Minnesota Day Trips

Skip the parking, skip the designated driver debate. MinnDrive takes you to Minnesota's best destinations — river towns, wine country, lakeshores, amusement parks — from 120+ Twin Cities suburbs. Flat rates, no surge, gratuity included.

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The Smarter Way to Explore Minnesota

Your car stays parked. Your group stays together. Nobody has to be the sober driver at the winery.

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Wine Tours Without Worry

Visit 2–3 wineries in a day. Taste everything. Your driver handles the rest.

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Flat Rate, No Surprises

Your fare is locked before you book. No surge, no meters, gratuity included.

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Door-to-Door Service

Picked up at home, dropped at the destination. Round-trip or one-way — your call.

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Groups Welcome

Chrysler Pacifica seats up to 7. Perfect for couples, families, or friend groups.

Where Will You Go?

Charming towns, scenic wineries, Lake Superior coastline, and everything in between. All reachable by MinnDrive.

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Stillwater Historic Downtown

📍 Stillwater • ~25 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~35 min Year-round

Minnesota's birthplace on the St. Croix River. Antique shops, riverfront dining, boutique hotels, and the iconic Lift Bridge. Cruise the river in summer, browse holiday markets in winter.

Excelsior on Lake Minnetonka

📍 Excelsior • ~20 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~30 min Year-round

Lake Minnetonka's charming downtown — independent shops, lakeside restaurants, and the historic Steamboat Minnehaha. A quick escape that feels a world away.

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Lake Minnetonka / Wayzata

📍 Wayzata • ~15 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~25 min Year-round

Upscale lakeside living at its finest. Waterfront dining, boat cruises, galleries, and boutique shopping on the shores of Minnesota's most famous lake.

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Red Wing

📍 Red Wing • ~55 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~60 min Year-round

Historic river town famous for its pottery, Barn Bluff hiking, and the St. James Hotel. Dine along the Mississippi and browse local art galleries.

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Northfield Historic District

📍 Northfield • ~45 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~50 min Year-round

Where Jesse James met his match. Two college campuses, a vibrant downtown, riverside trails, and the annual Defeat of Jesse James Days celebration.

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Lanesboro

📍 Lanesboro • ~100 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~1 hr 50 min Year-round

Bluff country's crown jewel. The Root River Trail for biking, charming B&Bs, live theatre, fly fishing, and some of the most stunning scenery in the state.

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Duluth / Canal Park

📍 Duluth • ~150 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~2 hr 30 min Year-round

Lake Superior's crown city. Canal Park, the Aerial Lift Bridge, Spirit Mountain, Great Lakes Aquarium, craft breweries, and the rugged North Shore. Worth every mile.

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Taylors Falls & Interstate State Park

📍 Taylors Falls • ~50 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~55 min May–Oct

Dramatic basalt cliffs on the St. Croix River. Scenic boat tours, rock climbing, glacial potholes, and some of the best fall color in the region.

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Afton Alps / Afton State Park

📍 Afton • ~25 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~35 min Year-round

Skiing and snowboarding in winter, hiking the bluffs and St. Croix River valley year-round. One of the metro's closest true outdoor escapes.

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Quarry Park

📍 St. Cloud • ~65 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~1 hr 10 min Jun–Sep

Swimming in flooded granite quarries, cliff jumping, rock climbing, and scenic trails through reclaimed mine land. A hidden gem for adventurous day-trippers.

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Waconia Wine Loop

📍 Waconia • ~35 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~40 min Year-round

Three wineries within minutes of each other: Schram Vineyards, Sovereign Estate, and Parley Lake. Add J. Carver Distillery for spirits. The closest wine country to the Twin Cities.

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St. Croix Valley Wineries

📍 Scandia / Chisago City • ~35–38 mi
🕐 ~45 min Year-round

Rustic Roots Winery in Scandia and Winehaven Winery in Chisago City anchor the St. Croix wine trail. Food trucks, live music, and scenic valley views.

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Cannon Falls & Cannon River Winery

📍 Cannon Falls • ~45 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~50 min Year-round

Handcrafted wines, a riverside patio, and live music weekends. Combine with the Cannon Valley Trail for a full day of wine and biking.

