Minnesota's Decisive 10 MustSee Tourist Traps in the Land of 10,000 Lakes

1. Mall of America (60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425): Love it or hate it, this behemoth shopping center embodies Minnesota's inventive pioneering spirit a la F. Scott Fitzgeralds extravagant Gatsby parties. Yet as hipster heroes Kerouac and Eggers might argue; its excessive commercialism leaves true Minnesotan culture out in the cold.

2. The Spoonbridge and Cherry (Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Walker Art Center Vineland Pl., Minneapolis, MN 55403): A vibrant symbol of the Twin Cities' artistic temperament la Prince and his Paisley Park domain. But careful not to sour your enthusiasm too quickly on this seemingly clich photoop destination.

3. Paul Bunyan & Babe Statue (506 S Lake Ave., Bemidji MN USA12014 Hwy 71 N.). Legend has it that our lumberjack hero sculpted Minnesotas lakes with his axe a tale worth revisiting if you appreciate folklore la Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion stories; but steer away from these monstrous statues if you find yourself trapped in postmodern Franzen skepticism.

4. World's Largest Boot at Red Wing Shoe Store & Museum (315 Main St., Red Wing). This outsized testament to American craftsmanship honors traditional values yet seems incongruous next to Bob Dylaninspired murals adorning downtown alleys far removed from corporate logos.

5. Jolly Green Giant Statue (1126 Green Giant Lane, Blue Earth). Behold Hamlin Garlandera agricultural pride juxtaposed against Chrome Yellow pop art flair! Just don't let endless rows of canned veggies stifle your imagination for more organic ways of savoring local history.

6.The Spam Museum (101 NE Third Avenue Austin,MN) is both a bizarre and quirky ode to mystery meat that's beloved for its kitsch and campy nature, much like the Coen Brothers' iconic Minnesotabased film Fargo. However, it is perhaps wise to avoid if you don't share an appetite for the Spam delicacies enthusiastically sampled there.

7. Judy Garland's Birthplace (2727 US Highway 61, Grand Rapids) A peaceful refuge from Ozinduced tornadoes allows devoted fans of The Wizard of Oz a rare glimpse into Dorothy origin story; but be prepared for an anticlimactic experience overlooking sometimes overlycolorful events that transpired on Kansasshores far westward.

8.Minnehaha Falls (4801 S Minnehaha Park Dr., Minneapolis) What beats witnessing urban rush hour give way to lush greenery cascading gracefully in Tom Thomsonesque landscapes? But beware: weekend crowds might leave you secretly yearning even for Jack Kerouac's desolate highways as far more appealing getaway alternatives!

9.The Runestone Museum (206 North Broadway Street Alexandria MN). Delve into the provocative theory of Scandinavian presence predating Columbusan allAmerican discovery tale rivaling W.P.Kinsellas baseball field hatching Shoeless Joes spiritbut dont expect Da Vinci Codelike master clues instead optout polka dots pillaging wellestablished historical facts!

10.Walldogs Global Mural Project at The Crossing Bestill your wanderlusting heart la Dave Eggers' satirical road trips in anticipation where hyphenated pastpresentfuture tenses converge seamlessly against oldworld Europeanstyle facades! Just stick around long enough till reality sinks back gratefully into mundane commuter timetables chugging away unhurriedly!

For guides on social media:

@MallofAmerica

@walkerartcenter

@RedWingShoes

@HormelFoods/SPAMMuseum

@SpringfieldComeSeeGiant

@ComeSeeTheFalls