There are so many places to explore in Minnesota that it’s sometimes hard to decide where to go. You can hop in your car and head in any direction, and you’re sure to find some amazing places. But today, we want to help you discover some of Minnesota’s most magical places. From nature areas to human-made destinations, you’ll find plenty to enjoy on this lovely Minnesota hidden gems road trip. You’re sure to find that there are no places quite like this place… get in the car and let’s go! After all, it’s not every day you’re able to show up to all of these places in one fell swoop, so let’s get started:
This road trip covers about 300 miles in southeastern Minnesota. To give yourself plenty of time to see the sights, we recommend following the route over a couple of days. The route begins in Waite Park and ends in the tiny town of Preston, though you are of course free to jump in wherever you’d like.
Google Maps Check out the full route on Google Maps. You can also alter the route as you see fit for your needs, wants, and desires. This could be a one-day trip or a many-day trip — it’s all up to you!
- Munsinger Gardens - St. Cloud
Greg Gjerdingen/Flickr The first stop on this fairytale road trip is at Munsinger Gardens in St. Cloud. As soon as you arrive, you’ll see why this is one of the city’s top destinations. It consists of two lovely gardens along the Mississippi River, which include colorful flowerbeds, a pond, trees, and a picturesque gazebo. It’s a lovely place to catch a few tranquil minutes in nature. Come and see why this is one of our favorite picks among the most magical places in Minnesota. It’s got something special about it that you’ll notice right away! Munsinger Gardens, 1515 Riverside Dr SE, St Cloud, MN 56304, USA
- Quarry Park and Nature Preserve - Waite Park
Greg Gjerdingen/Flickr Just outside of St. Cloud, the small city of Waite Park is home to a great, little-known destination. Quarry Park and Nature Preserve is a 683-acre park situated around a series of old quarries. Several of the quarries are now popular swimming destinations. But even if you don’t swim, the picturesque paths around the cliff-lined quarries are absolutely beautiful. This is a central Minnesota hidden gem and one that everyone should visit at least once. This awe-inspiring hidden park in Minnesota is one you’ll find yourself wanting to return to again and again. Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, 1802 Co Rd 137, Waite Park, MN 56387, USA
- Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary - Minneapolis
Cheri Mally/Google Leaving the St. Cloud area, your next destination is in Minneapolis. The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary is an absolutely beautiful oasis in the middle of the city. It’s a 15-acre garden teeming with wildlife. Not only will you see colorful wildflowers, but you also have the chance to catch a glimpse of more than 100 different bird species. Paths through the park make it easy to spot the flowers, birds, and butterflies you’re likely to see here. Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, 1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405, USA
- Normandale Japanese Garden - Bloomington
Michael Hicks/Flickr The last garden on the road trip is found on the grounds of Normandale Community College. It’s a Japanese-style garden complete with a lovely stream and pond, blooming trees, and picturesque bridges. Though it’s in the middle of a busy city - and on a busy college campus - you won’t notice it as you stroll along the serene trails. This stunning example of fairytale places in Minnesota is sure to make you believe in magic again. Normandale Japanese Garden, West Lot, 9700 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431, USA
- Cannon River - Welch
Welch Mill Canoeing & Tubing/Facebook Next up, the route leads south, to a tiny town called Welch, Minnesota. Here, you’ll find the lovely waters of the Cannon River as it meanders through the state. One of the best ways to enjoy it is by tubing the river. Welch Mill Tubing, Canoeing, and Kayaking is a river outfitter that’ll help you make the most of this beautiful area. Rent a tube and go cruising down the tree-lined river. You’ll get to enjoy scenic southern Minnesota and keep cool while doing so. It’s downright magical. If you’ve never been on a Minnesota river float trip, you’ve never lived. Cannon River, Red Wing, MN 55066, USA
- Lake Pepin - Lake City
MPCA Photos/Flickr Next up, on Minnesota’s eastern border with Wisconsin, is beautiful Lake Pepin. Lake Pepin is the largest lake on the Mississippi River! It’s also a wonderful place to visit if you’re a fan of lakeside recreation. Beaches along the lake provide plenty of space for a swim, and those with boats enjoy sailing or fishing on the water. If you have a kayak, that’s also a great choice for this stop. Lake Pepin, US-61, Lake City, MN 55041, USA
