?? road trip inspiration is a click away -





explore minnesota | minnesota explorer | hit the road, jack (pine) | the great river road winding next to the mississippi river, pines surrounding [ [link removed] ]





long weekend plans for our type-a travelers (and the type-b’s that go along for the ride)

Driving the Great River Road is one of Minnesota's most iconic experiences — an essential check on your Minnesota bucket list. Follow the most wild, scenic stretches along the Mississippi River’s 565-mile byway across the state, and you’ll have a road trip encompassing everything from pine-scented northern wilds and resort towns to the state’s tallest skylines and majestic bluffs. Whether you explore the Great River Road in sections or all at once, you shouldn’t sleep on this adventure.

 

*CRUISE THIS SUMMER* [ [link removed] ]






a curious white llama's black nose is close to the camera while an adult llama and baby graze in the grass nearby [ [link removed] ]





wine, pottery, llamas, oh my! 

Take a winding drive through the winery-dotted landscape of Waconia, with a few stops in Chanhassen and Chaska along the way. This delightfully flavorful adventure includes beachside bites, jazzy serenades, five-star farm stays, a llama meet-and-greet, and one very purple piece of pop music history. You’ll want to savor every artsy and outdoorsy — and just the right amount of unexpected — stop.

 

*WINE & DINE IN WACONIA* [ [link removed] ]






a group of orange, brown, white, and grey swirled agates sit on display [ [link removed] ]





on the road again

Rather than speed past Moose Lake on your way to Duluth, why not hit the brakes and soak up the Agate Capital of the World and other easy-to-miss essentials along the way? Not everyone can say they’ve had an elevated brunch experience in a 1918 department store, selfied with Paul Bunyan’s World’s Largest Walleye, or taken in pastoral views during an overnight at a regenerative farm.

 

*DON’T MISS MOOSE LAKE MUST-SEES* [ [link removed] ]






a double fried chicken sandwich on thin slices of toasted bread. Pickles and red sauce peeks out below the top piece of bread. [ [link removed] ]





eat like the mayor of flavortown

The highway connecting Moorhead to East Grand Forks is a serene route that snakes along the Red River and the border between Minnesota and North Dakota. Take a page out of Guy Fieri’s book and eat & drink your way through this laid-back region. Discover Viking ships, the world’s largest Dilly Bar and that brisk Upper Midwestern air on The Greenway during a long weekend getaway.

 

*ROAD TRIP THE RED RIVER VALLEY* [ [link removed] ]






a dreamy day trip

— STILLWATER —

The charming river town of Stillwater is located on the banks of the St. Croix River and has been dubbed the “birthplace of Minnesota” due to its significance in Minnesota’s lumber industry. These days, it's best known for its bustling downtown filled with unique local shops, restaurants, breweries, wineries, boutique hotels and biking opportunities.

 

A tin of fries, a burger with goat cheese, lettuce, and aioli, and a light yellow drink with mint garnish sit on a grey table [ [link removed] ]

 

travel back in time

Forget "Portlandia". The dream of the '90s is alive at The Wild Hare, a "natural dive fusion" restaurant in downtown Stillwater. While the menu appears to be a burgers and fries affair at first, a closer look reveals nods to the Mediterranean notes of executive chef Dan Cunningham (formerly of Phil's Tara Hideaway) and the cocktail-slinging background of co-owners Sarah and Dariush Moslemi (also of Velveteen Speakeasy).

 

Put all of those competing factors together and you'll find a fantastic Casablanca Burger crowned with cumin lemon pepper seasoning, harissa aioli, piperade, goat cheese, and greens; cheese curds dusted with a delicate ras el hanout spice blend; freshly blitzed smoothies; a wide range of vegan and gluten-free dishes; and secret weapon sips like the Phantom Menace (gin, yellow chartreuse, pineapple shrub, and cucumber agua fresca).

