Minnesota vacation
 

We have 6 days to spend in Minnesota. Can anyone make some suggestions as to what cities beside Minneapolis/St Paul we should spend some time in? Maybe a possible itinerary within the state. Is there any resort that is really outstanding somewhere in Minnesota? Also special things to do in Minneapolis and St. Paul Thanks so much.

Duluth and then a drive up the North Shore is a must!

http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/11185/index.html

I would drive up to Duluth and then along the North Shore. It is beautiful. The Lake walk and canal park and ship canal in Duluth are a must. It is so much fun to see the ships from all over the world come through the ship canal (they are really close to you) and hear all about the history of the ship as well as what they are carrying. The museum next to the ship canal is interesting also. When going up the shore, do take the Scenic Route from Duluth to Two Harbors - it is beautiful. Also stop at Split Rock Lighthouse. It is very well known and fun to see. Grand Marais is a beautiful little town on the lake about 110 mi from Duluth and this is a fun place to visit also. There are lots of artists who live there and you can find many different kinds of art in many shops. Another fun area is Stillwater which is on the St Croix River and about 25 mi east of Mpls. It is a beautiful river town and it is fun to explore the whole area. Also fun to go down along the rivers (St Croix and then Mississippi) to Hastings, Red Wing, Lake City and Wabasha. Mpls. has lots of shopping and some beautiful areas around the lakes (Lake of the Isles, Calhoun, Lake Harriet) and they are fun to walk, run, bike or skate around them. Some beautiful homes are around these lakes. Also fun to go to Minnehaha Falls. The Walker Art Center in Mpls. is wonderful as is the new Guthrie Theater over by the River. Hope this helps with some ideas. I am sure others will add things that they like to do. Have fun!!

Highly recommend the suggestions of the North Shore and Stillwater. The NS is beautiful, very hilly and rocky with many state parks that have lots of activities. Stillwater is an old river town, with many shops, restaurants, dinner train along the St Croix.

Would also suggest the Bemindji area - pretty lakes and Itasca State Park nearby (headwaters of the Mississippi).

As far as specific accommodations:
- Nelson's Resort on Crane Lake (north central MN). Great fishing, hiking with very good restaurant that grows its own veggies, etc
- Gunflint Lodge (at the end of the Gunflint Trail which begins in Grand Marais). Excellent restaurant and plenty of lake activities
- Lutsen Mt Resort (in Lutsen on Lake Superior). Ski resort in winter; lots of summer activities.
- Bluefin Bay Resort in Tofte on Lake Superior
Our favorite place on the NS is Thomsonite Beach Inn near Grand Marais, but wouldn't consider it a resort. It's our getaway place for some serious r & r.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

What time of year are you coming?
What are your interests?
Who's "we"? Are you a family? Kids?

A little more input would be helpful.

Another vote for the North Shore. We stayed in Grand Marais three nights late last July. Loved it! Beautiful scenery, great restaurants. It's an area we definitely intend to visit again.

Thank you all for some really great suggestions. We- is my husband and I.
Can we stay in Deluth and just take a day trip up the North Shore to Grand Marais or is it too far? Any suggestions for where to stay in Deluth?

For a real North Shore treat, check out the Lighthouse B&B at Two Harbors. www.lighthousebb.org .

Three rooms. And there's no resident keeper--someone comes in to cook breakfast in the morning.

You can stay in Duluth and then take a day trip to Grand Marais, but I would stay in Duluth one night and look around there and then head up the shore and check everything out along the way and then stay in Grand Marais that evening and drive back the next day. It is fun to stay down in Canal Park in Duluth - there are many hotels/motels there. There is a Best Western Superior Inn in Grand Marais, as well as Aspen Inn and several other motels and condos. There are also places to stay in Lutsen or Tofte. The main place in Tofte is Bluefin Bay which is nice. However, I prefer to stay in GM as there are shops and restaurants and a pretty harbor. Have fun!!

http://users.stlcc.edu/jangert/itasca/headwtr.html

Visit Lake Itasca and the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

Loved the Angry Trout restaurant in Grand Marais. Minnesota is gorgeous!

Duluth to Grand Marais is 110 mi. Most of 61 is 2 lane in this area, and it can be very crowded on weekends in the summer. Don't expect to make it a quick trip. A day trip would make for a very long day and, IMO, not give you much time at all to really enjoy it.

I did a weeklong trip in Minnesota a few years ago and spent most of it on the North Shore, hiking in the great state parks and enjoying the beautiful waterfalls.

Duluth may be interesting with the canal, but from what I saw quickly, it didn't appeal to me too much. I think the towns along the North Shore are more scenic, particularly for natural beauty. Not lots of things to "do", but a perfect spot if you want to get outside and enjoy nature.

I also enjoyed Itasca, but I wouldn't try to fit that in unless you're sure you have at least a few days on the North Shore.

I've been to St Paul and Minneapolis as well, but mainly for business and don't recall lots of touristy things to do. And if you're a shopper, the Mall of America is right near the airport.

Actually Duluth is a city that could take up a whole day, maybe 2 of things to do. The rail depot has a museum, you can also take a train ride up the North Shore which is fun.
You can take a harbor cruise,
you can tour the William Irvine Ore Boat museum and you must go to Gleensheen Mansion. http://www.visitduluth.com/attractio...al_attractions

Duluth is a very pretty small city with some interesting history.
The drive up the North Shore should be taken slowly with many stops along the way, so staying in Grand Marais on the end of the drive is a very good idea.

I also think Duluth is worth a day and night. Many years ago it might not have been but now it has lots to see and do. I love the whole North Shore as it is all beautiful but especially love Grand Marais.