Tell me about Minnesota

[jstbcuz]

We have friends that moved to Detroit Lakes, MN last year and we were thinking instead of a huge expensive trip that maybe we would spend some time up there. Would probably stay 3 or 4 days with them and the area, but would like something else to do for another 3 days or so. I know Mall of America is about 3 hours from there.............dont know that we are intrested in that. I also know that Walnut Grove is up that direction, and would be neat to see the Little House on the Prairie stuff. What do you know, big or small doesnt matter.

 

[Pigeon]

If you go in the summer, bring a few dozen gallons of DDT. They have mosquitos the size of helicopters.

 

[tinkermom23]

We live about 45 minutes from Detroit Lakes. You will love Minnesota no matter what time of year you visit!
When are you thinking? Do you have young children? Teens? A budget?
That area is very busy over the 4th.
Waterskiing, swimming, fishing, and golfing are most popular in the middle of summer.
There is a TON to do no matter when you are here.
www.exploreminnesota.com
would be a good place to start.

 

[rachel09985]

I live in Eden Prairie, MN which is right by the mall of america.

Summer time is absolutely amazing to go so hopefully you can go then.

Definitely go to the mall of america. Also there is a amazing lake called Lake Minnetonka and there is a restaurant called Lord Fletchers which is really fun to eat at!

Minnehaha Falls is a cool waterfall that is pretty and nice to explore. You could go to a Minnesota Twins game if you like baseball.

These ideas are all for the Metro area though, if you don't plan on staying in the Metro then they are pointless!

 

[pinkcow]

We actually just moved from Minneapolis. I can speak to the metro area as well. Mall of America is a must see, even just for lunch. Minnehaha is a great park. I'm also partial to Mill Ruins Park and Stone Arch Bridge in Downtown Minneapolis. Take a dinner cruise on the Mississippi. There's tons of theater options as well.

Punch Pizza is completely delicious and there's a bunch of locations. Rack Shack BBQ is one of our favorites in Burnsville too.

Unless snow and ice is your thing, summer is definitely the time to go.

 

[jstbcuz]

We are definately looking at summer time. Not sure when exactly tho. Our kids are 7, 17, and 20. The youngest of which is boy......the other two girls.

Thanks for the ideas so far. We will definately look into your suggestions. Keep them coming.

 

[gilby]

Go to Duluth, there is a lot to do. Go to Visit Duluth website, we go every yr and haven't done everything.

 

[IamErica]

I live in Fargo which is about 45 minutes west of DL, I spend most of my summer wknds at the lakes! It is a great place to visit! Agree the MOA (Mall of America) is worth a drive! There is sooooooo much to in Minneapolis. The mall could take you a day to explore. The Nickelodeon Amusement Park, Underwater Aquarium, Lego Land and some mini golfing are just a few things that it has to offer. There is the Waterpark of America which is in the hotel next to the MOA. There is also an IKEA which is a fun place to shop. The Children's Museum is an option too.
As far as Detroit Lakes itself, there is a fun bridge that the teens like to hang out at the many jump off into the lake below. Rentals so you can boat, kayak, jetski, sail or just lounge on the sandy beach.

http://www.mallofamerica.com/ ~Mall of America
http://www.mallofamerica.com/attractions ~links to the other attractions

http://nickelodeonuniverse.com/ ~ Nickelodeon Park

http://www.visitsealife.com/minnesota/ ~Aquarium at MOA

http://www.waterparkofamerica.com/ ~The Waterpark of America

http://www.thebridgedl.com/ ~Long Bridge in Detroit Lakes

http://www.mcm.org/ ~Children's museum. Fun for all ages

Last but not least... ZORBAZ~~ mmmmmmmm mmmmm GOOD~
http://www.zorbaz.com/locations/detroit-lakes/


Enjoy your vacation!

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

If you enjoy country music Detroit Lakes has a huge music festival called We Fest. It is August 1, 2, and 3rd this year. If not, I would avoid Detroit Lakes during that time because it gets crazy busy around there.

Another fun place to visit is Itasca State Park where the Headwaters of the Mississippi River is located. It is just over an hour from Detroit Lakes.

I would also suggest Duluth and heading up the North Shore of Lake Superior. As gilby said there is a lot to do. One of our favorite things in Duluth is the harbor tour. They take you around the harbor and also under the Ariel Lift Bridge out into Lake Superior. Up the shore we really enjoy Gooseberry Falls. Fun place to play in the waterfalls and another perspective of Lake Superior. Split Rock Lighthouse is also worth a stop. If you go up the shore I would also make a stop at Betty's Pies. As you can probably guess by the name-they have really good pie!

 

[jacksonsmom]

Well, don't come now! It's FREEZING!!!! (2º with a minus 20º below wind-chill!!)

