Uff Da! It’s Minnesota!!

After breakfast at our hotel, we head to downtown Minneapolis to explore some of the history of this city on a walking tour of the historic Minneapolis Riverfront District. We will see Father Hennepin Bluff Park and the Mississippi Gorge and walk across the Stone Arch Bridge. Also included is admission to the Mill City Museum, located in what was once one of the largest flour mills in the world. We make a short transfer to Midtown Global Market, where we have free time to grab lunch on our own and take in the international shops and live music for which this public market is known. We continue our exploration with a stop at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, in the heart of the city. This crown jewel of the cities park system unites two of Minnesota’s most cherished resources - its parks and its cultural life. Before ending the day, we take a relaxing walk through the Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge. Here we find more than 260 bird species in the 2,200-acre refuge.  This is a great place to see and learn about the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers, plus the area wildlife and migrating waterfowl. Radisson Blu Mall of America, Bloomington, MN or similar

Departing Bloomington this morning, we make our way northeast to the scenic Duluth area. On arrival, we stop at Glensheen Historic Estate, a 39-room estate nestled right on Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. We have a guided tour of the home and grounds before going to lunch at Betty’s Pies, a local favorite restaurant with views overlooking Lake Superior. We continue along the scenic North Shore stopping at Split Rock Lighthouse. We enjoy an award-winning film and guided tour of this restored 1910 lighthouse before making our way back to Duluth to check into our hotel. Time permitting, we’ll stop for a picture at the popular Gooseberry Falls, scenic waterfalls on the Gitchi Gummi State Trail. Dinner tonight is on our own and the options in Duluth are endless! Inn on Lake Superior, Duluth, MN or similar

After an early breakfast at our hotel, we pick up our lunch boxes and depart for Bayfield, WI where we board our Apostle Islands Grand Tour. The Grand Tour takes us on a narrated, informational, 55-mile scenic cruise. Highlights include passing extraordinary natural scenery, beautiful historic Raspberry and Devils Island Lighthouses, standing rocks, extensive sea caves and marine wildlife.  After our nearly 3.5- hour nautical journey, we head back to Duluth where we have dinner at a local restaurant. The rest of the evening is at leisure. Inn on Lake Superior, Duluth, MN or similar

It’s time to say goodbye to beautiful Lake Superior before heading back to southern Minnesota. We start our drive back to the Metro via the St Croix Scenic By-Way and stop in Scandia. Meaning “old farm” in Swedish, the Gammelgården Museum is the only open-air museum devoted to preserving, presenting and promoting Swedish immigrant heritage in the United States. After our tour, we arrive in Stillwater and have free time for lunch and shopping in this quaint riverside town. Next, we have a private wine-tasting and tour at Saint Croix Vineyards, one of Minnesota’s premier wineries.  Afterward, we check into our hotel and enjoy the evening with dinner on our own and an evening of leisure.  Hampton Inn & Suites, Eagan, MN or similar

After breakfast, a nefarious gangster from the 1930’s will regale us with stories of the kidnappings, gun battles, and notorious criminals who helped shaped St Paul – and the Midwest’s history. On our gangster tour, we will visit the site of nightclubs and infamous hideouts where the likes of John Dillinger, Ma Barker, and Babyface Nelson were associated. Next, we drive past the lovely State Capitol building to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. Here, we learn about animal conservation and creating connections with them through education and experiences and enjoy exotic plants and beautiful displays in the various gardens. Later we depart for Summit Brewing Company, a local brewery founded in 1986. We enjoy a tour of the brewery and a tasting of their unique offerings. We then continue a short distance to Harriet Island where we board the Padelford Sunset Dinner Cruise. Cruising the mighty Mississippi River on a classic riverboat, we take in the beautiful scenery and watch the sunset across the Minnesota sky. A fabulous 3-course dinner is served onboard before disembarking and returning to our hotel for overnight. Hampton Inn & Suites, Eagan, MN or similar

We depart for home today in awe of the sights, scenery and friends made along the way.