car_free_traveler

I'm planning my 1st trip to MN. Most of 2 wks is worked out but have a couple open days. Though I may tack on more time in Minneapolis or Chicago, I'm considering adding in one more spot, ideally en route to Chicago.

Would you recommend Red Wing or Winona? Winona has more transportation options (I won't have a car) but either could be fun. I'm interested in seeing a smaller city on the river, historical-cultural sites, and outdoor activities (birding, hiking, biking, maybe kayaking or canoeing.)

Thanks for weighing in and adding any details about recommending sites, activities, and lodging.

julies

Realistically no car is going to make it very tough, and I would triple check how you are going to be able to access any of these activities (or locales) before finalizing my plans. We are interested in and do many of the same activities you mention, so I can think about those things in that perspective. How are you going to find a bike for biking? Same goes for kayaking?

Take a look at Stillwater; it may meet your requirements more closely than either of the options you are currently thinking about.

Duluth isn't on the way to Chicago but could also be a good fit.

Have you thought about Madison, Wis.?

tomfuller

Red Wing has a good Amtrak station. Rent a bike and go for it. http://www.mapmyride.com/us/red-wing-mn/

car_free_traveler

Thanks much, Julies & Tom.

I'll be visiting Duluth in earlier part of my trip so glad to hear a vote for it. I've lived in Madison and am very fond of it but on this Midwest trip, I'm looking to explore a brand-new state as well as visit friends & relatives closer to Chicago (flying to ORD). Also, my open window has gotten shorter as I've recently booked the last sections of my trip.

Stillwater looks very nice but I focused on Red Wing and Winona for a quick visit as they are on the Amtrak line and I could continue on to Chicago. The more I look into Red Wing, the more I'm tempted. Looks like even w/ no-car constraints I could happily occupy myself for 24 hrs renting a bike (thx for the excellent MapMyRide site, Tom, that's new to me), taking a river boat ride, riding the trolley to see the Pottery Place, restored theater, and tour Red Wing shoe factory, hiking up to the bluff etc.

But now I'm concerned about Amtrak schedule uncertainty. I'll be in Minneapolis until 6/14 a.m. and have a train ticket to IN 6/15 at 6:40 p.m. (Limited options for that run.) The train that goes thru Red Wing (Empire Builder) is, I think, notoriously late? It's due in to Chicago by 4 p.m., which would be perfect if it worked, but if not, I jeopardize my trip to see IN friends. The earliest MegaBus gets to Chicago ~ 7 p.m. (I've done OK on a 7-hr MegaBus, but I'm less interested in a 10-hr bus, cheap and reliable as it may be.)

Tom, or anyone else, any advice on the Empire Builder's reliability? I'd love to hop off and spend a day in Red Wing, but I think it's too iffy and I should take the train the day before my IN trip to reduce stress, and just enjoy another day in Chicago.

P.S. What's already planned for MN is Twin Cities, Duluth, Grand Marais, Tettegouche SP, and New York Mills area. I am taking the Empire Builder up from Chicago early in my trip but Mississippi R section will be at night.

julies

Red Wing is fine, but IMO not all that special. If you are concerned about missing connections, I'd probably add a day in Chicago or Minneapolis. You could spend an entire day in Minneapolis just riding a rented bike on the Grand Rounds cycling trail which is gorgeous and interesting.

tomfuller

If the Empire Builder is running many hours late, Amtrak can text your phone to let you know.
If you can get to MSP in time to catch the last Hiawatha (7:30PM) you can get to Chicago. Amtrak has been known to run a bus in place of a many hour late train trying to follow the schedule.
You do have the option of calling Julie at 1 800 USA RAIL to get the latest information on how late train 8 might be running.

julies

https://www.pressreader.com/usa/star...82230895630109

National Park Service kayak rental is expanding to St. Paul.