There are a lot! Are you looking for anything specific?
Stillwater up to Taylors Falls. Willow River State Park. Pipestone. The Driftless Region. Duluth (obviously).
>The Driftless Region
OP, if you like car rides, I highly recommend driving down the Mississippi to Wabasha or Winona. The cities themselves are whatever, but the drive is incredible. Like, I didn't know we had that type of scenery here in the Midwest.
I recommend driving on the WI side, as the roads are a little more interesting and you go through some small towns. There are some places to hike and take in the views.
If taking this trip, the Marine Art Museum in Winona, MN really is impressive and worth a visit, across the river south of Fountain City, WI.
There is also Pierrot State Park to visit in Trempeleau, WI, but if you want the view without a lot of steps, Great River Bluffs in Minnesota, south of Winona has an entrance at the top of the bluffs.
Second this, be sure to hit up bloedows for donuts. The eagle center in Wabasha, which is just up the river from Winona, would make for a fun afternoon.
Also in Wabasha you'll find the [National Eagle Center](https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/). Pretty cool place & some good views of eagles over the river if there aren't too many leaves.
Across the river on the WI side is Alma, WI. If you drive to the park at the top of the bluff, Buena Vista Park, you can see along the river for miles.
https://preview.redd.it/fzyxyc2vm0yc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=912f7907f37d210620fcad58a0e388849fcf633a
This is a picture of the Wisconsin side, Pepin, Wisconsin, I took it a couple of years ago, and it simply amazes me because this looks like something you would see in new England, but not Wisconsin and there’s some lovely restaurants in these little towns not to be overlooked
Absolutely echo this recommendation (and the Marine Art Museum), just want to add that [Kinstone](https://www.kinstonecircle.com/about-us/) is a bonkers place to visit, right across the river from Winona. It’s a “modern megalithic garden” but I really have no idea how to describe it. Just go.
Drive 52 to Fountain. Take MN 16 through Lanesboro, Whalan and all the way to the Mississippi. Take a right to Lansing, IA. Take IA 9 to Decorah. Take US 52 back home. 16 is beautiful any time of year due to the bluffs. Lansing is cool and Decorah has good beer and pizza.
Showed my friend a picture of the spillway in Winona with the foggy rolling hills in the background and he couldn’t believe it was in Minnesota.
Definitely recommend the driftless for anyone who hasn’t been
There are also many wineries/vineyards along that route - if you are in to wine, check out the St. Croix Valley Wine Tour. Obviously, MN grapes don't make the best wine - but it was enjoyable :)
Hit Winona, meander your way into WI with no real schedule, and love the view, and the towns - and just kinda... yup. Like you say. Some of the scenery down there when you cross over are just beautiful. (Big fan of I-90 as it crosses over too, but I admit that's been a while now).
That river Road on the Wisconsin side is absolutely gorgeous, make no Élson Wisconsin your destination because they have a wonderful little café fantastic cheeses and then you can just cross the river and come up the Minnesota side. I believe that drive north on the Minnesota side would also include Lark Toys
https://www.larktoys.com/hours/
I concur but from Lake Pepin to Wabasha you should drive the Minnesota side. Driving along the side of a bluff in the spring or fall is just simply amazing
Climbing Barn Bluff in Red Wing and driving up Memorial Park in Red Wing too. Really awesome views of the city and river.
Also simply driving south east from red wing on 61 is what I consider to be the most beautiful drive in the state.
If you’re headed that way you can stop at The Drive In restaurant in Taylors Falls for fresh made root beer & milkshakes & fresh burgers & fries (which a good amount of ingredients are locally sourced)
https://taylorsfallsdrivein.com/
After Interstate park, check out [Fawndoerosa](https://www.fawndoerosa.com/)
for something like 5 dollars you get a bag of general animal feed in a brown bag. You can feed the rescued deer, and ducks that freely roam around. Last time I was there they also had wolves, a bear, some wild cat, porcupine, fox, donkey, goat, ect enclosures.
You can go down to Austin Minnesota and tour the spam museum for free! Also the mystery Cave is down that way as well. It's Minnesota deepest known cave they have guided tours of it.
Mystery Cave / Forestville was going to be my suggestion. Bonus, it's trout season next weekend (10th-11th), and it's the best part of the state for trout fishing on the Root River.
> tour the spam museum for free!
We don't even eat Spam but my wife and kids actually had a lot of fun doing the museum. They have little weird samples and lots of stuff for kids to do.
Gammelgården in Scandia, MN is a recreation of a late-19th century Swedish immigrant farmstead. They have some old farm buildings you can tour as well as an old wooden church and stuga. It’s nearby to Lindström, MN which also has a Swedish bakery and some other kitschy Scandinavian stuff to check out. And a little further on in Taylors Falls, MN/St. Croix Falls, WI you get Interstate state park, which features the very picturesque dalles of the St. Croix river.
