From the headwaters of the Mississippi to the birthplace of Bob Dylan and the Greyhound bus line, there’s a lot of Americana to be found just a few hours from Minneapolis.
Whether you’re hoping to hike, visit wineries, ride on a riverboat or see a whole museum dedicated to SPAM, you can do it all in a short drive that takes you to the far north of Minnesota, across the border into Wisconsin, or a little ways south where ancient glaciers couldn’t reach. Winter can be a tricky time to head out, but if you keep an eye on the forecast, you can still enjoy any of these 12 day trips from the Twin Cities.
Stillwater
Why go?: Tour the birthplace of Minnesota
Hilly Stillwater, located on the lower St Croix River, is an old logging town with beautifully restored 19th-century buildings, paddlewheel steamboats churning by, and antique shops galore. It’s touristy, but it’s hard to deny its time-warped charm. Stillwater proudly claims to be the birthplace of Minnesota.
In 1848, settlers from what was then Wisconsin’s vast northwestern territories came together to petition the US Congress for statehood, agreeing on the name “Minnesota”, with the state eventually joining the union in 1858.
While many visitors content themselves with a stroll along bustling Main St and perhaps a paddlewheel ride on the St Croix River, a hike into the residential areas west of downtown is worthwhile to admire the stately homes and the impressive Washington County Historic Courthouse from 1867.
How to get to Stillwater: MN-36 E will get you to Stillwater in just 35 minutes from downtown Minneapolis.
Duluth
Why go?: For the craft beer
Duluth is a vibrant port town that offers visitors a glimpse into its storied history as a major shipping center, alongside a diverse cultural, dining, and drinking scene.
While shipping remains a key industry, tourism has become increasingly significant, blending history with a burgeoning adventure sports scene. Downtown Duluth is rapidly rejuvenating, with a fun craft beer and cider subculture developing just west of the downtown area.
Explore some of the town’s rich history at the Glensheen Mansion, Leif Erikson Park (featuring a replica Viking longship) and the William A Irvin ship museum. Kids will enjoy a trip to the Great Lakes Aquarium, hosting both fresh and saltwater exhibits.
Natural wonders can be appreciated at the Hawk Ridge Observatory, known for its autumn hawk migration event featuring 94,000 raptors. Additionally, music enthusiasts should make a pilgrimage to Bob Dylan’s Birthplace.
How to get to Duluth: Minneapolis is just under two and a half hours from Duluth via I-35 North.
Hibbing
Why go?: Bob Dylan pilgrimage
Speaking of Bob Dylan, the folk legend spent his boyhood years in Hibbing after leaving Duluth at age six. You can pay homage at Bob Dylan’s Boyhood Home and learn more at the Hibbing Public Library. This town is also praised as the birthplace of the iconic Greyhound bus line, with a museum dedicated to the company’s history.
If you have an itch to explore, the Mesabi Bike Trail weaves through the Iron Range, providing an opportunity to see the terrain closely. Hibbing is home to one of the world’s largest open-cast mines, offering insights into the scale of industry.
View this industrial marvel from above at the Hull Rust Mine Viewpoint, from below with a tour of the Soudan Underground Mine, or at ground level at Hill Annex Mine State Park. Complete your day with dining at Palmer’s Tavern, which has served residents for four generations.
How to get to Hibbing: Hibbing is just over three hours from Minneapolis via I-35 N and MN-73 N.
Chippewa Falls
Why go?: For the outdoors (and indoors too)
This beautiful Wisconsin town sits on the banks of both the Chippewa River and Lake Wissota, offering a fantastic day trip for outdoor enthusiasts looking to camp and canoe in the summer or ice skate in the winter.
Indoors, you can visit the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, operating in Chippewa Falls since 1867, making it the seventh-oldest brewery in the United States, where you can taste the brews at their Leinie Lodge tasting room.
For history fans, the Cook-Rutledge Mansion provides a glimpse into the lifestyle of the lumber barons. Enjoy some ice cream from Olson’s and have a picnic in the lovely Irvine Park.
How to get to Chippewa Falls: It’s just an hour-and-a-half drive due east on I-94.
The Ice Age Trail
Why go?: To step back in time
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a 1,000-mile footpath carved by ancient glaciers, stretching from Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls near the Minnesota border to Potawatomi State Park in Wisconsin’s famous Door County.
This trail follows the terminal moraine of the glaciers that pushed into the upper midwest thousands of years ago, representing the outermost edge of the gravely debris that glaciers pushed in front of them as they ground over rocks, hills, and other features.
Conceived by Milwaukeean Ray Zillmer over 70 years ago, the Ice Age Trail aims to create a uniquely Wisconsin backcountry thru-hike, also connecting several communities along the route, including Cornell, Cross Plains, Delafield, Hartland, Lodi, Manitowoc-Two Rivers, Milton, Slinger, St. Croix Falls, Verona, West Bend and Whitewater.
These towns serve as excellent starting points for day hikes, or places to resupply if you plan to join the 100 “Thousand-Milers” – those who have completed the entire trail.
How to get to the Ice Age Trail: The western terminus is only an hour from Minneapolis via I-35W N and US-8 E, while the eastern terminus is about five hours away via I-35W N and US-8 E.
