Hi all! I am pregnant with our first child, due March 22. I really want to take a trip this weekend to enjoy our last few nights of freedom, but I'm new to Minnesota and don't know where to go. Any recommendations? I don't need anything fancy. Looking for cheap and fun. We love the outdoors, and are starting to get used to the cold weather (thank goodness its been an easy winter!) but at this stage in pregnancy, I don't think I could handle camping. Thinking about heading out Saturday morning and coming back Sunday afternoon. Thanks for any suggestions!
Quick and close: I'd suggest Wabasha, Minnesota (along the Mississippi). You can visit the Eagle Center and there's a FANTASTIC toy store, Lark Toys, down the road in Kellogg (they say it's the largest independent toy store in the nation and they make/sell some lovely wooden toys). There are a number of cute little towns along the way -- including Stockholm, WI on the other side of the river.
St. James Hotel in Red Wing, MN is very nice and they have fantastic restaurants with a great Sunday morning brunch. Red Wing is also a cute little town that you can take in their little shops...
During my pregnancies, a nice getaway was going up to duluth or lutsen...even grand marais. check them out online. lutsen usually has really good hotel deals. ive stayed at bluefin bay and caribou highlands with the best deals. they have jacuzzis in the suites. (but remember to pace yourself in the hot tub being pregnant...)
Good luck!
A.
Hi J.,
Congrats on your soon-to-arrive baby girl...I've got two of my own (one turns two on Monday and other is 8 1/2 months).
It's a real bummer that it's not summer because there are so many day trip-worthy cities around here that are 3 hours away at most. Some of the cities that pop into my head are Stillwater (great B&B's and shopping on Saturday - most closed Sunday), Red Wing (they are known for the Bald Eagle sightings if you're into that), Albertville (big outlet mall with kid's clothes outlets like Hanna Andersson, Carter's, Tommy, The Children's Place) and Duluth (right on Lake Superior with lots of great shops and restaurants). I'm sure you could find out more about each by visiting their respective web sites.
There's always the Mall of America (easily could spend a day shopping and eating...not too much walking, might send yourself into labor :). Plus, it's just over in Bloomington and has a lot of surrounding hotels.
So there's my two cents - hope you find it helpful and good luck, again, on your coming little one.
A.
I have a few favorite places I like to go, which is Stillwater and Taylors Falls. They may not be as cheap as you'd like though, being they are smaller towns. They have some nice B&B's and hotels that are reasonably priced. Otherwise Duluth is larger and has pretty much anything/any hotel. If you have any questions you can email me.
You might want to consider Lanesboro, MN. It's not too far awa--I think it's an hour or so South? It's on a River (Root or Rum River--I can't remember which.) There are a number of cute bed and breakfasts, shopping, hiking and canoeing. Good luck!
check out stillwater area and the many bed and breakfast optoins there. there are great resteraunts and state parks to hike around or fun shops including antiques, art, clothing etc. go on line and put in stillwater mn and I am sure the chamber will hav e listings of places to stay and things going on in the area. stillwater is an eastern suburb on st paul near the wisconsin boarder--only 30-45 minutes from the twin cities.
If you are looking for something close, Afton is a great getaway. Afton House Inn has rooms in a wide range of prices. Breakfast is included in the price. You can add a massage package and get massages together 2 doors down. Afton State park is just a couple of miles out of the town and has great hiking trails along the St. Croix river. It's not very far away and you can do it at whatever price you are looking for.
Here's the website for Afton House Inn:
http://www.aftonhouseinn.com/
Hope that helps.
dorothy
Duluth MN is wonderful and only 3 hours drive North.
Or you could try stillwater, I think about 20 miles South. both are wonderful year round. We go to Duluth all the time my Aunt lives there. There is a board walk beautiful, Lots of cute little shops, All different fun touristy things and grown up fun stuff there are museums on trains & boats there is an actual boat you can tour on (The William A. Irving) there is also a underwater museum at the (DECC). Stillwater is also very beautiful lots of fun shops and restaurants. I havn't been there in a couple years but im sure you could find lots to do. Both have great fun restaurants and hotels over looking the water {(Duluth, Lake superior)http://www.ci.duluth.mn.us/city/mainpage/}[(Stillwater, St. croix river)http://www.ci.stillwater.mn.us/]
I hope you find something fun.
Hi J.. Congratulations, first of all, and welcome to Minnesota. :)
This time of year you should be able to get some good rates on hotels up north. I'd probably check out Duluth, first - maybe a hotel like Fitger's. You can take in the city, take a nice walk, and have a good dinner. I'm pretty sure there are fireplaces in the rooms.
You might also be able to get a nice room at places further north, like at the Lutsen Resort. I think the ski places are close to the end of the season. Otherwise, try places in the Brainerd/Bemidji area - some of the golf resorts don't have a lot of winter business. Cragun's is a good place to start there. I know they have fireplaces as well, and a nice pool.
Or, you could stick close to home and just let yourself be pampered at the Saint Paul Hotel. :)
