Minnesota Day Trips and Weekend Getaways
Our Team lives and works in the Twin Cities metro which is always full of activities and places to go. However, we occasionally like to take a day or a weekend to go explore other parts of our home state. Luckily, Minnesota is full of options if you want to get out of the city and the 'burbs.
Here are some spots that you can go on your own, with friends, or with the family to enjoy a day or two of exploring!
Stillwater - This is a favorite amongst the team! Stillwater is great all year round with the pretty views and great restaurants. If you are a fan of antiques or boutique shopping, you will have plenty to keep you busy all day long. Stop at the Freight House or LoLo's American Bar for a snack and a drink and the day will be complete!
Lift Bridge Brewing is just outside of the main downtown area if you want a great beer after some exploring. Bonus - Nelson's Ice Cream is close by as well.
Taylors Falls - We highly recommend this spot for a gorgeous winter day! The hike in the winter is sure to be filled with stunning views. Cliffs, abundant trees, and frozen water will make this spectacular.
From the cities, it's north we go to this location. Also on the River looking over to Wisconsin
Northfield - We love this historic town for several reasons. Also full of cute shops and fun places to eat, you can spend a few hours walking around the main downtown area with friends or family. St. Oalf College is a great spot to get out and walk around. The buildings are situated in large, mature trees, pretty trails leading around the campus and the buildings made of stone are gorgeous if you appreciate great architecture.
In the warmer months, you can visit the Red Barn Farm for great pizza. Bring your own chairs, other snacks, and beverages and enjoy a fun afternoon outdoors! They open back up in May if you're eager to get there as soon as possible. We can say from personal experience that the pizza is absolutely delicious and worth the wait when it's busy.
Afton State Park - About 30 minutes south of Stillwater and 15 minutes north of Hastings, this State Park is a beautiful get away! Walk along trails that overlook the St. Criox River on your hike and enjoy beautiful trails through fields that will make you feel lost in nature.
While it's still winter you can visit Afton Alps and take the family skiing or snowboarding for the day. Definitely one of the best ways to enjoy the beautiful snow in our state!
New Ulm - Schell's Brewery - Go visit Herman the German in New Ulm! New Ulm is a great small town a little west of Mankato. It's home of Schell's Brewing. Still in the original location, this is a fabulous spot to take a tour and try some beers! Not to mention they have a fun Oktoberfest every year if you're interested...
While you're in the area, swing by Mankato to walk around Minneopa State Park and Falls and see the bison. The kiddos will love this! There's also some lovely trails near a waterfall to get out and stretch your legs for awhile. If you're really craft beer fan, you can swing by Mankato brewing as well. This is more of a warehouse style location with great local beer.
Duluth and the North Shore - This is definitely more of a weekend trip if you're looking to get out of town for a couple of days. If you're from Minnesota, you already know that Duluth is a favorite among many people for the scenery and adventure. In fact, we know many people that run Grandma's Marathon every year and talk of the view leading into the city.
This town is full of great places to eat - Northern Waters Smokehaus was Mal's favorite on her last trip up in town. The downtown area will have plenty for you to choose from if you're hanging out in Canal Park. Enjoy walking out to the Lighthouse, going on a tour of the Glensheen Estate, or even exploring the areas outside of town. Two Harbors, Gooseberry falls, and driving over to the Wisconsin side to visit Anchor Bar (best and cheapest burgers ever) are all musts.
Are there other places in Minnesota that you love to escape to that we should make a trip to? Let us know!
Happy Exploring!