Minnesota Summer Trips Minnesota Summer Trips
The Best Minnesota Trips
You Should Definitely Take This Summer
Summer in Minnesota is a magical time. We emerge from the winter months eager to get outdoors and take advantage of the warm weather, longer days and incredible outdoor activities.
There is no shortage of hiking trails, bike paths and lakes for your next Minnesota adventure but after traveling the state extensively, here are my favorite summertime trips!
Road Trip Up The North Shore
Without a doubt, a road trip up the North Shore should be at the top of you Minnesota summer bucket list!
But what is the “North Shore” you hear Minnesotans so fondly referring to? It’s the scenic stretch of highway from Duluth going all the way to Grand Portage which is nearly the border of Canada.
Minnesota State Highway 61
If you drove from Duluth to Grand Portage without stopping on Highway 61, it would take you 2 hours and 40 minutes. It’s approximately 146 miles one way.
However, there are so many waterfalls, state parks, scenic lookouts, campgrounds, hiking trails and general adventuring to be done that you could fill an entire summer.
Favorite North Shore Stops Include:
- Tettegouche State Park
- Palisade Head
- Split Rock Lighthouse
- Pellet Island
- 3 DAY MINNESOTA NORTH SHORE ITINERARY WITH VOYAGER CAMPERVANS
- THE MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES ALONG THE MINNESOTA NORTH SHORE
- PELLET ISLAND: A MUST-DO TREK FOR THE ADVENTUROUS MINNESOTAN
Explore the Gunflint Trail
Gunflint Trail is a scenic byway in Northern Minnesota that runs alongside the Canadian border.
Staying at the Gunflint Lodge is the ultimate Minnesota adventure because it gives you ample opportunity to hike the rocky overlooks, spot wildlife like bears and moose and canoe into Canada to hike to Little Rock Falls.
Stay At A Historic Bed And Breakfast
Minnesota is home to some beautiful and historic bed and breakfasts.
And not only are there plenty of charming selections, there are some truly unique options like this historic towboat on the Mississippi River.
Camp At A State Park
We are so lucky to have such a great variety of state parks here in Minnesota.
Use this resource to search for campsites.
Some of my favorites include Blue Mounds State Park and Great River Bluffs State Park.
Canoe Through The Boundary Waters
Pristine, untouched wilderness awaits you in the Boundary Waters this summer!
Join a tour group or hire a guide because this area is totally remote and the perfect trip for the adventurous at heart.
Spend An Evening At The Drive In Movies
Yes, Minnesota is home to several drive in movie theaters. How nostalgic and sweet!
Go for a double feature and enjoy watching a movie under the stars like the good ol’ days.
Minnesota Drive In Theaters:
Spend A Weekend In Duluth
You can’t explore Minnesota and NOT go to the beautiful port city of Duluth.
My Duluth Favorites Include:
- Views from Enger Tower
- Tour the Glensheen Mansion
- Take in the views of the iconic Duluth lighthouses
- Hike to Tischer Creek Falls in Congdon Park
Soar Over The Treetops With
Kerfoot Canopy Tour
Rated Minnesota’s #1 outdoor adventure, Kerfoot Canopy does not disappoint!
With the 14 track zipline course, you’ll spend over two hours outside with great views of the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway.
Rent a Voyager Campervan
This company has a rental office in Minneapolis so you can try out the #vanlife without the commitment!
They are beautifully designed and each fully equipped with a bed, kitchen and storage in the back. We drove ours up the North Shore but you could do a road trip anywhere with your rental van!
Minnesota Road Trips:
- Great River Road
- Gunflint Trail
- North Shore (Highway 61)
- Minneapolis to Badlands National Park
Use code “emilyrose40” for $40 off your first rental with Voyager Campervans.
Hike The Great River Bluffs in Winona
Do yourself a favor and plan a trip to Winona. Seriously.
A lot of Minnesota is flat farmland but when you reach the Southeastern corner of the state suddenly there are towering river bluffs rising over the Mississippi.
If you’re “not a hiker” don’t worry! There are some seriously EASY hikes with major views. We are talking hikes under a mile long that would take you about 20-40 minutes but leave you overlooking the city far below.
For the best easy hikes check out Sugar Loaf Bluff and King’s Bluff.
