One of the world's premier laboratories for hydraulic engineering research takes full advantage of the water's power.

Home to part of the world’s largest private collection of original manuscripts and documents.

This water tower has been a staple of the Rochester skyline since 1931.

Direct, creative challenge to Mother Nature's winter wrath.

No one's quite sure where this quirky university tradition originated.

World's largest carved onyx figure stands as a tribute to enduring peace.

One of two giant blue cockerel statues erected with an intentional double meaning.

This iconic water tower and failed bandstand is open for panoramic views once a year.

The oldest continually used church in Minneapolis also sells great meat pies.

A collection of pianos and more guaranteed to delight anyone interested in music history.

This posh mansion began as a family's estate and ended as the site of a murder ripped from the pages of a pulp novel.

A Borgesian work of art that may blur the line between fiction and reality a little too convincingly.

This picturesque cliffside beacon no longer calls to sailors but shines once a year in honor of a famous shipwreck.

The only arched bridge made of stone on the entire Mississippi River.

These crudely shaped folk giants may be the the second most photographed statues in the U.S.

A bronze statue on a downtown corner honors Minneapolis's favorite career gal.

This replica of an 8th century burial ship actually sailed to Norway before returning home to Minnesota.

Hub of Scandinavian culture in a Minneapolis deli.

At this Minnesota state park you can easily wade across the source of the mighty Mississippi.

The Midwest's reigning king of surplus stores is full of nothing you need and everything you want.

This bright yellow building is packed with sweet treats from all around the world, from chocolate-covered crickets to whoopie pies.

Equal parts record-breaking temple to consumerism and bizarre fun park, it's more than you think it is...

This massive roadside mascot was the first version of the giant to illustrate his butt.

Home to the Amorphophallus titanum "Corpse Flower," which is among the largest flowers in the world and also smells powerfully of rotting flesh when in bloom.