Minnesota pops up in Maggie Daley Park, invites Chicagoans back home

Visitors to Maggie Daley Park over the weekend were treated to a virtual vacation, courtesy of Explore Minnesota, the state’s travel and tourism agency.

Travel “ambassadors” from Illinois’ neighbor to the north unveiled an immersive pop-up exhibit where visitors to Maggie Daley Park could experience paddling through pristine waters, dining under starry night skies and biking through lush forested Minnesota landscapes.

With many travel destinations still working toward recovering pre-pandemic levels of tourism, states like Minnesota are reaching out to neighboring residents who may be ready to travel again but still not prepared for the leap to more remote vacation spots.

Minnesota is working to attract travelers from “around the country and across the globe who are eager to get back out, explore, and reconnect with the people and places they care about most,” said Lauren Bennett McGinty, director of Explore Minnesota, in March.

Known for its “10,000 lakes” and International Dark Sky Sanctuaries, Minnesota is a nearby favorite for eco-conscious travelers. Voyageurs National Park near the Canada border offers protected wilderness and waters with a prime view of the Northern Lights and duty-free shopping options.

Fun fact: The Mississippi River begins its course to the Gulf of Mexico from Minnesota’s Lake Itasca. Other popular Minnesota highlights include the longest paved trail in the U.S., nearly 500 golf courses and the just-announced winner of the 2022 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant, Owamni.

Travelers who missed the event this weekend but are still interested in the immersive virtual experience can see a fly-through simulation online.