In today’s world, downtime is essential—and research shows that just a few short days away can do a lot to boost mental health. Unfortunately, planning the perfect weekend away can take lots of time and can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start.

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Jerry

knows just how important your time off is, so we created this guide to weekend getaways in Minnesota to take the stress out of vacation planning.

From finding your path in a secluded forest to foodie feasts and romantic outings, these are the best short trips in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

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The best weekend getaways for couples in Minnesota

Duluth

Stay at:

La Quinta Inn & Suites

(rooms from $118/night)

Or:

Fitger’s Inn

(rooms from $190/night)

Duluth

is known as one of the best places to live in

Minnesota

, and it’s also one of the best to visit. Located on the banks of Lake Superior, Duluth is a downtown waterfront hub with something for everyone. Start your weekend with a romantic walk along the water’s edge and a breathtaking view of the town’s iconic

aerial lift bridge

as your centerpiece.

Continue your getaway with a visit to

Glensheen

, a unique 1908 mansion with a spectacular garden tour, then head to Canal Park to watch the huge ships come and go. While you’re there, stop by one of the neighborhood’s many coffee shops or restaurants for a bite to eat (we recommend

Northern Waters Smokehaus

for a variety of smoked fishes and artisanal meats).

St. Paul

Stay at:

LivINN Hotel

(rooms from $99/night)

Or:

The Davidson Hotel

(rooms from $198/night)

Saint Paul

is known for its spectacular beauty, and it’s perfect for your romantic weekend away. As a city that offers both natural splendor and a bustling downtown, it’s almost like you get two vacations in one.

Once there, you can explore everything from secluded trails to the stunning

Cathedral of St. Paul

. Locals recommend spending at least one day in the popular

Minnehaha Park

, known for its 53-foot waterfall and pretty river overlooks. You’ll also want to stop by the

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

for a romantic walk in one of its many beautiful gardens.

Pro Tip The Conservatory Gardens offer seasonal flower shows throughout the year, so make sure to check their calendar before you hit the road!

The best weekend getaways for families in Minnesota

Taylors Falls

Stay at:

Super 8 by Wyndham

(rooms from $74/night)

Or:

Holiday Inn Express

(rooms from $116/night)

Taylors Falls is one of the best Minnesota destinations for a family road trip. While you’re there, hit up

Wild Mountain Taylors Falls

, where you’ll find waterslides and go-karts during the summer and skiing and snow tubing in winter.

If you’re into quieter activities, go on a

Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tour

, during which you can relax on a paddlewheel riverboat and take in the beautiful scenery. If you’re going to be out at lunchtime, you can even pre-order a

River Rock Meal

and add pizza or sandwiches to your trip.

Rochester

Stay at:

La Quinta Inn & Suites

(rooms from $94/night)

Or:

DoubleTree by Hilton

(rooms from $141/night)

Rochester

is a thoroughly modern city, with a bit of history and nature mixed in. Start your trip with a visit to

Meadowbrook Hall

—the fourth-largest historical museum in the U.S. The impressive Tudor mansion, built in 1929, offers tours of the mansion and the estate.

Follow that up with a trip to the

Quarry Hill Nature Center

, where you can observe different fish, animals, and birds, many of which are native to Minnesota. Finally, wrap the weekend up with a stop at the

Machine Shed

, where a single $10 fee gives you access to dozens of old-school arcade games.

Make sure to stop by the

Hot Chip Burger Bar

, where you get fresh, hot popcorn while you wait!

MORE:

The best castles in Minnesota to visit

The best weekend getaways for music lovers in Minnesota

Detroit Lakes

Stay at:

Quality Inn & Suites

(rooms from $84/night)

Or:

Best Western Premier the Lodge

(rooms from $115/night)

Every August, the

WE Fest

brings thousands of country music lovers to the small town of Detroit Lakes. Past lineups have included country legends like Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Wynonna Judd, and Willie Nelson. With

VIP Experience

tickets, guests can enjoy reserved seating with complimentary beverages and food.

When you’re not at the festival, stop by the town’s famous sandy public beach for some swimming or boating, then stop by one of the lakeside restaurants. Local favorite

Lakeside Tavern and Brewing

makes their beers in-house while

Zorbaz on the Lake

whips up some tasty nachos.

Winona

Stay at:

Express Suites

(rooms from $96/night)

Or:

Carriage House Bed & Breakfast

(rooms from $131/night)

Every April, more than 100 bands from around the world arrive in

Winona

for its annual

Mid West Music Festival

. They play in one of at least ten different venues over three days, and you can even watch some acts without a ticket. Further, MWMF partners with several mental health organizations to provide mental health care for the artists and community during the fest.

If you want to get away from the music for a while, you can check out some of the town’s many coffee houses, restaurants, bars, and theaters.

Nosh Scratch Kitchen

comes highly recommended (try the pork belly burnt ends over shrimp n’ grits!), as does

Winona’s Family Restaurant

MORE:

Grooviest car stereos for music

The best weekend getaways for foodies in Minnesota

Minneapolis

Stay at:

Millennium Minneapolis

(rooms from $100/night)

Or:

Hyatt Regency

(rooms from $179/night)

From fantastic brunch spots to a growing soul food scene,

Minneapolis

is a foodie haven that just happens to be surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. If you want to dine like a local, head over to “Eat Street,” a stretch of Nicollet Avenue known for its diverse food selection. You’ll find everything from classic diner breakfast at

The Bad Waitress

to world-class pho at

Quang

Other musts include Minneapolis’ best-known soul food restaurant,

Breaking Bread

, The

5-8 Club

for cheese-stuffed burgers, and Diner’s Drive-ins and Dives-featured

The Wienery

Ely

Stay at:

Silver Rapids Lodge

(rooms from $89/night)

Or:

Grand Ely Lodge

(rooms from $190/night)

Small town Ely, Minnesota is known for its forests and lakes, but it also has a thriving food scene. Gator's Grilled Cheese Emporium is at the top of the list, and you can get just about any grilled cheese combo under the sun. Next, check out the

Boathouse Brewpub and Restaurant

for burgers, sandwiches, and beers brewed on-site.

