Minnesota Now Home to Two of the World’s Greatest Spots

Time magazine recently dropped its list of "The World's Greatest Places 2025," and not one, but two Minnesota spots made the cut.

The picks are based on what's trending and drawing in travelers. Minnesota is loaded with amazing tourist attractions, but which ones are now considered some of the world’s greatest?

Get our free mobile app

Minnesota Now Home to Two of the World’s Greatest Spots:

Actually, the first one that made the list isn't a tourist attraction at all - it's a brand new restaurant in Minneapolis.

Vinai, the Hmong restaurant from Chef Yia Vang opened in 2024, and in just a short amount of time being open, it's made headlines numerous times according to Bring Me The News.

It's landed on the New York Times Restaurant List, Esquire's Best New Restaurants, Eater's Best New Restaurants, and Vang was named Esquire's Chef of the Year.

Vinai is named after the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp in Thailand, where Chef Yia Vang was born and his parents met, according to their website. The restaurant is Yia’s tribute to his parents and Hmong culture. A place to honor history, share stories, and connect through food.

Also See: Minnesota's Oldest Landmark is a Must-See

The other Minnesota pick? Straight out of a fairytale!

It's Danish artist Thomas Dambo's "Alexa's Elixir" featuring five giant trolls, a golden rabbit, three magic portals, and some 800 birdhouses scattered around the Detroit Lakes region of central Minnesota and just over the border in Fargo, North Dakota.

Dambo has created zero-waste trolls all over the world, but this is his largest project yet brought to life with the help of his team and hundreds of local volunteers.

Listen to Curt St. John & Samm Adams
Weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5