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Last Updated: 12/2/2022
Let’s Do A MN Weekend Getaway with the Girls
“Ya need some girlfriends, hon, ‘cause they’re furever. Without a vow. A clutch of women’s the most tender, most tough place on Earth.”
– Della Owens
Where The Crawdads Sing
Looking for your next great Minnesota weekend getaway? Every year (except, you know, 2020) since our college graduation way back in the ‘00s, five of us have gathered in various Minnesota destinations for a weekend of catching up, and exploring. We’ve seen so much of Minnesota through these weekend getaways. Even better, we’ve remained close friends despite life tugging us each in very different directions the rest of the year.
While we’re truly happy just to spend time together, a memorable destination elevates these weekends from good to great. With so many options for Minnesota weekend getaways, we’ve spent all but one of our girls weekends in our home state. (Our weekend in Bayfield, Wisconsin was pretty epic and worth repeating.)
As I thought back on all those Minnesota weekends, I realized our best weekends featured locally owned small businesses, great restaurants, ample drink opportunities, and an adventure or two. Coincidentally, they’re all an easy road trip from Minneapolis and the Twin Cities metro.
I’ve rounded up our best of the best girls weekends below so you can make your next Minnesota girls weekend getaway one your group never forgets.
Seven Fabulous Minnesota Weekend Getaways To Make Your Next Urban Escape Great
Duluth – the OG Minnesota Weekend Getaway
Combine a convenient two-hour drive from the Twin Cities with stunning Lake Superior and it’s easy to see why Duluth ranks highly on any list of Minnesota weekend getaways. Whether you’re traveling with the girls, your significant other, or the whole family, Duluth is great!
Since it’s home to our alma mater, our group knows this harbor city well. I love any opportunity to enjoy Duluth’s unique Midwestern nautical charm. A rich arts and culture scene and an emphasis on outdoor recreation rounds out Duluth’s cool(er by the lake) vibe.
Most Duluth trips base in Canal Park where you’ll find the densest collection of restaurants, bars, hotels, and small shops, not to mention lighthouses and lift bridges. It’s hard to beat Canal Park’s walkable appeal, especially if you’re only staying for the weekend.
Duluth Girls Weekends
Stay: I find Canal Park lakefront hotels very similar. Of the bunch, I slightly prefer the Inn on Lake Superior, but they all offer fantastic access to Canal Park amenities. Consider Beacon Pointe condos on the far eastern end of the Lakewalk to break from the “two queen beds, free breakfast, and complimentary s’mores” Canal Park cookie cutter.
Drink: Places to imbibe abound in Duluth. Wild State Cider, Bent Paddle, Hoops Brewing, Duluth Cider . . . the list goes on . . . and on. If you’ve got your best girls along, I vote getting fancy at Vikre Distillery for cocktails and aerial lift bridge views.
Eat: Hands down, Duluth Grill out on 27 Avenue West has the best food in Duluth. If you want a place within walking distance of your Canal Park digs, hit up Canal Park Brewing Company. Otherwise, head up the hill to At Sara’s Table/Chester Creek Café.
Excursion: Channel your inner artists at a On the Rocks Art Studio painting class. If your girls weekend falls during “high season” from May – October, definitely consider a harbor tour with Vista Fleet. Don’t forget to spend some time at the Lake Superior waterfront watching ships and skipping rocks.
Stillwater – the Minnesota “Backyard” Getaway
Arguably a suburb of the Twin Cities, Stillwater lies just 30 minutes east of St. Paul. Despite its metropolitan proximity, Stillwater maintains a distinctiveness that catapults it into Minnesota’s top weekend getaway destinations. Considered “the birthplace of Minnesota,” this historic hillside town seems custom built with girls’ weekends with its plethora of boutiques, locally owned restaurants, and antique shops.
Historic buildings dot Stillwater’s downtown hillside that slopes down to the St. Croix River’s west bank. Small wineries dot both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the St. Croix. And although it lead to many a traffic headache back in its day, Stillwater’s famous vertical lift bridge now offers pedestrians and bicyclists an awesome opportunity to span the river by foot.
