Best Day Trips On A Budget Near Minnesota
With over a month until Thanksgiving break and Christmas spending right around the corner, a long, expensive vacation may not seem like a great idea. Fortunately, Minnesota is the perfect state to take a quick and cheap day trip. Take a personal day off of work and let the kids play hooky while you make a quick getaway from the monotony of your fall schedule. Minnesota offers a lot of little pockets full of neat day trips and interesting attractions for the entire family to enjoy. Spend an hour or two in the car and find yourself at one of these cool places.
Franconia Sculpture Park
29836 St. Croix Trail
Shafer, MN 55074
(651) 257-6668
www.franconia.org
While many have been to the famous Sculpture Garden located in downtown Minneapolis, the Franconia Sculpture Park is not as familiar. However, the Franconia Sculpture Park is even larger and just as fantastic. Travel to this free park to see a true public art treasure. Resident artists live on the grounds and their works are displayed over 30 acres of field and forest. Artists from all over the world are invited to create meaningful and fun pieces to help educate and build an appreciation for art in the community. Kids love climbing and exploring around these approachable sculptures and families are encouraged to go during an event or festival for even more activity surrounding the park. Donations are appreciated but not required.
Northfield, Minnesota
Northfield Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Bureau
205 3rd St. W.
Northfield, MN 55057
(800) 658-2548
www.northfieldchamber.com
A short drive to southern Minnesota brings a day-tripper to the quaint and historic town of Northfield. Situated along the beautiful Cannon River, there are many attractions and entertaining sites to see that are free to look at. Walk along the Cannon River Walk on a paved path and enjoy the serenity of the water. In the fall and summer, a farmers' market is situated along the river for some shopping and fresh produce. Northfield also has an historic past, having been nicknamed, "the town that defeated the Jesse James gang." In 1876, Jesse James and his gang attempted to rob a Northfield bank and were shot by locals. Only Jesse James and one other outlaw escaped. Learn the history and visit the Outlaw Trail as well as the famous bank that was saved from robbery. Other sites include a Japanese Garden on the campus of the private Carleton College and the Northfield History Museum.
Teddy Bear Park (credit: Colleen McGuire)
Stillwater, Minnesota
Teddy Bear Park
216 4th St. N.
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 430-8837
www.ci.stillwater.mn.us
Stillwater, Minnesota is a popular day trip for Minnesotans. Situated along the St. Croix River, directly across from Wisconsin, Stillwater is an historic and beautiful river town with fun shopping areas and interesting buildings. Along with many parks and recreational areas in Stillwater, Teddy Bear Park is a favorite among children. This unique park contains three play areas with original playground equipment for swinging, sliding, hiding and climbing. A giant teddy bear statue sits in the park for kids to climb on and interact with. Families often bring a lunch and take advantage of the picnic area while enjoying the scenery.
Related: Best Day Trips For Under $100 In The Minnesota Area
Interstate State Park
307 Milltown Road
Taylors Falls, MN 55084
(651) 465-5711
www.dnr.state.mn.us
Head up to Intestate Park for the day to see some of the most amazing geological landscapes in the world. Interstate State Park offers the perfect background for the most popular outdoor activities in Minnesota. Swim, canoe, kayak, bike and hike all day among the beautiful scenery of Taylors Falls without spending a dime. Interstate State Park is beautiful in the fall, where the foliage is bright with the golden colors of autumn. Climb cliffs, hike trails surrounded by glacial deposits and potholes and view some spectacular lava flow remnants among the landscape of the park. Bring a camera for this day trip, some of the sites make amazing photographs.
(credit: CBS)
Blue Earth's Jolly Green Giant
1126 Green Giant Lane
Blue Earth, MN 56013
(507) 526-2916
www.blueearthchamber.com
Stop and visit one of the top quirky roadside attractions in America in Blue Earth, Minnesota. A 55-foot statue of the Jolly Green Giant has been a great photo op for decades. The statue stands in a park that offers a gift shop and picnic area for a quick lunch after traveling to this unusual and fun destination. If your day allows you some extra time, visit the admission-free Green Giant Museum in Blue Earth for more history, facts, Jolly Green Giant memorabilia and inspiration to eat your vegetables.
Andrea Wodele is a freelance writer who has lived in the Twin Cities for eight years. She loves covering all things Minnesota and her work can be found on Examiner.com.
