The 11 Very Best Day Trips You Can Possibly Take in Minnesota

It's nice to be at home, but most of us crave a little excitement every once in a while. It's only natural to want to get out and explore, especially when you live in a state as great as the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Lucky for us, there are lots of great day trips in Minnesota - and they can take you to any part of the state. We've compiled a few of our favorites here. Each of these will help you get out and explore the Land of 10,000 Lakes! Follow the links in the descriptions for more details about each of these awesome MN day trips.

1. Explore one of Minnesota's coolest small towns.

Beyond the Twin Cities, Rochester, and Duluth, Minnesota is dotted with towns waiting to be explored. This day trip takes you to the charming town of Luverne, an historic community complete with a cute downtown and lovely natural surroundings.

2. Travel the ice cream trail.

For being such a cold place, Minnesota has a lot of great ice cream shops. To help you along the way, we created this ice cream trail. It visits six great ice cream shops over 150 miles of eastern Minnesota. If you're looking for a delicious day trip, this is it. If you have room for a couple more scoops or swirls, I would add Adele's Frozen Custard in Excelsior and Nelson's Ice Cream in Stillwater to the itinerary. They're two more beloved places for frozen treats in Minnesota that have been putting smiles on their customers' faces for decades.

3. Take a road trip to a hidden restaurant.

Here's another day trip that involves eating. But this one's not a tour. In fact, it's pretty difficult to find. Nestled in a thick northern forest, this restaurant serves up great food - but only to those in the know. Can you find it?

4. Visit Minnesota's Statue of Liberty.

Here's a quirky day trip that you'll love if you're a sucker for roadside attractions. In the 1930s, a Minnesota man created several interesting sculptures out of local rocks. You can still visit them today, including a 7-foot-tall Statue of Liberty..

5. Relax at a quiet, out-of-the-way winery.

Want to get out of the house but still kick back and relax? North Folk Winery will probably do the trick. Sit on the outdoor patio, sip local wine, and take in the sight of a gorgeous vineyard. It's the perfect Minnesota day trip.

6. Take a ride on a mountain coaster.

This day trip is one for those who crave a bit more excitement. Venture up to Spirit Mountain in Duluth for an exhilarating ride on the mountain coaster.. Feel the wind through your hair and take in amazing views. What could be better?

7. Explore a small town with incredible natural scenery.

If you can't get enough of small-town road trips, a visit to Pipestone should definitely be on your bucket list. The town is charming on its own, but when you add in its incredible natural surroundings, it's a real winner. Head downtown for local shops, then venture over to Pipestone National Monument to learn more about the area's fascinating human and natural history.

8. Explore a lesser-known animal park.

Animal lovers will be happy to know that the Minnesota Zoo and Como Zoo are not the end of wildlife viewing in Minnesota. The Hemker Zoo, near St. Cloud has a surprising variety of animals for being so far from the Cities.

9. Unleash your appetite for destruction.

When another day at the lake just won't do, why not try something more extreme? Spend the day at Extreme Sandbox, where you'll learn how to operate heavy machinery, like bulldozers and excavators. You can even challenge a friend to a heavy-duty showdown.

10. Meander along the North Shore.

If you've lived in Minnesota for a while, you've probably already been to the North Shore of Lake Superior. But it's a Minnesota classic and there's a lot to discover. And let's face it: Who could get tired of staring at Lake Superior?

11. Take a winery and brewery trolley tour.

This winery and brewery trolley tour starts out in Rochester and takes guests on an unforgettable tour through Minnesota's Bluff Country. But it's not just a window tour. The wine trolley stops at several wineries and breweries along the way, giving you an opportunity to sample some Minnesota-made beverages. If you prefer to explore these spots on your own, we have a road trip itinerary that includes some of the best wineries and breweries in Bluff Country, as well.

Of course you don't have to limit your Minnesota adventures to single-day trips. There's so much to explore in Minnesota, you could spend every weekend exploring!

Have you done any of these day trips in Minnesota? What are some of your favorite day trips in the Land of 10,000 Lakes? We would love to hear about them.