Stillwater Girls Weekends
Stay: Lodging in downtown Stillwater definitely trends historic. There’s no shortage of Victorian house bed and breakfast and historic inns in this town. (For more modern accommodations, stay on the western edge of town.) We opted for the penthouse suite at Lowell Inn. Perhaps most memorable for some interesting décor choices reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, we loved the Lowell’s central location and the penthouse’s beautiful views. I’ve also heard great things about Hotel Crosby and hope to check it out when we return in Autumn 2023!
Drink: Domacin Wine Bar, right across the street from the Lowell, makes the perfect happy hour destination.
Eat: Check out LoLo American Kitchen for an extensive, modern menu. We also hit up Nacho Mama’s on Main Street for lunch.
Excursion: The Stillwater Wine Trail tour with Renee’s Limousines provided a novel (and responsible!) way to visit Stillwater area vineyards. After picking us up at the Lowell’s front door, our chauffeur whisked us off to Saint Croix Vineyards, Cracked Barrel Winery, and Belle Vinez.
Two Harbors – Minnesota’s North Shore Sweet Spot Getaway
As a lifelong North Shore resident, it took me a while to warm to Two Harbors. Now, I think Two Harbors, located just twenty minutes north of Duluth, just might be the Lake Superior North Shore sweet spot. Sure, this small town feels more suburban than its northerly neighbors. But in exchange for a couple box stores, you get incredible access to some of the North Shore’s favorite beaches, waterfalls, and hikes. On the flip side, popular Duluth attractions like Canal Park or Glensheen Mansion lie just a hop, skip, and a jump down Highway 61. Now that’s a well-appointed Minnesota weekend getaway!
Small-town cafes and gift shops line Two Harbors’ Highway 61 corridor. Turn towards the lake to find not one, but two lighthouses. (One Two Harbors lighthouse has a twin further up the shore in Grand Marais.) Don’t forget to check out the 3M Birthplace Museum, located in a small, nondescript “downtown office building right downtown. I really need to stop in one of these days to pay my respects to Minnesota’s greatest contribution to society: the Post-it note!
Two Harbors Girls Weekends
Stay: Two Harbors’ in-town lodging options cater more to hockey tournaments than girls weekends. I definitely recommend staying outside city limits at one of the resorts along Scenic Drive between Two Harbors and Duluth. We had such a comfortable stay at Larsmont Cottages.
Drink: Castle Danger Brewery makes the best beer on the North Shore. Located right downtown make a stop at their spacious taproom a priority.
Eat: Take a scenic drive north or south for dinner. Rustic Inn Café serves hearty North Shore inspired diner fare, including homemade pies. In the opposite direction, you’ll can visit New Scenic Café for a delicious collision of French style cuisine and local ingredients.
Excursion: Continue north to Gooseberry Falls to take in the falls and stretch the legs on the 20 miles of hiking trails. Alternatively, check out the teeny hamlet of Knife River for candy, smoked fish, and yarn. Make sure to pull over at a beach or two for some rugged North Shore photo ops!
Grand View Lodge – Minnesota’s Lake Life Getaway
We loved our girls weekend at historic Grand View Lodge in Nisswa so much that we returned in 2022. Although Grand View fancies itself as “up north” Minnesota destination, it’s firmly in central Minnesota’s Brainerd Lakes area. It’s that central location that makes this well-known lodge such a popular Minnesota weekend getaway.
Grand View, with its wide array of on-site restaurants and amenities, makes a great “all in one” girls’ weekend destination. Although the surrounding forest offers lots of casual outdoor recreation opportunities like mountain biking and kayaking, we’ve never gotten past the spa and fine dining during our times at Grand View. If you’re looking for a chill weekend filled with wine tastings, strolls along Gull Lake, and a little shopping, Grand View’s got you covered.
Grand View Lodge Girls Weekends
Stay: During both visits, we’ve stayed in a three-bedroom apartment in a quadriplex cabin at Grand View Lodge. As a group of five, we often struggle to find rentals with five beds, but that’s never been a problem at Grand View’. Somehow, we’ve always ended up with a great lake view as well.
Eat and Drink: We really enjoy Cru Wine Bar. Sometimes they offer wine tasting events at Cru. It’s well worth checking the activity schedule to see if one falls during your stay. For a more casual vibe (and live music on weekends) check out the Northwoods Pub. Don’t miss the buffet breakfast in the main lodge’s Heritage Room either.
