My favorite (west central) Minnesota

Explore Minnesota has redesigned its Web site. It includes a section called "My Favorite Minnesota" where people like you and me can list our favorite places and share photos and even videos. Sure, the Mall of America and the North Shore are listed by plenty of people, but as you read the lists, there are several west central Minnesota surprises, too. Here are a few:

• Jonel says her favorite stop EVER is the Vining Sculpture Garden.


• Mong lists the Viking Cafe in Fergus Falls as one of his top 10 places to get a slice of pie.


• Dawn's family loves staying at the Tipsinah Mounds Campground in Elbow Lake.


• Norm thinks the White Earth State Forest is one of the best places to go for car rallies.

What are some of your favorite west central Minnesota spots and activities? Add your faves to My Favorite Minnesota's lists and help make our region shine!

Let the summer games begin!

Memorial Day Weekend is the official kick-off of the summer season here in Minnesota.

For a lot of us, it means vacations to plan, local community festivals to attend, places to explore and a whole slew of things to see and do ... and eat!

West central Minnesotans and those who plan to visit here (we hope there are a lot of you!) may want to start their summer planning by visiting Explore Minnesota's North Central/West Region Web page. It includes a list of local events and links to area tourist bureaus.