Need ideas for next mini-roadtrip (Minneapolis, Duluth: to rent, amusement park, how much)

[Slig]

Ok, so over the course of the last two years we have made an attempt to set up little day or weekend trips to nearby locations. So far, we have been to the following places listed in the order of how much we liked them:

1. Chicago, IL
2. Duluth, MN
3. Winnipeg, MB
4. Collegeville/St. John's University, MN (I studied undergrad there but it was my wife's first time visiting it)
5. Rochester, MN
6. Eau Claire, MN
7. Fargo, ND
8. Stillwater, MN
9. Mankato, MN

I'm trying to think of some other locations we could check out, any distance is fine as long as it can be done in a 3 day weekend or less from Minneapolis. Would any of these locations be recommended or are there any big ones we're missing?

-Milwaukee, WI
-Black Hills/Mt. Rushmore, SD
-Omaha/Lincoln, NE
-Kansas City, KS/MO
-St. Louis, MO
-Thunder Bay, ON

If these places aren't worth the trip I also wouldn't be at all opposed to returning to Chicago and Duluth because both of those places were awesome to visit.

[Camden Northsider]

A lot of the places on your list seem like a lot of driving for a 3-day weekend (or less). Here would be my recommendations for weekend trips of the places I've been to (should note that I'm not the type of person that likes visiting other cities or spending too much time in a car for the extended weekend trips).

Lanesboro, MN- good if you're looking to do the romantic/ b & b thing in a quiet town- nice scenic area with some things to do and see (biking is big, sightseeing at some local caves w/waterfalls, etc).

Always liked the drive and towns around Lake Pepin on both the MN (Lake City, Old Frontenac, etc.) and WI sides- think I'm a little bit more of a fan of the WI side as you're travelling on bluffs looking down on the lake/MN vs the other way around.

I like Duluth alot also but really like visiting the towns/areas just north of it for vacation/ sight-seeing/ scenery (two harbors, lutsen, etc.)- this is an amazing area to visit in the fall when the leaves are changing- if you go at this time, take the gondola ride at lutsen.

And I've heard from a few people that they really like going to the Door County, WI area- never been there myself but would have it on my list were I to make one.

[uptown_urbanist]

Consider adding Bayfield, WI to your list. It's a great place; right on Lake Superior, a ferry to Madeleine Island, lots of tourist amenities but still feels like a real town. I'm hoping to get back there myself one of these days.

I haven't been for years, but I used to enjoy going to Bemidjii in the summer. There's a core downtown, the lake is nice, and there are some big Paul Bunyan statues. There was (is?) a small amusement park right on the lake, too, which was fun. Not exactly a bustling city, but there's enough to keep you busy for a long weekend.

How about Madison? That's an easy weekend trip.

In Illinois Galena (NW Illinois) is very beautiful; the town itself is pretty touristy, but it's still worth a visit. It has a completely different feel than many Midwestern towns, in part because the (historic) buildings on the main street are tightly packed and built behind a protective dam. The drive down to Galena from the Twin Cities is very pleasant; once you hit La Crosse the road gets smaller, it's very scenic, and you pass through a bunch of small towns. Dickeyville (WI) has an interesting grotto worth the stop. Galena itself has a lot of historic sites, as well as some nice opportunities for just wandering around and enjoying a historic river town with a lot of well-preserved historic buildings.

I haven't been to Iowa City, but that's on our list of places to check out. I see the Black Hills are on your list; I went there years ago and had a great time, and although it's been awhile, I'd say definitely keep it on the list.

[whoopsie goldburg]

check out dubuque, IA. beautiful town, and lovely galena IL is a short drive away.

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Slig

-Thunder Bay, ON

If you go to Thunder Bay, consider checking out Kakabeka Falls 35-40 klicks west on the Trans Canada.

[golfgal]

St. Louis is worth the trip, but depending on how much you like driving it is about 9 hours to get there. 3 days really only gives you one day in town and there is a lot to see there.

Bemidji is ok. I spent a lot of time there as a kid and the town has gone downhill but still probably worth a trip up there just for the lake and the woods. The amusement park by the Paul Bunyan statues is gone. It might be a good combination trip with Brainerd. Hit some of the small towns along the way.

Milwaukee is ok, the lake is nice but isn't much different then the Twin Cities.

Black Hills is a must do for everyone but again, it is 9+hours so probably more of a week vacation type place--again, a LOT to see out there.

Omaha has a GREAT zoo-maybe combine that with a trip to Kansas City (not all that much there).

I have been everywhere on your list except Thunder Bay, it's a good list.

Bayfield is a good suggestion too.

Lacrosse, WI is WELL worth a trip, especially in the fall.

[Explorer John]

I'll second Bayfield, WI. My grandparents live just south and I make the trip up every fall. The colors are amazing while driving north along the lake. The first weekend in October is Apple Festival which is a pretty fun time (although the city gets ridiculously crowded). Cruising over to Madeline Island or going on other boat tours is also cool.

I'll also vouch for Madison, WI. I think it's fun to go when school is in session to see all of the students and maybe catch a Badger game or something. The city just has a cool vibe to it.

[Slig]

Good suggestions so far. I will voice agreement that I preferably wouldn't want to make a drive any longer than Chicago in a 3 day span, although it sounds like Black Hills, SD and St. Louis would be good 4-5 day trips, or possibly fly to St. Louis? I've never even heard of Bayfield, WI and that sounds like an excellent suggestion. Also I've totally forgotten about places like Bemidgi, Brainerd and Itasca State Park/birthplace of the Mississippi River. Those are all places my wife still hasn't been too and would probably enjoy.

Another easy day trip that I've forgotten about is Minnetonka. As strange as it is, I've never actually been there and have heard there is a main street type of place with a couple of famous bars right on the lake. Anybody know where this is?

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by Slig

Good suggestions so far. I will voice agreement that I preferably wouldn't want to make a drive any longer than Chicago in a 3 day span, although it sounds like Black Hills, SD and St. Louis would be good 4-5 day trips, or possibly fly to St. Louis? I've never even heard of Bayfield, WI and that sounds like an excellent suggestion. Also I've totally forgotten about places like Bemidgi, Brainerd and Itasca State Park/birthplace of the Mississippi River. Those are all places my wife still hasn't been too and would probably enjoy.

Another easy day trip that I've forgotten about is Minnetonka. As strange as it is, I've never actually been there and have heard there is a main street type of place with a couple of famous bars right on the lake. Anybody know where this is?

You could fly to St. Louis. For what ever reason there generally are not good flight prices to St. Louis. You would also need to rent a car as the "sites" are pretty spread out.

[Ghengis]

If you liked Duluth and Lake Superior, I'd recommend driving clockwise completely around the Lake. Scenery is beautiful along the entire route with many bays, cliffs and forests to explore. The most direct route requires "aboot" 24 hrs total drive time. It's about 6 hrs to Thunder Bay another 6 hrs to Wawa which would be the next "big" town and is located along the Eastern edge of the lake and offers a beautiful network of hiking trails. From Wawa it's another 12 hours back to the TC traveling along the western edge of Green Bay in Michigan's Upper Penninsula.

I would probably push on past TBay the 1st day and find a motel in Nipigon or Rocksport the 1st night so that you had more time on the back end and could maybe explore a bit of the southern shore of the Lake as well but to really see Michigan's Keweenaw may require a fourth day. If you wanted to keep it at 3 days you could save that for a direct visit from the TC some other time.

Staying the 2nd night in Sault Ste Marie instead of Wawa would shorten the final day's drive by another couple hours if you so desired.