There are plenty of scenic drives to be taken in Minnesota but I thought I would mention a few of the more popular ones. Fall is a great time to travel the state and see the leaves, stay at a bed and breakfast, go hiking or biking or just stop and have a picnic.
The first trip I would recommend is the Great River Road. This road starts at the beginning of the Mississippi River in Itasca Park and travels through all 10 states ending up at the Gulf of Mexico. The Minnesota portion is the longest at 525 miles. Along this drive you will see different parks and wooded areas, farms, gorgeous bluffs, a falls, historic sites and much more. Allow plenty of time to stop the car to get out and really see the sights along the way!
Another favorite is the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway. This is just a 54 mile drive broken up into 6 different routes that pass by parks, lakes and historical areas. Site markers are placed all along the way so you don’t miss out on a thing! There are plenty of spots to stop along the way to do some hiking, biking or just have a picnic
The third trip I would suggest is the Glacial Ridge Trail. The d.rive is over 200 miles through the Alexandria Glacial Moraine Complex. You will travel by and through lakes, woods and farmlands that were covered by glaciers more than 30,000 years ago. There are different routes to choose from depending on what you want to see such as cultural, historical or natural attractions. As with the other two scenic drives, there are plenty of places for biking or hiking as well.
Get out and enjoy the gorgeous fall weather in Minnesota and learn more about this great state while you are at it!
