Close your eyes. Breathe in and smell a swirl of cotton candy at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Listen to the click of roller skates on polished wood. Picture the towering presence of Paul Bunyan himself, set against a line of pines. Simpler times, right? Nostalgia lives in every corner of the state. Join us for a joy-filled trip down memory lane to celebrate the iconic sights, sounds, and flavors that have shaped generations of memories for Minnesotans.
Courtesy of Minnesota State Fair
Tastes Of Tradition
There’s something about food that has the power to transport us. One bite, one smell, and suddenly we’re kids again—spilling ice cream on the curb or biting into a corn dog on a hot summer day. In Minnesota, some places have been serving up that sensory magic for decades.
For more than a century, Selma’s in Afton has been a summertime pilgrimage for ice cream lovers. “Selma’s has been serving sweet memories since 1913—it’s the oldest ice cream parlor in Minnesota,” says owner Rebecca Nickerson. Kids press their noses against the cool glass, adults remember doing the same decades ago, and everyone leaves a little stickier—and a little happier—than when they arrived. Nickerson adds, “Whether you’re trying our signature affogato or just savoring a scoop on the patio, it’s all about slowing down and enjoying the moment together.”
“Selma’s is the oldest ice cream parlor in Minnesota. We have generations of families that share memories here. Selma’s is just a simple way for people to spend time together.” –Rebecca Nickerson
Courtesy of Selma's
Every Minnesotan has that place—where their parents took them after church or where they celebrated a birthday with milkshakes and burgers. Ask someone you know, and you’ll likely hear Mickey’s Diner among these contenders. Open 24/7 since 1939 in downtown St. Paul (though there was a brief pause during the pandemic), this 36-seat, art deco railcar diner dishes out pancakes and hash browns to locals and celebrities alike. Even when closed, the chrome-and-neon facade still glimmered with memory.
Photo by MNHS
With its bright-yellow barn along Highway 169 near Jordan, you can’t miss Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store. Founder Herb Wagner started a small plywood apple stand on the current site of the yellow barn in 1975, in which he later added candy and sweets to the mix—and the rest is history. Also known as Jim’s Apple Farm (named for Herb’s son, Jim), this whimsical, seasonal favorite has delighted sweet tooths for decades. Inside, find shelves stacked with nostalgic favorites (think Zotz, Pop Rocks, candy buttons, wax bottles, Sugar Daddies, and Charleston Chews—plus a full display of candy cigarettes), international candies, pickled and canned goods, and rows of root beer and retro sodas. Add in superhero murals, animatronics, and a sense of childlike wonder, and it’s easy to see why this roadside icon continues to draw road-tripping families by the thousands.
Courtesy of Jim's Apple Farm
No culinary stroll down memory lane is complete without the Minnesota State Fair. Since 1859, the Minnesota State Fair has been a feast for the senses, feeding upward of 2 million attendees annually. The Fair’s food scene is legendary: deep-fried pickles, pronto pups, giant turkey legs, and nearly everything on a stick. Among the buzz of new creations each year, timeless favorites endure. The Hamline Church Dining Hall, one of the oldest food stands on the grounds, serves up snowcap mini waffle sundaes and hospitality rooted in tradition. Whether you’re tracking down your childhood favorite or letting the kids experience their first Pronto Pup, the Fair delivers a heaping helping of nostalgia. (We’ll take a bucket of Sweet Martha’s and a side of sentiment, please!)
Time-Honored Fun
Some Minnesota traditions come around just once a year, but they’re so memorable they last a lifetime. Others are local rituals that keep small towns and family bonds strong.
Photo by MNHS
Did you even go to elementary school in Minnesota without taking a field trip to Fort Snelling? There are few places more steeped in layered history than our state’s first National Historic Landmark, perched at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. This 1820s military outpost now serves as an educational and reflective site through reenactments, hands-on exhibits, and storytelling. Visitors are encouraged to learn about the soldiers, Indigenous communities, and settlers who all shaped this place. It’s both a powerful learning experience and a chance to walk in the literal footsteps of the past.
Roller rinks may have faded in some parts of the country, but at Skateville in Burnsville, it’s still 1984 in the best way. Family-owned for more than 45 years, this polished wood rink has been a rite of passage for generations of south metro kids. The music thumps, the lights dazzle, and somewhere, a kid learns how to cross-step without falling. It’s the perfect mix of retro charm and feel-good fun. More roller-skating memories? Though they’re no longer open, we’d be remiss not to mention Dupont Arena (aka Minneapolis Arena), Roller Garden in St. Louis Park, Bloomington Roller Rink, and the Coliseum in St. Paul.
Photo by Darin Kamnetz
Just down the river, when the gates to Valleyfair in Shakopee opened in 1976, it quickly became a beloved summer destination for thrill-seekers and families alike. Now with 75-plus rides and a full water park, it’s where kids scream on their first roller coaster and teens make memories under the twinkle of midway lights. “One thing we often hear from people is when they first visited the park and the fond memories they have of it,” says Melissa Ferlaak, who oversees public relations for Six Flags in the Midwest. “So many Minnesotans had their first visit on a middle-school field trip, or it was their first job. Many memories have been created here.” Come for the nostalgia, stay for the adrenaline.
