14 Day Trips from Minneapolis to Escape the City
The best place to be in Minnesota is outside. It’s not tricky to accomplish this in the Twin Cities metro area, where lakes, trails, and ski areas are plenty, but the best day trips from Minneapolis prove that the state has more to offer than urban sprawl.
Frequent day trips for antiquing and candy-hunting in Stillwater or hunting for agates in Duluth are just a few of my favorite memories from growing up in the Twin Cities. As I’ve gotten older, the trips to Stillwater are still a staple, as are new traditions like lazy river tubing with my friends on Rum River or hiking around Taylors Falls.
If you’re looking for a change of scenery, these day trips from Minneapolis offer something for everyone.
1. Stillwater
Stillwater is so special that it may just be the best day trip from Minneapolis. Perched on the St. Croix River, you’ll need to exercise major restraint to spend a day in this charming town and go home without a car full of antique finds.
Antiquing is one of the top things to do in Stillwater. Antique malls and independent stores fill the town’s main road, each offering finds at various price points.
When you’re ready for a break, hit Leo’s Malt Shop to carry on the old-fashioned nostalgia, and when you’re ready to go, grab a bag and a scoop at Tremblay’s Sweet Shop for a sugary souvenir.
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 30 minutes (26 miles)
2. Welch Mill Canoeing, Tubing, and Kayaking
Minnesota may be the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but its rivers shouldn’t be overlooked. On the Cannon River, Welch Mill offers river tubing that’s far less artificial than the lazy river at Valleyfair.
Tubing is $18 to $20, depending on which day of the week you’re coming. The journey down the river takes anywhere from three to four hours, depending on the current water flow, which means that you should come prepared with a cooler and work a tube for it into your budget.
Your beers and seltzers are fair game, as long as they’re in cans—no styrofoam or glass allowed. You should also take a first aid kit and lots of water. The river can be rocky and shallow depending on water levels, and some branches hang low.
Welch Mill is cash-only—no cards permitted.
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 1 hour (50.5 miles)
3. Taylors Falls
Taylors Falls is actually not a waterfall at all. The town of less than 1,000 people is best known for its ancient lava flows, glacial potholes, and bluffs overlooking the St. Croix River, which makes Interstate State Park, its recreational area, a popular destination for camping and hiking in Minnesota.
Hiking at Taylors Falls is relatively easy, suitable for most people. It takes roughly an hour and 15 minutes to complete with the Walter F. Mondale River Trail and Railroad Trail Loop, which includes some moderate incline. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available.
Hiking in Taylors Falls can be muddy and slippery when wet. Pay attention to recent weather, plan footwear accordingly, and bring bug spray—the mosquito may as well be Minnesota’s state bird.
To extend your day trip, follow the St. Croix back down south to Stillwater to stop for a post-hike meal or ice cream.
Driving distance from Minneapolis: Approximately one hour (51.4 miles)
4. Parley Lake Winery
Where Napa has prestige, Waconia has flights under $20, easier parking, and the audacity to pair Frontenac with hotdish.
With 125 acres of rolling hills and more than 200 medals in national and international competitions, Parley Lake Winery proves that there’s more to drink in Minnesota than Grain Belt and Caribou Coffee.
The family-run winery in Waconia is open on the weekends and is less than 45 minutes from Minneapolis. Live music often takes the stage, food trucks make frequent appearances, and wine tastings are just $40.
Pay attention to the winery’s event calendar in September for harvest days, when volunteers take to the vines to assist with grape picking. Reservations are required, and you’ll usually be rewarded with a glass of wine for your efforts.
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 40 minutes (31 miles)
5. St. Joseph
Bennies know St. Joseph all too well. Home to the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, this college town is an idyllic escape from the Twin Cities.
Time your visit to open house days for Saint John’s Pottery, the home of the Johanna Kiln. Containing up to 10,000 pieces, this is the largest wood-burning kiln in North America, requiring the round-the-clock labor of a small army of 45 people to fire every two years. It takes two-and-a-half months just to load the kiln and nine months to clean it when the firing concludes.
In town, boutique shopping awaits as do New York Times-featued Flour & Flower and Krewe Restaurant, gastronomic endeavors by Chef Mateo Mackbee and Chef Erin Lucas.
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 1 hour (73 miles)
6. Quarry Park and Nature Preserve
684 acres of hiking trails, swimming, and rock climbing bring visitors to Quarry Park and Nature Preserve near St. Cloud. There are 20 former granite mining quarries at the park, but it’s the park’s two swimming quarries that make it a bona fide hangout spot for young Minnesotans in the summer.
Cast away your fear of heights—cliff jumping is one of the greatest attractions and thrills in the park. There are several different cliff heights in the park, allowing beginners to build their way up.
Entry to the park is free for walkers and bikers. Vehicles can expect to pay a $5 to $10 parking pass fee, which varies based on the time of year.
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 1 hour and 20 minutes (71 miles)
7. Red Wing
Red Wing’s claim to fame isn’t just its internationally beloved boot company. Situated on the Mississippi River, the town is particularly beautiful in the fall when colors take over its hills, surrounding the river in a glow.
Year-round, visitors can visit the beautiful Sheldon Theatre, constructed in 1904. The Pottery Museum of Red Wing houses a 6,000 piece collection of vintage, artisan-crafted stoneware, educating guests on the history of the craft in the town.
