Family vacation ideas in MN or WI?
- Thread starter JDilla
- Start date
I've been going to the Alexandria, MN area for vacation my entire life (43) and it's the week I look forward to the most all year. The last few years we've stayed at Holiday Resort on Lake Osakis and we like it. Unfortunately the fishing isn't very good when we go (late July) but we usually catch enough to eat and the kids have fun. I would say if you're looking for the "north woods" experience you probably want to go a little further north. We used to go to the Park Rapids area also and it there were a lot more pine trees but the water was pretty cold for kids swimming!
I literally just got back from Huddle's on Leech Lake in Minnesota. It's completely set up for family things. They have fun activities for kids, including a fishing contests, Bingo, turtle races, kayaking, etc. It could border on cheesy but my kids/we had a good time. Cabins are old (at least the one we had) so if you want something more fancy, this place may not be for you. Atmosphere is great though.
That's too bad, because the Dell's rock. There are great waterparks there, and so much for young kids to enjoy. No fishing that I know of though. Your 4 year old is probably too young for this, but House on the Rocks about an hour or so (if I recall) northeast of Dubuque, IA, in southwest WI (and coincidentally right on the way to the Dells) is a must see once in anyone's life time. The house, with the infinity room and 60s/70s décor built into a rock is cool. But, the collection of things amassed by the guy in his lifetime is incredible. The shear enormity and variation of the "stuff" there is amazing. But, I doubt a 4 year old can handle the couple hours it takes to see it all.
House on the Rock is like a Wall Drug. Go to say you were there but you will never go back
Touring northern Minnesota as I type. North shore of Lake Superior, international falls, Lake of the Woods, Cass Lake.
The great thing about northern Minnesota is you can just about pick a lake and one of the thousand resorts and probably do fine. Very competitive business up here. Yes, fishing will vary as well as the size of the resorts, but most are great. Many 10 cabin mom and pop resorts are my favorite.
Do you have a boat? Plenty to check out around Lake City MN right on the mississippi river. Short ride to Wi to get all the good fire works.
Camped at Split Rock Lighthouse on the north shore of Lake Superior in MN about ten years ago. Great camp site, amazing views, good hiking, great camping, and not far from some of the many fishing lakes in MN. Even took the ferry over to Isle Royale, which is one of the most untouched national parks. Was a great trip.
Detroit Lakes area is fun for a kid that age. Small amusement park called the Ranch and fishing in all different directions. IF you're involved in Boy Scouts, there's a family camp area with cabins and camp pads at Many Point Scout Camp. Private beach and boat rentals available. Lots of Loons and lots of fish on a nice sized private lake. Very nice lake and only about 25 minutes to Detroit Lakes, MN.
I second the North Shore suggestion. Gooseberry Falls. Beautiful
Take the time to stop in Duluth, cross the lift bridge to park point and swim in Lake Superior! Late July early August when it finally starts warming up.
Wherever you got take a gallon of DEET. Mosquitoes the size of robins buzzing all over that state.Winking
Lots of great places close to nature up there.
I live in Madison, and have been virtually everywhere sans way up nort der hey. Door County is cool. Newport State Park is amazing. I suppose it all depends on what you're looking to do. Because you nixed The Dells, I assume you're not looking for water parks.
Boys 8 and 4? I see a lot fishing in your future. Time to start looking at Canada.
But for now the middle/middle north of Minnesota looks like the best best, but expect to be indoors during the evening due to the mosquitos so make sure you find a place with an indoor pool etc...
Unless your family is nuts about fishing on a lake in Minnesota, Door County is definitely the way to go! The Cape Cod of the Midwest.
one of the greatest scenes ever from a John Candy movie. Made me laugh out loud.Lots of great places close to nature up there.
if you're anywhere near water just about anywhere in the US, there are mosquitoes and there's a ton of water in Minnesota. I just remember coming home from a canoe trip in Quetico and stopping at a Pizza Hut I think in International Falls for our first taste of food that wasn't burned and with sand in it in about 8 days. There were mosquitoes inside the restaurant the size of Australian Weaver Finches (English Sparrows for you that never took Janovy's Zoology class). Finally a chair, pizza and beer but we still had to fight off the mosquitoes. At least the blackflies weren't around when we went to the john.