Road Trips & Scenic Byways
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Hit the Open Road
Ralph Waldo Emerson wasn't talking about Minnesota's scenic byways when he said, "It's not the destination, it's the journey," but he might as well have been. With so many breathtaking views and unique roadside attractions along the way, road trips on scenic byways will reward you with miles of memorable experiences. With 22 scenic byways stretching almost 3,000 miles across the state, all you have to do is pick one and go for a girls getaway, a fall color tour or no reason at all.
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The Palisade Head rock cliff overlooks Lake Superior from Tettegouche State Park / AMB-MD Photography - stock.adobe.com
North Shore Scenic Byway
A 154-mile stretch of road that skirts the Lake Superior shoreline’s dramatic limestone cliffs and forests, this scenic route has been designated an All-American Road. Highlights include panoramic lake views, a waterfall and a lighthouse.
Read More
The Mille Lacs Indian Trading Post as seen from outside / Minnesota Historical Society
Lake Mille Lacs Scenic Byway
Lake Mille Lacs is a treasure trove of natural beauty and indigenous culture. Take in the views, which are at their best in the fall, and learn about the Ojibwe, who have called this area home for thousands of years.
Read More
A moose stands by the road near Grand Marais / Jackie Scherer
Natural Beauty on The Gunflint Trail
In the far northeastern tip of Minnesota, the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway traverses the Superior National Forest, bringing travelers from Grand Marais to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Spot moose, pick wild blueberries and more.
Read MoreGreat River Road in Fall / Visit Winona
Great River Road
The Mighty Mississippi starts in Minnesota, meandering its way south and running through vibrant communities along the way. The Great River Road Scenic Byway takes road trippers though the towns that line the Mississippi, including the Twin Cities.
Read More
Book a room at Stone Mill Hotel and Suites, a converted granary built circa 1885 in scenic Lanesboro / @roadtripswithbev
Bluff Country Byway
See Minnesota’s creative spirit in action along the Bluff Country Scenic Byway, an east-west route that ends at the Wisconsin border. Head to Lanesboro, a small but thriving art colony with a downtown lined with Victorian architecture.
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Road Trips & Trails for Families
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
Road trips are the perfect vacation for close-to-home adventures your kids will love / Micah Kvidt
Pack your suitcase, buckle up the kids and head to these family-friendly destinations near the Twin Cities. You'll be on the fast track to making happy road trip memories.
Read More about Kid-Friendly Road Trips from Minneapolis
Dairyland has been a Fergus Falls staple for over 50 years / Lisa Meyers McClintick
Indulge in delicious food and good ol'-fashioned fun when you stop at famous drive-ins along your route. Burgers, cheese curds and ice cream classics won't disappoint.
Read More about Check Out Minnesota Drive-Ins
Kids climb up an interactive safety cone installation at the Minnesota Children's Museum in St. Paul
Entertain and engage the kids with creative activities and interesting exhibits at these Minnesota children's museums and they're bound to learn something along the way.
Read More about Museum Marvels for Kids
Get up close and personal with grizzly bears at the Minnesota Zoo / Minnesota Zoo
From wildlife viewing to interactive encounters with creatures of all kinds, zoos make for days full of fun and discovery. See gorillas, polar bears, bison and more.
Read More about Must-Do Minnesota Zoos
A larger-than-life Babe the Blue Ox statue greets visitors at Paul Bunyan Land in Brainerd
From statues of legends like Paul Bunyan and Babe to colossal creatures and sculpture parks, Minnesota's roadside attractions are plentiful and larger than life.
Read More about I Spy Roadside Attractions
Leo's Malt Shop in Stillwater is one of Minnesota's many must-visit ice cream shops / Paul Vincent
From tree-lined avenues to clusters of homey cafes and artsy boutiques, head to these charming downtowns for tasty treats, kid-friendly shopping and classic Americana vibes.
Read More about Charming Main Streets
Road trips are the perfect vacation for close-to-home adventures your kids will love / Micah Kvidt
Pack your suitcase, buckle up the kids and head to these family-friendly destinations near the Twin Cities. You'll be on the fast track to making happy road trip memories.
Read More about Kid-Friendly Road Trips from Minneapolis
Dairyland has been a Fergus Falls staple for over 50 years / Lisa Meyers McClintick
Indulge in delicious food and good ol'-fashioned fun when you stop at famous drive-ins along your route. Burgers, cheese curds and ice cream classics won't disappoint.
Read More about Check Out Minnesota Drive-Ins
Kids climb up an interactive safety cone installation at the Minnesota Children's Museum in St. Paul
Entertain and engage the kids with creative activities and interesting exhibits at these Minnesota children's museums and they're bound to learn something along the way.
Read More about Museum Marvels for Kids
Get up close and personal with grizzly bears at the Minnesota Zoo / Minnesota Zoo
From wildlife viewing to interactive encounters with creatures of all kinds, zoos make for days full of fun and discovery. See gorillas, polar bears, bison and more.
Read More about Must-Do Minnesota Zoos
A larger-than-life Babe the Blue Ox statue greets visitors at Paul Bunyan Land in Brainerd
From statues of legends like Paul Bunyan and Babe to colossal creatures and sculpture parks, Minnesota's roadside attractions are plentiful and larger than life.
Read More about I Spy Roadside Attractions
Leo's Malt Shop in Stillwater is one of Minnesota's many must-visit ice cream shops / Paul Vincent
From tree-lined avenues to clusters of homey cafes and artsy boutiques, head to these charming downtowns for tasty treats, kid-friendly shopping and classic Americana vibes.
