This isn’t a typical “top 10” list or a collection of must-see destinations you’ll find in every travel guide. These are our places—the ones that have meant the most to us over the years as we’ve explored Minnesota together.
Each stop on this list holds a story. Some remind us of weekends when our kids were young and every outing felt like an adventure. Others mark a new chapter, where we’ve had the time to slow down, wander a little further, and appreciate places in a different way. These destinations aren’t necessarily the most famous or the most visited, but they’ve become part of our family’s journey.
You might visit these same places and have a completely different experience—and that’s exactly the point. Travel is personal. Timing matters. The season of life you’re in shapes how a place feels and what you take away from it.
We’re sharing these favorites not because they’re the “best,” but because they’ve been meaningful to us. Our hope is that they inspire you to explore, revisit somewhere familiar, or discover a place that becomes one of your favorites.
I grew up camping here as a kid and continued that with my own family. This is an amazing park for families and should be on everyone’s list!
This is probably the 1st surprise on the list! Hiking, biking, disc golf, swim beach and being a stone’s throw from home puts this park as an all-time favorite for our family.
Nice camping, hiking and close to the metro. You can almost pick and choose between the St. Croix parks but this one has always stood out for us.
If you haven’t visited during peak fall colors, it’s a must see.
These are so close together that it’s easy to visit both in a day. Gooseberry can be very busy, but the falls are amazing. Split Rock will always be special as a place where the kids climbed around on the rocks for hours.
Hiking, rivers, waterfalls and beautiful scenery, this park has it all and is a true gem.
I know, not a single place but there are so many things to do and see along Lake Superior that it has earned a spot on our list as a collective destination.
Minnesota iconic fishing destination with a recent history of ups and downs but we love this lake and area communities.
This lake is enormous with several communities to visit on the Minnesota side. Crossing the border into Canada and seeing that side or visiting the Angle are bonus adventures to be had.
Lakes, fishing, golfing, shopping and just about anything else someone would want to do all in a beautiful part of the state.
