Five Amazing Day Trips: Minnesota

The upper Midwest state of Minnesota has a delightful mix of cosmopolitan cities filled with arts and culture and beautiful wilderness areas dotted with pristine lakes and rivers to enjoy year-round. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul truly have something for everyone, from world-class museums and top-notch performing arts to excellent sports venues and an impressive culinary scene. Head to the eclectic neighborhoods, hang with the friendly residents, and spend time at local coffee shops and cafés while shopping the many boutiques and galleries. While exploring greater Minnesota, you’ll discover many of the small cities and towns have deep European heritage, offering visitors unique points of interest with authentic restaurants and stores. For the outdoor enthusiast, the spectacular northwest and northeast regions are perfect for a relaxing vacation with the family to experience seemingly untouched natural beauty. Our day trip recommendations begin in the Twin Cities and showcase some of the best destinations in the state.

Here are five great day trips across the North Star State:

Duluth (Museums & Attractions)

On the shores of Lake Superior, Duluth is the largest and most vibrant port city. Located 150 miles northeast of Minneapolis, this day trip explores the points of interest around Bayfront Festival Park with stunning views of the harbor and Aerial Lift Bridge. Start your day trip at the Great Lakes Aquarium, featuring over 200 species of freshwater fish as well as amphibians, mammals, and reptiles. The aquarium is very unique with its focus on animals and habitats found within the Great Lakes basin and other freshwater waterways and ecosystems. The William A. Irvin Ore Boat Museum is permanently docked on the Duluth Waterfront. The unique museum is a massive lake freighter, formerly the flagship vessel of U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes Fleet. Take a guided tour to explore the vessel and learn the history and importance of the Great Lakes to the manufacturing industry in the region. Before leaving the waterfront area, choose a local restaurant for lunch, visit a few of the unique shops, and, if you have kids, don’t miss the outdoor interactive playground.

New Ulm (Brew, Distill & Ferment)

Experience German heritage, 90 miles southwest of the Twin Cities in the charming small city of New Ulm. Originally founded by the German Land Company of Chicago, it is named after the city Neu-Ulm in the Bavaria region of Germany. This day trip combines German heritage and brewing excellence with a visit to the August Schell Brewing Company. Take a guided tour of the second oldest brewery in the United States and visit the historic brewhouse before a complimentary tasting in the Rathskellar Tap Room. During your visit, spend some time strolling along the beautiful grounds, which are also the location of the impressive family mansion. Before leaving the area, find the 45-foot-tall Glockenspiel and other historic buildings while visiting unique shops and authentic restaurants downtown. New Ulm is also known as the “City of Festivals.” Mark your calendar for Schell’s Bock Fest (March), Bavarian Blast (July), Hermannfest (September), and Octoberfest (Early October).

Red Wing (Small Town Experience)

On the bluffs of the Mississippi River, the charming city of Red Wing is located 55 miles southeast of the Twin Cities and is home to the well-known companies of Red Wing Shoes, Riedell Skates, and Red Wing Stoneware. Start this shopping day trip at the Pottery Museum of Red Wing, located on Main Street in the “Pottery District.” The museum’s 13,000 square feet of exhibits showcase over 6,000 historic pieces of stoneware, art pottery, dinnerware, and folk art. Visit the museum gift shop and nearby Red Wing Stoneware & Pottery Store to purchase beautifully crafted items— you might also find a few eye-catching pieces at the other pottery shops and antique shops across the historic downtown. Another must-see stop in town is the flagship Red Wing Shoe Outlet and Museum. Besides having the world’s largest boot on display, there are over 30,000 pairs of shoes and boots across three floors. Take a self-guided tour of the museum, detailing the 100+ year history of the successful company. With dozens of unique shops and boutiques, world-famous brands, and locally owned bakeries, cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants, it’s easy to see why people flock to Red Wing’s historic downtown.

St. Cloud (The Outdoors)

The mighty Mississippi River is one of the main attractions in St. Cloud, the largest city in the central region of Minnesota. Located about 65 miles northwest of the Twin Cities, the river passes through the downtown area and is an excellent option for outdoor recreation. This day trip gets you on the river to enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes. CW Outfitting is the only paddle sport specialty shop and outfitter on the banks of the Mississippi River in Central Minnesota. Choose from a 3, 8, or 13-mile paddle to explore the many sand bars and small undeveloped islands before taking the shuttle back to the starting point. Since this section of the river is frequented by migratory birds and protected as a “Wild & Scenic River,” expect to see a variety of wildlife along your trip, including eagles, blue heron, egrets, and hawks. After returning to St. Cloud, spend the remainder of the day downtown exploring the many local restaurants and cafés as well as unique shops and performing arts venues.

Winona (The Outdoors)

Located 120 miles southeast of the Twin Cities, the picturesque small city of Winona is known for spectacular vantage points and landscapes from the bluffs of the Mississippi River. The most distinguishable landmark is the rock pinnacle named Sugar Loaf, measuring 85 feet tall and a reminder of the local quarrying along the bluffs into the late 1800s. Today, you can hike, bike, or cross-country ski on over a hundred miles of relatively flat terrain. End the day downtown at one of the local cafes and restaurants and enjoy a glass of wine from a nearby vineyard— the perfect ending to this small town midwestern day trip. Make a return trip for one of the performing arts festivals held throughout the year, including the Frozen River Film Festival (February), Midwest Music Fest (May), Minnesota Beethoven Festival (June/July), and the Boats & Bluegrass Festival (September).