Courtesy of Valleyfair
Before there was TikTok, there were (and in some places, still are) turtle races. It’s one of Minnesota’s quirkiest and most cherished summer traditions: the Nisswa Turtle Races. Every Wednesday from early June through mid-August, kids and adults gather in the town’s center to cheer on their favorite shelled racers. Now in its 62nd year, the event turns a quiet lakeside town into a cheering, giggling, family-friendly festival. “The community really embraces it, because it’s such a big draw to town,” says Kalie Jo, president of Nisswa Chamber of Commerce. “On peak summer days, we’re easily topping 500 racers every Wednesday night. And it’s not just the racers—it’s grandma and grandpa, it’s mom and dad, it’s cousins… you see extended families all coming together to cheer each other on.”
“One especially memorable moment was when a 95-year-old woman competed in the turtle races for the first time. It had been on her bucket list, and her joy and excitement truly captured how this event brings fun to all ages.” –Kalie Jo
Courtesy of Nisswa Chamber of Commerce
Part petting zoo, part wildlife sanctuary, Fawn-Doe-Rosa has been introducing generations to furry, feathered, and four-legged friends since 1963. Just across the border in St. Croix Falls, the park lets visitors walk among deer, feed baby goats, and marvel at Minnesota wildlife in an approachable, family-owned setting. It’s more than a day trip—it’s a lesson in connection and caretaking, often remembered long after the selfies fade.
Scenic Memories
Some places feel timeless. Others are timeless. These iconic stops capture Minnesota’s charm, humor, and natural beauty in ways that stick with us long after we’ve left.
Free (with suggested donation), family-friendly, and open year-round, St. Paul’s Como Park Zoo & Conservatory has been delighting Twin Cities residents for over 100 years. “For generations, visiting Como has been a tradition for Minnesotans,” says Matt Reinartz, marketing and public relations manager for Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. “Whether it’s school field trips, first dates in the Conservatory, or summer days watching Sparky the Sea Lion, people return year after year because it’s familiar, accessible, and part of their story. There aren’t many places left that have stayed free and open to the public for this long—and that history makes it feel like home to a lot of people.”
“My family had a tradition of picking up burgers at Porky’s [in St. Paul], having a picnic at the Frog Pond in front of the Conservatory, then spending the afternoon visiting the gardens and animals. Those are some of my favorite memories growing up—and a big part of why Como still means so much to me.” –Matt Reinartz
Courtesy of Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Lined with historic buildings, antique shops, cozy cafes, and stunning views of the St. Croix River, Stillwater’s Main Street is like walking through a postcard. Once a bustling lumber town and home of the 1848 territorial convention that helped launch the state, Stillwater has evolved into a timeless local favorite. Whether you’re strolling hand in hand past storefronts or sipping wine on a patio as the lift bridge rises, this riverside town captures the spirit of summers past—and present.
Photo by Explore Minnesota
Paul Bunyan called—he wants his glory days back. Towering over the shore of Lake Bemidji, Paul and Babe the Blue Ox make for Minnesota’s most famous selfie spot. Paul stands 18 feet tall, weighs 2.5 tons, and was erected in 1937. Babe, added in 1939, spans 14 feet across the horns and weighs 5 tons. “Paul and Babe are Minnesota’s original statues of the iconic duo, welcoming visitors to the First City on the Mississippi for decades,” says Josh Peterson, executive director of Visit Bemidji. Their popularity certainly hasn’t waned over the years either. Kids climb on Babe, families line up for photos, and everyone agrees: It’s just not a trip up north without a visit to Minnesota’s favorite folklore duo. “We’re proud to have Paul and Babe greet thousands of guests each year—and it’s especially meaningful to see families return to relive that childhood ‘great moment’ of visiting these beloved figures,” Peterson says.
Courtesy of Visit Bemidji
Though there are just a few left in the state, places like ELKO! Drive-In Theater in Elko New Market and Starlite Drive-In in Litchfield offer the perfect retro date night. In southern Minnesota, Verne Drive-In Theater in Luverne shows two films per night, Wednesday through Sunday (during the summer), and up north, Long Drive-In Theatre in Long Prairie also shows two nightly films Friday through Sunday—and it’s one of the only drive-ins in the country where you can stay overnight on the property. “We lean into the nostalgia with original 1950s speakers, vintage projectors, and themed movie nights that create real memories,” says owner Michelle Claseman. Roll down the windows, pass the popcorn, and let the movie magic take over—just like your parents did.
“The Long Drive-In Theatre was built in 1956 by Tillie Smith and has been open every year since. Long Prairie once had a dance hall, roller rink, and bowling alley, which are all long gone. Drive-ins have withstood the test of time, while so many other pastimes have faded.” –Michelle Claseman
Courtesy of Michelle Claseman
Gone but Not Forgotten
Some of the most nostalgic places in Minnesota are the ones that no longer exist—but that doesn’t mean they’ve faded from our hearts.
Camp Snoopy, Mall of America
Before it became Nickelodeon Universe, Camp Snoopy filled Mall of America with Peanuts-themed rides, trails, and treehouse-style decor. From 1992 to 2006, it was a soft-focus dreamscape of family-friendly charm—and many of us fondly associate Camp Snoopy with the log chute (and its distinctive scent).
Dayton’s Christmas Displays
Originally called the “Christmas Show,” Dayton’s department store in downtown Minneapolis transformed into a winter wonderland each December from 1963 through 2016. Elaborate animated window scenes, twinkling lights, and the iconic eighth-floor auditorium exhibit created pure holiday magic.
Met Stadium and the Metrodome
Though both stadiums have been replaced, the memories of watching the Twins, Vikings, or concerts there still linger with echoes of roaring crowds and childhood milestones (as well as getting “blown” out of the Dome—if you know, you know).
