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A small town where the main street is actually <\/em>called Main Street\u2014how midwestern. Browse textiles at Scandinavian North<\/strong> and elegant home de\u0301cor at Brick and Linen<\/strong>. Smell the roses (and lilies and dahlias) at Studio Louise<\/strong>, and comb through rare books at Black Letter Books<\/strong>. Check into the luxe Lora Hotel<\/strong>, or soak in Hotel Crosby<\/strong>\u2019s rooftop hot tub for a different kind of nightlife. scandinaviannorth.com<\/a>, 651-351-5059; bricklinen.com<\/a>, 651-342-1326; studiolouiseflowers.com<\/a>, 651-327-0644; blackletterbook.com<\/a>, 651-430-9805; lorahotel.com<\/a>, 651-571-3500; hotelcrosby.com<\/a>, 651-967-7100 <\/em><\/p>\n This town is a hot spot for occasional shops, open the first Thursday through Sunday each month. The Porch in Buffalo<\/strong> is stuffed with French cottage\u2013style goods. Second Hand Rose<\/strong> sells upcycled furnishings and hosts ladies day events with drawings, prizes, and food trucks. Shop plant hangers and faux greenery at JTB Home Furniture + Decor<\/strong>. When you\u2019re ready to drop, a chic Airbnb nestled inside One Division Art<\/strong> is the place to land. theporchinbuffalo.com<\/a>, 763-684-1254; facebook.com\/secondhandrosebuffalo<\/a>, 612-363-3204; jtbhomefurnituredecor.com<\/a>, 833-234-4100; onedivisionart.com <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Bring the crew and check in to the Cedar Rose Inn<\/strong>, a B&B near Lake Winona. Shop fluttery dresses and macrame\u0301 bags at 6th and Broadway<\/strong> and hunt for treasures at Yesterday\u2019s Antiques<\/strong>. Pamper mode: manuka honey facials and Dead Sea mud body treats at Jenna Lee Spa<\/strong>. Find your lake legs on a guided paddleboarding trip with Hangloose MN<\/strong>\u2014or get tipsy times two at the Full Moon Sip and SUP on Lake Carlos. cedarroseinn.com<\/a>, 651-303-4466; sixthandbroadway.com<\/a>, 320-763-3313; yesterdaysmn.com<\/a>, 320-762-8990; jennaleespa.com<\/a>, 320-460-0420; hangloosemn.com<\/a>, 320-852-7575 <\/em><\/p>\n Pack your slippers and robe and hit the road. Destination: retreat.<\/p>\n Downtown Minneapolis\u2019s relaxation station, Anda Spa<\/strong> (psst<\/em>, inside posh Hotel Ivy), centers on holistic and crystal-based healing, featuring a cavernous Quartz Spa and Crystal Sauna.<\/p>\n Copper Door<\/strong>, the bayside spa at Walker\u2019s Chase on the Lake Resort, has hot stone massages, aroma- therapy add-ons, and Ayurvedic chakra massages\u2014all drenched in the herbal goodness of Aveda, guaranteed to make you smell like a spa.<\/p>\n Glacial Waters Spa<\/strong> at Grand View Lodge is a feast for the senses: a restorative gel body wrap with stonecrop and aloe, basalt hot stone massage, and jasmine tuberose pedicure.<\/p>\n At Bluefin Bay, Waves of Superior Spa<\/strong> offers indulgences: an organic fruit sugar scrub and a wild rice exfoliation followed by a blueberry soy hydration massage\u2014almost good enough to eat.<\/p>\n andaspa.com<\/a>, 612-333-3001, Mpls.; chaseonthelake.com<\/a>, 218- 547-8517, Walker; grandviewlodge.com<\/a>, 218-963-8700, Nisswa; bluefinbay.com<\/a>, 218-663-6888, Tofte <\/em><\/p>\n You know it for big boulders and scenic\u2014almost oceanic\u2014views of that frigid expanse of water. Grand Marais is our Hilton Head and has all the coastal perks of a romantic weekend escape.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t let a tent ruin your good times: Hungry Hippie Hostel<\/strong> offers a glamping setup on the owner\u2019s gorgeous farm property, perched on a hill with panoramic views of Lake Superior. OK\u2014it\u2019s still a tent, but it\u2019s sturdy and comes with a real mattress (none of this blow-up nonsense), and you don\u2019t have to set it up (!!).