Explore, hike, and paddle Minnesota’s largest state park. St. Croix State Park in Hinckley, MN offers 34,000 acres of woods and waterways and a 100-ft. fire tower you can climb.
Best off-the-beaten-path hidden gems in small-town Iowa
An insider’s guide to the best hidden gems in small-town Iowa. This curated list of off-the-beaten-path roadside attractions include the American Gothic House, Buddy Holly Crash Site and Museum, and The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption.
Guide to American Gothic House Center in Iowa
One of the best roadside attractions worth the drive in Iowa: American Gothic House Center in Eldon, IA. You may recognize this iconic house as the backdrop of Grant Wood’s famous painting with the woman and farmer holding a pitchfork.
Guide to Tulip Time Festival in Pella, Iowa
One of the best free events in Iowa: Pella Tulip Time. Held annually in early May, tiptoe through 300,000 tulips, try authentic Dutch food, watch the parade, and tour this historical Dutch village – including the boyhood home of Wyatt Earp.
Best places to eat in Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Best restaurants, foodie experiences, and places to eat in Isla Mujeres, Mexico as recommended by locals and seasoned travelers to this island across from Cancun. This curated list features authentic Mexican, Caribbean, Mediterranean, seafood, steak, and more.
Jay Cooke State Park features scenic swinging bridge
Explore the scenic Jay Cooke State Park on your way to the North Shore in Minnesota. Here you’ll find a 200-foot swinging bridge that spans the St. Louis River, easy and challenging hikes, water rapids and stunning cascades in the river gorge.
Best MN state park with waterfalls: Gooseberry Falls
If you love waterfalls, then Gooseberry Falls State Park is the best destination in Minnesota. Here you’ll find not one, but four scenic waterfalls located on the North Shore and Lake Superior. Gooseberry Falls attracts nearly 800,000 visitors annually. To avoid the crowds, check out this guide for the best time to visit and the top things to do at Gooseberry Falls State Park.
Top things to do at Tettegouche State Park in Minnesota
Tettegouche State Park on the North Shore is one of Minnesota’s most popular state parks. This scenic destination overlooking Lake Superior offers breathtaking views, cliffs for rock climbing, a historic camp, a variety of camping options, scenic hiking trails, four beautiful waterfalls, and more.
Top things to do at Temperance River State Park in MN
One of the prettiest state parks on the North Shore in Minnesota, Temperance River offers stunning views, scenic hikes through the Superior National Forest and to waterfalls, shoreline access to Lake Superior, and rock climbing.
Guide to Judge C.R. Magney State Park in Minnesota
Judge C.R. Magney State Park is one of the best state parks in Minnesota for solitude and challenging hikes in the wilderness. This lovely park offers scenic views of the mysterious Devil’s Kettle as a waterfall seemingly disappears into ancient rock. Learn more about the top things to do at Judge C.R. Magney State Park on the North Shore in Minnesota.
Top things to do at Grand Portage State Park in Minnesota
A local’s guide to Grand Portage State Park in Minnesota with the top 10 things to do. Free entrance year-round, Grand Portage State Park is home to Minnesota’s tallest waterfall, hiking trails, and sits on the border of Canada and within the Grand Portage tribal lands.
Top historic home Christmas tours in Minnesota
Visit Christmas past’s Gilded Age on the best historic home Christmas tours in Minnesota: Glensheen Mansion, Duluth; James J. Hill House, St. Paul; Mayowood Mansion, Rochester.
Guide to George Crosby Manitou State Park in Minnesota
Looking for a true wilderness experience in Minnesota? Then head to the North Shore to George Crosby Manitou State Park. This remote state park offers scenic waterfall trails, secluded campsites, and trout fishing.
Guide to Moose Lake State Park in Minnesota
A guide to Moose Lake State Park in Minnesota. This scenic park offers hiking trails, beautiful lakes and ponds, fishing, campsites, Agate & Geological Center, and more.