Frontenac State Park is located southeast from Red Wing. You could make a day trip out of just visiting the town, or could hike around the park before stopping in Red Wing on your drive back to Minneapolis for a bite and a stroll.
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 1 hour and 15 minutes (59 miles)
8. Frontenac State Park
Bring your hiking boots or a sled—Frontenac State Park is a worthwhile visit year-round. 13 miles of hiking trails, 7.1 miles of cross-country skiing, and a sliding hill keep the park in motion.
Ascend 430 feet on the Bluff Side Trail to see views of Lake Pepin. The trail starts at the park’s picnic area, which also offers views of the lake (without the steep climb). Bring the binoculars: shorebirds can be viewed during their migration from the sand point.
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 1 hour and 15 minutes (66 miles)
9. Duluth
A drive up to Grand Marais is probably not realistic for the day, but Duluth, perfectly positioned as the gateway to the North Shore region, is far more approachable at just two hours away from Minneapolis.
Duluth is a great launching pad for whatever your heart desires on the North Shore: A shallow dip in Lake Superior’s frigid waters in Canal Park, antique shopping in town, or a quick hike through W.R. Bagley Nature Area, Chester Creek, or Hawk Ridge Nature Preserve.
The 1905 Aerial Lift Bridge is the port city’s most iconic landmark, if not Lake Superior itself. Victorian homes line its historic neighborhoods, many now converted into boutique hotels and event venues.
Restaurants in Duluth serve walleye and wild rice—some of the best regional foods Minnesota has to offer. A visit to Fitger’s Brewhouse is a must year-round for one of their many variations on a wild rice burger.
At the end of your day, kick back at one of the state’s best breweries—Bent Paddle, Ursa Minor Brewing, Blacklist Brewing Co., and Wild State Cider are some of the many headquartered here.
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 2 hours (154 miles)
10. Bean and Bear Lake Hike
This viral hike has taken over the feeds of many a millennial Minnesotan. Located in Silver Bay, seeing this photo-worthy view of these lakes requires a moderately difficult, 6.8-mile-long hike.
The signature Bean and Bear Lake Loop takes roughly three hours to complete, encompassing steep inclines (1,092 feet in elevation gain total), rocky patches, and some mud. It’s best experienced during peak colors in the fall, when the trees surrounding the lake light up in vivid colors.
This is an extremely popular trail with a lot of foot traffic. For the best experience, start early in the morning (which, yes, means an early wake-up call in Minneapolis).
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 3 hours and 20 minutes (212 miles)
11. Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural Area
Wisconsin is, at times, a dirty word in Minnesota. Still, the state’s biggest rival is a popular weekend destination from the Twin Cities, which are positioned near the border. A little over an hour away, Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural Area is just far enough from Minneapolis to feel like an escape, but close enough to be a day trip.
The 400-foot-high bluff is one of only six on the Mississippi River where Peregrine Falcons nest, offering views of the river and Lake Pepin. The main Maiden Rock Bluff loop is an easy, 1.6-mile loop that’s accomplishable in just a half hour for most people.
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 1 hour and 20 minutes (69 miles)
12. Chippewa Falls
Just under two hours from Minneapolis and 20 minutes from Eau Claire on the Chippewa River, Chippewa Falls is to Wisconsin what Stillwater is to Minnesota.
The historic rivertown’s biggest claim to fame is being home to the Leinenkugel Brewery, which has operated since 1867. Leinie Lodge welcomes visitors with a free tour of their brewing process. After, chill out at the lodge’s sampling bar or patio for a taste of its brews.
Hike, bike, or drive through nature around town. The brief Bluff Rapids Trail in Irvine Park is one of the area’s newest for hiking, but those less physically-inclined can drive through the park instead.
Just outside of town is Pondview Lavender Farm, a beautiful photo opp when in bloom, and a fun activity when u-pick lavender season is in full swing from mid-June to mid-July.
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 1 hour and 40 minutes (98 miles)
13. Winona
Sugar Loaf isn’t a name for something in a pastry case in Winona. The former Dakotan village’s most recognizable landmark, Sugar Loaf, is a bluff topped by a loaf-like rock pinnacle, formed through quarrying in the 19th century.
Winona Ice Park, located within Sugar Loaf Park, is the second-largest manmade ice park in the country, bringing avid climbers to town in the winter. In warmer seasons, Sugar Loaf Trail, Great River Bluffs State Park, John A. Latsch State Park, and Garvin Heights Park offer views without quite as much risk.
Start your day with a donut from Bloedow Bakery, open since 1924, and end it at Muddled Thyme for a cocktail or glass of wine or NOSH Scratch Kitchen for dinner, a favorite of Minnesota food critic, Andrew Zimmern.
Between, make a point of visiting the Minnesota Marine Art Museum’s six water-centric galleries and taking the self-guided Glorious Glass Tour to see why the town claims to be the “stained-glass capital of America.”
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 2 hours and 10 minutes (117 miles)
14. Forestville / Mystery Cave State Park
13 miles of underground pathways make Mystery Cave the longest cave in Minnesota.
Located in Forestville State Park, several different guided tours of the cave are available in different areas of focus, like scenery, geology, and physically intense wild caving. Photographers looking to use tripods or monopods need to book a photography-specific tour.
Forestville State Park is free to enter, but Mystery Cave is not. Tours range in price from $15 to $80 per person, based on duration and challenge.
Driving distance from Minneapolis: 2 hours (124.5 miles)