Pepin, Wisconsin
Why go?: To live out a prairie fantasy
Best known as the birthplace of Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder, Pepin is a charming town on the banks of the Mississippi River, which serves as the border from Minnesota. You can learn more about Wilder’s life at the replica of the famous Little House in the Big Woods, which serves as a museum.
Additionally, Pepin is conveniently located near Tiffany Bottoms, Prairie State Natural Area, and Nelson-Trevino Bottoms, all excellent locations for hiking, canoeing, and birdwatching.
Alternatively, enjoy the Pepin Public Beach or visit the Depot Museum, highlighting the city’s railway history. The Buena Vista Park Overlook offers stunning views of the water, complemented by a nearby wine trail and the local Villa Bellezza Winery.
How to get to Pepin: It’s an hour and a half from Minneapolis via US-10 E and WI-35 S/Great River Rd.
Eau Claire
Why go?: For the water activities
Eau Claire, founded in the mid-19th century, leveraged its strategic position at the confluence of two key rivers—the Eau Claire and the Chippewa—to dominate the logging industry for decades. Nowadays, the riverside location continues to offer beautiful views and fun water activities, like rafting and tubing, in pleasant weather.
In recent years, Eau Claire has developed a hip reputation reminiscent of cities like Portland and Austin, featuring great bars, restaurants, a vibrant live music scene, and unique overnight accommodations.
Work up an appetite paddling the local water trails or cycling along the Chippewa River State Trail before heading to Houligans for a classic midwestern steakhouse experience or enjoying a show at the Acoustic Cafe.
How to get to Eau Claire: The city is located just south of Chippewa Falls, approximately an hour and a half away from Minneapolis on I-94 East.
Head to the SPAM Museum in Austin
Why go?: SPAM!
Austin, Minnesota, is a quirky town featuring unusual attractions, from a roadside character known as Buffy the Cow to the official SPAM Museum.
As the location of Hormel Foods headquarters, you might find yourself daydreaming of chili and pepperoni while working up an appetite with the rental canoes, kayaks, cross-country skis, and snowshoes at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.
However, Austin has more to offer than just meat products. The city also houses the Hormel Historic Home and a genuine Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece, the S. P. Elam Residence, built in 1950.
How to get to Austin: Travel to the SPAM capital of the world in about an hour and 40 minutes from Minneapolis via I-35 S and US-218 S.
Red Wing
Why go?: For the Indigenous history
Renowned as the home of Red Wing Shoes, this city got its name from a celebrated Dakota chief who moved his people to this site on the upper Mississippi in the early 19th century. Today, Red Wing is best recognized for its artistic vibe, local pottery, and the Prairie Island Indian Community, home to Chief Red Wing’s descendants.
Take in the scenery by hiking up Barn Bluff, canoeing on Lake Pepin, biking Sorin’s Bluff, picnicking in Memorial Park, or skiing during the winter at the American Ski Jumping Museum and Hall of Fame.
Moreover, the Anderson Center at Tower View, located in the former estate of a family known for its Quaker Puffed Wheat and Rice cereals, offers tours of their collection for an appointment fee.
How to get to Red Wing: Red Wing is easily accessible, just an hour from Minneapolis via US-10 E and WI-35 S/Great River Rd, making it a convenient day trip.
Taylor Falls and St. Croix
Why go?: To ride the Riverboat
A visit to Taylor Falls takes less than an hour. You can stop at the Franconia Sculpture Park, grab a root beer at the 60-year-old Taylors Falls Drive-In, take a ride on a riverboat, or sample local wines at Wild Mountain Winery. While on the Wisconsin side, St. Croix Falls lives up to its “city of trails” title. The Woolly Bike Trail beckons, complemented by nearby beers at Trap Rock Brewery.
Festivities can include hiking in Interstate State Park (where the Ice Age Trail ends), paddling the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, or exploring the Gandy Dancer State Recreation Trail. The Elroy-Sparta State Trail, a popular rail-to-trail conversion, and Wisconsin’s longest state trail, the Tuscobia State Trail, offer excellent recreational opportunities. ATVing and mountain biking are also popular in the area.
How to get to Taylor Falls: It’s less than an hour’s drive from Minneapolis to Taylor Falls on I-35W N and US-8 E.
Chippewa National Forest
Why go?: For the fantastic fishing
The vast Chippewa National Forest spans a large part of north-central Minnesota. This protected wilderness offers visitors opportunities to hike, bike, swim, and fish. The Norway Beach Visitor Center, located four miles east of the forest’s headquarters at Cass Lake, occupies a historic 80-year-old lodge, providing maps and information about the forest’s flora and fauna. Be sure to pack bug spray, as ticks may be prevalent in Minnesota.
How to get to Chippewa National Forest: Although it’s three and a half hours from Minneapolis, making it seemingly a stretch for a day trip, this is the Midwest, where long car trips are a badge of honor. Take US-10 W and enjoy your drive.
Itasca State Park
Why go?: To wade in the Mississippi River
Itasca State Park is a highlight of the area. Walk across the tiny headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River, which is quite an experience. Wade in the knee-deep flow, hop over stepping stones, and boast about strolling over the Father of Waters. The park offers activities such as canoeing, hiking, biking, and camping (with tent and RV sites).
How to get to Itasca State Park: Itasca State Park is three and a half hours from Minneapolis; however, the journey on US-10 W is well worth the time.
This article was first published Mar 5, 2021 and updated Dec 10, 2021.
