Exploring the Midwest: 2 Epic 1-Week Road Trips from Minneapolis
Looking for an adventure this summer? Why not take a road trip through the Midwest? With its open roads, charming small towns, and breathtaking scenery, the Midwest is the perfect destination for a week-long adventure. In this blog post, we’ll explore two epic 1-week road trips from Minneapolis that will take you through some of the Midwest’s most scenic routes.
Week 1: The Great River Road
Our first road trip takes us along the Great River Road, a scenic byway that follows the mighty Mississippi through ten states. Starting from Minneapolis, we’ll head south towards La Crosse, Wisconsin, a charming river town that serves as the gateway to the Great River Road.
From La Crosse, we’ll head south towards Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, where we’ll stop for lunch at the famous Pete’s Hamburgers. After lunch, we’ll continue south towards Galena, Illinois, a beautiful town with historic buildings, galleries, and antique stores. We’ll spend the night at a cozy bed and breakfast and wake up early to explore the town before heading towards our next destination.
Our next stop is St. Louis, Missouri, where we’ll spend the next two days exploring the Gateway Arch, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, and the famous barbecue joints. From St. Louis, we’ll head north towards Hannibal, Missouri, the hometown of Mark Twain. We’ll spend the night in a historic inn and wake up early to explore the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum.
Our final stop on this road trip is Minneapolis, but not before we make a detour to the beautiful Lake Pepin in Minnesota. We’ll spend the afternoon exploring the lake before heading back to Minneapolis.
Week 2: The North Shore Drive
Our second road trip takes us along the North Shore Drive, a 150-mile scenic route that hugs the shore of Lake Superior from Duluth to Thunder Bay. Starting from Minneapolis, we’ll head north towards Duluth, where we’ll spend a day exploring Canal Park and admire the famous Aerial Lift Bridge.
From Duluth, we’ll head northeast towards Grand Marais, a charming town that serves as the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. We’ll spend a day exploring Grand Marais, hiking in the state parks, and dining in the local restaurants.
Our next stop is Thunder Bay, Ontario, where we’ll spend a day exploring the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and admiring the breathtaking views of Lake Superior. We’ll spend the night in a cozy cabin before heading back towards the United States.
On our way back, we’ll stop in Two Harbors, a town that is famous for its lighthouse and scenic cliffs. We’ll spend the afternoon exploring the town before heading back to Minneapolis.
Conclusion
Exploring the Midwest is an adventure that should be on everyone’s bucket list. From charming river towns to breathtaking lake views, the Midwest has something for everyone. These 2 epic 1-week road trips from Minneapolis are just a taste of what the Midwest has to offer. So pack your bags, hit the road, and enjoy the journey.