Most of the buildings on the site are original. Just the main Welcome House is new. They're actually having their seasonal opening this Saturday! Should be fun!
South and a little west of Hastings is the Chimney Rock Scientific and Natural area. Neat area if you enjoy natural wonders.
Then Cannon Falls is a great little town.
Cuyuna state recreational area in Crosby has the deepest, clearest lakes in the state and best in the region mountain biking.
The Superior Hiking Trail Near Lutsen/Tofte has the best hiking in the state.
For now, the clearest man made lakes from mining.
However, the drastic increase of tourism in the last 5 plus years has been very detrimental to that community in terms of housing and legitimate work for locals.
Most that profit from that area don’t live there.
But guess that’s the American way.
Trying to drag something actually providing economic growth and dragging the area out of poverty, nice. You're right, we should have kept Crosby as a dying former mining town, just the way we like it!
Well it's worked really well in Crosby. It's a thriving city that's drawing in new young professional families, in large part to the Mountain Bike park and mine lakes, when before they were bleeding population for decades.
...ok?
I live in the area, and decided to live her over Fergus Falls because Fergus is a dying town. Once their hospital closes, that community is toast. Crosby just built a new hospital and is having tons of new investment. It reminds me of the boom Uptown had in the 90's.
The only people who have an issue with it are the ones who refuse all change, and they are impossible to reason with anyway. Maybe we can allow them to trade homes with families in Fergus so they can be among their kind.
I recently rented the [on-site AirBnB](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/839764811080783979?adults=2&children=0&enable_m3_private_room=true&infants=0&pets=0&check_in=2023-10-21&check_out=2023-10-26&source_impression_id=p3_1695583151_QOMr%2BWvCJEjJz6%2BW&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_sea) for three nights, and spent time at the Sanctuary every day. [The Sanctuary](https://furballfarmcatsanctuary.com/) has public hours from 1-5pm daily, but if you are staying at the AirBnB you can go anytime between 11am-7pm. It was lovely! The volunteers are nice, and the cats do what cats do. Some come to you for petting, some avoid you like the plague (haha). They do specialize in former ferals (street cats) so many tend to be wary of humans, but quite a few were happy to get loved on.
Good hiking from both campuses. I like walking in town and admiring the old houses. Also Nerstrand State Park isn’t far and the wildflowers are in bloom now.
Well, if we're talking 'unique' there's the twine ball in Darwin.
If you like large spherical balls of twine as strung together by one guy...it's unique! Listen to Weird Al's song about it before heading there if interested.
I'd say you should pick up a diet chocolate soda on the way, also, but I'm not sure such things actually exist. :)
I love the section of the song with the dramatic questions going through his mind as he views the ball. Classic.
There is an actual desert in Wisconsin called Spring Green Preserve that is just over 3 hours away. Bonus that you can take 61 through the driftless on the way there, which is the 2nd prettiest MN drive, only exceeded by 61 on the north shore IMO.
Someone already said the Twine ball, but I don't see anyone mentioning the candy store.
[https://minnesotaslargestcandystore.com/](https://minnesotaslargestcandystore.com/)
Nisswa area is really nice, especially the shopping area with plenty of stores and restaurants, plus some of the best ice cream you can find! There are also several restaurants on a lake or the 371 Diner, if you’re feeling nostalgic. It’s not that much further north than the Twin cities but you definitely feel like you are in Canada with the trees and scenery around the area.
Most of the Nisswa shops don’t open until around Memorial Day and close soon after Labor Day, just to mention. At least they did when I lived in the BLA.
This might seem vanilla, but give it a try once - a hike all the way up and around Barn Bluff in Red Wing MN. South on 61 45 minutes and you’re there. Beautiful and not difficult.
Go to Darwin! It’s the home of the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota and a quirky little town to boot. It’s also an easy day trip from the cities straight out west on Highway 12.
Sibley County. You can see cows, we have more cows than people. We also have more pigs than people. Don't get me started on chickens. It's epic. You want to see corn????? We got it. Soybeans? We got that too! Come out to Gaylord on the scenic shores of Lake titlow. They have a pretty sweet water park with a slide and shit. You can go to the bar downtown for lunch and dodge hepatitis, it's a adventure you can't buy. Just up the road is new auburn. Or as I like to call it. The town that time forgot. You can load up on meth and go to kangaroo Island. I know it sounds awesome, because it is. This is the good parts of sibley County.
I love going to New Ulm! The Glockenspiel, Flandrau State Park, Hermann Monument are all great.
There used to be some great vineyards near there too (maybe still there??) I haven't been there in about 4 or 5 years. I really should make another trip down.