I recommend camping at Great River Bluffs State Park. For breakfast head to Bloedow Bakery, the family owned establishment since 1924 serving delicious (cheap!) donuts. For lunch, head to Acoustic Cafe and during the day go check out the Pickwick Mill and Lake Winona.
For sunset, head to Garvin Heights City Park!
Go Glamping at P2 Rendezvous & Retreat
Just 30 minutes away from Red Wing, you can go “glamping” (meaning “glamorous camping”) at a private adults only resort!
I recommend booking the safari tent. You can find it on Hipcamp which is like Airbnb for private campgrounds.
No kids or pets allowed. But it’s the pefect place for a girls trip or a super romantic getaway!
The hosts Pat and Pam are lovely and welcoming. And the trails are well maintained with cut grass and additional labyrinths you can explore. Come disconnect in nature here, you won’t regret it!
Explore Historic Stillwater
This historic river town is considered the birthplace of Minnesota. Today it’s full of bed and breakfasts, charming boutique stores on main street and ice cream parlors.
It’s the perfect romantic getaway or girls trip destination!
I recommend staying at Rivertown Inn for a luxury option. Or Aurora Staples Inn for mid-price range option. Both are stunning bed and breakfasts right in the heart of old town!
Stillwater Recommendations:
- Hike to Fairy Falls
- Get ice cream at Nelson’s Ice Cream
- Go on a ghost tour
- Shop in downtown Stillwater
- Indulge your sweet tooth at Candyland
- Have a drink at Maple Island Brewery
- Hike to the Arcola High Bridge – Type “Arcola Day Use Area” into your GPS to find the trailhead, then take the trail to the far left
- Go on an authentic Italian gondola ride with Gondola Romantica
- BOOK LOVERS YOU NEED TO STAY AT THIS LITERARY-THEMED BED AND BREAKFAST IN STILLWATER, MINNESOTA
- AURORA STAPLES INN- THE CHARMING BED AND BREAKFAST IN STILLWATER, MINNESOTA
- JANE AUSTEN FANS: THIS IS THE BED AND BREAKFAST OF YOUR DREAMS
- AUTHENTIC ITALIAN GONDOLA RIDES IN STILLWATER, MINNESOTA
Spend A Weekend in Luverne
Surprisingly, the small town of Luverne has a lot to offer. Great hiking trails with interesting red quartz rocks, herds of roaming bison and a classic drive-in movie theater all make for great additions to your trip to the southwest corner of Minnesota.
Luverne Recommendations:
- Camp at Blue Mounds State Park
- Hike at Touch The Sky Prairie
- Watch a movie under the stars at Verne Drive-In
- Go on a bison tour in a safari jeep
- Cross the border into South Dakota to visit the town Garretson with Wild West history
- Just 30 minutes away from downtown Luverne, visit South Dakota’s Palisades State Park
- Go skydiving with Skydive Adventures
- THE TOP 7 THINGS TO DO IN LUVERNE, MINNESOTA THIS SUMMER
- THE MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE SPOTS IN LUVERNE, MINNESOTA
Visit A Sunflower Field
Minnesota is home to a number of privately owned sunflower fields that open up to the public each summer for visits!
The story is amazing. The Fish family has been planting fields of sunflowers for the last 5+ years as a way to connect family & friends through the happiness sunflowers bring. They cover the cost of seeds, labor, time, fuel, plowing, tilling, planting, fertilizing and spraying…. and charge nothing in return. They are completely free to visit and only ask that you share your photos with them .
P.S. If you go, please be respectful and don’t damage or pick any of the flowers 🌻
More information here.
Have A Minneapolis Getaway At
The Hewing Hotel
Hewing Hotel is home to one of the best views of the Minneapolis skyline. Best enjoyed with a cocktail and some sunshine!
This hotel is perfectly situated in the North Loop neighborhood which is filled with trendy bars and eateries. You’ll have no shortage of great spots within walking distance from your hotel.
Get tickets to see a Broadway show downtown or go to live music at one of the nearby concert venues. Just leave plenty of time for lounging at the stunning rooftop pool!
What’s on your Minnesota summer bucket list?
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Minnesota Summer Trips
Minnesota Summer Trips
LOVE THIS! We went glamping thanks to your post! So fun!!
I am so glad to hear that!! I hope you had an awesome time 🙂
You forgot Sky-Vu drive in Warren.