- Great River Bluffs State Park - Winona
Tony Webster/Flickr Another way to enjoy the Mississippi River is by visiting Great River Bluffs State Park. But instead of dipping your toes into the water, why not climb high above it? Paths at this gorgeous park take you high above the Mississippi River as you climb the tree-covered bluffs that rise over it. Amazing views make this a true Minnesota gem - and a perfect stop on a fairytale road trip. Great River Bluffs State Park, Kipp Drive, Winona, MN, USA
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park - Preston
Jenni Konrad/Flickr Finally, we end our road trip at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. One half of the park is the historic town of Forestville, where you can still browse old-fashioned buildings to see how people lived a century ago. And the other half is an amazing nature area centered on a fascinating cave. Take a tour into the cave to experience the magical waters of the underground Turquoise Lake. Sound good? We think yes! Your inner adventurer will thank you. Profusely. Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, 21071 County Rd 118, Preston, MN 55965, USA
There you have it – a wonder-filled, totally awesome hidden gems road trip in Minnesota. What do you think? What other magical places in Minnesota would you add? Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments!
Google Maps
Check out the full route on Google Maps. You can also alter the route as you see fit for your needs, wants, and desires. This could be a one-day trip or a many-day trip — it’s all up to you!
Greg Gjerdingen/Flickr
The first stop on this fairytale road trip is at Munsinger Gardens in St. Cloud. As soon as you arrive, you’ll see why this is one of the city’s top destinations. It consists of two lovely gardens along the Mississippi River, which include colorful flowerbeds, a pond, trees, and a picturesque gazebo. It’s a lovely place to catch a few tranquil minutes in nature. Come and see why this is one of our favorite picks among the most magical places in Minnesota. It’s got something special about it that you’ll notice right away!
Munsinger Gardens, 1515 Riverside Dr SE, St Cloud, MN 56304, USA
Just outside of St. Cloud, the small city of Waite Park is home to a great, little-known destination. Quarry Park and Nature Preserve is a 683-acre park situated around a series of old quarries. Several of the quarries are now popular swimming destinations. But even if you don’t swim, the picturesque paths around the cliff-lined quarries are absolutely beautiful. This is a central Minnesota hidden gem and one that everyone should visit at least once. This awe-inspiring hidden park in Minnesota is one you’ll find yourself wanting to return to again and again.
Quarry Park and Nature Preserve, 1802 Co Rd 137, Waite Park, MN 56387, USA
Cheri Mally/Google
Leaving the St. Cloud area, your next destination is in Minneapolis. The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary is an absolutely beautiful oasis in the middle of the city. It’s a 15-acre garden teeming with wildlife. Not only will you see colorful wildflowers, but you also have the chance to catch a glimpse of more than 100 different bird species. Paths through the park make it easy to spot the flowers, birds, and butterflies you’re likely to see here.
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, 1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405, USA
Michael Hicks/Flickr
The last garden on the road trip is found on the grounds of Normandale Community College. It’s a Japanese-style garden complete with a lovely stream and pond, blooming trees, and picturesque bridges. Though it’s in the middle of a busy city - and on a busy college campus - you won’t notice it as you stroll along the serene trails. This stunning example of fairytale places in Minnesota is sure to make you believe in magic again.
Normandale Japanese Garden, West Lot, 9700 France Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55431, USA
Welch Mill Canoeing & Tubing/Facebook
Next up, the route leads south, to a tiny town called Welch, Minnesota. Here, you’ll find the lovely waters of the Cannon River as it meanders through the state. One of the best ways to enjoy it is by tubing the river. Welch Mill Tubing, Canoeing, and Kayaking is a river outfitter that’ll help you make the most of this beautiful area. Rent a tube and go cruising down the tree-lined river. You’ll get to enjoy scenic southern Minnesota and keep cool while doing so. It’s downright magical. If you’ve never been on a Minnesota river float trip, you’ve never lived.