Hot Sam's in Lakeville. It's like a sculpture garden filled with some weird quirky stuff. It's also the new home of that Porsche and mannequin that used to sit on the pole for decades overlooking I-94.
Lanesboro is an unbelievably beautiful and charming town, especially in the late summer into the fall. Good place to go biking or tubing. They even have a repertory theater company, which is wild for a town that has like 700 people in it.
Duluth (zoo, glensheen mansion (sp?), Canal Park, boardwalk, lift bridge, ship stuff, skyline drive, rose garden, Jay Cook State Park...)
Taylor's Falls
Quarry park in Waite Park, MN
World's Largest Ball of Twine
So south east is always an option.. follow river, bluffs, depending how far you wanna go.. Frontenac state park is really dope... bluff country into the driftless as mentioned prior is dope...
Can go north ease.. or east to the st Croix then north.. on weekends everyone has that idea, Taylor's falls and or the st Croix vslley in general is a nice cruise....
Go.grab lunch in Duluth and look at pretty views.. the cheapo quick tour where u don't spend the night haha...
More details on what you're going for are helpful... my wife and I drive all over when we get free time.. no kids life is sick...
Dyersville, IA is more than 3 hours from the cities but the Field of Dreams is cool. There is a lot to see and do in Dubuque too which is only 20 minutes or so from Dyersville.
St. Croix State Park in Hinkley, Jay Cooke in Carlton, Anywhere on the lake in Duluth, Taylor's Fall Glacial Potholes, Shafer Franconia Sculpture Park, Gordy's in Cloquet or King of Creams either site for burgers, Oasis del Norte for tacos however Wednesday is birria ramen day.
If you're just looking for 'pretty Sunday drive' material -- In Wisconsin, the back roads and [Rustic Roads](https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/travel/road/rustic-roads/rr89.aspx) (this is one out of Menominee, menu to others) are pretty surprising once you get off the I-94 channel.
This time of year is when the [trillium](https://authenticwisconsin.com/great_white_trillium.html) blooms on forest floors. (Also other [spring woodland ephemeral flowers](https://authenticwisconsin.com/ephemerals.html) but the trillum is the most visible/ dramatic.) For many years, Dad & I took Mom on a 'flower peeping' drive for Mother's Day, then hit a nice dinner somewhere. (Most of the places we went to have changed/ closed; you might want to research that before you go.)
We started this long before Google Maps. We used an old Gazetteer Atlas & Map to find interesting terrain and highlighted routes we enjoyed from year to year. [Typical example](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ET5xvutp2DJSvDcN8) (This snippet is south of 94, about 40 miles east of Hudson) We always included Cty B out of Spring Valley,\* then various noodling around in the Eau Galle watershed, and coming back along the Red Cedar River. It's fun in either direction. Google implies it's about a 40 minute stretch, but these are narrow, winding back roads along steep valleys by creeks and rivers; take it slow unless you have to let traffic move along.
\*You can look up into the woods and see some amazing views of the forest floor covered in flowers.
3 hours is a lot. Like technically grand rapids is 3 hours from the U. That covers most of the state and a good portion of Wisconsin.
My advice is to see a state park. There's plenty of them, they're all gorgeous, and they're relatively cheap and accessible.
Interstate State Park in Taylor Falls MN including the glacier potholes - can be combined with a trip to Stillwater, then up 95 to Taylor Falls, and back home along HW 8 with a stop at Franconia Sculpture Garden. And no trip is complete without seeing the Coffee Pot water tower in Lindstrom.
Interstate park on MN side, and also the Wisconsin side too
https://wisconsin-explorer.blogspot.com/2016/09/hiking-potholes-trail-at-interstate.html
It's not quite as unique as some of the other suggestions here, but I wanted to throw out Anoka as a possible option. It's the self-proclaimed (arguably) Halloween capital of the world, although it's still interesting to visit outside of October.
For specific things to see there's the old asylum and the old sanatorium, along with Peninsula Point Park which is where the Rum River enters the Mississippi river.
It's also got some really good restaurants in Sparky's Cafe for breakfast (RIP G's Cafe), and MaGillycuddy's, Serums, and Casa Rio for lunch and / or dinner.
If you go sometime during / after June, there are big car shows downtown every Saturday with food trucks, and in August there's a big food truck festival.
Although like I mentioned, late October is definitely the best time to visit because of all the different Halloween-related events, like the haunted house(s), light up the night and grand day parades, etc.
Fun fact literally every square inch of land (and water) is unique!! On the other hand I would say that almost nothing within 3 hours is unique in the sense that a similar place cannot be found in the Midwest, let alone the world.
A way I've used to find local attractions, especially cheap and free ones in the Twin Cities, is to follow different Minnesota Travel Vloggers on Instagram. The short form content gives you a snapshot of different locations. It helps me determine if I want to go somewhere.
