Throughout Minnesota, there are plenty of mysteries waiting to be solved and unusual spots waiting to be explored. From natural wonders to man-made oddities, we found some of the most perplexing places around that are the perfect place for your next adventure. These weird places in Minnesota definitely belong on your bucket list!

  1. Blue Mounds State Park, Luverne

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Blue Mounds State Park is not only under-appreciated for its sheer beauty, but there is also an unusual, perfectly aligned east-west line of rocks in the southern end of the park. The sunrise and sunset line up with this rock formation on the first day of spring and fall without fail. It is still unknown who built the formation, or the definitive reason why. Visit the website for the most up-to-date information about park hours and permits.

Address: 1410 161st Street, Luverne, Minnesota, 56156

  1. Iona’s Beach, Two Harbors

Justin Meissen/Flickr At Iona’s Beach Scientific and Natural Area, the unique pebbles are not only beautiful, but known to make a rare, almost musical, noise as the water hits the shore and moves them about often called “singing”. If you’ve never been to a singing beach, it’s a must-do. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website has the most up-to-date information on the beach available.

Address: 3548 MN-61, Two Harbors, Minnesota, 55616

  1. Devil’s Kettle Falls, Grand Marais

Roy Luck/Flickr Devil’s Kettle is an usual phenomena where the Brule River splits and half disappears into the Earth, seemingly forever. We don’t know where it ends up. Weird.

Address: Superior Hiking Trail, Grand Marais, Minnesota, 55604

  1. Runestone County Park, Kensington

Minnesota Historic Roadside Structures and Historic Places We previously mentioned the funny little museum in Alexandria that tells the story of the controversial Kensington Runestone, but even more exciting to explore is the site of the discovery itself in Runestone County Park. Nobody could ever agree whether the runestone was real or not, and you’ll find yourself imagining all the possibilities as you read through the information about the replica that sits in the park today. What do you think?

Address: 8965 County Road 103 SW, Kensington, Minnesota, 56343

  1. Old Hibbing

minnemom/Flagstaff Many don’t know the story about how the entire town of Hibbing was once mobile, and ended up moving substantially to allow for the expansion of the Hull Rust Mine. Visiting the area today is definitely an unusual experience, and you can explore what’s left of the town’s foundation pre-1920s.

  1. Grand Mound, International Falls

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD/Wikimedia In Koochiching County, this prehistoric burial ground is the largest in the US and absolutely fascinating. The trail around the mound has been closed since 2007, but some are pushing to reopen it, making sure that it is presented in a new way that appropriately educates visitors about the sacredness of the site. The site’s use dates back as far as 200 BC, and was created by a group now called the Laurel Indians. The website is full of valuable information if you’re hoping to visit.

Have you heard about these weird places in Minnesota before? Which one are you most excited to visit?

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Blue Mounds State Park is not only under-appreciated for its sheer beauty, but there is also an unusual, perfectly aligned east-west line of rocks in the southern end of the park. The sunrise and sunset line up with this rock formation on the first day of spring and fall without fail. It is still unknown who built the formation, or the definitive reason why. Visit the website for the most up-to-date information about park hours and permits.

Address: 1410 161st Street, Luverne, Minnesota, 56156

Justin Meissen/Flickr

At Iona’s Beach Scientific and Natural Area, the unique pebbles are not only beautiful, but known to make a rare, almost musical, noise as the water hits the shore and moves them about often called “singing”. If you’ve never been to a singing beach, it’s a must-do. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website has the most up-to-date information on the beach available.

Address: 3548 MN-61, Two Harbors, Minnesota, 55616

Roy Luck/Flickr

Devil’s Kettle is an usual phenomena where the Brule River splits and half disappears into the Earth, seemingly forever. We don’t know where it ends up. Weird.

Address: Superior Hiking Trail, Grand Marais, Minnesota, 55604

Minnesota Historic Roadside Structures and Historic Places

We previously mentioned the funny little museum in Alexandria that tells the story of the controversial Kensington Runestone, but even more exciting to explore is the site of the discovery itself in Runestone County Park. Nobody could ever agree whether the runestone was real or not, and you’ll find yourself imagining all the possibilities as you read through the information about the replica that sits in the park today. What do you think?

Address: 8965 County Road 103 SW, Kensington, Minnesota, 56343

minnemom/Flagstaff

Many don’t know the story about how the entire town of Hibbing was once mobile, and ended up moving substantially to allow for the expansion of the Hull Rust Mine. Visiting the area today is definitely an unusual experience, and you can explore what’s left of the town’s foundation pre-1920s.

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD/Wikimedia

In Koochiching County, this prehistoric burial ground is the largest in the US and absolutely fascinating. The trail around the mound has been closed since 2007, but some are pushing to reopen it, making sure that it is presented in a new way that appropriately educates visitors about the sacredness of the site. The site’s use dates back as far as 200 BC, and was created by a group now called the Laurel Indians. The website is full of valuable information if you’re hoping to visit.