Cannon River, Red Wing, MN 55066, USA
MPCA Photos/Flickr
Next up, on Minnesota’s eastern border with Wisconsin, is beautiful Lake Pepin. Lake Pepin is the largest lake on the Mississippi River! It’s also a wonderful place to visit if you’re a fan of lakeside recreation. Beaches along the lake provide plenty of space for a swim, and those with boats enjoy sailing or fishing on the water. If you have a kayak, that’s also a great choice for this stop.
Lake Pepin, US-61, Lake City, MN 55041, USA
Tony Webster/Flickr
Another way to enjoy the Mississippi River is by visiting Great River Bluffs State Park. But instead of dipping your toes into the water, why not climb high above it? Paths at this gorgeous park take you high above the Mississippi River as you climb the tree-covered bluffs that rise over it. Amazing views make this a true Minnesota gem - and a perfect stop on a fairytale road trip.
Great River Bluffs State Park, Kipp Drive, Winona, MN, USA
Jenni Konrad/Flickr
Finally, we end our road trip at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park. One half of the park is the historic town of Forestville, where you can still browse old-fashioned buildings to see how people lived a century ago. And the other half is an amazing nature area centered on a fascinating cave. Take a tour into the cave to experience the magical waters of the underground Turquoise Lake. Sound good? We think yes! Your inner adventurer will thank you. Profusely.
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, 21071 County Rd 118, Preston, MN 55965, USA
And if you’re looking for more road trips, check out our Minnesota waterfall road trip and our Minnesota hidden gems road trip. Of course, we wouldn’t blame you if you can’t get enough of our amazing state, so while you’re at it, you might also want to check out some of the best hiking trails in Minnesota.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Minnesota Hidden Gems Road Trip November 23, 2022 Tori Jane
Where should I go on a Minnesota hidden gems road trip?
There are lots of wonderful Minnesota hidden gems you could add to a road trip, like:
The world’s largest ball of twine Domeier’s German Store The oldest covered bridge in Minnesota Long Lake Regional Park
2. What are some of the most magical places in Minnesota? Some of the most unbelievably beautiful, magical places in Minnesota include gems like:
The secret waterfall known as Ramsey Falls Minnemishiona Falls Voyageurs National Park
3. Where are the most amazing fairytale places in Minnesota? Some places in Minnesota are so outrageously beautiful that they don’t even look real. Some of these amazing fairytale places in Minnesota are:
The surreal underground waterfall at Niagara Cave Tettegouche State Park
The OIYS Visitor Center
Minnesota Hidden Gems Road Trip
November 23, 2022
Tori Jane
Where should I go on a Minnesota hidden gems road trip?
There are lots of wonderful Minnesota hidden gems you could add to a road trip, like:
The world’s largest ball of twine Domeier’s German Store The oldest covered bridge in Minnesota Long Lake Regional Park
2. What are some of the most magical places in Minnesota? Some of the most unbelievably beautiful, magical places in Minnesota include gems like:
The secret waterfall known as Ramsey Falls Minnemishiona Falls Voyageurs National Park
3. Where are the most amazing fairytale places in Minnesota? Some places in Minnesota are so outrageously beautiful that they don’t even look real. Some of these amazing fairytale places in Minnesota are:
The surreal underground waterfall at Niagara Cave Tettegouche State Park
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are lots of wonderful Minnesota hidden gems you could add to a road trip, like:
- The world’s largest ball of twine
- Domeier’s German Store
- The oldest covered bridge in Minnesota
- Long Lake Regional Park
- What are some of the most magical places in Minnesota?
Some of the most unbelievably beautiful, magical places in Minnesota include gems like:
- The secret waterfall known as Ramsey Falls
- Minnemishiona Falls
- Voyageurs National Park
- Where are the most amazing fairytale places in Minnesota?
Some places in Minnesota are so outrageously beautiful that they don’t even look real. Some of these amazing fairytale places in Minnesota are:
- The surreal underground waterfall at Niagara Cave
- Tettegouche State Park
