16 Places to Avoid in Minnesota [TOURIST SAFETY GUIDE]

As a past traveler and tourist in Minnesota, I’ve come across many different cities and towns during my journeys across this beautiful state. While most places in Minnesota have their charm and appeal, there are a few locations that I personally recommend avoiding if you’re visiting. As someone who wants you to have the best experience possible, here are the top places to avoid in Minnesota from my own experience.

Minnesota is known for its lush forests, pristine lakes, and abundance of wildlife. However, some areas don’t quite match the same idyllic landscape. Through poor city planning, lack of funding, and high crime rates, certain cities have gained a reputation as less desirable places to visit or live.

During your travels in Minnesota, I suggest avoiding these particular cities and towns in order to have a more enjoyable and safe vacation. With insights from a seasoned traveler, this list of places to avoid in Minnesota will help guide you toward destinations better suited for tourists.

1. Brooklyn Park

Brooklyn Park, located just north of Minneapolis, is one city I recommend avoiding in Minnesota. As Minnesota’s sixth largest city, Brooklyn Park has struggled with higher crime rates than the rest of the state. Violent crimes in Brooklyn Park are 128% higher than the Minnesota average. I don’t feel comfortable visiting Brooklyn Park, especially at night when crime rates tend to peak.

The city also lacks appealing attractions for tourists. Aside from the expansive Brooklyn Park shopping mall area, there is little for visitors to see or do. The limited dining and entertainment options leave you isolated in urban sprawl without scenic views or cultural sites. Overall, Brooklyn Park doesn’t offer an enjoyable tourism experience in Minnesota.

2. Virginia

Virginia, Minnesota on the Iron Range is another place I suggest avoiding. What was once a thriving mining community has deteriorated over the decades into an economically depressed area. The population has declined sharply since its peak in the 1950s.

Empty storefronts now line the streets where shops and restaurants once stood. Much of the architecture dates back to the early 1900s, bearing wear and tear over time. Aside from a few small museums, Virginia has very limited attractions for tourists.

The isolated location and outdated infrastructure make it difficult to access and navigate as a visitor. With few accommodation options, I don’t recommend Virginia as a worthwhile stop in Minnesota.

3. Mankato

Mankato tends to have a reputation as a party town for college kids, but there’s not much substance beyond the nightlife scene. As a traveler not interested in drinking and loud crowds, I didn’t find Mankato to be very appealing.

The historic downtown area has some charm, but the rest of Mankato consists of chain restaurants and stores without local flavor. Outdoor activities like hiking and boating are available in the surrounding area, but minimal in the city itself.

While Mankato provides an escape for Minnesota State University students, it lacks diverse attractions to keep other visitors engaged. Due to its limited tourism offerings beyond college bars and clubs, Mankato is a spot in Minnesota I’d recommend avoiding.

4. St. Cloud

St. Cloud is one of the less scenic cities in central Minnesota, with a landscape dominated by commercial development. Historic charm is hard to find among the array of strip malls and chain retailers. On top of the lack of character, St. Cloud’s crime rate is also significantly above the national average.

As a visitor, I didn’t feel particularly safe or comfortable navigating St. Cloud. The city also lacks many unique attractions that would appeal to tourists. Aside from the modest Munsinger Gardens and Paramount Theatre, there are no major sights to see. Overall, St. Cloud is rather void of aesthetic appeal or things to do.

5. St. Paul

While many know Minnesota for the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, I personally found St. Paul to be less exciting than its sister city. Compared to Minneapolis, St. Paul has a sleepier, less energetic vibe without as many dining, nightlife, and entertainment options. Museums like the Science Museum are worthwhile attractions, but located in a somewhat dull urban landscape.

St. Paul is also second to Minneapolis when it comes to safety. Violent and property crime rates in St. Paul are nearly double the Minnesota state average. As a visitor unfamiliar with the area, I didn’t feel fully comfortable navigating certain parts of the city. For a Twin Cities experience, Minneapolis overshadows St. Paul for tourism appeal.

6. Minneapolis

Minneapolis has a reputation for frigid winters, which is a definite drawback for visitors like myself who prefer milder weather. The city earns the nickname “Minnesota’s Icebox” for having some of the coldest temperatures in the contiguous U.S. Wind chill coming off the surrounding lakes makes winters feel even more bone-chilling.

From November through March, highs average in the 20s and 30s Fahrenheit, with frequent dips well below zero. Heavy snowfall is also common during Minneapolis winters. Unless you are well-prepared to bundle up, an off-season visit to Minneapolis could be unpleasantly cold compared to other times of the year.

7. Roseville

Another one of the places to avoid in Minnesota is Roseville. Located just north of St. Paul, Roseville is another Twin Cities suburb I found lacking in appeal for tourists. There are minimal entertainment, arts, and cultural attractions to experience in Roseville. The city is mainly residential neighborhoods and commercial shopping centers.

Roseville’s few parks offer some outdoor recreation, but minimal natural areas for hiking and exploration. High car traffic congests main thoroughfares. Strip malls and big box stores do not allow for an engaging walking experience as a visitor. Overall, Roseville feels more like an extension of urban sprawl than a tourism destination.

