Bluff Country
(Southeast Minnesota)
Red Wing
Place to Stay: St. James Hotel
Lake City
Places to Eat:
Dux– Ice Cream
Chickadee Cottage Cafe– Adorable locally owned restaurant since 1991 with beautiful gardens and a gazebo, We had the wild rice porridge for breakfast. They also have a gift shop as well as Saturday afternoon Teas (reservation required).
Shopping:
Lake Pepin Pearl Button Company-Boutique and antique shop. I purchased sunglasses and a large pink hat. My husband was very impressed by the antique tool collection in the basement.
Wabasha
Places to Eat:
Chocolate Escape– Chocolate store, sit on the porch eating your treats while watching the boats go by.
Things to Do:
The National Eagle Center-(We did not visit.)
Winona
Places to Eat:
The Boat House-Located right next to the river. Delicious food but can be very busy so call ahead for reservations.
Things to Do:
Garvin Heights Lookout- Beautiful lookout of the bluffs, lakes and river. You can either hike a trail or drive up.
Minnesota Marine Art Museum- Wonderful Art Museum. It was very impressive. You will need to plan to spend at least a couple hours there. They have Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Matisse, also have one of two known versions of Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze.
Levee Park- Park located along the river near The Boat House.
Polish Museum- (We did not visit)
Mankato
(Southwest Minnesota)
Places to Eat:
Wagon Wheel Cafe- Family Friendly Diner located in Downtown Mankato.
Mom and Pops– Ice cream shop with tons of flavors as well as a large patio with a garden and activities for the kids.
Shopping:
The Dork Den- Comic Book Store near Mom and Pops.
Things to Do:
Sibley Farm Park-FREE farm themed playground with a petting zoo. Sibley Farm animals include alpacas, calves, goats, peacocks, horses, pigs, lambs, chicks and ducklings. There is also a koi pond, gardens, and exercise equipment to enjoy.
Minnemishinona Falls-Small waterfall
Minneopa State Park– Trails, Minneopa Falls and Bison Drive. Minneopa Falls is a large waterfall with a lower and upper falls. You can hike down to the lower falls where some people go swimming in the warmer months. Bison Drive is where visitors can drive through 330 acres to view roaming bison. It is closed on Wednesdays. While you drive through you can tune into a local radio station to hear facts and learn more about the bison. Your whole family will love this park!
Kiwanis Holiday Lights Tour-Holiday Lights Attraction
Bayport/Stillwater
(Eastern Minnesota)
Places to Stay:
Laura Hotel-Newer Boutique Hotel with a restaurant and coffee shop attached.
Hotel Crosby-Boutique Hotel with a rooftop Hot Tub and restaurant.
Places to Eat:
Nelsons Ice Cream- Huge portions and tons of flavors. Tips-Always order the Child Size!
Oasis-Cafe located right outside Stillwater.
Mabel’s Ice Cream- New Ice Cream Shop located in Bayport.
Leo’s– Cafe in Downtown Stillwater.
Bread Art Bakery-Family Owned Bakery in downtown Bayport.
Things to Do:
Teddy Bear Park-Unique bear themed playground in Downtown Stillwater.
Pioneer Park– Beautiful playground and overlook in Stillwater.
Lakefront Park- Swimming Beach and Playground in downtown Bayport.
St. Croix Boats and Packet- Riverboat tours along the St. Croix River.
Stillwater Bridge- Walk along the pedestrian trail crossing over the St. Croix River.
Duluth
(North Shore Minnesota)
Places to Eat:
Uncle Louis Cafe-Family Friendly Small Cafe.
Taste of Saigon– Delicious place to get Pho, especially on a cold day.
Duluth Grill-
Canal Park Brewery
Bent Paddle Brewery
Vikre Distillery
Things to Do:
Train Museum-Explore trains, watch model trains go by, play with the train tables and more.
Split Rock Lighthouse-Historic Lighthouse
Gooseberry Falls– Large waterfall with trails for hiking.
Enger Park and Tower– Gardens and Tower with stunning views of Lake Superior.
Seven Mile Beach– Sandy beach along Lake Superior across the Lift Bridge.
Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center– Free Museum located in Canal Park.
Large Ships– Watch the large cargo ships pass through under the Lift Bridge. Tip- Times typically change for the ships, you may need to adjust your schedule.
Lake Superior Zoo-Smaller Zoo located near Duluth.
Chester Park– Great for hiking
Canal Park– Shops and trails
North Shore Scenic Railroad-Train rides along the North Shore
Bentleyville-Holiday Tour of Lights
Places to Stay:
Holiday Inn Downtown Duluth-One bedroom suite
Northfield
(South of the Twin Cities)
Places to Stay:
Archer House Hotel-Historic Hotel
Places to Eat:
SmoqueHouse– Barbecue Restaurant
Hogan Brothers– Hoagies and Ice Cream
Contented Cow– British Pub
Froggy Bottoms– Riverside Hotel and Pub.
Things to Do:
Jesse James Tour– Historic tour
Arboretum– Gardens and trails.
Brainerd
(North of the Twin Cities)
Places to Stay:
Craguns– Family Friendly and Affordable Resort on Gull Lake. Tip- Stay in the Family Suite Rooms which have a seperate living room and full kitchen.
Breezy Point Resort– Beautiful Resort on Pelican Lake. Tip-Make sure not to miss their Elvis impersonator.
Maddens on Gull
Grandview Lodge
Waconia/Minnetrista
(West of the Twin Cities)
Things to do:
The Winery at Sovereign Estate– Beautiful winery with loads of family friendly events. (Many other wineries and breweries located in Waconia.
Gale Woods Farm-It is a real working farm you can tour as part of the Three Rivers Park District.
Isabella/Ely
(North of the Twin Cities)
Places to Stay:
Snowshoe Lodge-Rustic Cabins along the BWCA.
Things to Do:
Canoe BWCA
Kawishiwi Falls-Waterfall in Ely
International Wolf Center-Wolf Research and Educational Center
Bear Center- Bear Research and Educational Center
Other Locations
- New Ulm
- Lutsen
- MN State Parks
- Voyageurs National Park
- Alexandria Lake Area
- Bemidji
- Grand Marais
- Boundary Waters Canoe Area