Vacation at a Minnesota Resort this Summer
Brad Finstad
It’s family vacation season again in Minnesota—that cherished time of year when we pack our cars and head “up north” or “to the lake.”
While most of us look forward to relaxing with family and friends at a favorite destination this time of year, for the owners of Minnesota’s 900+ resorts, the rest and relaxation is on hold until the fall.
Resorting is a tradition in our state that dates back to the late 1800s, when prominent Minnesotans would gather in grand hotels on the shores of large, metro-area lakes, including Lake Minnetonka. Today, there are resorts for Minnesotans of all means and they dot the shores of lakes located throughout Greater Minnesota.
The resort industry is still very much alive and well in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. In fact, at approximately 955, Minnesota still has more resorts per capita than any other state in the nation. These resorts also contribute mightily to Minnesota’s treasury, generating $13.6 million in state sales and use taxes annually.
If you’ve tended to vacation out of state but are looking to stay closer to home this summer, join your fellow Minnesotans at one of our resorts. From big to small, rustic to luxurious, there is a resort in our state for people of all tastes.
To begin your Minnesota resort vacation planning, visit www.ExploreMinnesota.com and click on “Resorts” under “Places to Stay.”
See you at the lake!
(Brad Finstad is executive director of the Center for Rural Policy and Development. He can be reached at bfinstad@ruralmn.org.)