Hike the quiet and scenic Lake Louise State Park
One of the prettiest and quietest places to hike in Minnesota, Lake Louise State Park offers trails for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. Lake Louise is also perfect for paddling, canoeing, and kayaking.
Hike Minnesota’s smallest state park: Franz Jevne
At only 118 acres, Franz Jevne State Park is the smallest state park in Minnesota. This state park is also one of the most scenic in Minnesota as it sits on the banks of Rainy River and across from Ontario, Canada. Perfect for solitude, hiking, fishing, camping, and more.
Guide to Forestville / Mystery Cave State Park in MN
Forestville / Mystery Cave State Park is one of the best Minnesota state parks because of its diversity; beautiful wooded trails, limestone bluffs, a pre-Civil War cemetery, historic village, trout streams, underground cave tours, and more.
Top things to do in historic Galena, Illinois
Guide to the top things to do in Galena, Illinois – one of the top trending destinations in the United States. This charming Midwestern town features historic 19th century homes and buildings, cool tours, boutique shopping, and more.
Best tours in Galena, Illinois: Galena Trolley Tours
Take the narrated Galena Trolley Tours for the best historical overview of this former lead-mining town in Illinois. This one-hour sightseeing trolley ride navigates through the rolling hills of Galena, the historic district, and features several historic buildings including President U.S. Grant’s home, the oldest and largest homes in Galena, and much more.
Guide to the best haunted tour in Galena, Illinois
Guide to the most haunted places in historic Galena, Illinois – and the best ghost tour in this former lead-mining town. A storytelling guide leads you through the streets of Galena by candlelight as you learn about the town’s scary legends and eerie paranormal activity.
Top things to do at Flandrau State Park in Minnesota
Flandrau State Park, set in the charming German community of New Ulm, MN, offers scenic overlooks and trails through the woods and grasslands and along a goat prairie and the Cottonwood River. Additionally, Flandrau State Park offers a sandy-bottom swimming pond.
Top things to do at William O’Brien State Park in Minnesota
One of the closest state parks to the Twin Cities, William O’Brien State Park in Marine of St. Croix is a perfect day trip from Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN. Hike under 100-year-old pine trees, next to the St. Croix River and wetlands, through prairies, oak savanna, and hardwood forests. Other highlights include a huge beaver lodge and a small lake with a sandy beach and fishing pier.
A local’s guide to Fort Snelling State Park in Minnesota
Fort Snelling State Park in St. Paul offers easy, scenic hiking trails, and is located within the Twin Cities, MN metro area. Here you can hike to the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. And it’s one of the best state parks for history buffs – with the area dating back 10,000 years.
Best hikes in Minnesota: Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park – Minnesota’s fourth largest park – features 9,000 years of history, 35 miles of hiking trails, 27 miles of horse trails, a 100-ft. fire tower you can climb, and more!
Best lakeshore MN state parks: Father Hennepin State Park
Father Hennepin State Park sits alongside one of Minnesota’s best and largest lakes: Mille Lacs. This beautiful state park offers a sandy beach, fishing piers, boat access, hiking, camping, and more.
Top things to do at Crow Wing State Park in Minnesota
If you love nature, Native American, early settler, and frontier history, then you’ll love exploring Crow Wing State Park in Brainerd, Minnesota.
Top things to do at Charles A. Lindbergh State Park
One of the best state parks to explore in Minnesota, Charles A. Lindbergh State Park is also the boyhood home of the famous aviator. Surprisingly, the state park is not named after him. Learn more.
Top things to do at Carley State Park in SE Minnesota
A local’s guide to the small and serene Carley State Park in southeast Minnesota. Known especially for its bluebells and other wildflowers, Carley State Park features trout fishing, hiking, and unique river crossings.
Top things to do at Minnesota’s Cascade River State Park
A local’s guide to Cascade River State Park on the North Shore in Minnesota features scenic waterfalls, hiking trails, trout fishing, wildlife, and easy access to Lake Superior.
