9 Amazing Minnesota Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive
From the Mississippi headwaters at Itasca State Park to the 100,000-work collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minnesota packs a surprising range of experiences into an easy day trip. One outing can mean standing before an 8th-century Buddha head, while another leads to a waterfall hike or a cliffside view over Lake Superior. That mix of outdoor beauty and family-friendly attractions is part of what makes the state so rewarding to explore by car. Better still, many of these destinations are within three hours of Minnesota’s major airports, making them easy to reach for both residents and visitors. With that said, here are some Minnesota day trips that are worth the drive.
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Located in south Minneapolis, in the Whittier neighborhood, this art museum might be easy to reach, but it is hard to forget. Containing over 100,000 works of art, this museum is one of the largest in the US, making it worth a day trip in Minnesota. The museum’s collection represents 5,000 years of world history and ranges from paintings and photographs to prints, textiles, decorative arts, and drawings from across the world, including Asia, Oceania, the Americas, and Africa. On a day trip here, art enthusiasts can roam the museum’s numerous galleries, from gallery 341, which features 16th-century European paintings and sculptures, to gallery 213, with its extensive Southeast Asian art, including an 8th-century Buddha head. Visitors are also welcome to stroll the museum’s grounds filled with outdoor sculptures, and shop for souvenirs at the Store at Mia.
Eagle Mountain Trail
Some trails in Minnesota are worth an entire day trip, and the Eagle Mountain Trail is one of the most popular. This wilderness trail is considered tough because it covers seven miles round-trip and meanders through dense forest, rocky terrain, and swamps on the way to the Eagle Mountain summit. At 2,301 feet, this mountain is the highest natural point in Minnesota and offers gorgeous views of the forest-covered landscapes and multiple lakes. And while the summit is beautiful, hikers have plenty to enjoy on the journey, including multiple vistas and sights of lakes and wildlife such as river otters and birds. The trail takes around three hours to complete, and a Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness permit is required. While it takes around two hours and 40 minutes to reach the trailhead from Duluth International Airport, the trail is absolutely worth the drive.
Itasca State Park
Itasca State Park is an exciting destination for lovers of nature and the outdoors on a day trip. Located about three hours from Duluth International Airport, this park is well worth the drive for its unique features, including the headwaters of the Mississippi River, which begins its 2,552-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. On a day trip here, travelers can head to the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center to see the river's actual source and learn about its natural and cultural history. Those who love hiking, biking, and skiing will have 60 miles of trails to explore through old-growth pine forests, and along dozens of lakes, and historic sites, with opportunities to see lots of birds and other wildlife such as white-tailed deer, bears, and wolves. Additionally, the park boasts a swimming beach and fishing pier on Lake Itasca, hundreds of well-equipped campsites, and cozy cabins. Dr. Roberts Trail, one of the park’s top trails, is a recommended hike for day travelers here, as it is only 2 miles round-trip and winds through lush forests and along Lake Itasca and Lyendecker Lake.
SEA LIFE at Mall of America
SEA Life at Mall of America is an especially good day trip in Minnesota for families with children. This aquarium is located in Bloomington, just a few minutes from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, and is home to a myriad of aquatic creatures in its 1.3 million gallons of water. Visitors are invited to walk through the 300-foot-long tunnel, which passes through various water exhibits, including a freshwater lake teeming with Minnesota wildlife and another containing creatures from the Amazon. The tunnel also winds through a rainbow reef exhibit and a 500,000-gallon shark exhibit, making it the largest in the aquarium. Other highlights at the aquarium include a rainforest with waterfalls and creepy creatures like tarantulas, and a touchpool where visitors can interact with unique creatures such as sea stars and sea anemones.
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Gooseberry Falls State Park is a scenic stop that is well worth a day trip. Characterized by rocky landscapes and mixed hardwood forests, this park is best known for Gooseberry Falls, a series of waterfalls on the Gooseberry River, divided into Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls. Day travelers are invited to soak in the gorgeous views of these waterfalls via the short ADA-accessible Waterfalls Walk from the visitor center. Meanwhile, the park boasts over 20 miles of trails, including the Fifth Falls and Superior Hiking Trail Loop, a 2-mile loop winding along the waterfalls, including Fifth Falls, the smallest in the park. Beyond the waterfalls and vegetation, visitors will see wildlife such as black bears, white-tailed deer, and numerous birds. Additionally, the park features picnic areas along the Lake Superior shoreline, a gift shop stocked with books and souvenirs, and access to the Gitchi Gami Trail for bikers seeking a 17-mile adventure along the lake. Gooseberry Falls State Park is just a 56-minute drive from Duluth International Airport, making it easy to reach.
