If you’re ready to pack up the car and hit the road for a while, Minnesota is definitely the place to do it. These awe-inspiring places and the roads leading to them are stunningly beautiful and worth every minute behind the wheel. Whether you take them one at a time or loop them all together into one long adventure, you should absolutely make sure they are all on your to-do list. These are some of our favorite day trips in Minnesota:

1. If you don't live in the Twin Cities, it's one of the most logical, not to mention most fun, road trips to take. Enjoy the history of St. Paul and all the art and culture of Minneapolis.
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Make sure to hit the Walker Sculpture Garden, Nicollet Island, The Chain of Lakes, and the Capitol. Click here for plenty of ideas about what to do and where to start.
2. Once you're in the cities, hop on the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway in Minneapolis for a truly memorable drive.
Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, Minneapolis, MN 55416, USA
Michael Hicks/Flickr
Read more about Grand Rounds Scenic Byway here.
3. Northeast of the Twin Cities, a road trip along the St. Croix River will bring you past a half a dozen amazing towns like Stillwater and Taylors Falls.
Aaron Carlson/Flickr
Learn more about this lovely drive here.
4. Duluth is another popular road trip destination and for good reason too, the roads and city are so beautiful you might just stay forever. Trust us.
Duluth, MN, USA
JFXie/Flickr
Make sure to get out and enjoy the Lakewalk. Read more about this snowy city here.
5. A drive from Duluth up the North Shore is the quintessential Minnesota outdoor experience with stunning views of Superior not to mention stops for amazing waterfalls along the way.
North Shore, MN 56336, USA
Tony Webster/Flickr
If you go all the way up to the Canadian border, you will be rewarded with some of the most stunning waterfalls you will ever see. Oh, and along the way there's also this incredible beach.
6. Wind your way through the Superior National Forest and up through Voyageurs National Park. You'll be rewarded with wonderful mountain vistas and sprawling lakes.
Voyageurs National Park, Kabetogama Township, MN 56669, USA
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr
Read more about Voyageurs National Park here - it's incredible!

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7. If you're up by the BWCA, remember you don't have to switch to a canoe - you can also hike and fish in this north woods paradise.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Ely, MN 55731, USA
Chad Fennell/Flickr
Read more about the Boundary Waters Canoe Area here.
8. In Bemidji and the surrounding area, you'll find yourself winding around the best lakes for vacationing. It's the "up at the lake" experience everyone in MN loves.
Bemidji, MN 56601, USA
lightinacube/Flickr
It also doesn't hurt to take the scenic drive to the Mississippi headwaters at Itasca State Park. Hiking near Bemidji is also pretty awesome.
9. Driving down the western side of MN is much more scenic than most realize and you'll be rewarded at the end with magnificent prairie views like those at Touch the Sky Prairie.
Touch the Sky Prairie, Hardwick, MN 56134, USA
USFWSmidwest/Flickr
Make sure you go through Detroit Lakes and Alexandria! There's also a waterfall at Touch the Sky.
10. Pipestone in southwest MN is another great stop. It's a beautiful town and you'll pass fields like this that will definitely make you pull over for unexpected photoshoots.
Pipestone, MN 56164, USA
Brian Jeffery Beggerly/Flickr
Pipestone National Monument is worthy of a trip all its own.
11. On your way to Eastern Minnesota, you'll hit Rochester and find there's more to do here than you ever knew.
Rochester, MN, USA
Cursedthing/Flickr
Make sure to visit the Plummer House and walk along the shore of Silver Lake! Rochester, Minnesota, has actually been named the best place to live in America!
12. Going northeast from Rochester, pick up the Cannon River in Cannon Falls and enjoy the adorable small towns in both directions along its banks.
Cannon Falls, MN 55009, USA
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Cannon Falls is incredibly charming.
13. Finally south of the Twin Cities, enjoy the Mississippi shore towns of Red Wing and Hastings and the scenic drives by the bluffs.
Red Wing, MN, USA
Hastings, MN 55033, USA
Michael Hicks/Flickr
Hastings is a truly unique and interesting place.

Pack up and experience an adventure like you never have before! These day trips in Minnesota are sure to relax your soul and cleanse your headspace.

Which day trips in Minnesota are your favorites? Tell us about them in the comments – we love to hear from you!

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More to Explore

Day Trips In Minnesota Near Me

Tori Jane | September 21, 2021

What are some fun Minnesota drives to take? 

Minnesota is a beautiful state, and with beautiful states comes scenic drives! You have plenty to choose from, so no matter where you’re located within the state, you’re sure to have a scenic drive near you. Some of our favorites include the breathtaking North Shore Scenic Byway, and the Great River Road is also calling your name. We’re also big fans of the Apple Blossom Scenic Byway, the Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway, and the Otter Trail Scenic Byway. You truly have so many to choose from – the possibilities only end at the limits of your imagination! 

What are some of the best road trips in Minnesota to do?  

We were just saying that Minnesota is a great state for scenic drives, and as we said, there’s a bunch! More of our favorites include Bluff County Byway, Lake Mille Lacs Scenic Byway, and the Saint Croix Scenic Byway. Alternatively, you can create road trips out of all kinds of things: how about a Minnesota waterfalls road trip, or maybe a Minnesota ghost towns road trip? We’ve written many articles laying out plans for fabulous Minnesota road trips, but this one is definitely one of our favorites. This one leads you to all kinds of hidden gems in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.  

What are some must-visit places in Minnesota?  

Anyone who tells you there’s nothing to see or do in Minnesota has probably never been here because that’s definitely not the case! Minnesota has a great handful of bucket list items, from the Mall of America (and its more than 400 stores and shops) to the incredible North Shore, which everyone should see at least once. Minnesota’s breathtaking state parks are also a must-do, and there are plenty – 66, to be exact. This state is also home to 950 archaeological and historical sites, so it’s not like you’ll ever have an excuse to be bored!  

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