Top things to do at Camden State Park in Lynd, MN
Camden State Park offers serene hikes through marshes, wetlands, prairie grasses, and hardwoods. One of the best state parks in Minnesota also features a designated trout stream, a swimming pond with sandy beach, and Lake Brawner.
Top things to do at Buffalo River State Park in MN
A local’s guide to the top things to do at Buffalo River State Park in Minnesota. One of the largest northern tallgrass prairies in the U.S., this state park with 4,568 acres offers serene hiking trails, fishing, camping, and more than 250 species of wildflowers and grasses.
Minnesota’s Blue Mounds State Park features bison herd
One of Minnesota’s most unique state parks – Blue Mounds – features a bison herd, tipi camping, rock climbing, historic quartzite quarry, scenic hiking, stunning panoramic views, flowering cactus, and more.
Local’s guide to Big Stone Lake State Park in Minnesota
A local’s guide to Big Stone Lake State Park. Bordering Minnesota and South Dakota, this state park is home to the best perch fishing and the Minnesota River headwaters.
Four of the prettiest Cotswolds villages
A guide to four of the prettiest storybook villages located in The Cotswolds, England. Perfect for a day trip from London – or stay a little longer and explore more of the charming villages and towns set in the idyllic countryside.
Top 12 breathtaking views in Minnesota
A local’s guide to the top 12 most scenic views in Minnesota – waterfalls, lakes, rivers, bluffs, skylines, and more.
Top holiday events in Minneapolis and St. Paul
A local’s guide to the best holiday festivals and Christmas events in the Twin Cities – Minneapolis and St. Paul. From a million Christmas lights at GLOW Holiday Festival to the iconic Holidazzle in Minneapolis to the live performance of A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater. Updated for 2023
Guide to scenic Beaver Creek Valley State Park in MN
Beaver Creek Valley State Park in Caledonia, Minn. offers easy to moderate hikes for spectacular views of trees, streams, valleys, and bluffs. And is located in a geological area known as the Blufflands Landscape Region and Driftless Area (meaning that it was untouched by most recent glaciers). When the glaciers melted, however, the torrential water created beautiful ravines, gorges, and valleys.
Local’s guide to Bear Head Lake State Park in Minnesota
Knocking on the door of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Bear Head Lake State Park in Minnesota features 4,000 acres, a beautiful 675-acre lake with a beach and lots of fishing, easy to moderate hikes, towering pine trees dating back to the late 1800s, and rocky landscapes.
Best kid-friendly sunflower field in the Twin Cities, MN
A local’s guide to the best kid-friendly sunflower field in the Twin Cities: Joyer Adventure Farm in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. Take a hayride to the sunflower fields, pick your own sunflowers and enjoy the ropes course, sandbox, big slide, pedal trike races, a maze, barnyard of animals, and more.
A local’s guide to Banning State Park in Minnesota
Banning State Park in Sandstone, Minn. features 17 miles of scenic hiking trails, the beautiful Kettle River and rapids for kayakers and paddlers, quarry ruins, rock climbing / bouldering, two waterfalls, and more.
A local’s guide to Afton State Park in Minnesota
Afton State Park is one of the best state parks in Minnesota. Set along the St. Croix River, it offers more than 20 miles of hiking trails in the summer and 12 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails in the winter.
How to hike all Minnesota state parks in a year
A local’s guide on how to plan and hike all 66 Minnesota state parks in a year. Features tips, things to consider, mileage between parks, and suggested day trips / road-trip itineraries.
Top Minnesota state parks with waterfalls – ranked!
A local’s guide of Minnesota state parks with waterfalls – ranked! The Land of 10,000+ Lakes features stunning waterfalls in 11 of Minnesota’s 66 state parks.
Easy hiking trails with waterfalls in Minnesota
A local’s guide to 15+ easy waterfall hiking trails in Minnesota – from fairytale settings to powerful cascades. Some just a few feet from where you park.
