Labor Day. It’s a bittersweet holiday. Sure we get an extra day off from work and the weather’s still nice enough to enjoy a number of Minnesota summer activities like The Great Minnesota Get-Together (Mmm….anything on a stick!), ValleyFair, a weekend at the lake, or a day of swimming followed by an evening barbeque. But it also signifies the unofficial “end of summer”. And as we Minnesotans know all too well, the artic chill isn’t too far away. But rather than mourn the loss of our precious sunshine and outdoor rooftops and patios, let’s take advantage of our last long weekend before the leaves begin to turn and the temps plummet. What better way to celebrate what an amazing summer it’s been than by enjoying some local getaways with someone special? Whether it’s someone you’ve been dating for a while, or a new person you only recently met, Minnesota offers a myriad of nearby adventures the two of you can experience together. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Taylors Falls – Whether you hike, bike, canoe, swim, picnic, camp, play mini golf, or head to Wild Mountain Water Park, Alpine Slides and Go Karts, you’ll no doubt enjoy the romance and excitement of this breathtakingly beautiful place.
Stillwater - This quaint town offers everything from a serene waterfront, to boat rides, to eclectic boutiques, teahouses and delicious restaurants on Main Street. The beauty of this day or overnight trip (stay in any one of the charming inns or bed-and-breakfasts) is that you’ll feel like you’re visiting a delightful beach town far away, but you’re really only about 30 minutes away from Minneapolis.
Duluth - Take a little road trip! Set on the awesome Lake Superior, in Duluth you can do just about anything such as enjoying the stunning scenery, fish, stroll up and down the town’s many hills, golf/hike/bike/skate/etc. at any of the local parks, take a Duluth Discovery Tour or check out the Great Lakes Aquarium. This is just a small sampling. In Duluth there is plenty to explore.
Brainerd - Always wanted to see Paul Bunyan and his big blue ox, Babe, up close? This is your opportunity! Head up north to Brainerd, MN and take a romantic hot air balloon ride, stay at the always-popular Grandview Lodge, swim and ski in Gull Lake or Lake Mille Lacs , or enjoy some rounds of golf.
Excelsior - Just a short drive from the Minneapolis, Excelsior is a picturesque town set on Lake Minnetonka. Park your car and stroll up and down Main Street stopping in all the local shops, ice cream parlours and places to dine. Hop on a boat – your own, rent one for the day, or take a tour – and afterwards, head over to Maynard’s for some dinner and cocktails on the patio overlooking the lake.
Or, just stay local in the Twin Cities, but make it a point to check out places and try new activities that you never normally would! From an overnight stay in either of the Downtowns, to an improvised Uptown, Minneapolis or Grand Avenue, St. Paul bar crawl, there are plenty of fun things to do with a special someone here in town. Don’t let summer out of your grips just yet! Take this one last long weekend to soak up every bit of sunshine and warmth, and enjoy it thoroughly with someone great.
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