Minnesota or Wisconsin vacation suggestions?

[Narnia_girl]

We are in Illinois, traveling to the Minneapolis area for a wedding this summer. We'd like to tack on a few extra days for fun. I had originally thought of driving over to Mackinac Island, but it would add a long drive home for us.

Any suggestions for Minnesota or Wisconsin vacation spots with teens? We've been to Door County and the Dells.

 

[crisi]

What are you looking for? - hiking, fishing, canoeing, hanging by a lake? Staying in the Twin Cities offers a lot of museums, plays, sporting events, concerts (and the Mall of America)

 

[Narnia_girl]

What are you looking for? - hiking, fishing, canoeing, hanging by a lake? Staying in the Twin Cities offers a lot of museums, plays, sporting events, concerts (and the Mall of America)

We are definitely going to the mall at least one day. I hadn't thought about the sports/concerts in the twins cities. I'll look into that.
I would like a few relaxing days at someplace beautiful. Maybe a lake?

 

[crisi]

We are definitely going to the mall at least one day. I hadn't thought about the sports/concerts in the twins cities. I'll look into that.
I would like a few relaxing days at someplace beautiful. Maybe a lake?

North Shore of Lake Superior - Duluth is a two hour drive North, if you drive another hour, there are lots of resorts. It isn't good watersport area (fishing, canoeing), but its great hiking, waterfalls, wandering over rocks area

Brainard lakes area, lots of resorts, and more watersports - rent a boat, go fishing, try waterskiing or tubing.

 

[elgerber]

North Shore of Lake Superior - Duluth is a two hour drive North, if you drive another hour, there are lots of resorts. It isn't good watersport area (fishing, canoeing), but its great hiking, waterfalls, wandering over rocks area

Brainard lakes area, lots of resorts, and more watersports - rent a boat, go fishing, try waterskiing or tubing.

Yes, Duluth, and the North Shore. We live in the Twin Cities and still go to the north shore a couple of times a year. Heading up there tomorrow, as a matter of fact.

 

[nene0182]

Definitely the North Shore. We are about 5-6 hours from Duluth and try to get there at least 1-2 times a year. We love it. We usually head more north then Duluth to the Lutsen area

 

[crisi]

The Mill City Museum is pretty awesome - depending on the teens.

 

[newestkg06]

In the Twin Cities:
MN Twins - the stadium has won best fan experience every year since it opened. If you are into sports, it's awesome.
New St Paul Saints stadium- again, if you are into sports, this is our minor league team, lots of fun, not so "serious", good food, and brand new stadium. Bill Murray is part owner and comes to some games.
Mpls Inst of Art - amazing art museum. Not as great as Chicago's, but lots to see.
Mill City Museum- lots of fun and hands on stuff.
Walker Art Center and Sculpture Garden - lots of fun on a nice day
James J Hill House - Historic House of the 1st Governor in St Paul
Walk around Lake Harriet or Calhoun and catch a free concert at the bandshell
Look for festivals - seriously, every weekend there is some kind of art crawl, festival, etc. at Harriet Island, or Mpls somewhere (of the top of my head: Grand Old Days, Irish Festival, Rib Fest, Stonearch Bridge Fest, Uptown Art Fair, Highland Art Fair....)
LOTS of great hiking trails, lakes (in Mpls and suburbs), Kayaking, sailing, SU paddleboarding, renting a boat to waterski, etc.
Look on MN state parks website for nature trails, historic sites, etc.
Check out Explore MN website (its the tourism site for the state with lots of good suggestions)
Can you tell I love it here?!?!

 

[JanaDee]

If you go to the North Shore, you're going to have a heck of a long drive home.

 

[seeingstars]

Valleyfair is in Shakopee, which is about 25 minutes from Bloomington. It's an amusement park but also has a waterpark that's included with admission.

Otherwise I definitely second Duluth and the North Shore.

 

[newestkg06]

Valleyfair is going to seem really lame after having been to Six Flags in Chicago. There are some fun rides, but I would not waste vacation time on it. We go, but it's not a destination for out of towners. Personally, if you are driving, I would stay in WI Dells on the way home for some waterpark fun rather than make a day out of Valleyfair (as you have access to a better amusement park at home).
And the North Shore (I mean up past Duluth), is easily 4-6 hours if you want to make it up to Grand Marais. Duluth is 2.5 hours away, Brainerd area is 2.5 hours away. Personally, if you only have 2-3 days around the wedding, I would stick with the Twin Cities as there is plenty to do and you won't have such a long drive back home.

