Here Are The Exotic Escapes Minnesotans Are Now Craving The Most

After a few winters that barely felt like Minnesota, this season has been a return to normal, complete with early snowstorms and icy mornings. And as the white stuff piles up, it’s no surprise Minnesotans are daydreaming about palm trees, turquoise water, and tropical escapes far, far away from our 10,000 frozen lakes.

Minnesotans Are Dreaming of Warm, Tropical Winter Escapes

But which exotic, warm-weather destination is our favorite in the North Star State?

That's the question this survey from travel information site Places To Travel set out to answer. There are a lot of great tropical destinations available for Minnesotans to escape winter, from warm-weather states like Florida and California to sites in the Caribbean, Mexico, and more.

But none of those are our favorite destinations!

How This Survey Determined Minnesota’s Top Vacation Pick

So just how did Places To Travel figure out which tropical paradise is our favorite here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes? The survey said their number-crunchers analyzed Google Trends data to establish the top vacation destinations of each state throughout the nation.

And while heading across the pond to Italy topped the survey, coming in as the favorite destination for 10 different states, Minnesota was NOT one of those 10 states. Apparently, Minnesotans prefer to head someplace else: Hawaii!

Hawaii Tops the List for Minnesotans Escaping Winter

That's right, our 50th state of Hawaii is Minnesota's favorite travel destination, according to Places To Travel. Hawaii was also the favorite travel destination in four other states in addition to the North Star State, including California, Texas, Washington, and Alabama.

SEE ALSO: We Know Snow - These 6 Minnesota Counties Are Ranked As Some of the Snowiest in the Entire Country

Jason Wilson, CEO of Places to Travel, shared some top tips for Minnesotans planning a trip to Hawaii:

Embrace the local culture by learning a few Hawaiian phrases and participating in traditional customs. And, of course, familiarize yourself with the concept of ‘island time,’ the idea that you can move at a more leisurely pace, allowing you to truly unwind and connect with the spirit of the islands. Whether exploring the vibrant markets, attending a luau, or enjoying a sunset on the beach, let Hawaii's natural beauty and warm hospitality shape your unforgettable travel experience.

In case Hawaii doesn't top your list, other top travel destinations in the survey included the Caribbean, as well as Bali, Japan, and Ireland.  Banff National Park in Canada, plus Dubai, France, Iceland, Norway, Scotland, and Switzerland were also popular destinations in the survey.

Then again, if you'd like to just stay here, stateside, in the good 'ol U.S.A., you can't do better than planning a trip to one of the following stunning national parks. Keep scrolling to see some of the most popular parks in the country!

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