My Favorite Day Trips From Minneapolis, Minnesota
Black Beach on the North Shore of Minnesota. Click on my photos to pin on Pinterest!
Sometimes you just want to get out of the city and have an adventure. For me, that’s all the time. In this blog, I’ll go over my favorite day trips from Minneapolis. Some of these trips are right outside of Minneapolis while others are a little further away. However, you can make a day trip out of all of these locations, and can always opt for a weekend getaway for the further adventures. No matter the season, pack up the car, and get out and explore!
This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Erin Molstad is a participant in the Tripadvisor Affiliate Program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to tripadvisor.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. I only recommend services I believe in and appreciate your support!
Boating on Lake Minnetonka
Lake Minnetonka
Just 30 minutes outside of Minneapolis is the beautiful Lake Minnetonka. Spend the day boating, relaxing on the water, and grabbing a bite to eat. If you don’t have a boat, you can rent a boat at Bay to Bay Boat Club. If you’d rather hang out at the beach, check out Wayzata Beach. Lake Minnetonka is large, so you can definitely spend all day exploring. Two fun restaurants to make stops at are Maynards and COV Wayzata. Lake Minnetonka is a pretty iconic spot in Minnesota.
Apple from Minnetonka Orchard
Minnetonka Orchard
Don’t miss Minnetonka Orchard while you’re over around Lake Minnetonka. Throughout the summer, enjoy pizza nights with live music. At the end of August, the orchard opens and is the perfect spot to go apple picking and celebrate fall. I love spending an afternoon here and always make sure to grab some fresh baked apple donuts. During the holiday season, Minnetonka Orchard has Christmas trees, Santa visits, and hot cocoa!
Having fun at Parley Lake Winery in the fall
Parley Lake Winery
One of my favorite little wineries is Parley Lake Winery. It’s also West of Minneapolis, only a 40 minute drive, and is located on the most stunning property. I love taking photos here and their wine is delicious. You can also grab fresh baked goods in their shop and they often have live music and a food truck during the afternoons. Make sure to stop by during the weekend, as Parley Lake Winery is only open Friday-Sunday.
Canterbury Downs
Have you ever watched a horse race? What about a wiener dog race? Head to Canterbury Downs in Shakopee for an exciting day of thrilling entertainment! Not only does Canterbury Downs have live racing, but they also have comedians, concerts, and so many other unique events. Check out their events calendar to plan your trip. It’s only 3o minutes South of Minneapolis!
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Over in Chaska, is the gorgeous Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is open all year around, so you can see the beautiful foliage change throughout the seasons. My favorite time to visit is during the fall, but spring and summer are also amazing times to see all the flowers blooming. There are so many learning buildings, exhibits, and lovely gardens to explore all around the grounds. You’ll need a ticket for entrance. If you plan ahead, it’s $20, but if you pay at the gate, tickets are $25.
Prior Lake
Another amazing lake we love to hang out on is Prior Lake. Prior Lake is only 30 minutes South of Minneapolis and is so much fun! Ross likes to bring the jet ski and zip around, while I will float and relax on my tube. Sand Point Beach is a great beach to swim at and they also have a boat landing. If you’re boating, don’t miss the ice cream boat selling popsicles and other goodies. To round off your day, grab food from Charlie’s on Prior while watching the sunset.
While you’re over in Prior Lake, make sure to check out Mystic Lake Casino. They have a lot of fun shows and concerts, and of course, a casino!
Stillwater
There’s so much to do in Stillwater and it’s only 30 minutes East of Minneapolis. Stillwater is located along the St. Croix River right across from Wisconsin. It’s a beautiful, little city. They have great nightlife, beautiful parks, and fun attractions. For food and drinks I recommend Oasis Cafe, a classic diner, and The Velveteen Speakeasy, for cocktails. For a special occasion, check out the Stillwater River Boat Cruises. This is perfect for bachelorette parties, wedding receptions, or simply a cute date night. You get dinner, music, and a view to remember. Finally, don’t miss Tremblays Sweet Shop while you’re in Stillwater. If you have a sweet tooth like me, you’ll want to stock up on homemade chocolates and saltwater taffy here.
