Face it – you’ve got cabin fever. You’ve been doing all you can to survive here in the Twin Cities, but between Operation Metro Surge, actual ice, and subzero temperatures, you need a break. You need to rest, recharge, and come back for more. Sure, we’d all love to head to Cancun, but let’s be real, that’s not happening this weekend. But fear not, here’s a couple of spots within two and a half hours where you can get a change of scenery, enjoy some local flavor, and not break the bank doing it!
4 - Winona
Winona is a gem of the Driftless Area of Minnesota. It’s two hours away from the Twin Cities, and Kirstie Kimball from beyond beurre blanc. says it is home to the best doughnuts in the state. Here are a couple of activities to do while in the Miami of Minnesota*.
Bloedow Bakery. (Kirstie Kimball / beyond beurre blanc.)
Bloedow Bakery: After consuming more than 50 raised glazed doughnuts across Minnesota, Kirstie Kimball landed on this one as the best in class! Pro-tip: bring cash. They prefer it!
Minnesota Marine Art Museum: This charming and expertly curated museum comes with a great purpose: documenting great art inspired by water. The collection is stunning, and the museum is an aesthetically pleasing spot.
Acoustic Cafe: There used to be Acoustic Cafes peppered across smaller river towns in the Upper Midwest, and a lot of them have changed names or closed. But the Acoustic Cafe in Winona stays strong, and they still serve up some of the best sandwiches on either side of the Mississippi. The place also oozes small-town coffeehouse vibes with acoustic performers, college kids on summer break working the counter, and a freezer full of legit ice cream options if you need a frosty treat.
*Calling Winona the Miami of Minnesota is a rarely used nickname built on Winona being in the southeast corner of Minnesota. If you bring South Beach expectations to Winona, you will be sorely disappointed and justifiably derided.
3 - Lanesboro
Our guest, Kirstie Kimball, called Lanesboro a “quintessential Minnesota summer vacation” spot replete with biking trails and more. But some of the activities on offer in Lanesboro are year-round affairs. Whether you book your visit for the busy summer season or slide in for a winter getaway, here are a few activities to consider.
Lanesboro Pastry Shoppe: This celebrated Lanesboro mainstay is so cool, they don’t even need an official website. Kimball says they have also eschewed a menu, simply writing their offerings on a whiteboard every day. Plus, if you just tell the staff what you want, they’ll give it the old Lanesboro try even if it’s not on the whiteboard.
Aroma Pie Shoppe: Note! This is a seasonal business that closes up for the winter months, but the pie is spectacular. And you’ll have to drive a spell out of town to nearby Whalan to get your hands on that pie. They usually have a number of pies available, and Kimball’s favorites are the French silk and the peach. Pro-tip: the people of Lanesboro love nothing more than spelling “shop” as “shoppe,” and we love that about them.
The Root River Trail: Whether it’s cross-country skiing in the winter or biking in the summer, the Root River Trail is the go-to route in the Lanesboro area. With 42 miles of trail repurposed from an old railroad line, this is some of the most picturesque mileage in the Driftless Area. It’s even possible to book a series of hotel rooms along the trail for some extra luxury during your trip.
2 - Red Wing
Hanisch Bakery and Coffee Shop (Courtesy Hanisch Bakery)
To truly enjoy a getaway, you need to be on the road for a bit first. To me, Red Wing is the bare minimum distance away from the Twin Cities to still feel like you got out of town. Clocking in at just 51 minutes away, Red Wing still feels like a totally different universe from the Twin Cities. It’s a charming river town with great fish fries, great photo ops, and one of the best theaters in the Upper Midwest. Here are a couple of spots to keep on your itinerary.
Sheldon Theatre: Magic, music, theater, and more. The Sheldon Theatre is an expertly programmed venue that brings a great variety of events to Red Wing. I had the joy of seeing the New Standards do their holiday show at the Sheldon years ago, and the experience was simply top-notch.
Kelly’s Tap House: I’m a picky man when it comes to a fish fry, and I was not disappointed by my visit to Kelly’s. Battered fries? Check. Properly breaded haddock that’s crispy on the outside and cracks into creamy, fishy goodness? Check. Coleslaw? Check. There’s nothing better for me than a delicious fish fry in a Minnesota river town during Lent with a Summit EPA for sipping.
Hanisch Bakery: If you’ve had an inexplicably good doughnut at a gas station in the general vicinity of Red Wing, it probably came from Hanisch Bakery. But downtown Red Wing has a lot more on offer than its other outposts. The spot has a full-on cafe plus an astounding amount of baked goods, both sweet and savory. I’ve never been disappointed by a cream-filled long john and a medium drip coffee with cream. Good morning, Red Wing!
Red Wing Shoe Museum: I was as surprised as hell when I had fun at a museum about boots. For the record, I was stone cold sober. I spent about an hour walking through the exhibit, learning along the way, and frankly, seeing worn-out work boots from different eras gave me a depth of understanding of the lives they lived that a photo simply can’t supply. Plus, I’m a sucker for a giant boot.
1 - Duluth
A pair of loons enjoy the Lake Superior waterfront views of Canal Park in Duluth. (James Napoli / City Cast)
Let’s cut to the chase. Duluth is the gold standard Twin Cities getaway for about a billion reasons. Our contributor Sam Choo loves that it’s the nearest place you can see the “curvature of the Earth” and marvel at the absolute massiveness of Lake Superior. The views on the way into Duluth on 35 are the best in all of Minnesota. It’s stunning in all seasons. Duluth is teeming with great activities, but here are a couple we heartily recommend.
Northern Waters Smokehaus: Yes, you should order in advance; yes, it will still take long; and yes, it is completely worth it. Most people will point you towards grabbing the Cajun Finn sandwich and asking for it jean jacket style, which means they add on sriracha and cilantro. I have no problem with that order; it’s a totally reasonable choice. But I myself am partial to the fish basket. It’s just a nice piece of smoked fish, addictive scallion cream cheese, a pile of saltines, and an Andes mint. It’s perfection, and I don’t think you’ve really been to Duluth until you try it.
Fitger’s Brewhouse: City Cast contributor Sam Choo always makes his way to Fitger’s, especially if his kids are in tow. Grab a burger and spend some time in one of the most iconic buildings in the Twin Ports.
Burrito Union: I’m a sucker for the scene at Burrito Union, and it’s one of my kids’ favorite spots as well. The cocktails are great, but the big draw for me is the ding sauce. What business does an almond curry sauce have being on nachos?! I have no idea, but when it tastes this good, I don’t bother to ask a lot of questions. I just sip my second margarita and shoo my kids’ hands away from the nachos.
At Sarah’s Table, Chester Street Café: Right off the bat, the name is a hot mess – so many words, so confusing. But the minute you sit out on their patio on a breezy day, you know you are at one of the finest spots on Planet Earth. I’ve ordered the majority of items on their breakfast and all-day menus, and I’ve never found a dud, but I’ve probably ordered “Caesar salad / add salmon” the most times.
The New Scenic Café: For years, the great North Shore pie battle has divided families, ruined vacations, and broken up the silence on road trips. Betty’s Pies has its ardent supporters, and the Rustic Inn started off as an underdog, but at times it has commanded the lead. But for Kirstie Kimball, the winner is actually the New Scenic Café. Pro-tip: sometimes the New Scenic isn’t serving pie, so put in a phone call before you make the trip. Second pro-tip: the best pie is always a bit out of town.