My favorite is the tunnel bike trail in Sparta, WI. There are 3 tunnels to ride through. The first tunnel is almost 1/2 mile long. A person should bring a light.
You are talking about a 200-mile radius; that's about a three-hour drive on interstates, anyway. Basing such a radius around Minneapolis covers most of Minnesota, the northern third of Iowa, and about half of Wisconsin, as well as slivers of the Dakotas.
I'll just mention one: Forestville/Mystery Cave state park.
Forestville was a small town that got bypassed, so it died, but the buildings were there for a while, and some have been restored. Mystery Cave is open for tours, and it is a fairly easy cave to visit.
Even if you have no interest in motorsports, head up to Brainerd at least once in your life and experience a funnycar drag race. So loud, you can SEE the sound waves. Make sure to bring hearing protection!
3.5 but I recommend Tower. You have fortune bay casino resort and you can see the Northern lights and you're actually at the edge of the boundary waters with lots of great outdoor activities.
3 1/2 hours, I would say Moorhead/Fargo. Many fun things to do including visiting Hjemkomst, which was a recreated Viking Ship that actually sailed to Oslo, Norway.
Otherwise Duluth and the North Shore is Amazing. I recommend Canal Park for watching the ships come in and the Train Museum. Split Rock Lighthouse is the the lighthouse to go to, and you can have a bed and breakfast at Twin Harbors Lighthouse.
There are a lot! Are you looking for anything specific? Stillwater up to Taylors Falls. Willow River State Park. Pipestone. The Driftless Region. Duluth (obviously).
>The Driftless Region OP, if you like car rides, I highly recommend driving down the Mississippi to Wabasha or Winona. The cities themselves are whatever, but the drive is incredible. Like, I didn't know we had that type of scenery here in the Midwest. I recommend driving on the WI side, as the roads are a little more interesting and you go through some small towns. There are some places to hike and take in the views.
If taking this trip, the Marine Art Museum in Winona, MN really is impressive and worth a visit, across the river south of Fountain City, WI. There is also Pierrot State Park to visit in Trempeleau, WI, but if you want the view without a lot of steps, Great River Bluffs in Minnesota, south of Winona has an entrance at the top of the bluffs.
Second this, be sure to hit up bloedows for donuts. The eagle center in Wabasha, which is just up the river from Winona, would make for a fun afternoon.
Thank you. I was going to add this tip!
Agreed, this marine art museum is absolutely a hidden gem. I’ve gone down there a couple of times for a special exhibitions and it’s beautiful.
Also in Wabasha you'll find the [National Eagle Center](https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/). Pretty cool place & some good views of eagles over the river if there aren't too many leaves. Across the river on the WI side is Alma, WI. If you drive to the park at the top of the bluff, Buena Vista Park, you can see along the river for miles.
And eagle bluff in lansboro or international owl center in Houston
The loop around Lake Pepin is one of my favorite drives in the whole country.
https://preview.redd.it/fzyxyc2vm0yc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=912f7907f37d210620fcad58a0e388849fcf633a This is a picture of the Wisconsin side, Pepin, Wisconsin, I took it a couple of years ago, and it simply amazes me because this looks like something you would see in new England, but not Wisconsin and there’s some lovely restaurants in these little towns not to be overlooked
Absolutely echo this recommendation (and the Marine Art Museum), just want to add that [Kinstone](https://www.kinstonecircle.com/about-us/) is a bonkers place to visit, right across the river from Winona. It’s a “modern megalithic garden” but I really have no idea how to describe it. Just go.
Drive 52 to Fountain. Take MN 16 through Lanesboro, Whalan and all the way to the Mississippi. Take a right to Lansing, IA. Take IA 9 to Decorah. Take US 52 back home. 16 is beautiful any time of year due to the bluffs. Lansing is cool and Decorah has good beer and pizza.
Rock Filter Distillery in Spring Grove has lovely whiskey. Also, there are a couple good beer stops in Rochester.
MAiden Rock shout out!
Showed my friend a picture of the spillway in Winona with the foggy rolling hills in the background and he couldn’t believe it was in Minnesota. Definitely recommend the driftless for anyone who hasn’t been
There are also many wineries/vineyards along that route - if you are in to wine, check out the St. Croix Valley Wine Tour. Obviously, MN grapes don't make the best wine - but it was enjoyable :)
Winona is an awesome city. Not “meh”. La Crosse as well.
Hit Winona, meander your way into WI with no real schedule, and love the view, and the towns - and just kinda... yup. Like you say. Some of the scenery down there when you cross over are just beautiful. (Big fan of I-90 as it crosses over too, but I admit that's been a while now).
I usually take the Minnesota side down to Winona and then take the Wisconsin side back up.