A local’s guide to the best Minnesota waterfalls
A local’s guide to chasing the most beautiful waterfalls in Minnesota. From the tallest falls to powerful cascades to frozen masterpieces to remote cataracts to urban falls, this post features the best waterfalls in the land of 10,000 lakes.
Best hiking gifts under $10, $25, $50, and $100
While most day hikers are all about the experience, we do appreciate practical gifts for our adventures. Here’s a curated list of this day hiker’s favorite things to take on a day hike – under $10, $25, $50, and $100.
A beginner’s guide to SUV camping with FAQs
A non-camper shares tips, lessons learned, a packing list and FAQs based on her two-week solo SUV camping road trip exploring Minnesota state parks.
List of the best emptynester and couples getaways
A travel blogger shares a curated list of the best vacation getaways for emptynesters and couples. Featured destinations include: U.S., Mexico, Europe. Updated 02.05.2023 (original post: 06.08.20)
Best flower gardens in and near the Twin Cities
If you’re looking for the best flower gardens in the Twin Cities metro area, here is a local’s guide to the top-ranked favorites in and near Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. From cherry blossoms to tulips to peonies to roses to sunflowers and more – you’ll find beautiful flower gardens and flower farms in Minnesota.
When to visit MN state parks for free this year
Minnesota, the land of 10,000+ lakes (11,842 of them), is also home to 75 state parks and recreational areas. And the state offers four free entrance days to all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas every year. Learn more. [Post updated Jan. 6, 2024, with Minnesota state park free admission days in 2024.]
The best hiking trails within 50 miles of Rochester, Minnesota
Third in a series: A local’s guide to the best hikes in and within 50 miles of Rochester, MN. Trails lead to beautiful bluff outlooks of valleys, trees and the Mississippi River as well as waterfalls and historic sites.
The best Minnesota hiking trails within 50 miles of the Twin Cities
St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota (Twin Cities) rank #2 and #3 in the nation for the best parks. A local shares her favorite hiking trails, nature trails, and urban walking tours at dozens of parks within 50 miles of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Perfect for when you need to connect with nature on a staycation or visiting the Twin Cities. Pin this post for regular updates. Updated: June 2, 2023
Best things to do in Minnesota in the summer: Visit sunflower fields
A local’s guide to the best sunflower fields in Minnesota this summer. Learn more on when and where you can visit the most beautiful sunflower fields near the Twin Cities. Updated 09.09.23
List of the best Minnesota state parks with reviews
A travel blogger and day hiker visited all 66 Minnesota state parks and shares reviews, FAQs, and top things to do. Take the Minnesota State Challenge and explore the Land of 10,000 Lakes, acres of forests, miles of hiking trails, stunning waterfalls, campgrounds, and more. Originally posted June 11, 2020. Updated June 10, 2023.
Most scenic road trip in Minnesota: North Shore on Lake Superior
A local’s guide to the most scenic drive in Minnesota: Lake Superior’s North Shore. Perfect Minnesota vacation or staycation itinerary with recommended stops for those who love hiking, chasing waterfalls and driving along Lake Superior. Update: 04.28.23. Original post: 05.17.21
Things to do in Iowa: Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption
Can you believe this hidden gem is located in rural Iowa? The Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption attracts more than 100,000 visitors a year. Learn more about the world’s largest man-made grotto.
Best U.S. National Parks: Death Valley one-day itinerary
Looking for a day trip from Las Vegas? Take a road trip to Death Valley National Park in California – the largest national park in the lower 48 states and one of the hottest places on earth.
Perfect itinerary for one day at the Gateway Arch National Park
Here’s a perfect one-day itinerary for things to do at the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, Missouri. You can take the tram up to the Gateway Arch observation deck, cruise along the riverfront, tour the historic Old Church and more. Updated April 22, 2023 from original Sept. 5, 2019 post.
