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Minnesota - places to see, things to do?
Posted on 1/15/21 at 8:58 am
Posted on 1/15/21 at 8:58 am
Obviously - not going to Minnesota now, but...
I'm contemplating taking the family (wife, 6yo daughter, no pics for either) to some type of "upper midwest lake house type deal" for summer vacation.
The direct flight from MSY to MSP has me interested. I've looked around the Crosby, Brainerd, Brainerd Lakes area so far and that looks interesting.
For context, we drove to Shenandoah NP last summer and everybody had a decent time, so thinking about doing something similar.
What areas should I investigate, either in Minnesota or somewhere in the "not as hot as Louisiana" Midwest where I could get a similar experience?
I'm contemplating taking the family (wife, 6yo daughter, no pics for either) to some type of "upper midwest lake house type deal" for summer vacation.
The direct flight from MSY to MSP has me interested. I've looked around the Crosby, Brainerd, Brainerd Lakes area so far and that looks interesting.
For context, we drove to Shenandoah NP last summer and everybody had a decent time, so thinking about doing something similar.
What areas should I investigate, either in Minnesota or somewhere in the "not as hot as Louisiana" Midwest where I could get a similar experience?
This post was edited on 1/15/21 at 9:36 am
7
Posted on 1/15/21 at 9:27 am to Sheep
Biggest ball of twine about 1.5 hours west of Minneapolis.
The Mill museum in Minneapolis was nice.
Bermidji has the giant babe and Paul Bunyon statues. Lake Itaska hiking camping. Walk across the Mississippi River there.
Plenty of great hiking trails in the northern part.
The Mill museum in Minneapolis was nice.
Bermidji has the giant babe and Paul Bunyon statues. Lake Itaska hiking camping. Walk across the Mississippi River there.
Plenty of great hiking trails in the northern part.
Posted on 1/15/21 at 9:28 am to Sheep
If you want to get off the beaten path, Big Lake Wilderness Lodge near Ely is pretty awesome. It's adjacent to the Boundary Waters and is one of the few lakes in the area to allow motors. Main attraction is fishing. No skiing or anything of that nature. It's rustic and remote, and you can easily day or overnight trip into the Boundary Waters from there if that suits your fancy. It's 30 minutes into the nearest groceries (Ely), and cell service is non-existent with wifi available around the main lodge, only.
If you want something more "resort" like, check out Giant's Ridge. I haven't stayed there, but we did a day of downhill mountain biking there on our way to Ely last year. It looked pretty awesome. Golf, disc golf, hiking, biking, boating.
Bonus video of my kid ripping the downhill MTB park at Giant's Ridge with a Tyler Childers soundtrack.
LINK
If you want something more "resort" like, check out Giant's Ridge. I haven't stayed there, but we did a day of downhill mountain biking there on our way to Ely last year. It looked pretty awesome. Golf, disc golf, hiking, biking, boating.
Bonus video of my kid ripping the downhill MTB park at Giant's Ridge with a Tyler Childers soundtrack.
LINK
This post was edited on 1/15/21 at 9:34 am
Posted on 1/15/21 at 9:56 am to Sheep
Are you looking to spend time in MSP, or just head north for lake living?
Posted on 1/15/21 at 10:03 am to Sheep
Also, here are some pics from my wife of Big Lake and the Boundary Waters. They're all photostacks on Instagram, so there's multiple photos on each post. Her photos are pretty awesome, imo.
Big Lake Post
Boundary Waters Post
Big Lake Post
Boundary Waters Post
Posted on 1/15/21 at 10:09 am to Sheep
You definitely need to go to Ely. I have no specific recommendations, but went twice to the Boundary Waters area when I was in scouts. Once in January cold weather camping on a frozen lake, and then a 100+ mile canoe trip in June. I have been dying to go back ever since. This is on my list of vacations to go on once my daughter is old enough.
Posted on 1/15/21 at 1:48 pm to hoopsgalore
quote:
Are you looking to spend time in MSP, or just head north for lake living?
MAYBE a half day before or after flights, but 90% somewhere smaller.
Posted on 1/15/21 at 1:52 pm to Sheep
Go to Northern Michigan instead. Far better than Minnesota for what you're looking for.
Posted on 1/15/21 at 2:08 pm to RogerTheShrubber
Any cities/areas in particular that I should look at?
Posted on 1/15/21 at 4:08 pm to Sheep
Duluth and then up the north shore. Ton of great things to do.
If y’all are the canoe camping type, the Boundary Waters are great.
If y’all are the canoe camping type, the Boundary Waters are great.
Posted on 1/15/21 at 5:18 pm to Sus-Scrofa
I'll check Duluth as well.
Canoe camping is a step too far for my two (unfortunately), but we would do plenty of outdoors stuff.
Canoe camping is a step too far for my two (unfortunately), but we would do plenty of outdoors stuff.
Posted on 1/15/21 at 5:44 pm to Sheep
Plenty for that situation too. Cabins galore. All out resorts. More day trip hiking, canoeing, waterfalls, etc than you could do in a trip.
This post was edited on 1/15/21 at 5:45 pm
Posted on 1/15/21 at 5:46 pm to Sheep
Duluth is beautiful, I would recommend that for sure. Brainard is also a great spot, easy to get to from MSP if you want to just chill at the lake and maybe sneak in some golf. Some fantastic courses there.
Bemidji/Itasca is another great area, lot of hiking trails and you can check out the headwaters of Mississippi. Of course there are some nice lakes you can get a cabin at in that area.
I spend a ton of time in lakes country, my family has a cabin in western MN. Best time of the year to go is August. Weather is usually perfect.
Bemidji/Itasca is another great area, lot of hiking trails and you can check out the headwaters of Mississippi. Of course there are some nice lakes you can get a cabin at in that area.
I spend a ton of time in lakes country, my family has a cabin in western MN. Best time of the year to go is August. Weather is usually perfect.
This post was edited on 1/15/21 at 5:49 pm
Posted on 1/15/21 at 5:54 pm to fargobison
We're planning on first week of August. That's great to hear!
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