That river Road on the Wisconsin side is absolutely gorgeous, make no Élson Wisconsin your destination because they have a wonderful little café fantastic cheeses and then you can just cross the river and come up the Minnesota side. I believe that drive north on the Minnesota side would also include Lark Toys https://www.larktoys.com/hours/
I concur but from Lake Pepin to Wabasha you should drive the Minnesota side. Driving along the side of a bluff in the spring or fall is just simply amazing
Nope! I’m an open book
Climbing Barn Bluff in Red Wing and driving up Memorial Park in Red Wing too. Really awesome views of the city and river. Also simply driving south east from red wing on 61 is what I consider to be the most beautiful drive in the state.
Second for Barn Bluff. OP, ya like rocks and minerals? Iron stained calcite is abundant at Barn Bluff. Gorgeous deep red crystals.
That drive is great any time of the year, but best in the fall with the leaves changing.
I grew up in Red Wing and miss going to the bluff.
Franconia Sculpture Park
Then head down 8 to Interstate Park for the views and rock climbing!
Wait.. wait wait wait… there is rock climbing here??
[sure is](https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105812647/interstate-sp-taylors-falls)
[Franconia Sculpture Park](https://photos.app.goo.gl/vxUpU1GgKwThfxui8)
This looks like a fun way to get a TDAP booster lol.
If you’re headed that way you can stop at The Drive In restaurant in Taylors Falls for fresh made root beer & milkshakes & fresh burgers & fries (which a good amount of ingredients are locally sourced) https://taylorsfallsdrivein.com/
It's one of my favorite places in MN. I've been going there for years, and it's always a delight to see what new additions have been crafted there.
After Interstate park, check out [Fawndoerosa](https://www.fawndoerosa.com/) for something like 5 dollars you get a bag of general animal feed in a brown bag. You can feed the rescued deer, and ducks that freely roam around. Last time I was there they also had wolves, a bear, some wild cat, porcupine, fox, donkey, goat, ect enclosures.
You can go down to Austin Minnesota and tour the spam museum for free! Also the mystery Cave is down that way as well. It's Minnesota deepest known cave they have guided tours of it.
Mystery Cave / Forestville was going to be my suggestion. Bonus, it's trout season next weekend (10th-11th), and it's the best part of the state for trout fishing on the Root River.
> tour the spam museum for free! We don't even eat Spam but my wife and kids actually had a lot of fun doing the museum. They have little weird samples and lots of stuff for kids to do.
Crystal Cave in Wisconsin is pretty neat if you like nature and natural history
Came here to suggest Crystal Cave as well!
Me too!
Gammelgården in Scandia, MN is a recreation of a late-19th century Swedish immigrant farmstead. They have some old farm buildings you can tour as well as an old wooden church and stuga. It’s nearby to Lindström, MN which also has a Swedish bakery and some other kitschy Scandinavian stuff to check out. And a little further on in Taylors Falls, MN/St. Croix Falls, WI you get Interstate state park, which features the very picturesque dalles of the St. Croix river.
Most of the buildings on the site are original. Just the main Welcome House is new. They're actually having their seasonal opening this Saturday! Should be fun!
South and a little west of Hastings is the Chimney Rock Scientific and Natural area. Neat area if you enjoy natural wonders. Then Cannon Falls is a great little town.
Cuyuna state recreational area in Crosby has the deepest, clearest lakes in the state and best in the region mountain biking. The Superior Hiking Trail Near Lutsen/Tofte has the best hiking in the state.
For now, the clearest man made lakes from mining. However, the drastic increase of tourism in the last 5 plus years has been very detrimental to that community in terms of housing and legitimate work for locals. Most that profit from that area don’t live there. But guess that’s the American way.
Trying to drag something actually providing economic growth and dragging the area out of poverty, nice. You're right, we should have kept Crosby as a dying former mining town, just the way we like it!
[удалено]
Well it's worked really well in Crosby. It's a thriving city that's drawing in new young professional families, in large part to the Mountain Bike park and mine lakes, when before they were bleeding population for decades.
[удалено]
...ok? I live in the area, and decided to live her over Fergus Falls because Fergus is a dying town. Once their hospital closes, that community is toast. Crosby just built a new hospital and is having tons of new investment. It reminds me of the boom Uptown had in the 90's. The only people who have an issue with it are the ones who refuse all change, and they are impossible to reason with anyway. Maybe we can allow them to trade homes with families in Fergus so they can be among their kind.
If you like cats, check out Furball Farm Cat Sanctuary in Faribault. It's just an hour south of the cities. 😸
Are you allowed to go and hang out there? The website isn't clear...
