The northern Midwest state of Minnesota has many attractions for families. It has some of the most awesome “get away from it all” snowy isolation this side of Alaska, yet it also has the art and culture of thriving cities. We’ll look at some of the top Minnesota day trip ideas so you can plan your trip.
As one who is born and raised in Northern Minnesota I can safely say everyone must visit Minnesota. If you love summer activities, make sure to be ready for a lot of traffic on the freeways heading along Lake Superior. For those who love skiing, Minnesota offers great ski resorts (that will be another post). However, for now let’s just check out these top Minnesota day trip ideas.
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Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth
Opened in 2000 at a cost of $34 million. The Great Lakes Aquarium is in the northern Minnesota city of Duluth on the shores of Lake Superior. Being one of the few major aquariums in the United States that focuses on freshwater marine life. The Aquarium emphasizes the varied animals and habitats of the Great Lakes region. However, it also contains exhibits based on other freshwater ecosystems including that of the Amazon River in South America.
The largest exhibit is the 85,000 gallon “Isle Royale,”. This extends two floors and contains Great Lakes fish such as trout and lake sturgeon. But that is merely one of over two dozen permanent exhibit, showcasing not only 70 species of fish, but also amphibians, reptiles, birds, and river otters.
The Aquarium is open every day year round except Christmas, from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Mall of America, Bloomington
You might think of shopping malls as a dime a dozen, but not the Mall of America. Opened in 1992, it draws so many of its over 40 million visitors a year from out of the area that it ranks as one of the most visited tourist sites in the world.
There are four floors, and 4 million square feet in this, the largest mall in the country. Besides the 520 retail outlets, 50 restaurants, and multiple movie theaters, there are kid-friendly attractions such as Nickelodeon Universe (the largest indoor amusement park in the world), a 1.2 million gallon aquarium, a miniature golf course, and the Lego Imagination Center.
While visiting the MOA in Bloomington there are many places to stay near the MOA that off shuttle services to and from the MOA.
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis
Opened in 1915, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts contains more than 100,000 objects in collections of African art, Native American art, Asian art, decorative arts, sculpture, textiles, photography and new media, paintings, prints and drawings, and contemporary art. The artwork of Minnesotans is well represented.
The building itself is an architectural work of art, of the neoclassical style.
The Institute is closed Mondays, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. Admission is free.
Niagara Cave, Harmony
Voted “Best Family Destination” for two years in a row by Bluff Country Travel Guide’s Reader’s Choice Awards, Niagara Cave in Harmony is worth a stop on any road trip.
Niagara Cave features a 60 foot tall waterfall, beautiful intricate stalactites, calcite flowstone, and fossils that are as much as 400 million years old. A guided tour lasts one hour.
Besides its impressive natural features, Niagara Cave also boasts a unique Wedding Chapel where over 300 couples have been married over the years.
Niagara Cave is open to the public seven days a week from May through September, on weekends in April and October, and by appointment only from November to March. It is a constant 48 degrees Fahrenheit inside the cave year round, which means that, yes, since this is Minnesota, it’s a great place to go to warm up.
Harmony is in the extreme southeast of the state, just north of the Iowa border, and just west of the Wisconsin border.
Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul
Opened in 1907 right on the Mississippi River, the Science Museum of Minnesota is 70,000 square feet of exhibits covering biology, physics, technology, paleontology, and culture.
Visitors can learn more about such varied areas as Hmong culture, Latin American ceramics, Mayan masks and textiles, malaria, cell biology, weather, optics, and dinosaurs. Many of the exhibits have hands-on opportunities for children.
Outdoors there are exhibits about the Mississippi River and biodiversity, a prairie maze, a camera obscura, and even a miniature golf course.
The Museum is closed Monday. It opens at 9:30 AM the other six days, closing at 5:00 PM on Sunday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and at 9:00 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
SPAM Museum
Celebrating all things SPAM, the SPAM museum in Austin, Minnesota is 16,500 feet of exhibits that include videos and a SPAM game show. With free admission, the museum features trivia and historical context, providing educational elements of the role of SPAM in history since the company began in 1937.
Exhibits like the World War II display highlight SPAM’s place in the war, and the CyberDiner is a working restaurant that is a vintage throwback centered around the main menu item, SPAM.
From museums to geological wonders to centers of consumerism, there are a variety of places to explore on a road trip in Minnesota. Beginning in Austin and traveling north through the Twin Cities, the Niagara Cave, the SPAM museum, the Mall of America and the Science Museum of Minnesota are just a few of the sights and experiences throughout the state.
Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store, Jordan
Now, who doesn’t love candy? Or at least love to tour huge candy stores. There is literally something for everyone in Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store located in Jordan, Minnesota.
Being a seasonal business and only open Mid-May through November makes this one to hit during your summer/fall travels. Selling candy, apples, fall produce, baked goods, jigsaw puzzles and gift shop items. In addition to their own products, they offer many others that are raised or made locally by local neighbors.
A must stop for anyone traveling in Minnesota.
Final Thoughts on the Top Minnesota Day Trip Ideas
Minnesota is huge and there are literally hundreds of things you can do to entertain yourself and your family. This is a short list just for a starting point.
If you are visiting Minnesota, or even if you live here, check out my post about 5 Road Trips for Fall Colors in Minnesota.
Traveling to Minnesota or just around in Minnesota and looking for a place to stay. We offer our yard thru Hipcamp. Check out the Sunset Bay Getaway listing.
Regardless of what you choose, all of these Minnesota Day Trip Ideas will entertain and keep you busy. And don’t forget, when you travel, you might need these travel accessories.
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