All seasons getaways photo collage
via Shutterstock
Tulip garden
03.20.21
Spring Equinox
A Migration Maximus
The river valley in the region surrounding Wabasha is a mecca for fall color, but each spring the views are all about raptors. Every March, the area is the scene of the eagle migration. The Soar with the Eagles festival is a celebration of bald eagles and golden eagles.
Take in the Blooms
We don’t really know what to expect of outdoor gatherings in the coming months, but if there’s one thing we do know, it’s that Mother Nature will continue to work her magic as flowers wake from their winter slumber. Keep an eye on schedules and events at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to tap into an epic spring spectacle of color.
via Shutterstock
Kids on a raft
06.20.21
Summer Solstice
A Mighty Lodge
We call them lodges, but the top spots and travel favorites are truly full-service resorts loaded with a plethora of classic Up North activities and lake-style accommodation—such as Grandview Lodge, which recently added North, a boutique hotel, to the property. It’s the lakes region vacation you and the family have always wanted.
Fill Your Bucket
Did you know Minnesota has more miles of the Mississippi than any other state? Making the trek to Itasca State Park and the headwaters of the Mighty Mississippi is truly bucket list–worthy. Plan a weekend trip (roughly a 3.5-hour drive), and choose from several options for your stay, including historic Douglas Lodge, built in 1905.
Photo by Caitlin Abrams
Ziplining in Autumn
09.22.21
Autumn Equinox
Earth and Sky
Never tried zip-lining? We have just the place. High above the ground (175 feet!) in the Minnesota River Valley, Kerfoot Canopy Tour is a 2.5-hour excursion through the trees and sky that’s especially beautiful in autumn. (As of press time, scheduling is week by week.) Make a day of it and grab a drink at Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery (and distillery!) in Kasota, 20 minutes south.
Take a Hike
Frontenac State Park transforms into an impressionist painting of orange and yellow as far as the eye can see during the fall. Hike the park’s 13-plus miles of trails through forests and along bluffs—and don’t miss the trails’ detours down to the river beach. Pro tip: Some parts of the trail are steep and narrow, so bring proper footwear (the Red Wing shoe store, 15 minutes from the park, offers a wide array of Red Wing and Vasque boots if you need a new pair).
Courtesy of Lutsen Mountains
Lutsen Mountains gondola
12.21.21
Winter Solstice
Mush the Dogs
We live in the North, so shouldn’t we immerse ourselves in experiences uniquely dependent on snow? Enter the sled dogs. Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge claims to be the nation’s oldest lodge-based dogsled destination. It was co-founded nearly 40 years ago by Paul Schurke, who was part of Will Steger’s 1986 North Pole expedition with Ann Bancroft and other explorers.
Hit the Slopes
At 1,088 feet, Lutsen Mountain is the closest thing to big-mountain skiing you’ll get in Minnesota. An hour north of Duluth on Highway 61, it’s the perfect mix: plenty of snow, plenty of steeps, and epic Lake Superior views. Stay on the property, or book accommodations in the local area, including in Grand Marais, just 17 miles north.
