While we specialize in knowing about local family fun in the Twin Cities, sometimes we break the mold and branch out beyond Minneapolis and Saint Paul with our kids to find family fun on day & road trips! Here are some of the best day trips and road trip destinations from the Twin Cities, fun and fresh ideas tested by our own FFTC Team!
Upcoming events
Sunday, April 19, 2026
⚈ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Quillbert the Porcupine's 3rd Birthday Party! - Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center, SandstoneTuesday, April 21, 2026
⚈ SEE TIMES: Northfield Hospital Auxiliary Book Fair - Northfield Ice Arena, Northfield⚈ 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Elko New Market Family Game Night (FREE) - Elko New Market Library, Elko New Market
Monday, June 15, 2026
⚈ 12:00 am: Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center Camps - Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center, SandstoneKid-Friendly Getaways Near the Twin Cities
With a population of 17,871 and sporting two significant lakes, Albert Lea is the Land Between the Lakes. It is a beautiful city you can enjoy with your family and, for those of you with antsy little ones, only about an hour and a half’s drive from the Twin Cities. READ MORE >>
A perfect hour’s drive from our home in St. Paul, we discovered several things to do only a stone’s throw from the town square. Here are six of our favorite Buffalo attractions. READ MORE >>
We love Duluth so much, we have ideas for winter and summer and the best stops on the drive up. READ MORE>>
FAMILY DAY TRIP TO KELLOGG & WABASHA, MINNESOTA
Mankato is a lovely river town only an hour and a half from the center of the Twin Cities Metro. Read on for the best things to do in Mankato, Minnesota with kids! READ MORE>>
Perhaps nowhere in our great state is German heritage better celebrated than the town of New Ulm. At a distance of about two hours from the middle of the Twin Cities metro area, New Ulm makes for a lovely family day trip. READ MORE >>
Red Wing is beautiful to visit any time of year with kids, but the fall can be particularly lovely and there are a few good reasons to plan a fall visit. READ MORE>>
Welcome to Stillwater, Minnesota! A visit always manages to feel like something special. The pretty city, nestled in the St Croix river valley, dresses up for every season and caters to every crowd. READ MORE>>
Hey, family fun-seekers! Come along with us as we explore the very best things to do in Taylors Falls, Minnesota, with kids! READ MORE>>
Nine beautiful Minnesota state parks are located within 60 miles of the heart of Minneapolis and St Paul; an hour’s drive or less. Seven of them offer camping. We share them below with a few highlights of each. READ MORE>>
Minnesota is blessed with six National Parks. Here we introduce you to each of the six parks plus share some cool things to know about National Parks in general, including when to mark Free Entrance Days on your calendar (and why not to bother), kids programs including the Junior Ranger Program, the Passport program, the wonderful 4th Grade Pass and other annual pass information. READ MORE>>
TRAVELING WITH KIDS: 10 TIPS FOR ANY ROAD TRIP
Got a vacation, day or road trip destination you recommend or want to hear about? Looking for particular tips on traveling with kids? Have a suggestion for great road trip games? We really want to hear about that! Leave us a comment and let us know what destination you would like to see us cover next. We would love to help you create your next road trip plans. READ MORE>>FAMILY VACATIONS
The great thing about a Door County vacation is once you have paid for your lodging and a State Park Sticker, you can make it as inexpensive as you want to. While there are a lot of opportunities to spend money, you can do Door County fairly inexpensively and still have happy kids. READ MORE>>
Fish Boil in Door County:
Related Travel Articles:
- Family Travel and Fun Around The Country – Going on a vacation to another state? If you are planning on a road trip or any type of family travel this summer in the USA, you may want to check out these Family Fun sites. Like Family Fun Twin Cities, they can help you in your planning for a fun vacation with your family, kids and all. You might even find some nice insider tips from these locally-owned websites.
- Membership: The No-Clutter Gift of Together Time – Many of the destinations on our road trip list have Minnesota Historical Society sites, state parks or reciprocal membership privileges with Twin Cities museums.
- Military Discounts:Â Minnesota Blue Star Museums – Free Admission for Military Families
Where should we explore next? The Spam Museum in Austin? The Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Zoo in Medford? The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame? Vote in the comments and let us know your favorite ideas for touring in and around Minnesota.