Vacation ideas for Minnesota?

[chester490]

We have 3 weeks to spend away from the Texas heat. Looking for somewhere cool to go. We all decided that we had never seen the US area around Minnesota. I know nothing about this part of US. Does anyone have any suggestions of a scenic area we could tour and some beautiful state parks? Also, any must see attractions on the way up from southeast Texas? Thanks

[iagary]

Another vote for the Lake Superior north shore. We stayed a few days in Grand Marais last summer. Never much above 70 and it is a very nice little town with some good restaurants. The North Shore road gets VERY busy on weekends and I would recommend avoiding traveling much on Friday or Sunday but otherwise, it is great. We loved it.

[SkiingSixPack]

Lots of great ideas... If you like bluffs and rivers, the southeast part of this beautiful state is fantastic. Lanesboro & Preston are quaint towns in the summer and fall... We like the bike trails. They rent bikes there at a few different places.

One of the best reasons to visit this area is a noticeable less amount of mosquitoes due to the lack of bogs and standing water. This is river country.

[rexlion]

In W MN there is a state park where you can walk across the Mississippi River. Headwaters! Sorry, I forget the park name, might be Itasca?

[dewey02]

The North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota (actually it is the northwestern shore) should not be missed.

There are 8 state parks, Split Rock Lighthouse State Historical Site, Superior National Forest, 3 scenic byways, Grand Portage National Monument, many waterfalls, paved biking trails, mountain biking trails, resorts, and many campgrounds.


Check out the North Shore Visitor webpage which gives information about all of these facilities. http://www.northshorevisitor.com/

Split Rock Lighthouse.


And the inland port city of Duluth is on your way there.
Here's the scoop on Duluth:
http://www.visitduluth.com/attractions/

Duluth at night.

[Two_Jayhawks]

Grand Marais is one of our favorite places. Besides the attractions already mentioned are short day trips to Duluth as well as Thunder Bay. Come to this CG and you will likely not get a great spot. However in a couple of days you will be able to move to a spot right on the shore of Lake Superior when one opens up.

[rexlion]

North shore!! Make reservations. Many waterfalls. A nice multi purpose trail parallels the highway, Split Rock Lighthouse. Palisade Head, a view of the lake from 200' above. Gunflint Trail. Artists Point at Grand Marais, plus good pizza at Sven and Ole's.

[colliehauler]

If you want to get away from the heat the North Shore is a very nice and comfortable area. Very popular and fills up because of the ideal climate. I keep a seasonal up North to get away from the heat.

[wanderingdawgs]

We have made a few RV trips to Minnesota. Here are a few of our favorite things in Minnesota:
Walking across the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park. Two great campgrounds in the park.
Minnesota's North Shore along Lake Superior
Blue Mounds State Park near Lucerne
Spam Museum, Green Giant Statue and Minnesota Arboretum

What to see between Texas and Minnesota would depend on your route to get there. In Arkansas and Missouri you could see the Ozarks, in Iowa the Bridges of Madison County and Field of Dreams. Going to South Dakota you could see the Badlands, Black Hills, and Mount Rushmore.

To see pictures and read more about our trips to Minnesota please visit Wandering Around America One State at a time - Minnesota

Enjoy your trip!