Planning a Minnesota vacation? With so many remote destinations in this amazing state, it can be tough to find the perfect spot for your Minnesota vacation. But don’t worry, we’ve explored far and wide to find the best spots for your Minnesota vacation!
In this Minnesota vacation post, we’ve put together a few different Minnesota vacation itineraries for a variety of lengths. We understand that Minnesota may not be the most glamorous destination, but a Minnesota vacation is relaxing and can be a ton of fun. We’re sure we’ve put together at least one Minnesota itinerary that you’ll love!
2 Days In Minneapolis
- Travel Distance: Minimal
- Time: 2 Days
- When To Visit: Spring and Summer
- Highlights: Mall of America, Como Park, Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens
This is the perfect Minnesota vacation for those with only a small amount of time. Minneapolis is the heart of Minnesota – and the city with the largest airport. So it’s no wonder that this super easy vacation explores this metropolitan area. While we aren’t big fans of big cities, Minneapolis is sprawling and green and we love that! This large city is full of green spaces like Como Park and Minnehaha Falls that this itinerary visits. Additionally, you can explore the history and art of the city at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and the Mill City Museum.
- Day 1: Minneapolis
- Day 2: Minneapolis
5 Days In The North
- Travel Distance: 150 miles
- Time: 5 Days
- When To Visit: Summer
- Highlights: Gooseberry Falls, Grand Marais, Lake Superior, black sand beach
This is our favorite Minnesota vacation. It is somehow the perfect combination of relaxing and adventurous. This Minnesota vacation starts exploring the Lakeside town of Duluth before venturing into the state park dotted shoreline of Lake Superior. While, it’s technically a lakeshore, everything about the north shore scream seaside. From the charming towns to towering cliffs, the North Shore is beautiful. At the end of your trip, venture in to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and take a day trip or two from the town of Ely into the pristine waterways.
Start and end this vacation at the small international airport in Duluth. This Minnesota vacation does require a car and likely at least two overnight destinations. We’d recommend staying near Tettegouche State Park when exploring Duluth and the North Shore, then camping when you’re in the boundary waters.
5 Days In The North
- Day 1: Duluth
- Day 2: North Shore
- Day 3: North Shore
- Day 4: Boundary Waters
- Day 5: Boundary Waters
1 Week In Minnesota
- Travel Distance: 300 miles
- Time: 7 Days
- When To Visit: Summer
- Highlights: Mall of America, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Duluth
This one week Minnesota vacation is the perfect combination of city and wilderness. Spend a few days exploring the twin cities before heading north. Explore Duluth and the North Shore of Lake Superior before heading inland to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Take an overnight canoe trip to explore the waterways that give Minnesota claim to “the land of 10,000 lakes”.
1 Week In Minnesota
- Day 1: Minneapolis
- Day 2: Minneapolis
- Day 3: Duluth
- Day 4: North Shore
- Day 5: North Shore
- Day 6: Boundary Waters
- Day 7: Boundary Waters
We hope these itineraries have helped you to plan your own perfect Minnesota vacation. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below and we’d be happy to get back to you. If you’re looking for more information to help you plan your Minnesota vacation, check out our Minnesota travel guide and the posts below.