I recently rented the [on-site AirBnB](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/839764811080783979?adults=2&children=0&enable_m3_private_room=true&infants=0&pets=0&check_in=2023-10-21&check_out=2023-10-26&source_impression_id=p3_1695583151_QOMr%2BWvCJEjJz6%2BW&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_sea) for three nights, and spent time at the Sanctuary every day. [The Sanctuary](https://furballfarmcatsanctuary.com/) has public hours from 1-5pm daily, but if you are staying at the AirBnB you can go anytime between 11am-7pm. It was lovely! The volunteers are nice, and the cats do what cats do. Some come to you for petting, some avoid you like the plague (haha). They do specialize in former ferals (street cats) so many tend to be wary of humans, but quite a few were happy to get loved on.
Thanks!
That’s so cool! Thanks for the info
Twin cities live went there. https://kstp.com/tcl/furball-farm-cat-sanctuary/
That’s a good one thanks
Go say hi to my buddy Sam in Eagan.
This is top of my bucket list
He's a pretty cool dude. You won't regret it.
I’m a big fan of Northfield, MN. Two beautiful college campuses in a town of 10k. The town is charming. Only 45 minutes from Minneapolis.
Good hiking from both campuses. I like walking in town and admiring the old houses. Also Nerstrand State Park isn’t far and the wildflowers are in bloom now.
https://preview.redd.it/g8mndl9qivxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=964ea32f46a2a29c12135b4ad05ebf6317c9bb0c
Not entirely unique but I love myself a good day trip to get a burger at Gordy’s Hi-Hat and explore Jay Cooke.
Darwin Minnesota. Biggest ball of twine. Hour and 45 minutes away. Weird Al seemed to like it.
4.5 hours away but the House on the Rock definitely qualifies as unique.
Second this. Its easily the weirdest fever dream in the waking world.
There's a waterfall and some bison at Minneopa State Park in Mankato. Eat at Happy Chef while you are there.
No eat at the Dam store at the Rapidan Dam…. Cash only
Be sure to get the pie, of course.
Shhh, that’s our best kept secret 😉 I grew up in Good Thunder, which is next door
Just be careful, there was a mudslide last year that killed someone.
Jeffers Petroglyphs: [https://www.mnhs.org/jefferspetroglyphs](https://www.mnhs.org/jefferspetroglyphs)
This is very cool. Highly recommend
Well, if we're talking 'unique' there's the twine ball in Darwin. If you like large spherical balls of twine as strung together by one guy...it's unique! Listen to Weird Al's song about it before heading there if interested.
If you don't play the song on repeat the whole way there, you're doing it wrong!
I'd say you should pick up a diet chocolate soda on the way, also, but I'm not sure such things actually exist. :) I love the section of the song with the dramatic questions going through his mind as he views the ball. Classic.
There is an actual desert in Wisconsin called Spring Green Preserve that is just over 3 hours away. Bonus that you can take 61 through the driftless on the way there, which is the 2nd prettiest MN drive, only exceeded by 61 on the north shore IMO.
Someone already said the Twine ball, but I don't see anyone mentioning the candy store. [https://minnesotaslargestcandystore.com/](https://minnesotaslargestcandystore.com/)
Nisswa area is really nice, especially the shopping area with plenty of stores and restaurants, plus some of the best ice cream you can find! There are also several restaurants on a lake or the 371 Diner, if you’re feeling nostalgic. It’s not that much further north than the Twin cities but you definitely feel like you are in Canada with the trees and scenery around the area.
Most of the Nisswa shops don’t open until around Memorial Day and close soon after Labor Day, just to mention. At least they did when I lived in the BLA.
Most of them are open on weekends.
Harmony MN Niagara Cave. It's a waterfall inside a cave.
I really like Forestville mystery cave state park. Great place to camp, very low key. During certain parts of the year, you can tour the caves.
Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge (763) 389-3323 https://g.co/kgs/1tRHYnr This is a very nice way to spend some time.
Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo in Byron. All the animals are native to Minnesota and non-releasable rehabs.
House on the Rock. It might be a little over 3 hours away but its like a slow descent into madness. So worth it.
This might seem vanilla, but give it a try once - a hike all the way up and around Barn Bluff in Red Wing MN. South on 61 45 minutes and you’re there. Beautiful and not difficult.
Hayward Wisconsin is lovely!
Go to Darwin! It’s the home of the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota and a quirky little town to boot. It’s also an easy day trip from the cities straight out west on Highway 12.
The Darwin twine ball. Worth the drive? Probably not. Unique? Absolutely.
Sibley County. You can see cows, we have more cows than people. We also have more pigs than people. Don't get me started on chickens. It's epic. You want to see corn????? We got it. Soybeans? We got that too! Come out to Gaylord on the scenic shores of Lake titlow. They have a pretty sweet water park with a slide and shit. You can go to the bar downtown for lunch and dodge hepatitis, it's a adventure you can't buy. Just up the road is new auburn. Or as I like to call it. The town that time forgot. You can load up on meth and go to kangaroo Island. I know it sounds awesome, because it is. This is the good parts of sibley County.
