Top 5 summer road trips from Minneapolis Minnesota

Anyone else really happy that the cold of the Midwest keeps people away so that we can have the amazing summers here all to ourselves? Me too!

Get the most out of summer in Minnesota and beyond by taking a road trip. Here are my top 5 summer road trips to take from Minneapolis…plus a few bonus at the end!

#1 Nelson Wisconsin

Length of time: day trip

Best for: Local food and drinks

 

Starting with the closest road trip from Minneapolis, Nelson Wisconsin is perfect for a day trip. And this one is all about the journey – Nelson just happened to be our turnaround point. From Minneapolis, cross the Mississippi into Wisconsin and drive down while stopping at a local pizza farm, creamery, and winery (that literally feels like you’re in Tuscany!). A foodies paradise! This road trip has so many hidden gems and would make for a great girls day. Click here to see the details of where we stopped!

#2 Lanesboro Minnesota

Length of time: 1-2 days

Best for: Bike trails and small town charm

 

Keeping the theme of heading south, Lanesboro is a two hour trip from Minneapolis. The 60 mile Root River Bike Trail heads right through town and is a must do for beginner and avid bikers alike. The town if full of visitors shopping, taking an ice cream break, or taking in the town’s history. If biking isn’t your thing, try kayaking on the Root River and catch a show at the local professional theatre. Click here for all my favorites in this little town!

#3 Alexandria Minnesota

Length of time: 2 days

Best for: Lake days and viking history

 

Looking for an escape up north without the long drive? Alexandria Minnesota is only 2 hours northwest of Minneapolis and is surrounded by lakes. Enjoy a day on the water and pull up to a lakeside restaurant for food and drinks, or explore viking history of the town by visiting Big Ole and the Runestone Museum (and decide for yourself whether or not it’s real!). Either way, make sure to stop by the winery to get a horse drawn tour of the property and then stop by Redhead Creamery on your way back home to see how cheese curds are made. This was our FAVORITE stop on this trip – read more about it here! And for all our Alexandria details, click here!

#4 North Shore Minnesota

Length of time: 3 days

Best for: Hiking, views, and waterfalls

I can’t write a post about Minnesota summer road trips without talking about the North Shore. Starting in Duluth (which is about 2 hours and 15 minutes from Minneapolis), drive along highway 61 and Lake Superior while stopping for the best hikes and lookout points in the state – it’s hard hard to even believe you’re in MN! Our favorites were the black sand beach, Tattegouche State Park, Palisade Head, and Devil’s Kettle. And don’t forget Grand Marais! The coolest small town in America with some of the best beer and food around! Click here to see our stops along the way (including a map of it all) and click here for our favorite spots in Grand Marais!

#5 Medora, North Dakota

Length of time: 3-5 days

Best for: Hiking, wildlife, and budget-friendly Western charm

Think North Dakota is full of prairies and a whole lot of nothing? Think again. My favorite road trip we’ve taken this summer is to Medora, North Dakota, which is about 8 hours from Minneapolis, with a stop halfway in Fargo. Medora used to be a ghost town but has since transformed into a destination that is not only the gateway into Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but is also full of unique experiences for the whole family. We had the best time hiking the badlands, eating pitchfork fondue, and seeing the outdoor Medora Musical. See more for yourself here! And make sure to stop in Fargo/Moorhead for some great food, breweries, and viking history, including a viking ship and stave church! More on our stop in Fargo here.

Still want more? Check out my Minnesota destinations page. I would also highly recommend road trips to Winnipeg Manitoba, Nisswa Minnesota, Grand Rapids Minnesota, Stillwater Minnesota, and Albert Lea Minnesota. Happy travels!