 

 

two older bikers take in the views from the pedestrian lift bridge, while a young family with a stroller walks in the pedestrian lane [ [link removed] ]

 

feel the burn

When our Wild Hare bartender said "there's just one big hill" along the St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail, we figured the nearly 5-mile pedestrian and bike path was totally doable in about an hour tops. What we didn't expect was the steep 8% climb directly after Stillwater's iconic Lift Bridge — a stretch so tiring we turned our road bike around halfway up, huffing and puffing every pedal of the way.

 

If you're like us and merely think you're in shape, you're probably better off tackling this newly opened trail with a rental ($45 for two hours) from Herman Electric Bikes, a life-saver tucked in the back of the nearby Greenbridge Coffee Shop.

 

 

a view from the second floor depicts shelves and rows and stacks of antiques on both levels. Three people browse below. [ [link removed] ]

 

hunt for hidden treasures

The sign outside Midtown Antique Mall says it all: "65+ dealers, three floors, 30,000 square feet!" Serious shoppers could spend hours canvassing every corner of a well-curated space crammed with vintage clothing, housewares, furniture, jewelry, and nearly every kind of collectible (and not-so-collectible) item one could imagine coveting from the past century.

 

Dig a little deeper and you might discover a one-of-a-kind dealer like Friendship Harmony founder Yukiko Miyokawa. A Japan native based in St. Paul, Miyokawa specializes in pale green Fire King Jadeite pieces and antiques from throughout Asia, including cast iron chests, woodblock prints, and various ornate vases, plates and bowls.

 

 

*FIND MORE DOWN BY THE WATER* [ [link removed] ]











catch a show

PERFORMANCES IN MPLS-STP





two performers in Cabaret, one wears a tiny red hat and blue saloon dress, the other wears a black and sparkly tux [ [link removed] ]



 

Minnesota has no shortage of great theater.

 






*SEE OUR SUMMER PICKS* [ [link removed] ]











person sitting criss-cross applesauce on a grey and green blanket. A pizza with tomato slices rests on the blanket in a brown pizza box [ [link removed] ]





southern minnesota

ROAD TRIP

 


* *Leisurely walk the River Bend Nature Center in Faribault
*

 


* *Step back in time at the Steele County Historical Society in Owatonna
*

 


* *Appreciate "the" gelatinous lunch meat at the SPAM Museum in Austin *

 

*PLAN NOW* [ [link removed] ]











fun fact corner

FOR THE MINNESOTA TRIVIA FANATIC

 

montgomery is the kolacky capital of the world — they celebrate this small dinner roll-like filled and folded pastry every year.

MAKE A TRIP FOR THIS TREAT >> [ [link removed] ]










our partners

CLICK-WORTHY SPONSORED CONTENT

 

2025 Minnesota Renaissance Festival - Your Adventure Begins Here! Open weekends Aug 16 - Sept 28 + Sept 1 & Sept 26 [ [link removed] ]










related content

MORE SUMMER ADVENTURES

 

?? *Spend a day at Minnehaha Falls >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *See bison in MN this summer >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Enjoy a drive-in movie under the stars >> [ [link removed] ]*

 

?? *Where to hop on a houseboat >> [ [link removed] ]*






"from top to bottom: Highway 61, the Great River Road in Lake City, photo by Visit Lake City  |  Carlson's Llovable Llamas in Waconia, photo by Andrew Parks  |  Agate Center in Moose Lake State Park, photo by Andrew Parks  |  Sol Ave. Kitchen in Moorhead, photo by Visit Fargo-Moorhead  |  The Wild Hare in Stillwater, photo by Andrew Parks  |  The pedestrian lift bridge in Stillwater, photo by Andrew Parks  |  Midtown Antique Mall in Stillwater, photo by Alma Guzman  |  Cabaret at The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, photo by Dan Norman  |  Red Barn Farm in Northfield, photo by Andrew Parks"






*YOUR TEN MUST-DO THINGS THIS SUMMER IN MINNESOTA >> [ [link removed] ]*





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