Take a Break from Minnesota With These Short Trips

Dealing with lack of vacation time, and live in Minnesota? You can still take a break from Minnesota with these short trips. The USA is full of so many amazing places to visit, no matter what you’re looking for from your vacation. Whether you want to explore a vibrant city, take things slow as you relax and read by a lake, spend the days hiking or simply want to lie on the beach, you’ll be spoilt for choice with multiple unique destinations to enjoy. 

But with so many options on the table, it can be hard to narrow your choices down. Especially if you’ve only got a weekend or a few days, you won’t want to go too far, as to avoid spending too much time driving – but equally, you want it to feel far enough away from home that you do actually feel like you’ve been on vacation.

In this post, we share short trips that perfectly balance driving time and getting the most out of your days away.

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Are you Ready to Take a Break From Minnesota

Don’t get me wrong, Minnesota is a beautiful state to live in or travel to. However, as one who grew up here I find great joy in short getaways to neighboring states. There is much beauty all around to be seen, but I’ll only touch on a few to not overwhelm you today. All of these short trips can be entertaining, adventurous, educating, and relaxing.

Ready, let’s dig into some short trips to help you take a break from Minnesota.

Eau Claire

Famous for its indie, laid back atmosphere, this city boasts a thriving arts and music scene, hosting multiple music festivals each year. Just 90 minutes away from Minneapolis, it’s an easy spot to get to via car, or takes around four hours via public transportation, making it a great choice for a long weekend.

The city is best explored by bike, with over 70 miles of trails allowing you to safety and easily get around. Once you’ve had enough of pedaling, then you can settle in for the evening and enjoy the vibe in one of the numerous restaurants or breweries, or take a slow stroll alongside the ebb and flow of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers. Feeling a bit more adventurous? Book a tubing tour and get a view of the city from the water instead.

Wisconsin Dells

If you’re a Minneapolis resident and the buzz of the big city is getting a bit too much, then you’ll likely want to use your vacation days to go back to nature. Home to nearly 3,200 campsites, Wisconsin Dells is a great choice for those wanting to spend some time outdoors – but without heading too far into the wilderness. Travel time from Minnesota is around three and a half hours by car.

Make sure to pack your trail shoes and hiking poles, because you won’t be able to resist the lure of one of the picturesque state parks, river walks or the gorges and glens. There’s a whole host of trails that are suitable for adults and kids alike, so if you’ve got little travelers in your party, you don’t need to worry about spending the day at the play park. Although, of course, the other thing that Wisconsin Dells is famous for is being the ‘waterpark capital of the world’ – so leave some time for the young (and young at heart) to hit the rapids.

Apostle Islands

For a summer break that gets you off the mainland, then look to the Apostle Islands, in Lake Superior. To start your adventure, you’ll need to drive to Bayfield (just under four hours from Minneapolis), before hopping on a ferry. Most of the islands aren’t accessible via vehicle, but if you do need your car, a vehicle and passenger ferry goes to Madeline Island only. Or, if funds allow it, you can skip the communal ferry altogether and charter your own boat to take you around the islands for a truly special experience.

The stunning natural beauty of these islands is enough to captivate anyone, with the gentle lap of the water encouraging you to slow down and simply enjoy a break away from normal life. Spend your days wandering, or book kayak hire to see the islands from the water. If you opt for the latter, be aware that the islands are further apart than they seem, so plan any excursions carefully to avoid getting caught out.

Sioux Falls

One of our favorite ways to take a break from Minnesota is to visit Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Home to the iconic cascade of waterfalls that gives the city its name, Sioux Falls is a great spot for a short vacation, and is only around four hours from Minneapolis. There are plenty of walking tours to keep you entertained, from food and drink tours to the outdoor art trail, so you can curate a trip based on whatever makes you feel most relaxed.

If you’re willing to go a little further, the Palisades State Park (half an hour out the city) is home to 1.2 billion year old quartzite formations that tower over the rushing river. Keep an eye out for rock climbers scaling the rugged cliffs, or practice your photography and attempt to capture the unspoilt natural beauty. 

Take a Break from Minnesota Final Thoughts

Even if you’ve only got a few days to explore, it’s still worth crossing the state boundary and discovering what the neighboring states have to offer. Whether you cram your itinerary full of cultural stops or simply want to enjoy nature in peace, there’s plenty of options around. Get ready Minnesota peeps, it’s time to take a break from Minnesota for a bit.