Stay right here and experience all Minnesota has to offer.
Staycations, or stay-at-home vacations, can be just as much fun as traveling with your family by air, oftentimes with a lot less hassle and cost. We Minnesotans wait all year for the weather to improve, so why not stay put and enjoy all our state has to offer? Staycations allow us to become a tourist in our own hometown by hopping in the car and exploring all our beautiful state has to offer.
We’ve put together a list of the top 10 staycation destinations to take the guesswork out of your family getaway. These spots are sure to help out any parent, babysitter, or nanny hoping to keep the kids occupied this summer.
Road Trip to Some of Minnesota’s Most Unusual Attractions
Family road trips can be a great way to get out and see all our state has to offer. As you drive the highways and roads, be on the lookout for unique Minnesota roadside attractions, like the 55-foot-tall Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth and the and the Swedish “Dala Horse” found in Mora and Cloquet.
Some of these monuments are representations of an animal or fish that identifies with Minnesota, like Willie Walleye in Baudette, Minnesota. Others are, well, others just have to be seen to be believed, like the SPAM museum in Austin, MN.
Minnesota has more than 620 different pieces of outdoor sculptures, located in 150 different communities, and the summer offers the perfect weather to visit. To find them all, download Roadside America on your phone to be sure you don’t miss a thing.
Address: 20430 Johnson Memorial Drive, Jordan, MN 55352
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Friday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone: 559-231-0194
Jim’s Apple Farm, otherwise known as Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store, is a family business that has been around for 38 years. It is well worth the drive if you are a connoisseur of all things candy and treats. This candy store has something for everyone. For adults, it has every throwback candy from our youth (think: rock candy) and popular candies from around the world. They also sell popcorn, cotton candy, homemade jams, dozens of varieties of apples and seasonal pies and goodies.
You can buy novelty toys here, and if your family enjoys puzzles, there are hundreds to choose from. You’ll be here for hours walking up and down the sugar-filled aisles. In the fall, take home a pumpkin from their pumpkin patch to carve with the kids!
Teddy Bear Park
Address: 207 Nelson St. E, Stillwater, MN 55082
Hours: Open daily, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Mid-April to mid-October)
Phone: 651-430-8837
This park has something for everyone. The play equipment is really designed for children ages 7 and younger, but a day or weekend trip to Stillwater can be fun for kids of all ages. Teddy Bear Park has lots of equipment for kids to play on, including a tree house with slides, tunnels, climbing nets, and bridges, with plenty of big teddy bear sculptures placed around the park. There’s no admission fee, and there is plenty of room to picnic while you’re there.
The building at Teddy Bear Park also has two levels available to rent, both with their own kitchen, which includes a full size refrigerator, sink, small microwave, and counter top space perfect for hosting family gatherings and birthday parties.
When you need a break from playtime, there’s plenty to do in downtown Stillwater. The streets are lined with antique shops, waterside lunch spots — like Freight House, with plenty of outdoor seating, and lots of specialty shops to visit.
Gooseberry Falls
Address: 3206 U.S. Highway 61 E, Two Harbors, MN 55616
Hours: Open daily, sunrise to sunset
Phone: 218-595-7100
Gooseberry Falls State Park is located on the scenic North Shore of Lake Superior, about 13 miles northeast of Two Harbors. Known for its spectacular waterfalls, river gorge, pristine shoreline, and north woods wildlife, it is a premier family destination to see all Minnesota has to offer. Take the whole family on a hike to the Fifth Falls through a thick forest of evergreens and birch and spend the night camping in their modern campsites. Gooseberry Falls is perfect for picnicking, reading, relaxing, and playing along the Lake Superior shore.
When you’re there, you’ll have to visit Split Rock Lighthouse and the famous Betty’s Pies for some sustenance. And parents will want to stop by the Castle Danger Brewery, all in Two Harbors.
Grandview Lodge
Address: 23521 Nokomis Ave., Nisswa, MN 56468
Hours: Open 24/7
Phone: 866-801-2951
Overlooking beautiful Gull Lake, this upscale, year-round golf resort is a little bit of heaven on Earth. Located just 16 miles from downtown Brainerd, families can stay in one of their rustic cabins, which feature 1-8 bedrooms, offering plenty of room if you want to visit with friends or larger families. Their golf villas even have private game rooms for kids.
