Celebrating National Minnesota Day with Itinerary Suggestions for Your Minnesota Road Trip

Mar 1, 2023

It’s National Minnesota Day, so we thought we’d explore some great destinations across Minnesota that are worthy of a road trip! On today’s blog you’ll find fun facts about Minnesota, as well as plenty of places to explore both indoors and outdoors in this incredible state.

We love making these little travel blogs for you, so please let us know if there are any suggestions for future destinations. We’ll keep them in mind for future road trip itineraries. Just pop into the comments and chime in with your suggestions.

First, some fast facts about Minnesota so you can impress your friends and family in the car on the way to your destination:

The capital city of Minnesota is St. Paul
Minnesota became the 32nd state in the nation in 1858
It is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, and boasts hte highest number of lakes in any state in the US.
Minnesota is the self-proclaimed State of Hockey! The exhilarating sport is a defining element of local culture, and a Minnesota Wilds game is a must-see if you’re traveling here during hockey season!
Honeycrisp apples are native grown apples, and are also the state’s official fruit.
Actress and singer Judy Garland was from Minnesota, and so was Bob Dylan!

Now let’s get to planning our exciting vacation to Minnesota!

For the outdoorsy:

If you love to get up close and personal with nature and explore your surroundings with rustic, rugged, and untouched wilderness, then we’ve got just the right place for you! And as an added bonus, we’re also throwing in a few historical sites too.

Voyageurs National Park is an absolutely stunning must-see destination on your travel itinerary. Located close to the Canadian border, this incredibly lush national park is surrounded by sparkling, crystal clear waters of Lake Kabetogama and Rainy Lake. You’ll find miles and miles of pristine shorelines, uninhabited islands, and gorgeous wildlife. The park has more than 50 nature and hiking trails, which give you an up close and personal experience with the lush wildlife! Keep your eyes peeled and you may even spot an Eastern Timber Wolf, along with bald eagles, moose, otters, and so much more.

Pipestone National Monument is another wonderful outdoor landmark to explore. It marks the site of local quarries where Native Americans lived, worked, and crafted ceremonial pipes and other cultural artifacts and crafts. You’ll have a chance to explore the red pipestone and its connection to Native culture as well as natural prairie landscapes. The city of Pipestone itself is known for its beautiful architecture Siqoux Quartzite. It’s a sight to behold! It’s located in southwestern Minnesota along US Route 75, Highway 23, and MN State Highway 30.

The North Shore Scenic Drive is a great little single day roadtrip-within-a-roadtrip! With a drive of just over 140 miles, you’ll get an outstanding coastal view of Lake Superior and magnificent views of the Sawtooth Mountains and lighthouses. We recommend starting in Duluth and heading up north to Grand Portage. You’ll have plenty of time to wander through the local eateries and shops in the small towns as you wind through. It’s a serene, picturesque getaway that makes a great break from the hustle and bustle of hiking and city exploration.

Itasca State Park has impressive old-growth forests, crystal-clear trickling streams and rivers, expansive sparkling lakes, and plenty of opportunities to explore! You can enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, birdwatching, watersports, and even visit the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center for some educational exhibits and fun facts. This is a nature-lovers paradise, and rife with locations that would make a Nature Photographer squeal with delight!

For the cityslickers:

If you’re looking for great cities and towns to explore and get to know the people across Minnesota with plenty of places to shop and eat, we’ve got some spots for you to explore!

St. Paul is the state capital and there’s so much to see and do here! First, there’s the world’s largest hockey mural, a 300ft by 50ft installation on top of Downtown’s Treasure Island Center. You’ll love the historic buildings such as the Cathedral of St Paul, The Alexander Ramsay House, the Minnesota State Capitol building, and so many beautiful historic homes. Travelers of all ages will have a blast learning and exploring at The Minnesota Transportation Museum, The Science Museum of Minnesota, The Minnesota History Center, and other incredible galleries and museums! You’ll have a blast here.

Duluth is considered one of the most scenic cities in the Midwest! You’ll find lots of gorgeous lakefront views throught this port city, and lots of hotspots for fine dining, shopping, family friendly activities like the aquarium, a lighthouse pier, walking paths, and so much more. It’s the perfect place for families as well as visitors with a desire to take in the nightlightlife! You’ll love the historic downtown areas and walking path along the lakeshore.

The beautiful suburb of Eden Prairie is a fabulous place to visit with a real mix of things to do. You’ll enjoy a walkable, public-transport accessible city with lots of dining options and shopping. It’s a quieter retreat away from the busyness of Minneapolis, with a few outdoor activities and nature trails as well. It’s a great suburban retreat.

Rochester is the state’s third largest city, and is home to the world famous Mayo Clinic. The city is always flowing with travelers in part due to people travling in for specialized treatments, tests, and exams. As a result, the downtown has a bustling energy with lots of hotels, local theatres, entertainment, local nature parks, and incredible restaurants. You’ll find no shortage of fun and excitement here! You can even enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, skiing, and hunting on the outskirts of town.