Excursion: Head into downtown Nisswa to check out the boutique shops and grab a coffee at StoneHouse Coffee and Roastery. Nearby Roundhouse Brewery serves a wide selection of beers as well as kombucha and hard seltzers and you can practice your axe throwing in the adjacent Wreck Room. For a more relaxing girls weekend, book spa treatments at the Glacial Waters Spa right on Grand View’s main property. Make sure you book spa appointments well in advance – they book very quickly!
Mankato – A Scenic Getaway Along the Minnesota River
I haven’t spent as much time in Mankato as I’d like. A good friend recently relocated to North Mankato and I’m hoping that means I’ll get to know this beautiful river city much better. After returning from my last visit, I realized Mankato has some serious girls weekend magic.
The gorgeous drive down Highway 169 from Twin Cities along the Minnesota River makes Mankato a fantastic road trip option from Minneapolis. I always think of Mankato as the gateway to Minnesota’s prairie. With a complex (and sometime unsavory) history, Mankato offers many a large, well-preserved Victorian house to tour, including the Betsy-Tacy Society and Hubbard House. Well known for its parks and natural places, you can visit the farm animals at Sibley Park or rent a kayak and get out on the river.
Mankato Girls Weekends
Stay: The Hilton Garden Inn provides a convenient location to enjoy the boutiques, coffee shops, and restaurants along Riverfront Drive.
Drink: I can’t pass up a craft brewery, so I’d definitely hit up Mankato Brewery in North Mankato for a pint or two. Maybe pick up an assortment of crowlers for a picnic? Alternatively, hit up Chankaska Creek Ranch and Winery on your way back from an excursion to St. Peter, a small college town just ten miles north of Mankato.
Eat: Although I haven’t eaten here (yet!) I think the farm to table Nolabelle Kitchen looks tasteful and ingredient-forward; aka perfect for girls’ weekend. Hit up Mom and Pop’s Ice Cream Shop afterwards for a sweet treat.
Excursion: Located just west of Mankato, swing into Minneopa State Park to visit a beautiful two-tiered waterfall. If you’re pressed for time, you can reach the falls in just a couple minutes down a paved path. If time allows, take a leisurely drive through the bison enclosure to spy bison roaming the 330 acre prairie. For something completely different, consider a day trip up to Frey Salon Spa in St. Peter.
Lutsen and Grand Marais – A True North Minnesota Weekend Getaway
The North Shore’s long been the darling of Minnesota girls’ weekend destinations. Known for it artistic flair and outdoor adventure opportunities, you’ll find plenty to explore as you head north along Minnesota’s Lake Superior shoreline. If you’ve never ventured beyond Duluth or Two Harbors on your “North Shore” visits, it’s high time you and the girls hit up Cook County, MN, home to small towns like Lutsen and Grand Marais.
From November – April, many head north to visit Midwest’s largest ski hill: Lutsen Mountains. All year you can enjoy hundreds of miles of hiking trails and cross-country ski trails. You’ll find carefully curated gift shops and Instagram worthy coffee shops in both downtown Lutsen and Grand Marais.
Lutsen and Grand Marais Girls Weekends
Stay: You have lots of lodging options whether you’re looking for a resort, townhouse, or vacation rental experience. If you opt for a vacation rental, Cascade Vacation Rentals offers an extensive selection of rentals in all shapes and sizes. .
Drink: We all wonder what we did before North Shore Winery set up shop at the foot of Lutsen Mountains. Not only does it make a pleasant apres (or sans) ski hangout, North Shore Winery makes their own wine with mostly California grapes. Good news if you’ve had just about enough of Frontenac wine on previous Minnesota girls’ weekends!
Eat: Despite the area’s surge in popularity, many North Shore restaurants (and other businesses) remain seasonal, so do Google before setting dinner plans during a shoulder season visit. If you’re visiting over high season, check out Hungry Hippie Tacos, Crooked Spoon Food Truck, and don’t miss out on Sydney’s Frozen Custard.
Excursion: Drive up the Gunflint Trail, a 57-mile scenic byway beginning in Grand Marais, for potential moose viewing, lunch at Poplar Haus, and a hike to Magnetic Rock or Honeymoon Bluff. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, rent canoes and day trip into the Boundary Waters.
Not up for a drive? Hit up Putt N Pets on Highway 61 just west of Grand Marais for a round of mini golf. Or hike out to Artist Point and the Lighthouse in downtown Grand Marais.
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