There are sandy beaches nearby for kids to have a little fun in the sun, and the lodge has an indoor pool and organized activities, like horseback riding and yoga. They have plenty of dining options, including a low-key pub and a family-friendly Italian restaurant.
Explore all Nisswa and Brainerd have to offer, including Safari North, Paul Bunyan Land, or Lake Mille Lacs, making the area one of best places to explore northern Minnesota. Don’t forget to leave time for a family lunch or dinner at Zorbaz nearby. (Order the pizza!)
Lake Itasca State Park
Address: 36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids, MN 56470
Hours: Call for seasonal hours
Phone: 218-699-7251
Established in 1891, Itasca is Minnesota’s oldest state park. The vast park totals more than 32,000 acres and includes more than 100 lakes. Families can hike or picnic under towering pines at Preacher’s Grove or you can visit the Itasca Indian Cemetery or Wegmann’s Cabin, landmarks of the park. Camp under the stars or stay the night at the historic Douglas Lodge or cabins. Explore Wilderness Drive past the 2,000-acre Wilderness Sanctuary or take in the sun at one of the many sandy beaches. Lake Itasca is the primary source of the Mississippi River, which flows to the Gulf of Mexico.
Visitors can expect to see plenty of avian life, including loons, owls, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, and warblers. Trails in the park are packed with deer and porcupine. Black bears and wolves also reside in the park. You can camp at one of the various campsites, or stay the night at the famous Douglas Lodge.
Minnehaha Steamship
Address: 37 Water St., Excelsior, MN 55331
Hours: Cruises run Saturdays, Sundays & holidays, June 3 – Sept. 4
Phone: 952-474-2115
Head over to Lake Minnetonka if you want to spend a day or weekend exploring a couple of lake towns loaded with family fun. Hop aboard the the Minnehaha, a restored steamship, currently owned, maintained, and operated by the Museum of Lake Minnetonka — a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization based in Excelsior, Minnesota. The ship runs between Excelsior and Wayzata and is a perfect way to spend a few hours on the lake.
Standard Cruise Fares run $15 for adults and $5 for children. Kids 3 and under are free. Don’t forget to stop at Licks Unlimited, one of the oldest ice cream shops around, or stop for lunch on the lake at Maynard’s in Excelsior. There are plenty of shops, beaches, and restaurants to keep all ages entertained.
Water Park of America
Address: 1700 American Blvd. E, Bloomington, MN 55425
Hours: Will reopen in November
Phone: 952-854-8700
Opened in 2006, the Water Park of America is home to the tallest indoor water slide in the U.S. The park has a slide tower, wave pool, lazy river, swimming pool, a small pool with floating “logs” that children can jump over, two hot tubs, and a children’s area for the little ones. It also has a huge arcade and attached hotel, if you want to make a weekend of it and explore the Mall of America, located just a half mile from the water park.
The park is getting new owners this year and will be reopened in November under the name Great Wolf Lodge. Renovations are underway to include expanded entertainment options, such as a ropes course and rock wall, making this park a one-stop-shop for all kinds of fun.
Lutsen Ski and Summer Resort
Address: 445 Ski Hill Rd Lutsen, MN 55612
Hours: Depends on season
Phone: 218-663-7281
If you are looking for a winter getaway, Minnesota has some of the highest hills in the Midwest and offers skiing for every skill level, from bunny hills to terrain parks. Families can spend a weekend along the North Shore at Lutsen Mountain, which offers snow tubing and snowboarding areas in addition to skiing for even more thrills.
But it’s not just fun in the winter months. During the summer and fall, Lutsen has the Summit Express Gondola — one of the most popular attractions on the North Shore. Take the scenic ride to the summit, enjoy a meal at the Summit Chalet with its expansive deck overlooking Lake Superior, and explore the hiking trails all around Lutsen.
Visit Downtown St. Paul
St. Paul is a goldmine of family fun. Visit the Chamber Orchestra or Minnesota Opera or take in a show at the Ordway Center. If you time your visit just right, you can also take in a concert or hockey game at the neighboring Xcel Energy Center. While you’re there, don’t forget lunch at family-friendly Eagle Street Grille, or stop off at the Science Museum of Minnesota.
On Rice Park, the Landmark Center holds free concerts and family events. You can also visit the Minnesota History Center, the Minnesota State Capitol, or treat yourself with a fun meal at the iconic Mickey’s Diner, featured in the movies “Jingle All The Way” and “The Mighty Ducks.”
