Lonely Planet Names Northeastern Minnesota a Top Pick

The region's North Shore and Boundary Waters are among 50 destinations on the publisher's 2027 Best in Travel list.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Central America

Lonely Planet Names Northeastern Minnesota a Top Pick

Live Poll

Would you plan a trip to Northeastern Minnesota's North Shore or Boundary Waters?

Lonely Planet has named Northeastern Minnesota one of the 50 best places to travel in 2027. The publisher's annual Best in Travel list also includes destinations ranging from Rhode Island to Chengdu, China.

Why it matters

The recognition puts Minnesota's North Shore and Boundary Waters in front of a global travel readership planning trips for the coming year. The list is built from the firsthand experiences of writers and travel experts, which is why the region's appeal is framed around the journey itself.

Lonely Planet's list features 50 places chosen through input from writers, editors, and travel experts, then reviewed by an internal team. The source does not provide visitor numbers or tourism figures for the region.

The players

Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet is a travel publisher known for its guidebooks and annual destination rankings, including its Best in Travel list.

The details

The Lonely Planet writer began the route in Minneapolis, traveled to Duluth, then followed the North Shore toward the Boundary Waters. The selection process starts with writers, editors, and travel experts sharing what excites them about the coming year before an internal team debates the recommendations.

Northeastern Minnesota was named among the 50 best places to travel in 2027.

Travel Outlook

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel list, published annually, places Northeastern Minnesota among 50 destinations for 2027 alongside sites as varied as Rhode Island and Chengdu, China. The list highlights a mix of domestic and international destinations for the coming year.

Travelers interested in the North Shore or Boundary Waters can use the list as a starting point for 2027 trip planning. The source does not provide booking details, pricing, or seasonal timing for the region.

The takeaway

Lonely Planet's selection suggests that experiences centered on the route itself, such as the drive along the North Shore toward the Boundary Waters, can rank alongside more famous international destinations. Readers planning 2027 trips may find Minnesota's wilderness and shoreline worth considering.