We are taking a trip to see family in Winnipeg this summer. To use our airline miles, we've decided to take 2 days (each way) and drive from Minneapolis to Winnipeg. We will have our toddler with us - and are looking for any interesting places to stop and visit on our way.

Thank you!

Are you sure? It's only about 8 hours from MSP to Winnipeg- and there's not much other than farm land the whole way.

If you don't mind going a bit out of your day for some scenic driving, head to Duluth, MN and then take Hwy 53 to International Falls, MN. Cross into Canada and continue westward on Hwy 71, following it as it turns north. Spend the night at a resort or motel near Souix Narrows. In the morning continue north and west through Kenora to Winnepeg. On your return, Go south on Hwy 75 to Crookston to see the fertile farmland of the Red River Valley, then follow Hwy 2 eastward to Cass Lake. Turn south on Hwy 371 and plan on the next overnight in the Brainerd area. On the last day, head east of Brainerd on Hwy 18 to Garrison (watch the signs, Brainerd is a bit tricky to navigate) and follow the west shore of Mille Lacs south on Hwy 169. You'll see glacial outwash plains, the exposed Canadian Shield where the glaciers stripped most of the soil off the rocks, boreal forests, animals and birds, the fishing resorts of Lake of the Woods, the very fertile soil left behind on the bottom of Lake Agassis when the melting glaciers drained the lake, and the mixed northern hardwood forests with its interspersed ice block lakes. Look for museums and interpretative centers along the way as well as state or provincial parks. Also look for parks with playgrounds for you toddler to get out and run around a bit.

rm - thanks for the reply.

Yes, we're sure. To keep our sanity we want to break up the 8 hours as our toddler gets pretty stir crazy sitting for that long. We were hoping there could be an interesting town on the way to stop at and visit a zoo or something of the sorts. We don't even mind going a little out of the way for something interesting to see?

that's the wrong side of Minny for much that is scenic or interesting ...

Another option is Bemidji. Very pretty area with lots of lakes. It's near Itasca State Park (source of the Mississippi River) - which is about the only place you can actually walk across the river.

"Are you sure? It's only about 8 hours from MSP to Winnipeg- and there's not much other than farm land the whole way."

Soooo not true.

I would love to hear more about Itasca State Park, and that area. It's not too out of the way, and could provide for some good site seeing and walks with our toddler.

"Soooo not true."

Your suggestions are.....?

kib, look at the website for Itasca here:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_par...sca/index.html

kib - the web site BibE1 gave you is a good one. That area is great for outdoor activities. We've also stayed in the Walker area which is on Leech Lake, about 35 mi from Bemidji. Leech Lake is one of the largest in Minn. and has lots of options. See www.leech-lake.com for activities, accommodations, etc.

Great! Thanks for the tips.

Any suggestions for places to stay in Bemidji?

How about the Hampton Inn in Bemidji. Only 2 or 3 years old and right on the lake.