Tettegouche State Park
This park on the North Shore of Lake Superior offers a day trip full of rugged scenery and memorable outdoor experiences. About an hour and twenty minutes from Duluth International Airport, the park is characterized by steep cliffs, sea caves, a hardwood forest teeming with wildlife, sea stacks, bluffs, and multiple waterfalls, all signature features of Minnesota’s North Shore. Notably, the park is home to High Falls, an approximately 70-foot waterfall on Baptism River, and the highest located entirely in Minnesota. Access to these falls is via the High Falls Trail, which is just 3 miles round-trip and includes stairs, a suspension bridge, and views of other waterfalls. Moreover, Tettegouche State Park is a hiker’s paradise with over 22 miles of trails, including the five-mile Tettegouche State Loop, which winds through lush forests and includes multiple overlooks with impressive views. And speaking of the views, travelers can drive to Palisade Head to soak in the unforgettable views of the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior.
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park is a worthy day trip to take in Minnesota, just an hour from Duluth International Airport and a little over three hours from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. Situated on the North Shore of Lake Superior, this park is famous for hosting the Split Rock Lighthouse, one of the most photographed attractions in the world, perched on the edge of a 130-foot cliff overlooking the world’s largest freshwater lake. Beyond its scenery, the lighthouse is historic, built in 1909 due to the lake’s dangerous conditions, which had led to fatal shipwrecks a few years prior. Today, day travelers can tour the lighthouse and the keeper’s house, and learn more about its history at the visitor center. Meanwhile, the park is home to Pebble Beach, a rocky beach with gorgeous views of the lighthouse and the cliff, alongside more than a dozen miles of trails, including Day Hill Lookout, which makes for a great day hike. This two-mile loop trail begins from the beach and winds through a beautiful forest and along the coastline to an elevated spot with picturesque views of the lake and lighthouse.
Minnesota Zoo
Enjoy a memorable wildlife experience on a day trip to the Minnesota Zoo. Conveniently located just 20 minutes from Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, this zoo is the largest in the state and home to nearly 5,000 animals from around the world, including Amur tigers, African penguins, and camels. One of the zoo’s highlights is its unique trail system, including the 1.2-mile Treetop Trail, which sits 32 feet above ground and offers visitors a bird's-eye view of the animals below, alongside wetlands and beautiful forests. On the ground, visitors will have even more exciting trails to enjoy, including the 3/4-mile Northern Trail, which features animals from cold-weather habitats such as moose and American bison. The Tropics Trail is another notable route in the park, where one can dive into a rainforest world with sights of lush greenery and animals such as African fruit bats and monkeys. Beyond the trails, the Minnesota Zoo offers additional attractions to delight day travelers, including the Wells Fargo Family Farm, where kids and families can enjoy a farm experience with opportunities to feed animals like goats and sheep.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is just 30 minutes from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, making it perfect for a quick and relaxing day trip in nature. The largest of its kind in Minnesota, this arboretum spans 1,200 acres and features thousands of plants from around the world, beautifully incorporated into dozens of gardens. Some of the gardens can be accessed via the Three Mile Drive, including the Annual Garden with its thousands of tulips and other colorful plants, and the Chinese Garden, which combines Chinese elements with Asian plants such as the Babylon weeping willow. The arboretum also boasts several hiking trails, including the popular Three-Mile Walk, which begins at the Sensory Garden and leads through wetlands, woodlands, and prairies, offering gorgeous scenery at every turn. Open year-round, this arboretum is a nature-inspired day trip that’s truly worth the drive.
These day trips are great options for experiencing Minnesota without the hassle of extensive planning or hotel fees. With just a vehicle and the right weather, these destinations are easy to enjoy, and some offer rare experiences, like the Minnesota Zoo, where visitors can walk among the treetops for aerial views of exotic wildlife. Moreover, these day trips are never too far from an international airport, making them appealing even to out-of-state visitors. Together, these Minnesota destinations offer some of the state's most exciting experiences. Before setting out, travelers should check the weather, pack only essentials, wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and check for any entry requirements to avoid disappointment.
