Dedication
To Kenny, Rob, and Shelly—the loves of my life.
About the Author
A full-blooded Irish lass, Mary M. Bauer was born and raised in Lutefisk Country. She and her husband jumped the state line over a dozen years ago and bought a Wisconsin dairy farm. Her two children ran off to college, then found careers to avoid baling hay and fence painting. A former nurse and interior designer, Mary began her writing career as a weekly columnist for a regional newspaper. She discovered ranting in public and getting paid for it is a lot of fun. She is the author of Adventure Publications’ Wisconsin Day Trips by Theme. Besides family, her major loves are traveling, hiking, books, decrepit Christmas decorations, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. She is a dog and cat person, and is thinking about adopting a pig.
Edited by Dan Downing
Photo on Jennie Norberg. Photo on Jonathan Norberg. Photo on Brett Ortler. All other photos by Shutterstock.
Cover and book design by Jonathan Norberg
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Third Edition 2016
Second Edition 2011
Copyright 2002 by Mary M. Bauer
Published by Adventure Publications
820 Cleveland Street South
Cambridge, Minnesota 55008
800-678-7006
All rights reserved
Printed in the U.S.A.
ISBN: 978-1-59193-550-6; eISBN: 978-1-59193-608-4
Introduction
So you want to tour Minnesota, and who wouldn’t? After all, it is the birthplace of the mighty Mississippi River. It’s also home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, the Mall of America, 3M, and the childhood farm of American aviation hero Charles Lindbergh. Cheerleading, the black box and Spam are only a few of the creations invented in this Land of 10,000 Lakes. National Geographic Traveler included Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in its “50 places of a lifetime” list in 1999. And no one should miss the spectacular fall colors as the leaves turn from lush summer greens to brilliant reds and golds.
Minnesota Day Trips takes the information overload out of planning an excursion. Each chapter offers a number of attractions based on themes such as train trips, family days, romantic getaways, waterfalls and so on. Simply turn to the chapters that appeal and bypass the rest if you’d like.
For an overview of Minneapolis and St. Paul, take the 3½-hour guided tour offered by metroConnections. From a deluxe motor coach, you’ll see the Skyway system, U.S. Bank Stadium, Historic Fort Snelling, State Capitol, Guthrie Theater, lovely Summit Avenue, residential areas and many more interesting sights. Call metroConnections at 612-333-TOUR (612-333-8687) or 800-747-TOUR (800-747-8687); www.awardwinningcitytours.com.
The Twin Cities have a metro transit system (metrotransit.org) that links many areas via bus, light rail and commuter train. Fares range from 50 cents to $3. Purchase tickets at vending machines located on station platforms. For more information, call 800-NEW-RIDER (800-639-7433) or 612-373-3333; www.metrotransit.org.
For more information about the Twin Cities, contact:
Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce, 81 South 9th Street, Suite 200, Minneapolis; 612-370-9100; www.minneapolischamber.org
The Greater Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association, 250 Marquette Avenue South, Suite 1300, Minneapolis; 888-676-MPLS (888-676-6757); www.minneapolis.org
St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, 401 North Robert Street, Suite 150, St. Paul; 651-223-5000; www.saintpaulchamber.com
St. Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau, 175 West Kellogg Boulevard, Suite 502, St. Paul; 800-627-6101 or 651-265-4900; www.visitsaintpaul.com
Minneapolis and St. Paul: Official Visitors Guide; www.visit-twincities.com
For information about greater Minnesota, contact the Minnesota Office of Tourism at 888-847-4866; www.exploreminnesota.com
Many attractions within Minnesota Day Trips include options of nearby things to see and do. There is also a select number of Western Wisconsin getaways. So go ahead and attend a Lion’s Club pancake breakfast, or have yourself a heaping helping of hot dish at a church supper. Tour Minnesota’s many museums and art galleries, hike the North Country or fish the River Valley’s clear trout streams. Enjoy the land and that good old Midwestern friendliness Minnesotans are famous for.
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