River overlook with trees beginning to change color in the fall.
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Walk on the Wild Side

Walk on the Wild Side

$65.00 USD
Sale Sold out

One trip is required per group.

* "PDF Instant Download" means the trip will be sent by email as a PDF document, and not by mail (the email is sent immediately after completing your purchase)

WHAT TO EXPECT

From Scandinavian treats to rocky riverside hikes and a stop at a wildlife park, this photo-worthy adventure is packed with fresh air, big views, and even a tipple or two at a local winery.

Trip Highlights

  • Mind-blowingly deep glacial potholes
  • Huge art installations
  • The best old-fashioned donuts
  • Local wineries with amazing views
  • Riverside bites & trails

AVAILABLE TO DEPART

Days of the week: Wednesday through Sunday

Seasons: Mid-May - October

Not recommended: Mondays, Tuesdays, November-early May, Holidays

SUGGESTED FOR

  • Adventurous families with older kids
  • Romantic date days
  • Outdoor enthusiasts
  • Anyone with a sweet tooth
Two men walking along a forest trail.
Woman taking a photo of the passenger side mirror in a moving car.
A spotted deer in the middle of a field
Hand holding a wine glass filled with white wine on an autumn day.
Hiking shoes in front of a forest clearing.

Itinerary

STOP 1

This cheerful little town, with its Scandinavian flair and cozy café vibes, is the perfect place to grab a treat before hitting the road. The drive time to the second stop is 10 minutes.

STOP 2

Wander through one of the Midwest’s most whimsical sculpture parks filled with bold colors, creative installations, and photo ops galore. The drive time to the third stop is 6 minutes.

STOP 3

Peer into ancient potholes and take in rocky riverside views before grabbing a bite to eat. The drive time to the fourth stop is 15 minutes.

STOP 4

Wrap up your day in Wisconsin! Choose between one last scenic hikes, a cozy wildlife park, or relaxing with a glass of wine.

Region

Walk_on_the_Wild_Side.png

Can depart from

Minneapolis, MN Area, St. Paul, MN Area, Duluth, MN Area, Rochester, MN Area

Before you go

What You'll Need to Bring

  • Camera
  • Cash
  • Water
  • Road Trip Snacks
  • Hiking Shoes
  • Bug Spray

Additional Details

  • Dog-Friendly
  • Kid-Friendly

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We're here to help!

Please see the approximate round-trip driving distances in Minnesota below. Please note this just includes driving distances and not time spent at stops.

From St. Paul, MN:

2 hours and 10 minutes / 113 miles

From Minneapolis, MN:

2 hours and 25 minutes / 120 miles

From Duluth, MN*:

4 hours and 30 minutes / 266 miles

From Rochester, MN*:

4 hours and 35 minutes / 277 miles

*We recommend booking an overnight hotel if the driving distance is greater than 4 hours round-trip.

This trip is best done from Wednesday - Sunday, between mid-May to October.

We do not recommend traveling in the winter months or on Mondays, Tuesdays, or holidays.

We recommend departing around 8:30 and 9:00 am if you’re coming from the Twin Cities, and an hour earlier if you’re coming from Duluth or Rochester.

There’s a funky phenomenon at 10 am on our first stop that you won’t want to miss! The later you leave, the less time you’ll have to explore all of the stops.

This trip is somewhat pet-friendly! At each stop, there is an outdoor option that allows dogs, but please note that most of our eatery and shop options only allow dogs on outdoor patios.

We recommend bringing 2 - 5 people on your surprise road trip adventure.

First Stop: No fee

Second Stop: No fee; donations requested.

Third Stop: Our featured stop has an entry fee per vehicle. We’ve provided several free alternatives.

Fourth Stop: Two options require entrance fees ($). We’ve provided alternative wineries to visit.

*Please note: gas, tolls, and food may be additional costs at your own expense.

After booking your trip, we'll send you a confirmation email with a few recommended accommodation options.

Customer Reviews

Based on 2 reviews
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A
Anonymous
Overall, how would you rate this trip?:
I would not recommend this trip
Excellent! I would definitely recommend this trip
Rate how active the trip was:
Not very active
Very active
Rate how accessible the trip was:
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Very accessible
Rate how 'unique' the stops were:
Not really
Yes, very unique!
Very outdoorsy!

If you enjoy hiking and being outside, you will love this trip! Definitely better in nicer weather, and bring hiking shoes/boots for the third stop. So many great options though if you have kids or a dog with you; you'll love it!

Great suggestions! Thank you for leaving a review; we're so glad you enjoyed your day of road tripping!

C
Cyndi Goodwin
Overall, how would you rate this trip?:
I would not recommend this trip
Excellent! I would definitely recommend this trip
Rate how active the trip was:
Not very active
Very active
Rate how accessible the trip was:
Not very accessible
Very accessible
Rate how 'unique' the stops were:
Not really
Yes, very unique!
Amazing!

My husband and I have done quite a few of these trips, and this one was definitely in our top 3. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but if you are hesitant - DON’T be. We had an amazing time! I highly recommend this trip for couples or groups of friends.

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Oh my goodness, we are SO happy to hear this! We're so glad you enjoyed your day exploring, and thank you so much for leaving a review! :)