8. Brainerd

Brainerd presents some scenic nature opportunities around Gull Lake and the Brainerd Lakes Area. However, the city itself lacks aesthetic appeal and historical charm. Heavily commercialized zones crammed with chain retailers take away from Brainerd’s character.

Downtown Brainerd retains some remaining early 20th-century architecture, but many buildings are rundown and in need of renovation. With a limited dining scene and walkable attractions, spending time right in Brainerd was not terribly exciting for me as a visitor. Venturing into the surrounding lakes region provides far more rewarding adventures.

9. Waite Park

As a St. Cloud suburb, Waite Park shares some of the same dreary qualities as its neighboring city. Chain restaurants and big box stores dominate the commercialized landscape. Aside from the [attraction], there are no major tourist sites of interest in Waite Park.

The city also lacks its own unique identity, feeling more like an extension of St. Cloud rather than a distinct destination. While Waite Park provides convenient access to shopping and dining chains, it does not offer a charming, walkable small town center like other spots in Minnesota. For a more engaging visit, I’d recommend choosing alternative stops.

10. Bemidji

My experience visiting Bemidji in northern Minnesota was underwhelming, particularly as someone seeking city culture and sightseeing attractions. Compared to other Minnesota towns, Bemidji has limited arts, entertainment, and fine dining options to enjoy.

Architectural and historic sites are also few and far between. The tourist appeal lies more in Bemidji’s natural surroundings outside the city than the city itself. While the lakes and forests around Bemidji provide scenic beauty, the town’s urban center felt quite dull. Those looking for an engaging city experience are better suited to seeking out other Minnesota destinations.

11. Granite Falls

Granite Falls in west central Minnesota is a small town that seems forgotten in time. The aging downtown area looks practically abandoned, with vacant storefronts and crumbling brick buildings dating back to the late 1800s. Historic charm is lacking due to poor upkeep and remodeling over the decades.

Outdoorsy tourists may be drawn to the Minnesota River Valley, but overall recreation options are minimal right in Granite Falls. Hunting and fishing keep some visitors coming through, but the town offers little else of interest. With sleepy energy and minimal dining and entertainment, Granite Falls would be a boring stop for most travelers.

12. Olivia

The small prairie town of Olivia in west central Minnesota provides little appeal for tourists passing through. Crop fields surround the remote outpost, with very minimal sightseeing opportunities within the city limits. Olivia’s downtown area is run-down with vacant buildings in disrepair.

Community events like the annual Corn Capital Days festival provide temporary attractions, but Olivia is otherwise void of significant historic or cultural sites. Lacking amenities and modern commercial development, the isolated agricultural community holds little for visitors to enjoy.

13. Breitung Township

Located in northern St. Louis County, Breitung Township contains the mining towns of Soudan and Tower. While the area surrounding Lake Vermilion has some appeal, the towns themselves are quite worn down after the decline of mining industry jobs. Poverty and unemployment rates remain high.

The isolated communities are also very small, with minimal accommodations, dining, or entertainment options for tourists. Unless visiting for outdoor recreation on Lake Vermilion, Breitung Township offers very little to experience as a casual visitor. The villages seem forgotten and past their prime.

14. Floodwood

Floodwood in central Minnesota gets its name from frequent flooding of the nearby Saint Louis River. But it’s the lackluster town that leaves an even worse impression on visitors. Besides a historic train depot, Floodwood provides very limited attractions or aesthetically appealing sites.

Consisting mostly of basic residential neighborhoods and commercial buildings, Floodwood doesn’t give travelers much reason to visit and explore. Even locals complain of boredom and isolation living in Floodwood without any major activities or cultural events to enjoy. Overall, it’s a spot in Minnesota likely to underwhelm visitors.

15. Rock County

Situated southwest of Minneapolis, rural Rock County is primarily farm country without much tourism infrastructure. Luverne is the county seat and largest town, but even it offers minimal historic charm or modern amenities to attract visitors.

Beyond the annual Rock County Fair, you’ll be hard-pressed to find major attractions or recreation opportunities to fill your trip itinerary. The remote landscape consists of open fields and basic crop farming. Unless you have a very strong interest in agriculture, Rock County does not provide an engaging tourist experience within Minnesota.

16. Pine County

Despite its heavily forested landscape, Pine County in east central Minnesota lacks heavy tourism appeal. The small towns scattered throughout the county remain relatively undeveloped, with minimal dining and shopping options for travelers.

Recreational areas exist within the rural county for hiking, fishing, and hunting. However, Pine County lacks unique attractions or cultural sites that would draw casual visitors, especially those less interested in outdoor sports. The relative isolation and lack of modern amenities also make it less convenient for travelers to fully experience what Pine County has to offer.

Conclusion

While Minnesota offers abundant lakes, green forests, and bustling metropolitan hubs, some areas are better left unvisited. Based on my experience traveling across this state, I recommend avoiding the places mentioned in this article during your Minnesota trip planning.

With insider knowledge of the places to avoid in Minnesota, you can now focus your travels on the prime locations that will provide memorable and enjoyable experiences. For the most rewarding Minnesota vacation, steer clear of lackluster towns with minimal amenities, outdated infrastructure, high crime, and lack of aesthetic appeal or cultural attractions. Instead, seek out the many scenic state parks, lively urban excitement of Minneapolis, and charming small towns embracing their heritage and natural surroundings that make Minnesota such a terrific place to visit.