 

[Narnia_girl]

Valleyfair is going to seem really lame after having been to Six Flags in Chicago. There are some fun rides, but I would not waste vacation time on it. We go, but it's not a destination for out of towners. Personally, if you are driving, I would stay in WI Dells on the way home for some waterpark fun rather than make a day out of Valleyfair (as you have access to a better amusement park at home).

I've never been to Six Flags Chicago. It's a common occurrence that when we say Illinois people assume Chicago. I'm in west-central Illinois-closer to St. Louis than Chicago. But thanks for the additional information about those parks.

 

[crisi]

If you go to the North Shore, you're going to have a heck of a long drive home.

Although the resort Lakes are going to make for a long drive as well - from the Minnesota side. There is probably Wisconsin lake country closer, not as familiar with that.

 

[robinb]

Devil's Lake State Park has great hiking and very nice views. You can climb the bluff and get some really great photos standing feet away from certain death. There is also swimming, fishing and camping. It's in Baraboo, WI near the Dells.
http://www.wisconsintrails.com/blogs/213181841.html

Be aware that it can be pretty busy on the weekends.

The Circus World Museum and the International Crane Foundation are are also in the area. They are all about 20 minutes from the Dells exit off of I-90/94 and about 45 minutes from Madison.

 

[newestkg06]

I've never been to Six Flags Chicago. It's a common occurrence that when we say Illinois people assume Chicago. I'm in west-central Illinois-closer to St. Louis than Chicago. But thanks for the additional information about those parks.

Sorry about the assumption! I have driven through most of IL as I went to school in IN and drove back to MN many times so I know how long that drive can be! If you are going to have to get back to west central IL, than i would definitely not do the North Shore. Easily a 2 day drive then. In WI, if you want a tourist area, the Dells may be the best pick. I don't really know of a ton of lake resorts in central to southern WI (but I'm sure there are some). Most of that kind of thing is further north in WI though. The Dells actually have a few really beautiful state parks and hiking around there, despite it's cheesy tourist trap destination.

 

[crisi]

Sorry about the assumption! I have driven through most of IL as I went to school in IN and drove back to MN many times so I know how long that drive can be! If you are going to have to get back to west central IL, than i would definitely not do the North Shore. Easily a 2 day drive then. In WI, if you want a tourist area, the Dells may be the best pick. I don't really know of a ton of lake resorts in central to southern WI (but I'm sure there are some). Most of that kind of thing is further north in WI though. The Dells actually have a few really beautiful state parks and hiking around there, despite it's cheesy tourist trap destination.

We got from Asheville North Carolina to the Twin Cities in a day. You can do the North Shore to most of Illinois in under eleven hours easy.

 

[trip]

You might try okoboji iowa.

Fillenwarthbeach.com

 

[momof2gr8kids]

Relaxing on a lake - nothing beats Lake Superior waterfront! There are many hotels, condos, b&b's along the North Shore past Duluth. Lots of beautiful state parks for hiking, etc. If you don't want to go farther than Duluth, I'd suggest staying waterfront in Canal Park area. (Canal Park lodge is nice). Lots of restaurants and shops a very close walking distance, nice trails along the waterfront. Lots of patios with happy hour drink specials.

 

[kjs1976]

I second (third, fourth, fifth?) the North shore, if you don't mind the extra drive time. Otherwise, I'd look into Madden's or Cragun's resorts on Gull Lake in Brained, MN. It's only an hour-hour 15 North of the Twin Cities. These two resorts are perfect for relaxation and fun in the sun/lake. Madden's is more expensive and has a little more high class accommodations. Cragun's is still very nice, but they've kept their dated look in homage to tradition. I've stayed at both on several occasions. We've stayed at Cragun's for the past three summers.

The MN landscape arboretum is another place close to the Twin Cities that would be worth checking out, also.

 

[crisi]

I second (third, fourth, fifth?) the North shore, if you don't mind the extra drive time. Otherwise, I'd look into Madden's or Cragun's resorts on Gull Lake in Brained, MN. It's only an hour-hour 15 North of the Twin Cities. These two resorts are perfect for relaxation and fun in the sun/lake. Madden's is more expensive and has a little more high class accommodations. Cragun's is still very nice, but they've kept their dated look in homage to tradition. I've stayed at both on several occasions. We've stayed at Cragun's for the past three summers.

The MN landscape arboretum is another place close to the Twin Cities that would be worth checking out, also.

Two hours from Minneapolis. Same distance as Duluth.