Weekend Getaways from Minneapolis, Minnesota
Searching for the best weekend getaways from MSP? Well, you are in the right place! One of the best things about living in Minneapolis is how many amazing weekend escapes are just a short drive away, both in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Here are some of my top weekend getaways from Minneapolis, and I hope you enjoy them too.
Northern Lights Resort
Richville, MN has just 77 full time residents so I'm pretty sure this is as off-the-beaten path as you can get in the Midwest. It was one of my favorite places to visit on our last minute family getaway. You'll find heaps of lakeside beauty, a cozy cabin, and that signature "Up North" peace.
I love that in addition to lakeside cabins, you can choose from seasonal and affordable RV sites at the Northern Lights Resort to suit any travel style (and budget!). I instantly thought our journey was worth it! I have to warn you that on summer weekends, RV sites go pretty fast because they are cheap. So be sure to have reservations!
We drove about 3 hours north from Minneapolis towards Voyageurs National Park to reach Northern Lights Resort. Chris, our son and I stayed in a lakeside cabin for a 3-day long weekend. The cabin was very comfortable, with air-conditioning, and a fully equipped kitchen.
If you love to stay active on the water, visiting in the summer is a must! You get access to a sandy beach, paddle boards, kayaks, a water trampoline, and even a bait barn. The snack store makes it easy (and affordable) to keep the kids fed.
Grand Ely Lodge - 4 hours from MSP
I thought this was one of the best getaways from Minneapolis for the weekend, Minnesota. when we moved to the Midwest Why? Now, first things first, there are the super nice views of Shagawa Lake! In addition, the town of Ely itself is perfection if you are like us and love the outdoors.
You can take the kids hiking, biking, birding, fishing and camping during the warmer season. In the winter, there's no need to stay indoors either! Choose from snowshoeing, skiing and dog sledding. These activities are centered around the Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Our room for two days at Grand Ely Lodge had everything we needed. The balcony with lake views was my favorite. I thought the pool and hot tub were especially nice to come back to after a day outside.
What I loved best:
Evening sunsets.
A downside? Some activities weren't available due to our shoulder season visit.
Stillwater and The Water Street Inn - 35 minutes from MSP
Don't want to do a lot of driving on your weekend getaway from Minneapolis? Head to Stillwater, a real standout.
I thought that staying at The Water Street Inn in St. Croix over a care-free 48-hour weekend was amazing. Why? First off, I loved being right in the heart of a historic river town (the St. Croix River is literally outside your window!).
In addition, I was charmed by the inn's 19th-century atmosphere (don't worry, you still get all the modern comforts!).
Our room for two days had a whirlpool tub and a fireplace, which is ideal for a romantic weekend for couples, anniversary, or even a honeymoon weekend.
We enjoyed walking right out the door into downtown Stillwater, all just steps away from the inn. You can litaraly walk to local cafes and wineries
My favorite romantic dinner was Charlie’s Irish Pub. They serve hearty food and there's great music too.
What I loved best:
Relaxing the rooftop patio looking at the historic lift bridge of the river.
Cornucopia, WI and Siskiwit Bay Lodge
Not many people have heard of Cornucopia, WI and that's exactly why it's one of our favorite places to visit in the Midwest. In fact, I felt like we had discovered one of the most peaceful and spectacular spots in northern Wisconsin. Cornucopia, WI is a hidden gem that's perfectly located if you want to explore Bayfield and the Apostle Islands.
Staying at Siskiwit Bay Lodge is a must, right on the South Shore of Lake Superior. Our room for three care-free days came with a whirlpool tub and a private balcony overlooking the water. You can enjoy handcrafted log details, big stone fireplaces, and lake views from nearly every angle.
Bay State Park in La Pointe on Madeline Island
There’s something about this park that instantly made me feel like I’d discovered one of the Midwest’s best-kept secrets. Fall foliage here was completely out-of-this-world spectacular as you can see in my cover photo.
We took a 1.5 hour day trip to Bay State Park in La Pointe on Madeline Island from our home base at Siskiwit Bay Lodge. I though it was one of the best weekend getaways from Minneapolis. Most definitely a great way to get to know the area and enjoy a scenic drive too!
