Lutsen
Lutsen is a top choice destination for outdoor activities year round. The Sawtooth Mountain range is on the north shore of Lake Superior with views reminiscent of a smaller-scale Lake Tahoe. The atmosphere in Lutsen is similar to a typical western ski resort but is not nearly as expensive. Winter months bring quality skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing and dog sledding. While exploring the mountains, be sure to stop in to Papa Charlie's Tavern and Stage. Summer months bring hiking, mountain biking, an alpine slide, horseback riding and canoeing.
Al's Breakfast
Al's Breakfast is a tiny hole in the wall breakfast favorite of locals and is Dinkytown's best kept secret. Dinkytown is just north of the University of Minnesota's East Bank campus. Be aware that the entire restaurant seats only 14 people and frequently has a long line out the door and down the sidewalk. Al's is only open Monday through Saturday 6 am to 1 pm and Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm. If you are a minute late, on their clock, they will not allow you to wait for a seat. The wait may be long, but the food is delicious and will explain why so many people are willing to wait hours in line.
Mill City Museum
Every metropolitan area has its own unique history that explains its location and size. The Twin Cities was once known as the flour milling capital of the world, conveniently located on the Mississippi river. The flour milling industry may not seem very exciting at first, but explosions, squatters, fires and breaking dams set against the beautiful background of the stone arch bridge and falls on the Mississippi river creates a great experience. The museum is engaging for all ages; The historic river attractions you will learn about are open to the public, so remember to save time to explore the surrounding sites outside as well as the inside of the museum.
Three Rivers Wine Trail
The Three Rivers Wine Trail is comprised of six wineries located within the St. Croix, Mississippi and Cannon River Valleys. Get your wine trail passport stamped at each winery while learning about each wineries challenges and victories in the grape growing and wine making process. The University of Minnesota has developed multiple grape varietals over the past 20 years that are capable of growing in Minnesota's cold climate. The wines are delicious and unique due to the Minnesota landscape and climate. Just be sure to have a designated driver because some of the wineries are long distances apart.
The Soap Factory
The Soap Factory is a non-profit art gallery dedicated to emerging contemporary practices of visual art. The gallery is located in the historic National Purity Soap Factory in downtown Minneapolis on the Mississippi river. Any time of the year lends itself to great exhibits, but the most exciting time of year is the annual haunted house for adults only. The haunted house plays on many common adult psychological fears and is like no other haunted house. Many people are not able to make it through the entire exhibit and find themselves using the safe word "uncle" to be immediately escorted out. You will be asked to sign a waiver and show an I.D. proving your age prior to entering. The haunted house serves as the Soap Factory's largest annual fundraiser.
Big Island
Just west of the Twin Cities lies Lake Minnetonka with 110 miles of shoreline. Big Island used to be a grand tourist attraction with an amusement park where it is said the Rolling Stones were once booed off the stage and where a local hobo inspired the song "You Can't Always Get What You Want." Today the amusement park is gone but Big Island attracts hundreds of people by boat to congregate and celebrate the summer weather. Rent a boat from a local marina and head on out, beware that there is a party atmosphere but it is still safe for families. Most people tie their boats together creating a large maze of boats. Few people actually venture onto the island, but if you must spend the night, there is a campground available for no charge camping on the island.
Wabasha Street Caves
The Wabasha Street Caves are a complex labyrinth of tunnels, caverns, and crawl spaces located in St. Paul. It is not safe to navigate the caves without a tour guide. A tour guide knows which areas are safe and more importantly won't get lost. The cheapest tour is the historic tour but a local favorite is the gangster tour. The caves served as a plotting ground and hideout for many infamous gangsters in the Midwest. Tours are offered Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area
The name is pretty self explanatory; the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) is a network of lakes and waterways separating Minnesota from Canada. Ely is a great starting location with numerous outfitters and guides for any excursion. The BWCA is not for the novice and involves portaging long distances in a secluded wilderness. If you are lucky, you may get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. A quality trip to the BWCA will consist of at least three to four days and is about four hours from the Twin Cities.
Taylors Falls
Taylors Falls is a historic town nestled into the valley of the St. Croix River along the Wisconsin/Minnesota border. The area boasts rock climbing, canoeing, and camping as its main attractions and is just 50 miles outside of the Twin Cities. The campgrounds are frequently sold out so planning ahead is a must. If canoeing down the river, pack a lunch and a cooler of beverages. Many companies will drop you off up river and pick you up four hours later at a common exit point.
Soo Pass Ranch
We Fest and the 10,000 Lakes Music Festival are two very large music festivals held at Soo Pass Ranch up north in the Detroit Lakes Area during the summer months. We Fest is an infamous country music festival that attracts on average 50,000 people and 10KLF is a "hippie"-oriented music festival with a slightly smaller crowd. Most people camp out with a small crowd arriving in RV's. Both festivals have a party atmosphere but reserve smaller campground sections for families. Either festival is a great adventure for music lovers willing to rough it in the campgrounds for a couple of days.