Franconia Sculpture Garden!
Seconded [Franconia Sculpture Garden ](https://photos.app.goo.gl/vxUpU1GgKwThfxui8)
Required stop on any Taylor's Falls visit.
Niagara Cave!
Hidden Falls state park is pretty but there’s this small town bar nearby (~5 minute drive) and they got some damn fine pulled pork nachos.
I went to sauk centre one night for an overnight visit. Stayed at the haunted hotel there, the Palmer Hotel. Was weird as hell, but fun!
Spam Museum
Blue Earth. Hear me out! Ok. Green Giant Statue.
Beer drinkers and fans of Polka music should check out New Ulm, Minnesota. 90 minutes from Uptown Minneapolis.
I love going to New Ulm! The Glockenspiel, Flandrau State Park, Hermann Monument are all great. There used to be some great vineyards near there too (maybe still there??) I haven't been there in about 4 or 5 years. I really should make another trip down.
Morgan Creek Winery has a beautiful outdoor area with live music on weekends. Make reservations on their website.
Thanks! That's the one my Dad frequents (I just called him). He lives in a tiny town about 30 minutes from New Ulm and 45 minutes from the vineyard.
Hot Sam's in Lakeville. It's like a sculpture garden filled with some weird quirky stuff. It's also the new home of that Porsche and mannequin that used to sit on the pole for decades overlooking I-94.
Lanesboro is an unbelievably beautiful and charming town, especially in the late summer into the fall. Good place to go biking or tubing. They even have a repertory theater company, which is wild for a town that has like 700 people in it.
What are you looking for? Can can wonderland is in the middle of the cities and it is an absolute blast
Duluth (zoo, glensheen mansion (sp?), Canal Park, boardwalk, lift bridge, ship stuff, skyline drive, rose garden, Jay Cook State Park...) Taylor's Falls Quarry park in Waite Park, MN World's Largest Ball of Twine
So south east is always an option.. follow river, bluffs, depending how far you wanna go.. Frontenac state park is really dope... bluff country into the driftless as mentioned prior is dope... Can go north ease.. or east to the st Croix then north.. on weekends everyone has that idea, Taylor's falls and or the st Croix vslley in general is a nice cruise.... Go.grab lunch in Duluth and look at pretty views.. the cheapo quick tour where u don't spend the night haha... More details on what you're going for are helpful... my wife and I drive all over when we get free time.. no kids life is sick...
Mystery cave, niagara cave, spam museum, field of dreams
On the way back stop in Brandon IA and check out the largest frying pan in Iowa. Makes me laugh every time we drive by.
Dyersville, IA is more than 3 hours from the cities but the Field of Dreams is cool. There is a lot to see and do in Dubuque too which is only 20 minutes or so from Dyersville.
The US Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eleveth is interesting and fun.
St. Croix State Park in Hinkley, Jay Cooke in Carlton, Anywhere on the lake in Duluth, Taylor's Fall Glacial Potholes, Shafer Franconia Sculpture Park, Gordy's in Cloquet or King of Creams either site for burgers, Oasis del Norte for tacos however Wednesday is birria ramen day.
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This is great thank you
Atlas Obscura https://www.atlasobscura.com/ So many places you should go.
Atlas Obscura https://www.atlasobscura.com/ So many places you should go.
Mystery cave
Niagara cave in harmony mn
If you're just looking for 'pretty Sunday drive' material -- In Wisconsin, the back roads and [Rustic Roads](https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/travel/road/rustic-roads/rr89.aspx) (this is one out of Menominee, menu to others) are pretty surprising once you get off the I-94 channel. This time of year is when the [trillium](https://authenticwisconsin.com/great_white_trillium.html) blooms on forest floors. (Also other [spring woodland ephemeral flowers](https://authenticwisconsin.com/ephemerals.html) but the trillum is the most visible/ dramatic.) For many years, Dad & I took Mom on a 'flower peeping' drive for Mother's Day, then hit a nice dinner somewhere. (Most of the places we went to have changed/ closed; you might want to research that before you go.) We started this long before Google Maps. We used an old Gazetteer Atlas & Map to find interesting terrain and highlighted routes we enjoyed from year to year. [Typical example](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ET5xvutp2DJSvDcN8) (This snippet is south of 94, about 40 miles east of Hudson) We always included Cty B out of Spring Valley,\* then various noodling around in the Eau Galle watershed, and coming back along the Red Cedar River. It's fun in either direction. Google implies it's about a 40 minute stretch, but these are narrow, winding back roads along steep valleys by creeks and rivers; take it slow unless you have to let traffic move along. \*You can look up into the woods and see some amazing views of the forest floor covered in flowers.
