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Old 08-24-2012, 11:25 AM
 
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We're thinking of taking a short vacation this year. We don't want to fly so we need to go somewhere close enough to enjoy time out of the car. We may just go camping but I'm looking for other suggestions. It doesn't have to be in Minnesota, just a reasonable drive. Nothing crazy expensive but it's not shoestring tight either.
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Old 08-24-2012, 12:09 PM
 
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How far is "reasonable". Since your kids are younger, St. Louis might be an option. It's about 8 hours driving. The City Museum is a MUST DO for kids 16 and younger or so. The Zoo, Grant's Farm, the Arch, Magic House (10 and under crowd) are all wonderful. The drive down is lovely as well and you could schedule a stop in Hannibal, MO and visit all of the Mark Twain sites.
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Old 08-24-2012, 12:16 PM
 
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I'm thinking within five hours. We considered Rushmore but I feel like that would be such a fast trip and we wouldn't have time to enjoy anything. My son is nine.

I had never considered St Louis before though, that does seem like a fun trip.
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Old 08-24-2012, 12:52 PM
 
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You'd still get to see lots at Rushmore if you want for a long weekend. I think it's worth still considering. Look into more. Look at staying at Palmer's Gulch too.
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Old 08-24-2012, 09:07 PM
 
Location: Twin Cities
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The Black Hills are 10 hours away if you drive straight through. St. Louis is about the same. Interesting trips but too far for me for a long weekend. Five hours gets you 250 miles, so you're looking at Des Moines, Duluth, Sioux Falls, the North Shore, those kinds of places. One option is Chicago, about six or seven hours away and tons to do with a nine year old.
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Old 08-25-2012, 07:30 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glenfield View Post
The Black Hills are 10 hours away if you drive straight through. St. Louis is about the same. Interesting trips but too far for me for a long weekend. Five hours gets you 250 miles, so you're looking at Des Moines, Duluth, Sioux Falls, the North Shore, those kinds of places. One option is Chicago, about six or seven hours away and tons to do with a nine year old.
St. Louis is not 10 hours from the Twin Cities, we've done the drive probably 30 times, it's closer to 8-8 1/2 hours depending on how long you take to stop for gas. It's actually a very easy drive and you don't run into the traffic like you see in Chicago.

The Wisconsin Dells might be a good option as well. I would suggest bringing a friend along on the trip if you haven't considered that yet.
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Old 08-25-2012, 10:22 AM
 
Location: Twin Cities
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Originally Posted by golfgal View Post
St. Louis is not 10 hours from the Twin Cities, we've done the drive probably 30 times, it's closer to 8-8 1/2 hours depending on how long you take to stop for gas. It's actually a very easy drive and you don't run into the traffic like you see in Chicago.

The Wisconsin Dells might be a good option as well. I would suggest bringing a friend along on the trip if you haven't considered that yet.
You must have been speeding. Google maps says 9hrs from Rosemount to St. Louis, which is a lot closer (close was the term i used) to 10 hrs than the five hours specified in the original post, and not ideal for a long weekend in my view.
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Old 08-26-2012, 08:48 AM
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glenfield View Post
You must have been speeding. Google maps says 9hrs from Rosemount to St. Louis, which is a lot closer (close was the term i used) to 10 hrs than the five hours specified in the original post, and not ideal for a long weekend in my view.
Or, google maps assumes 55 mph, which has been my experience, not the 70 mph posted the entire route to St. Louis. Again, we've done the drive, you haven't, why are you arguing? It's a great long weekend trip that we have made over MEA weekend for the past 8 years. The buildings in downtown St. Louis are just amazing, the park along the river where the arch sits is unbelievably beautiful in mid Oct when the leaves are changing, etc.
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Old 08-27-2012, 09:50 PM
 
Location: Minneapolis, MN
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We haven't been to St. Louis yet but you really can't go wrong spending 3-4 days in Chicago...and at that time the climate should still be tolerable.
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Old 08-28-2012, 07:45 AM
 
Location: Park Rapids
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WI Dells is likely the perfect choice. Time and distance fits. It's not shoe string in any way shape or form and you wouldn't run out of things to do. It's perfect for children of that age too as well as fun for the whole family.
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