 

[jessrose18]

My family is from Detroit Lakes, I love it there. There is a nice beach area, with boat rentals. They have a strip of restaurants across from the beach and Zorbaz is my favorite. They have a large craft fair in the park the last weekend in July all handmade items (just on sunday) the county fair is also the last weekend in july right downtown. July 4th is crazy, I would avoid unless you like a party atmosphere. (it was fun when I was in college ) There is a small downtown area with modest shopping. I would go to Fargo or the Mall of America for major shopping trip. The lakes are gorgeous and there are some nice hotels right on the lake. The drive from Mall of America to DL would be about 3.5-4 hours. There are hotels near Mall of America as well with light rail system you can right into Minneapolis it also drops off right at the Twins stadium. Check out the Science Museum of MN in st. paul, or the Minneapolis Institute of Arts or the Walker ARt Center. Summer in Duluth is quiet busy, I also like the Gooseberry falls area the best up there. Nice park area and great hotels! Feel free to ask any questions I visit my family in DL frequently and live in St. Paul.

 

[CdnCarrie]

We are definately looking at summer time. Not sure when exactly tho. Our kids are 7, 17, and 20. The youngest of which is boy......the other two girls.

Thanks for the ideas so far. We will definately look into your suggestions. Keep them coming.

So you have a 17 and a 20 year old female and they don't want to go to the biggest mall in America? The 7 year old boy would LOVE the rides in the mall. Also Valley Fair is great for kids that age. My sons really enjoyed the children's museum when they were 5 and 8.

Albertville Outlets would be a great place to take the girls to do some shopping.

 

[jstbcuz]

So you have a 17 and a 20 year old female and they don't want to go to the biggest mall in America? The 7 year old boy would LOVE the rides in the mall. Also Valley Fair is great for kids that age. My sons really enjoyed the children's museum when they were 5 and 8.

Albertville Outlets would be a great place to take the girls to do some shopping.[/QUOTE

Hubby and I have been there.........the girls would like to go Im pretty sure. We just dont want to spend vacation shopping.

 

[crisi]

Detroit Lakes is a long way from the Twin Cities. Its a long way from Walnut Grove, and its a long way from Duluth. While not the size of Texas or California, Minnesota isn't a small state.

Its a resort area. Lakes and lake activities - fishing, swimming, boating. Golf. People don't go to Detroit Lakes to "do things" - they go to relax. Its almost North Dakota - about an hour from Fargo which is the nearest "big town" - Fargo does have an air museum.

 

[jstbcuz]

I realize where it is! We helped move our friends there. I know there isnt alot to do in the town.......and the bottom line is to relax. Thats why I thought we would spend some time with friends there, but wanted something to do for 3 or 4 days besides that. 3 or 4 hours from there does not bother us.

 

[tinkermom23]

When you decided what dates you'll be here you (or your friends) can see if there are any small-town festivities going on. Almost every weekend there is some kind of celebration/parade/eating/activities in some little town!

I second eating at Zorbaz (yummy Macho Nachos)

We don't shop much but if you don't want to drive all the way to the cities, you can surely find a bunch of little giftshops and speciality stores. Many resturants and shops are only open during this tourist season.

Check into renting a pontoon and relax on the lake for a day.

You aren't that far from Itasca State park which has awesome bike/hiking trails. And the headwaters of the Mississippi.

Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you'll have fun relaxing in Minnesota!

 

[auralia]

If your looking for amusement park Valley Fair is decent, no disney world, but always clean that I remember if you dod MOA on one day and got a cheap hotel (or splurge and do the one across from the mall with the water park) and then went to valley fair the next day could be a fun couple of days.

 

[brandydandy]

Another fun place to visit is Itasca State Park where the Headwaters of the Mississippi River is located.

This place was awesome. My kids loved it!

 

[bman388]

I'm from that area and now live in the metro area. Just south of DL in Ottertail there is a resort called Thumper Pond. Nice up north, woodsy themed resort with a small waterpark and nice 18 hole golf course. Some other nice golf courses in the area are Blueberry Pines in Menahga and Lakeside Golf Club in Perham. I'd say if you're going there in the summer, enjoy the outdoors! You can go tubing down the rivers, fishing, and countless other things. If you're driving through the metro I'd say stop by and check out the mall, but it's just a big ol mall!!

 

[kkwis2]

As a Duluthian I will give another shout-out for my area!

Duluth does tend to be busy during the summer, but if you can travel during the week I think you'll find that it's not that bad.

Regardless of where you decide to visit in Minnesota, you'll find tons to do. One thing that I'd like to do but haven't yet had the opportunity is to rent either a cabin or a houseboat and live on the lake (or beside it) for a while.

BTW, if you decide to stay in the Twin Cities area, we love the Residence Inn in Edina. It has a huge indoor play park attached that is run by the city that my kids (ages 9 and 11) absolutely LOVE.

PM me if you have any specific questions. I'd be happy to help.