Interstate Park
Looking for somewhere to camp and hike? I recommend heading to Interstate Park, Wisconsin’s oldest state park, and hiking around the Dalles for some fantastic views. Interstate Park is located along the St. Croix River in Taylor’s Falls, Minnesota and in St. Croix, Wisconsin. This is why it’s called Interstate Park, so you get to choose which side you want to camp at. No matter which side you choose, you’ll get beautiful views.
Snowboarding at Wild Mountain
Wild Mountain
Another location in the Taylor’s Falls area, which is only an hour away from Minneapolis, is Wild Mountain. In the winter, Wild Mountain is the perfect spot to ski, snowboard, and tube. In the summer, they have a waterpark, an alpine slide, and go-karts! Wild Mountain is a fun adventure for the whole family.
Willow River State Park
Over in Hudson, Wisconsin is the stunning Willow River State Park. This state park is like a little slice of the tropics, with an amazing waterfall. You can cool down by wading in the pools or venture behind the waterfall if you’re more adventurous. Willow River State Park also has some great hiking trails. This Wisconsin state park is a gem and less than 40 minutes from Minneapolis!
Willow River State Park
Banning State Park
An hour and a half North of Minneapolis is Banning State Park. It’s right on the way to Duluth, so you can hit both spots on your adventure. This State Park has wonderful hiking trails and a gorgeous waterfall, Wolf Creek Falls. During the fall, the whole area is covered in golds and oranges. It’s such a pretty area!
Wolf Creek Falls at Banning State Park
Duluth
Speaking of Duluth, keep heading up North to make a visit. Duluth is just over 2 hours away from Minneapolis and a great destination. Walk around Canal Park and take in the beautiful views of Lake Superior, visit the Great Lakes Aquarium, and have an adventure at Spirit Mountain, no matter the season! Around the holidays, make sure to stop and walk through the free Bentleyville light show. It’s magical!
North Shore Minnesota
Continue on North and drive along the North Shore of Minnesota. It’s beautiful in every season! Some of my favorite stops are Split Rock Lighthouse, Black Beach, Gooseberry Falls and Tettegouche State Park. If you’re really looking to escape, check out Ninemile Lake campground in the Superior National Forest. Make it a weekend getaway. You’re sure to have peaceful nights up here. I could write a whole blog about the North Shore of Minnesota, so more to come!
Sunflower field at Babbette’s Seeds of Hope at Jaquish Farms
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
I love Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The community is vibrant, there are so many great restaurants, fun entertainment, and beautiful natural areas along the Chippewa River. Some highlights of Eau Claire are Country Jam, floating the Chippewa River, pretty sunflower fields, and the amazing breweries like The Brewing Projekt. I wrote a whole blog all about Eau Claire, so check that out if you’re interested. It’s only 1.5 hours East of Minneapolis and perfect for a day trip.
Camping at Lake Wissota State Park in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Chippewa Falls is one of my favorite little cities in Wisconsin and is only 20 minutes outside of Eau Claire. If you’re coming over this way, you might as well visit both cities. Leinie Lodge and Lake Wissota are two highlights of Chippewa Falls that are sure to make your visit fun. Head over to my blog about Chippewa Falls for the full scoop.
Paddleboarding up near Hayward
Hayward, Wisconsin
If you’re looking for a northwoods getaway, look no further than Hayward, Wisconsin. It’s about 2.5 hours away from Minneapolis. Hayward, and the surrounding Sawyer County is filled with gorgeous lakes, great food, and fun outdoor activities. Head over to my Hayward blog to read more!
Overall Thoughts
No matter the season, there is so much to explore right outside of Minneapolis. Don’t get stuck in the same routine living in the city. Bring your friends, family, or go on a solo date. Whatever you do, get outside and have an adventure!
Camera used to document my travels: Canon EOS 5D Mark III & IV 35mm lens, Olympus Om-1 35mm film, and iPhone