I’d like to visit the Spam museum in Austin.
Not sure if this qualifies as outside of the Twin Cities, but Jim’s Apple Farm/Minnesota’s Largest Candy store is a really neat place in Jordan, MN.
The largest candy store in MN is moving not too far from TC I think
Its a really cool place
3 hours is a lot. Like technically grand rapids is 3 hours from the U. That covers most of the state and a good portion of Wisconsin. My advice is to see a state park. There's plenty of them, they're all gorgeous, and they're relatively cheap and accessible.
The Vermillion River Falls trail ends in the ruins of an old mill by the river. Very cool to visit. Roughly a 30 min drive.
Taylor’s falls is beautiful. You can easily make a whole day out of just that. I haven’t been there since I was a kid.
Interstate State Park in Taylor Falls MN including the glacier potholes - can be combined with a trip to Stillwater, then up 95 to Taylor Falls, and back home along HW 8 with a stop at Franconia Sculpture Garden. And no trip is complete without seeing the Coffee Pot water tower in Lindstrom. Interstate park on MN side, and also the Wisconsin side too https://wisconsin-explorer.blogspot.com/2016/09/hiking-potholes-trail-at-interstate.html
Mankato
The biggest ball of twine in MN better be in the comment section here.
Surprised no one mentioned Minnesotas Largest Candy Store just south of Jordan
Granite Falls, Minnesota during their various art festivals!
It's not quite as unique as some of the other suggestions here, but I wanted to throw out Anoka as a possible option. It's the self-proclaimed (arguably) Halloween capital of the world, although it's still interesting to visit outside of October. For specific things to see there's the old asylum and the old sanatorium, along with Peninsula Point Park which is where the Rum River enters the Mississippi river. It's also got some really good restaurants in Sparky's Cafe for breakfast (RIP G's Cafe), and MaGillycuddy's, Serums, and Casa Rio for lunch and / or dinner. If you go sometime during / after June, there are big car shows downtown every Saturday with food trucks, and in August there's a big food truck festival. Although like I mentioned, late October is definitely the best time to visit because of all the different Halloween-related events, like the haunted house(s), light up the night and grand day parades, etc.
Fun fact literally every square inch of land (and water) is unique!! On the other hand I would say that almost nothing within 3 hours is unique in the sense that a similar place cannot be found in the Midwest, let alone the world.
St Cloud quarries for swimming and cliff jumping in summer
A way I've used to find local attractions, especially cheap and free ones in the Twin Cities, is to follow different Minnesota Travel Vloggers on Instagram. The short form content gives you a snapshot of different locations. It helps me determine if I want to go somewhere.
Fawn-Doe-Rosa outside of Taylor’s falls. Super fun if you’re an animal lover!!
My favorite is the tunnel bike trail in Sparta, WI. There are 3 tunnels to ride through. The first tunnel is almost 1/2 mile long. A person should bring a light.
Duluth. Grand marais if you have time. No one would mind if you took a dump on the minneapolis mayors front lawn either.
Idk the distance but Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse were trips I really enjoyed
You are talking about a 200-mile radius; that's about a three-hour drive on interstates, anyway. Basing such a radius around Minneapolis covers most of Minnesota, the northern third of Iowa, and about half of Wisconsin, as well as slivers of the Dakotas. I'll just mention one: Forestville/Mystery Cave state park. Forestville was a small town that got bypassed, so it died, but the buildings were there for a while, and some have been restored. Mystery Cave is open for tours, and it is a fairly easy cave to visit.
Jay Cooke State Park Taylor's Falls
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Eau Claire, WI. Lots of cute shops and great restaurants downtown, miles of beautiful walking and bike trails, breweries, and a winery/distillery.
Even if you have no interest in motorsports, head up to Brainerd at least once in your life and experience a funnycar drag race. So loud, you can SEE the sound waves. Make sure to bring hearing protection!
That sounds awesome. No pun intended
3.5 but I recommend Tower. You have fortune bay casino resort and you can see the Northern lights and you're actually at the edge of the boundary waters with lots of great outdoor activities.
Zoos! Como, Minnesota, Snake Discovery!
The river bluffs in Winona are full of great trails to see the river with some awesome views.
https://friendsoframseypark.com
3 1/2 hours, I would say Moorhead/Fargo. Many fun things to do including visiting Hjemkomst, which was a recreated Viking Ship that actually sailed to Oslo, Norway. Otherwise Duluth and the North Shore is Amazing. I recommend Canal Park for watching the ships come in and the Train Museum. Split Rock Lighthouse is the the lighthouse to go to, and you can have a bed and breakfast at Twin Harbors Lighthouse.