10 Unforgettable Road Trips To Take In Minnesota Before You Die
There are plenty of ways to enjoy Minnesota, but one of the best is by taking a road trip. With its diverse landscape, scenic byways, and fun attractions in every region, the Land of 10,000 Lakes just might be the most perfect road trip state there is. If you’re itching for a trip ASAP, one of these ten unforgettable road trips in Minnesota will probably do the trick. From abandoned places to gorgeous natural wonders, you’re sure to find one that interests you.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
This road trip was designed to take you on a tour of Minnesota's most eerily beautiful abandoned places. From old mill ruins to deserted buildings, it's photo ops galore if you have an appreciation for natural decay. Better yet, it's long enough to occupy an entire weekend, making it a great activity for when you need to get away.
A jaunt through some of Minnesota's most quaint small towns is the order of the day for this trip. From east to west, north to south, this trip allows you to experience all that small town living has to offer in the great state of Minnesota. You'll check out hometown restaurants, natural wonders, and unique attractions.
If you want to see Minnesota's natural beauty without taking the trouble to plan a trip, you can use this natural wonders road trip through Minnesota as a guide. It'll take you to some of our most gorgeous state parks, where you'll see sparkling blue water, towering cliffs, and everything in between. This trip will make you proud to be from Minnesota.
You don't have to wait until Halloween to see some ghosts. The haunted Minnesota road trip is a great way to check out some of our state's most notoriously spooky destinations. If you've ever wondered if the stories are really true, this is your chance to find out.
Fall is arguably the most beautiful time in Minnesota, so what better way to enjoy the scenery than to take a road trip through the state's most gorgeous leaf-peeping destinations? You'll travel from state park to state forest, experiencing the most spectacular colors of the year. Make sure you bring your camera - these colors don't last long.
A lot of out-of-towners don't know that Minnesota has a lot of waterfalls. So many, in fact, that even locals are sometimes unaware of all of them. To help you find the very best, this waterfalls road trip highlights some of the tallest and most beautiful in the entire state.
If you're looking for a weekend day trip, check out this trip along the St. Croix River region. It'll take you alongside the river to see some of the best scenery and cutest towns. Then you'll travel a bit farther west to see art, shops, and a whole lot more.
This road trip features places with some of the most gruesome, horrifying stories in Minnesota history. If tales of murders and hauntings are your cup of tea, take a weekend to take this terrifying trip.
Sometimes you need to get away without spending too much money. With gas prices as high as they are, it's nice to take a trip on a single tank of gas. This road trip from southern Minnesota to Duluth brings you to great sights and activities to do when you don't want to go too far.
Come Christmastime, this road trip through Minnesota's most charming Christmas towns is a great way to get into the festive spirit. These towns go all out for Christmas, with amazing lights displays, costumed carolers, and visits from Santa. It's a quick trip, so when the time comes, you can make a day of it.
Do any of these trips sound exciting to you? Let us know which one you want to take! If you have any ideas and would like to see your favorite Minnesota place featured someday, let us know by filling out this form.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Road Trips in Minnesota
September 14, 2021
Tori Jane
What are some fun things to do in Minnesota?
Minnesota is a lovely state with plenty to do and see. We feel like it’s vastly underrated, honestly; people overlook states like this one in favor of states with sprawling beaches or amusement parks. Well, you might be surprised to find that Minnesota actually does have its own versions of those things; some of the most super-fun things to do in Minnesota include visiting the shores of Lake Superior or wandering the world-famous Mall of America. At Lake Superior, you can find spots on the beach that will make you forget you’re land-locked and will instead make you feel as if you’re in the Caribbean somewhere. At Mall of America, you’ll find rides and hundreds upon hundreds of awesome shops and stores. You could also visit any of our state’s beautiful parks!
What are the must-visit attractions in Minnesota?
Of course, anyone who enjoys traveling should have a bucket list for every state – Minnesota included. Some of those “must-visit” places include the Great Lakes, which will take your breath away, and while you’re at it, visits to any of the state’s thousands of other lakes. Nature lovers will fall in love with places like Voyageurs National Park, which is easily one of the most picturesque places in the US. You should also visit the Pipestone National Monument, which offers lots of interesting Native American history. The towns of Duluth and St. Paul are also definitive places everyone should visit at least once.
What can I do for day trips in Minnesota?
The possibilities are truly endless! Whether you’re a nature lover, a city-slicker, or something in-between, you’re sure to find breathtaking places in Minnesota where you can easily kill an entire day. There are the more obvious answers – like Minnesota’s incredible state and/or national parks, or the Mall of America – but then there are the less-appreciated kinds of trips. Spend a day hopping from ice cream shop to ice cream shop, sampling all the best the state has to offer. Waltz an entire afternoon away by visiting Minneapolis and its thought-provoking museums. For more ideas, check this article out!
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Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
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