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Falconer Vineyards

📍 Red Wing • ~40 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~50 min May–Oct

Bluff-top vineyard with panoramic Mississippi River views. Tasting flights, cheese boards, and sunsets worth the drive.

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Four Daughters Vineyard

📍 Spring Valley • ~90 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~1 hr 40 min Year-round

Award-winning wines, wood-fired pizza, a summer concert series, and a destination-worthy tasting room in the bluff country.

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Mall of America

📍 Bloomington • ~12 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~20 min Year-round

Largest mall in North America — 500+ stores, Nickelodeon Universe, SEA LIFE aquarium, FlyOver America, and more restaurants than you can count. Skip the parking ramp.

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Minnesota Zoo

📍 Apple Valley • ~20 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~25 min Year-round

500+ animals, Weesner Amphitheater summer concerts, IMAX theatre, and seasonal events like Spooky Zoo and Illuminate. Great for kids and adult concert-goers alike.

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Valleyfair

📍 Shakopee • ~25 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~30 min May–Sep

Minnesota's largest amusement park — roller coasters, a water park, family rides, and seasonal Haunt events. Drop the crew at the gate and skip the parking lot.

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Paisley Park

📍 Chanhassen • ~25 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~30 min Year-round

Prince's legendary studio complex. Guided tours through the production studios, concert halls, and personal spaces where Purple Rain was born. Dance parties on select nights.

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Canterbury Park

📍 Shakopee • ~25 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~30 min May–Sep

Live horse racing, a card club, simulcast wagering, and summer events. A uniquely Minnesota day out that pairs well with Valleyfair next door.

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MN State Fairgrounds

📍 Falcon Heights • ~7 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~15 min Year-round

Home of the Great Minnesota Get-Together (late Aug–Labor Day), plus year-round events: horse shows, car shows, expos, and craft fairs. Skip the brutal parking situation.

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Padelford Riverboats

📍 St. Paul • ~10 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~20 min May–Oct

Mississippi River cruises departing from Harriet Island — dinner cruises, sightseeing tours, and private charters. Arrive in style without hunting for riverfront parking.

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Steamboat Minnehaha

📍 Excelsior • ~20 mi from Minneapolis
🕐 ~30 min Jun–Sep

A restored 1906 steamboat cruising Lake Minnetonka. Scenic tours, sunset cruises, and a floating piece of Minnesota history. Truly unique.

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Day Trip Questions

Popular day trips from Minneapolis–St. Paul include Stillwater (25 mi), Excelsior and Lake Minnetonka (20 mi), Red Wing (55 mi), Duluth and Canal Park (150 mi), Lanesboro in bluff country (100 mi), Taylors Falls on the St. Croix (50 mi), and the Minnesota wine country loop through Waconia and New Prague.

MinnDrive day trip fares are calculated at flat rates based on distance and time — no surge pricing, no surprises. A trip to Stillwater from Minneapolis starts around $62, Red Wing around $130, and Duluth around $350. All fares include 20% gratuity. Book online for an instant quote.

Yes. MinnDrive offers round-trip service for day trips. Book your pickup, enjoy your destination, and your driver brings you home. You can also book one-way and arrange a separate return pickup for maximum flexibility.

Absolutely. MinnDrive is ideal for wine tours — visit multiple wineries without worrying about driving. Popular wine country routes include Waconia (Schram Vineyards, Sovereign Estate, Parley Lake), the St. Croix Valley (Rustic Roots, Winehaven), and southeastern Minnesota (Cannon River, Falconer Vineyards).

MinnDrive requires at least 6 hours advance booking before your desired pickup time. For popular weekend wine tours and summer day trips, booking 1–2 days ahead is recommended to ensure availability.

Our Chrysler Pacifica comfortably seats up to 7 passengers. Standard, XL, and XXL options available. Perfect for couples, families, or friend groups heading out for a day of wine tasting or sightseeing.

Ready for an Adventure?

Flat rates from 120+ Twin Cities suburbs. No surge, no parking, no designated driver needed.

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