Fort Snelling, Minneapolis (must see)

One spot on the bluffs, countless voices echoing through time. At Historic Fort Snelling, perched where the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers meet, you’ll uncover 10,000 years of Minnesota’s tale. Dive into the story of the 1820s military fort—officially a military reservation and lauded as a “National Treasure” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation—and its neighborhood. This ground has seen it all: the lives of Native peoples, the hustle of trade, the courage of soldiers and veterans, the struggles of enslaved people, and waves of immigrants—all set against a landscape in constant flux. The shiny new Plank Museum & Visitor Center is open all year.

Pro tip: Consider visiting the nearby Minnesota Air National Guard Museum. It’s one of the largest collections of military aircraft in five states, boasting fighters, cargo haulers, helicopters, and utility planes used by the U.S. military. Marvel at ejection seats, flight simulators, jet engines, and weaponry spanning WWI to today. But remember: book your tour at least 10 days ahead so you don’t get grounded!