Heading to Minnesota

[Gsturner]

My grandson and I are heading out on vacation in a couple of weeks. He decided that Minnesota would be a good destination. While traveling extensively with the RV and driving a charter bus, my sole experience in Minnesota has been a quick trip to the Mall of America (MOA). That is until I got a phone call from a tour coordinator requesting I drive their Mystery Tour to of all places, Minnesota!

So far since Tuesday, have hit Spam Museum, Rochester, boat ride on Lake Pepin, several locations in Red Wing, Fort Snelling, and am looking at MOA out my hotel window as I write this. Minneapolis and Faribault sites tomorrow.

Still open for suggestions of things to see and do in Minnesota with a 'pert near 11 year old GS.

Since the only part of MOA I got to see was the underground transit center, we will definitely have to come back here. Are there any campgrounds from which we can use public transportation to come to MOA?

[pawatt]

The north shore of Lake Superior & Duluth to Grand Marais.

[Gsturner]

Wow! Lotsa great ideas!! Just got back to the hotel from a busy day--backstage tour at the amazing Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, then a full day of fun and merriment in Faribault. Old Mill Town in the morning, then take the group back home to NW Missouri.

Between my discoveries on the Mystery Tour, and y'alls' input, we shouldn't have any problems keeping ourselves occupied. GS is just completing his first summer camp session at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation, and enjoys most outdoor activities. This is gonna be great. Thanks again for the great ideas!

[APRSRVer]

Plenty of things to see and do in MN "fer sure". GS won't be bored with Sea Life Aquarium in MOA. And nearby is Water Park of America in Radisson hotel. Also, there is Valleyfair Amusement Park SW suburb of Shakopee. Duluth has transportation museum, 1000' ore boats coming into harbor under lift bridge and Canal Park.

[Alfred622]

AGB said this: you could do a loop up to Itasca, across to Soudan, and then continue to the North Shore (check Gooseberry Falls S.P.), then back down through Duluth and maybe pick up the Great River Road as you head back south.

I totally agree. Also, include Bemidji and pay the statue of Paul Bunyan a visit - so fun! The story of Paul and Babe the Blue Ox is total fun. When further north, include the Hull Rust mine - lots of fun activities for kids there too. If you can... drive all the way up the North Shore to Grand Marais - both there and at Split Rock Lighthouse you'll find some fantastic living history. (Visit the lighthouse keeper's house at Split Rock and, if you're lucky, hot chocolate chip cookies will be coming out of the wood stove oven as baked by the keeper's wife). Walking across the Mississippi at Itasca is a MUST do.

Bring your bug spray. We got a refrigerator magnet from way up North a couple of years ago... it shows a huge mosquito, napkin around its neck, holding a knife & fork in its "hands" with the caption reading: "Send More Tourists, the last were delicious!". Deep Woods Off seems to work well.

Enjoy!!

[MinnCamper]

You HAVE to get up to Northern MN. I'm always so sad to hear about people who come to Minnesota and never get past the MOA. Our North Shore (north of Duluth) is spectacular. Not just the views, but you can do hiking, biking, visit the state parks along the shore - especially Jay Cooke (just south of Duluth) and walk across the swinging bridge, Gooseberry Falls where your GS can climb on the rocks and see some spectacular waterfalls, Split Rock lighthouse where you can get a tour of the lighthouse area and look out over Lake Superior. You could travel all the way up to Grand Marais and get out on Lake Superior, drive the Gunflint trail and see Moose. Near Orr, Minnesota there is a bear sanctuary where you can see wild bear in their habitat. And of course, Itasca State Park has a ton to do. Walk across the Mississippi where it starts, take in a evening program, take a boat ride on the lake, bike the wilderness trail or just relax in the beautiful northwoods.

If you can't get that far north, at least drive up just north of Stillwater (about an hour from the MOA) along the St. Croix river and check out Taylors Falls. There is a great park where you'll find rock climbers, trails and you can do a river cruise or your GS could go to the water park just up the road.

[agb2529]

x3 on Itasca State Park, one of our favorites in the whole country. Keep in mind that it's a good 3 1/2 hours from Minneapolis. Another not too well known recommendation that an 11 year old might like is the Soudan Underground Mine State park, also pretty far north. They have an awesome tour of Minnesota's first iron ore mine, 1/2 mile underground, as well as a tour of the high energy physics lab that was built a few years ago in one of the big caverns. They use the lab as a target for particles shot from the accelerator in Fermi Lab outside of Chicago, 400 miles through solid rock. Way cool stuff. If you start in Minneapolis, you could do a loop up to Itasca, across to Soudan, and then continue to the North Shore (check Gooseberry Falls S.P.), then back down through Duluth and maybe pick up the Great River Road as you head back south. Hey, I want to go! Too bad I'm out of vacation for the year.

Soudan Mine brochure

[wanderingdawgs]

X2 on Itasca State Park to visit the headwaters of the Mississippi River. You and your grandson can walk across the Mississippi River there.

X2 also on the North Shore.

[Lauren]

We lived in Minneapolis 25 years. Lots to do there for sure but also head up to Daloot (Duluth) and along the North Shore. Dakotah Meadows is a great rv park.

[esyers]

Last year we stayed at Dakotah Meadows RV Park and Casino. It's a very nice campground, although not a whole lot there to keep the GS occupied. There is a pretty good playground.

The best part is they also run a free shuttle to and from the MOA. Upstairs from the bus lanes, you're GS will be blown away by the mall, complete with amusement park, character appearances and lots of other things.

Their website is http://www.dakotahmeadows.com/

Enjoy!

[michigansandzil]

I have to disclose that I have never actually been there, but, Itasca State park is on my "to-do" list for Minnesota. It's the headwaters for the Mississippi river. Sounds really cool.
I would absolutely take my 11 year old there, he has fun anywhere. My 9 year old might be bored though.
Can't go wrong really. No matter where you go you'll be making great memories!
Have a great time.