x
Breaking News
More () »

Explore Minnesota provides "Virtual Tours" for people stuck inside

Minnesota's tourism industry is helping people explore from a safe distance.

MINNEAPOLIS — We can still enjoy Minnesota these days. We just have to keep our distance whether that's outside or inside.

Mike Dorf and his grandson Owen were staying safe at their nearby spot, Mississippi Point Park in Champlin.

"Get outdoors and enjoy this," said Mike. "Nice to get outside."

So is Brian Kassen.

"Just to enjoy what I have," he said. 

You can also now enjoy Minnesota virtually.

"There's a lot of ways that you can be engaged even though you need to stay at home," said John Edman, Director of Explore Minnesota.

He says they have suspended their 2020 Spring/Summer marketing campaign, but his team set up "Explore Minnesota from a safe distance" on their website where people can stay connected with the state.

People can access virtual tours. 

Tours of Canal Park in Duluth, Pearl of the Lake in Lake City, and Artists Point in Grand Marais.

Also included are a list of activities people can do and safely see.

"At some point, we don't know when sometime down the future, people will want to explore things and maybe the things that aren't closer than their own backyard that they haven't thought about before," said Edman.

He says in these challenging times, giving us something to maybe look forward to can make a difference.

"That's what we want is to get people some thoughts and optimism through the product of travel," said Edman. 

RELATED: Is six feet of social distance enough? Doctors and research suggest it may not be

RELATED: Tips for parents as students begin distance learning

KARE 11’s coverage of the coronavirus is rooted in Facts, not Fear. Visit kare11.com/coronavirus for comprehensive coverage, find out what you need to know about the Midwest specifically, learn more about the symptoms, and see what companies in Minnesota are hiring. Have a question? Text it to us at 763-797-7215. And get the latest coronavirus updates sent right to your inbox every morning. Subscribe to the KARE 11 Sunrise newsletter here. Help local families in need: www.kare11.com/give11

The state of Minnesota has set up a hotline for general questions about coronavirus at 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903, available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

More information on the coronavirus: 

Before You Leave, Check This Out