put your bike away until spring. In Minnesota, many paved trails and mountain biking areas welcome riders year-round. 

For the second year in a row, Explore Minnesota, in partnership with Minneapolis-based Monopoint Media, is sponsoring "Checkpoint Minnesota,” a statewide scavenger hunt with checkpoints at 12 iconic Minnesota destinations.

Skiers, snowmobilers, and other winter sports lovers can get this week's winter trail conditions delivered to their email inbox for free, as well as downhill ski hill reports. The updates are also available on the web anytime.

Tag your Minnesota Instagram photos #OnlyinMN and your best shot could appear in this newsletter! Benjamin Olson took this shot on Lake Superior's North Shore between Hovland and Grand Portage. Follow @exploreminnesota on Instagram for more beautiful images from around the state.

Winter in Minnesota is the perfect time of year to get together with loved ones, embrace old traditions, or even start some new ones. Here are just five of the many ways to make the most of this special season.

Skiers, snowmobilers, and other winter sports lovers can get this week's winter trail conditions delivered to their email inbox for free, as well as downhill ski hill reports. The updates are also available on the web anytime.

Minnesota--known for signature dishes like the “Juicy Lucy” and upping the ante with innovative food trucks and farm-to-table fare--is leaving its mark on the food world, and on food-centric TV shows.

Minnesota’s slopes offer affordable adventure close to home for Midwestern skiers. Many have terrain parks appealing to snowboarders, and some have tubing hills where the youngest in the family can get in on the downhill fun.

Tag your Minnesota Instagram photos #OnlyinMN and your best shot could appear in this newsletter! Matthew Breuer took this early winter shot at Turtle River. Follow @exploreminnesota on Instagram for more beautiful images from around the state.

Get ready to shop ‘til you drop! The Minneapolis-St. Paul area is home to the country’s most famous mall, numerous outlet malls, posh shopping centers and unique boutiques.

The Christmas tree that will grace the U.S. Capitol this year will come from Chippewa National Forest, beginning with a first public showing and celebration near the headwaters of Lake Itasca on Nov. 2.

This fall, we invited a few world-renowned travelers to road-trip through different parts of the state to see and photograph what makes Minnesota so unique. Here’s what they shared.

Late fall in Minnesota is holiday festival time, perfect for getting in the spirit. Small towns and big cities alike are filled with music, twinkling lights, gift markets and holiday-themed theater.

Thanks to Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes, the state has a reputation for excellent fishing. But when it comes to hunting, particularly for pheasants, grouse and waterfowl, “it’s a hidden gem.” says Bob St. Pierre, vice president of marketing for Pheasants Forever.

Tag your Minnesota Instagram photos #OnlyinMN and one could appear in this newsletter! Kellen Arey took this beautiful fall shot at a golf course in Ham Lake. Follow @exploreminnesota on Instagram for more beautiful images from around the state.

Apple picking, football and pumpkin-flavored everything can only mean one thing: Fall has arrived in Minnesota. This special season is short and sweet, so make the most of it by checking at least a few of these awesome autumn activities off your list.

Exploring Minneapolis and St. Paul on the new Green Line light rail offers a fresh perspective of these Twin Cities. Traffic jams and parking woes are not a concern; instead of staring at license plates and stoplights, your eyes are free to take in the views of the world passing by.

You don't need a time machine to go back to the good old days. Just hop in the car and head down the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway, where historic homes, churches and commercial buildings remain an integral part of modern life.

Craving the perfect fall day? Grab a paddle and your watercraft of choice to soak up the last of the warm weather and admire autumn's brilliant colors mirrored across the surface of Minnesota's 32 designated water trails.

Sure, you know Minnesota's got lakes. And pine trees. And snow. But one of the state's best-kept secrets is our style—and where to get it. Here's the scoop on finding some of the best souvenirs the state has to offer.

Tag your Minnesota Instagram photos #OnlyinMN and your best shot could appear in this newsletter! The Democratic Travelers took in the fall colors along the Waters of the Dancing Sky Scenic Byway during their residency as "10-Day Minnesotans." Follow @exploreminnesota on Instagram for more beautiful images from around the state.

The Twin Cities Premium Outlets opened in Eagan last month, just in time for the back-to-school shopping frenzy. Now that the crowds have lessened, head there—or to Minnesota's other outlet malls—to save 25 to 65 percent on designer clothing, shoes and more.

With cooler weather, more active fish and a beautiful backdrop of changing leaves, fall is one of the best times of year to fish in Minnesota. "Everything bites better in the fall," says Paul Nelson, a veteran fishing guide in the Bemidji area.

Pro soccer fans have a lot to cheer about in Minnesota. United FC plays at the National Sports Center in Blaine, and with seating for 8,500 fans, the energy level is high on game days. Watch them in action at any of their five remaining home games this month and next.

Minnesota's fall harvest not only promises delicious food to eat, but also tasty things to drink. Get in on the fun at harvest festivals, grape stomps and tasting events at Minnesota's many wineries.

Enter to win a three-day, two-night "stay and play" getaway for four, with golf at both Giants Ridge courses and The Wilderness in northeast Minnesota. And stay tuned for the unveiling of the Minnesota Dream 18—the top 18 public golf holes throughout the state as chosen by Minnesota golfers.

Tag your Minnesota Instagram photos #OnlyinMN and your best shot could appear in this newsletter! We'll pick one photo a month to share in this spot. Sanna Lee captured the Split Rock Lighthouse on a foggy summer day. Follow us on Instagram for more beautiful photography @exploreminnesota.