With the prices of flights soaring over MEA break in recent years, there has never been a better time for a road trip! Packing up the car and going on an adventure is something kids can get on board with. There are several places to visit with minimal drive time that can make your MEA break almost feel like a vacation. Here are three road trip ideas in three different directions of the Twin Cities. As always, pack snacks, pack hats and make sure you have a charger!
Make sure you check out our Twin Cities Guide to MEA Weekend and our Twin Cities Guide to Fall for more ideas!
Fall Harvest Orchard
Fall Harvest Apple Orchard in Montrose is a great place to spend the day. (Check here for even more apple orchards!) This fair-type attraction is jam-packed with things to do and see. Free activities include yard games, gravity basketball, sand diggers, tetherball, animals to feed, hay bale hill, a playground, live music, and baby chicks! I think baby chicks alone are worth the drive! If you’re interested in making the day a little more exciting there is a wide range of ticketed activities as well. Wagon rides, a giant corn pit, pedal carts, a barn slide, a low ropes course, apple spin, and a zipline just to name a few. On the weekends they also offer gem mining and pony rides! Yes, I did say pony rides! Weekends at Fall Harvest have the added bonus of a wide range of food trucks. With over 40 attractions and things to do, this staycation destination is worth the drive!
City of Trails
Just an hour or so east of the twin cities is gorgeous Taylor’s Falls/St Croix Falls. St Croix Falls is known as the “City of Trails.” With miles and miles of trails for all ability levels, this is the spot to enjoy a beautiful fall day. There are bike trails, paved paths for the younger riders, or gravel, mountain bike trails for the more experienced adventurer. Maybe try your hand at canoeing or ATV rentals. The falls boast breathtaking views and photo ops in a serene space to take in the grandness of the falls. This gorgeous outdoor area is where Wisconsin and Minnesota meet in the breathtaking backdrop of the falls. You can hike the city trails (dogs are welcome!) or take a drive through Interstate State Park and enjoy those fall colors that will be gone in an instant. This quaint area is just minutes from small-town shops and restaurants, and you can use it to refuel for more outdoor adventures or head home with a full belly and exhausted kids.
Winona, MN
If you are looking to go south of the Twin Cities for the day, Winona has some great spots to visit. Ranked “One of the Top 20 Places to See Fall Foliage in the US”, Winona is perched on the Mississippi River and has no shortage of breathtaking views. The bluffs of the river valley provide hundreds of miles of meandering trails for walking, hiking, biking, and possibly a cartwheel or two! Winona has a very user-friendly city website in which you can find maps and suggested routes depending on what you’re looking for. Saturdays host a local farmers market which can provide a little snack during your exploration. Winona is full of restaurants, breweries, and outdoor spaces to enjoy a meal. Winghaven Pizza Farm makes woodfire pizza with an inviting atmosphere. They have a firepit, yard games, and space for kids to play while waiting for their food!
