Itching to get out of your house this summer? Hop in the car, and set out on a summer road trip! Minnesota has plenty of beautiful places to visit - all just a few hours from St. Cloud. Take a peek at some of the best destinations for a Minnesota summer road trip:
The St. Croix River
A great outdoor haven for adventurers from the city, the St. Croix River - nestled within forests, rolling hills, magnificent cliff sides and bluffs - has plenty of scenic views that make for a picturesque road trip. This destination is just an hour south of the cities, yet you will feel like you just stepped into a scattering of charming little European towns. Travel through Taylor Falls and Stillwater, Minnesota and cross the river to check out Hudson, Wisconsin.
The Twin Cities
For a more urban road trip, look no further than the Twin Cities. You’ll find endless opportunities for culture, history, music, festivals, and endless entertainment. Mix it up and venture through the city’s greatest culinary hotspots, tour the greatest stadiums in the city, or wander the greatest parks and recreation in the cities. Visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Science Museum, the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden, the Como Zoo, and the many lakes, historic bridges, and festivals in the summer.
Extend your trip by traveling west to the Jeffers Petroglyphs. Located in the middle of the prairie, this stretch of quartzite is illustrated with serpents, turtles, bison, and thunderbirds. Take a glimpse at this beautiful and mysterious parcel of ancient Minnesota history.
New Ulm
With a motto of “A City of Charm and Tradition,” this southern Minnesota town sits at the crossing of the Minnesota River and the Cottonwood River. New Ulm is home to Flandrau State Park, the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, and the August Schell Brewing Company. New Ulm also has can’t-miss German festivals throughout the year, the most famous of which is Oktoberfest. Drive along the incredible Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway.
Extend your trip by traveling west to the Jeffers Petroglyphs. Located in the middle of the prairie, this stretch of quartzite is illustrated with serpents, turtles, bison, and thunderbirds. Take a glimpse at this beautiful and mysterious parcel of ancient Minnesota history.
Breathtaking and expansive, the North Shore stretches along the coast of Lake Superior and is riddled with incredible state parks, historical lighthouses and ship ports, and forested cliff sides. Stop in Duluth and hit up Canal Park to visit the Vikre Distillery, the 1905 Aerial Lift Bridge, and delicious local eateries and boutiques. Nearby Glensheen Historic Estate, Split Rock Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls, Apostle Islands, and Jay Cooke State Park are just a few of the unforgettable places you can visit.
If you are looking to venture a little further north, travel to Grand Marais, Superior National Forest, Voyageurs National Park, and Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Camp, fish, hike, canoe, and stargaze to your heart’s content. The area is vast and sprawls across the Minnesota-Canadian border.
With so many beautiful sites and generous communities, take every opportunity you can this summer to explore our incredible state. Prepare your car for a summer excursion by reading through this road trip car maintenance checklist, and stop into Tenvoorde Ford for a maintenance checkup, oil change, and more before you hit the road.