Other favorites include the

Chocolate Moose

for breakfast or lunch, the

Rock Wood Eatery

for smoked meats, or

Northern Grounds

for some of Minnesota's best coffee and desserts.

MORE:

Open container laws in Minnesota

The best outdoor weekend getaways in Minnesota

Blue Mounds State Park

Stay at:

Blue Mounds State Park Campground

(sites from $20/night)

Or:

Blue Mounds State Park Tipis

(reservations $35/night)

Blue Mounds State Park

has something for everyone, whether you're into hiking, camping, biking, or rock climbing. With its sea of prairie grasses, the park is a favorite destination for bird watchers, who head there for the blue grosbeaks and Baltimore and Orchard Orioles. In addition to birds, you may spot the park's resident buffalo herd.

If you want to do something a little more active, you can hike to the top of a historic quartzite quarry via the Cliffline Trail or climb up to Eagle Rock to view

Iowa

to the south and

South Dakota

to the west. When you get hungry, head into town for some upscale American classics at

Sterling's Café and Grille

Lutsen Mountains

Stay at:

AmericInn

(rooms from $76/night)

Or:

Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior

(rooms from $179/night)

For lovers of sports and adrenaline, the

Lutsen Mountains

are the place to go. If you head out in the winter, enjoy a weekend of skiing (you can rent equipment if you don’t feel like taking your own). Make sure to hit the terrain trails full of timber features, cliff drops, and off-piste adventure.

In warmer weather, take a ride down the half-mile alpine slide, ride a Gondola to the top of Moose Mountain, or hike miles of trails—and don’t forget to grab lunch from

Summit Chalet

while you’re up top! Nothing beats enjoying a meal while looking over Lake Superior.

Pro Tip Use the Summit Express for easy access to mountaintop trailheads and spectacular mountain overlooks.

MORE:

17 road trip hacks for a more enjoyable trip

The best weekend getaways for history buffs in Minnesota

Preston

Stay at:

Hotel Lanesboro

(rooms from $99/night)

Or:

Sacred Clay Country Inn

(rooms from $216/night)

Small town Preston is in proximity to many popular Minnesota tourist locations, and it’s a great spot to tour on its own. Start with a

walk around town

to check out its many historic buildings, including the Historic Elevator and Grand Opera House. Make sure to stroll by the beautiful Root River, which runs right through the center of town.

From there, take a short drive to

Historic Forestville

, and step back into the 1890s. Visit the general store, stocked with 19th-century merchandise, check out the blacksmith’s shop, or explore the late 1800s homestead. If you want to hit the trails as well, there are guided hikes throughout the year.

Luverne

Stay at:

Econo Lodge

(rooms from $71/night)

Or:

Home2 Suites

by Hilton (rooms from $141/night)

Luverne is the perfect destination for both history buffs and art lovers. Start your weekend at the

Rock County Veterans Memorial Building

, where the first-floor

Brandenburg Gallery

showcases the work of famed photographer Jim Brandenburg. All proceeds from the gallery go to the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation, whose mission is “to educate, expand, and promote native prairie in southwest Minnesota.”

Later, move on to the upper floors, housing the

Herreid Military Museum

, which tells stories of locals from the Civil War, WWII, the Korean War, and present conflicts. Later, head to the

Historic Palace Theater

(built in 1915) for a movie or show and the

Take 16 Brewing Company

for a locally-brewed lager.

MORE:

Underrated road trip destinations across the U.S.

The best cheap weekend getaways in Minnesota

Walnut Grove

Stay at:

OYO Hotel Lamberton

(rooms from $46/night)

Or:

Wilder Inn

(rooms from $43/night)

For a budget-friendly weekend away, head to Walnut Grove, home to the Ingalls family (of Little House on the Prairie fame) in the 1870s. Although she passed away nearly 60 years ago, Laura Ingalls Wilder continues to hold the heart of Americans, and the

Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum

draws thousands of visitors every year. Eight buildings make up the museum and tell the story of the Ingalls family and other pioneers.

Other area attractions include Lake Shetek State Park, home to the largest lake in Southwest Minnesota, where you’ll find hiking, geocaching, and a swimming beach, and the nearby

Currie End-o-Line Railroad Museum

Grand Rapids

Stay at:

Motel 6

(rooms from $58/night)

Or:

Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham

(rooms from $102/night)

Grand Rapids

offers an endless array of things to do, many of them free or cheap. Start with the Grand River Edges Trail, a 5.4-mile trail that links downtown Grand Rapids to nearby Millenium Park. The trail offers a pleasant stroll along the Grand River and lots of bird watching if that’s your thing. When you get to

Millenium Park

, enjoy the 20 miles of trails and 6-mile beach.

If the city is more your scene, take a self-guided

downtown walking tour

, and stop by local favorite

The Mitten Brewing Company

for some pizza and beer.

Other budget-friendly options include the

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

, Gerald R. Ford Museum, and

Grand Rapids Public Museum

Pro Tip If you’re looking for outdoor adventure, head to Grand Rapids between June and August when the average temperature is in the high 60s.

MORE: 10 tips to keep kids safe in the car

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Whether you’re renting a car for your Minnesota adventure or driving your own, it’s essential to have the right

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