Does this talk of adventure make you hungry? Want to find the best places to chow down in Minnesota? This article might serve up some inspiration!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: 1410 161st St, Luverne, MN 56156, USAAddress: 3548 MN-61, Two Harbors, MN 55616, USAAddress: Superior Hiking Trail, Grand Marais, MN, USAAddress: 8965 County Rd 103 SW, Kensington, MN 56343, USAAddress: Hibbing, MN, USAAddress: International Falls, MN 56649, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Weird Places in Minnesota May 07, 2021 Tori Jane What are the most creepy spots in Minnesota? Minnesota is a state with a fair share of creepy, weird, and downright spooky places that are open to visitors. For example, in Bena, there’s the old Big Winnie Resort and General Store, which opened many decades ago, but some folks never left. Workers and guests alike have reported some eerie goings-on, like the smell of a woman’s perfume where there is nobody around, footsteps on the stairs, and more. There is also the Palmer House Hotel which, to this day, is said to be one of the most haunted places in the state. It originally opened in 1901 and, much like Big Winnie Resort, some old guests never left. In Duluth, there is always the creepier-than-anything Nopeming Sanitarium, which originally served as a place for patients with tuberculosis that devolved into one of the most allegedly haunted buildings in Minnesota.  Where are some unique places in Minnesota I can visit? Minnesota has plenty of unusual and off-the-beaten-path places to see - you’ve just got to know where to look! Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be in complete and utter silence? Well, now you can find out, at the “quiet chamber” at Orfield Labs. For a long time, it was officially the quietest place on earth. In Cloquet, there’s a gas station that was designed by THE architectural great himself, Frank Lloyd Wright. The pink rocks on the shores of Iona’s Beach will “sing” if you listen hard enough, and in Blue Earth, they’ve got a gigantic Jolly Green Giant statue. Seriously, if you’re a connoisseur of the unusual, Minnesota is a great place to check out.  What are some other interesting places to visit in Minnesota? Of course, the answer to that depends on what your interests are, but one thing is for sure: no matter what those interests may be, you can probably find something in Minnesota to appeal to you. Some of our favorite things to do in Minnesota include visiting the beautiful Minnehaha Falls, and the Devil’s Kettle is a strange and super-intriguing geological wonder with a little mystery thrown in for good measure. Split Rock Lighthouse is beautiful and visually captivating, and it’s easily one of the most photographed places in Minnesota. For more ideas about where in Minnesota you should go, this article might offer up some inspiration.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Weird Places in Minnesota

May 07, 2021

Tori Jane

What are the most creepy spots in Minnesota? Minnesota is a state with a fair share of creepy, weird, and downright spooky places that are open to visitors. For example, in Bena, there’s the old Big Winnie Resort and General Store, which opened many decades ago, but some folks never left. Workers and guests alike have reported some eerie goings-on, like the smell of a woman’s perfume where there is nobody around, footsteps on the stairs, and more. There is also the Palmer House Hotel which, to this day, is said to be one of the most haunted places in the state. It originally opened in 1901 and, much like Big Winnie Resort, some old guests never left. In Duluth, there is always the creepier-than-anything Nopeming Sanitarium, which originally served as a place for patients with tuberculosis that devolved into one of the most allegedly haunted buildings in Minnesota.  Where are some unique places in Minnesota I can visit? Minnesota has plenty of unusual and off-the-beaten-path places to see - you’ve just got to know where to look! Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be in complete and utter silence? Well, now you can find out, at the “quiet chamber” at Orfield Labs. For a long time, it was officially the quietest place on earth. In Cloquet, there’s a gas station that was designed by THE architectural great himself, Frank Lloyd Wright. The pink rocks on the shores of Iona’s Beach will “sing” if you listen hard enough, and in Blue Earth, they’ve got a gigantic Jolly Green Giant statue. Seriously, if you’re a connoisseur of the unusual, Minnesota is a great place to check out.  What are some other interesting places to visit in Minnesota? Of course, the answer to that depends on what your interests are, but one thing is for sure: no matter what those interests may be, you can probably find something in Minnesota to appeal to you. Some of our favorite things to do in Minnesota include visiting the beautiful Minnehaha Falls, and the Devil’s Kettle is a strange and super-intriguing geological wonder with a little mystery thrown in for good measure. Split Rock Lighthouse is beautiful and visually captivating, and it’s easily one of the most photographed places in Minnesota. For more ideas about where in Minnesota you should go, this article might offer up some inspiration.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Minnesota is a state with a fair share of creepy, weird, and downright spooky places that are open to visitors. For example, in Bena, there’s the old Big Winnie Resort and General Store, which opened many decades ago, but some folks never left. Workers and guests alike have reported some eerie goings-on, like the smell of a woman’s perfume where there is nobody around, footsteps on the stairs, and more. There is also the Palmer House Hotel which, to this day, is said to be one of the most haunted places in the state. It originally opened in 1901 and, much like Big Winnie Resort, some old guests never left. In Duluth, there is always the creepier-than-anything Nopeming Sanitarium, which originally served as a place for patients with tuberculosis that devolved into one of the most allegedly haunted buildings in Minnesota. 

Where are some unique places in Minnesota I can visit?

Minnesota has plenty of unusual and off-the-beaten-path places to see - you’ve just got to know where to look! Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be in complete and utter silence? Well, now you can find out, at the “quiet chamber” at Orfield Labs. For a long time, it was officially the quietest place on earth. In Cloquet, there’s a gas station that was designed by THE architectural great himself, Frank Lloyd Wright. The pink rocks on the shores of Iona’s Beach will “sing” if you listen hard enough, and in Blue Earth, they’ve got a gigantic Jolly Green Giant statue. Seriously, if you’re a connoisseur of the unusual, Minnesota is a great place to check out. 

What are some other interesting places to visit in Minnesota?

Of course, the answer to that depends on what your interests are, but one thing is for sure: no matter what those interests may be, you can probably find something in Minnesota to appeal to you. Some of our favorite things to do in Minnesota include visiting the beautiful Minnehaha Falls, and the Devil’s Kettle is a strange and super-intriguing geological wonder with a little mystery thrown in for good measure. Split Rock Lighthouse is beautiful and visually captivating, and it’s easily one of the most photographed places in Minnesota. For more ideas about where in Minnesota you should go, this article might offer up some inspiration.