Read More about Charming Main Streets
Road trips are the perfect vacation for close-to-home adventures your kids will love / Micah Kvidt
Pack your suitcase, buckle up the kids and head to these family-friendly destinations near the Twin Cities. You'll be on the fast track to making happy road trip memories.
Read More about Kid-Friendly Road Trips from Minneapolis
Dairyland has been a Fergus Falls staple for over 50 years / Lisa Meyers McClintick
Indulge in delicious food and good ol'-fashioned fun when you stop at famous drive-ins along your route. Burgers, cheese curds and ice cream classics won't disappoint.
Read More about Check Out Minnesota Drive-Ins
Kids climb up an interactive safety cone installation at the Minnesota Children's Museum in St. Paul
Entertain and engage the kids with creative activities and interesting exhibits at these Minnesota children's museums and they're bound to learn something along the way.
Read More about Museum Marvels for Kids
Get up close and personal with grizzly bears at the Minnesota Zoo / Minnesota Zoo
From wildlife viewing to interactive encounters with creatures of all kinds, zoos make for days full of fun and discovery. See gorillas, polar bears, bison and more.
Read More about Must-Do Minnesota ZoosMore Road Trips & Trails
Use the previous and next buttons or the left and right arrow keys to navigate between slides.

Road trips are the perfect vacation for close-to-home adventures your kids will love / Micah Kvidt
Pack your suitcase, buckle up the kids and head to these family-friendly destinations near the Twin Cities. The memories made on these road trips will stay with your kids—and you—forever.
Read More about Family Drives From Minneapolis
Superior National golf course / Logan Dahlke
With so much green space and such varied terrain, Minnesota is a golfer’s paradise. These golf trails showcase the state's best courses, inspiring golfers of all skill levels to hit the road.
Read More about Golf Trails
Forager Brewery in Rochester
Southern Minnesota is a must-visit for craft beer lovers. From New Ulm’s August Schell Brewery to Marshall’s Bank Brewing Company, this road trip has great beer (and beyond) on tap.
Read More about Beer Trails
Take a horse-drawn carriage tour of Carlos Creek Winery in Alexandria
Minnesota teems with vineyards and wineries, so much so that they inspire wine lovers to hit the road to experience it all, from the Upper St. Croix Wine Trail to the Skal Crawl.
Read More about Wine Trails
Leo's Malt Shop in Stillwater is one of Minnesota's many must-visit ice cream shops / Paul Vincent
From tree-lined avenues to clusters of homey cafes and artsy boutiques, head to these charming downtowns for tasty treats, unique shopping and classic Americana vibes.
Read More about Charming Main Streets
Road trips are the perfect vacation for close-to-home adventures your kids will love / Micah Kvidt
Pack your suitcase, buckle up the kids and head to these family-friendly destinations near the Twin Cities. The memories made on these road trips will stay with your kids—and you—forever.
Read More about Family Drives From Minneapolis
Superior National golf course / Logan Dahlke
With so much green space and such varied terrain, Minnesota is a golfer’s paradise. These golf trails showcase the state's best courses, inspiring golfers of all skill levels to hit the road.
Read More about Golf Trails
Forager Brewery in Rochester
Southern Minnesota is a must-visit for craft beer lovers. From New Ulm’s August Schell Brewery to Marshall’s Bank Brewing Company, this road trip has great beer (and beyond) on tap.
Read More about Beer Trails
Take a horse-drawn carriage tour of Carlos Creek Winery in Alexandria
Minnesota teems with vineyards and wineries, so much so that they inspire wine lovers to hit the road to experience it all, from the Upper St. Croix Wine Trail to the Skal Crawl.
Read More about Wine Trails
Leo's Malt Shop in Stillwater is one of Minnesota's many must-visit ice cream shops / Paul Vincent
From tree-lined avenues to clusters of homey cafes and artsy boutiques, head to these charming downtowns for tasty treats, unique shopping and classic Americana vibes.
Read More about Charming Main Streets
Road trips are the perfect vacation for close-to-home adventures your kids will love / Micah Kvidt
Pack your suitcase, buckle up the kids and head to these family-friendly destinations near the Twin Cities. The memories made on these road trips will stay with your kids—and you—forever.
Read More about Family Drives From Minneapolis
Superior National golf course / Logan Dahlke
With so much green space and such varied terrain, Minnesota is a golfer’s paradise. These golf trails showcase the state's best courses, inspiring golfers of all skill levels to hit the road.
Read More about Golf Trails
Forager Brewery in Rochester
Southern Minnesota is a must-visit for craft beer lovers. From New Ulm’s August Schell Brewery to Marshall’s Bank Brewing Company, this road trip has great beer (and beyond) on tap.
Read More about Beer Trails
Take a horse-drawn carriage tour of Carlos Creek Winery in Alexandria
Minnesota teems with vineyards and wineries, so much so that they inspire wine lovers to hit the road to experience it all, from the Upper St. Croix Wine Trail to the Skal Crawl.
Read More about Wine TrailsTry these trip ideas
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Read MoreGet help from the experts to plan your trip
Want to know the best spots in Minnesota? How about tips on how to make the most of your time in a specific city? Our Minnesota experts can answer your questions, offer advice, or plan the perfect Minnesota trip for you. For free.