Minnesota, star of the north, is in the heart of the mid-west with rich farmlands, pristine lakes, and cosmopolitan cities, all at the head waters of the Mississippi River. Minneapolis and St. Paul, the Twin Cities, offer all the amenities any tourist wants, including shopping at the Mall of America, attending Prairie Home Companion, and making easy connections through Northwest Airlines hub. Adventurers can travel north to visit the shores of Lake Superior, Duluth, and Ely, the entrance to the Boundary Waters for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing adventures that can cross two countries. Extreme canoeist and backpackers find the lakes, islands, and portages of the Boundary Water challenging and worth many return visits-even in the winter for snow shoeing and cross-country skiing. Touring through Minnesota, visitors can learn about its rich Scandinavian and Native American heritages. Many visitors to Minnesota go to Rochester to visit the Mayo Clinic, one of the most outstanding health care facilities in the country.