<\/p>\n In downtown Grand Marais, crank up the glam dial even further at The Mayhew Inn<\/strong>, a boutique Airbnb-style stay (staff is there to help but will give you your space). This place feels more like home than hotel: Cozy up on the cushy rooftop couches and catch a sunset on the harbor, or bake a pizza in the outdoor oven.<\/p>\n Hike upstream at the Kadunce River<\/strong>, which runs into Lake Superior, through Jurassic Park<\/em>\u2013worthy lush gorges. Wear sturdy shoes, and be ready to clamber up a few small waterfalls\u2014Hawaii or Northwoods Minny?<\/p>\n For indoor explorers, there are\u00a0classes in basket weaving (really!), wood carving, or bead embroidery at North House Folk School<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Crank up the heat and get steamy with a private sauna session with Sisu and Lo\u0308yly<\/strong>. You bring the achy muscles; they\u2019ll provide the cozy towels, bathrobes, and sandals. All together now: Aahhh<\/em>.<\/p>\n hungryhippie.com<\/a>, 218-387-2256; themayhewinn.com<\/a>, 612-386-3096; northhouse.org<\/a>, 218-387-9762; sisuandloyly.com <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n
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\n<\/ul>\n What\u2019s more Minnesotan than an outdoor music festival? Possibly the bulging mosquito bites and tinge of sunburn you\u2019ll have afterwards. All part of the rite of residence as you swipe your MN Card at these summer staples.<\/p>\n
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\n<\/ul>\n You don\u2019t have to be Swedish to appreciate small-town Scandia (though many \u2019Sotans do have some Scandy in their veins). Founded by Swedish immigrants in the 1850s, Scandia is flush with colorful painted Dala horses. Don a fragrant (or faux) flower crown and polska on over to Midsommar Dag<\/strong>, a traditional Swedish midsummer celebration\u2014minus the Shakespearean donkey heads. Details for this year\u2019s are yet\u00a0to be announced at press time, but expect a smorgasbord of authentic Swedish dishes like herring, Wasa crackers, pickled beets, and strawberry shortcake, with a side of traditional music and ring dances. See IRL the raising of a maypole on the sunny lawn.\u00a0June 25. gammelgardenofscandia.org<\/a>, 651-433-5053, Scandia <\/em><\/p>\n For adult-level adventures on the North Shore, Day Tripper of Duluth<\/strong> offers two- and four-hour kayaking tours beneath the impressive cliffs of Split Rock Lighthouse (kayak, wet suit, and gloves included), including the perfect spot for a pebble beach picnic. In Grand Marais, Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply<\/strong> has half-day, full-day, and sunset kayaking tours. Start in the protected waters of the Grand Marais Harbor and paddle up to Artist\u2019s Point, or kayak on one of Grand Marais\u2019s many jewellike inland lakes.<\/p>\n Voyageurs National Park<\/strong> is certified as an International Dark Sky Park\u2014it boasts some of the most brilliant night skies in the entire country. (MN bragging rights!) With starry reflections on a placid lake, you can be swaddled in sky from the deck of your houseboat accommodations. A host of companies rent houseboats to wannabe seafarers on the lakes of the national park.\u00a0From Ebel\u2019s Voyageur Houseboats<\/strong>, choose between budget rides and decked-out boats with waterslides attached to the roof; from Voyagaire Lodge and Houseboats<\/strong>, rent a 900-square-foot houseboat with an eight-person hot tub on the upper level, and stargaze in luxury.<\/p>\n Pack a picnic and take to the canals of Minny (ahem<\/em>, the St. Croix) with Gondola Romantica<\/strong>\u2014now that\u2019s <\/em>amore.<\/p>\n daytripperofduluth.com<\/a>, 218-390- 1605, Duluth; stoneharborws.com<\/a>, 218- 387-3136, Grand Marais; ebels.com<\/a>, 1-888-883-2357, Orr; voyagaire.com<\/a>, 218-993-2266, Crane Lake; gondolaromantica.com<\/a>, 651-439-1783, Stillwater <\/em><\/p>\n A big birthday for southern MN\u2019s Lake City this year: 100 years ago, waterskiing was invented here by Ralph Samuelson. To celebrate, the city’s hosting a bigger-than-ever rendition of Water Ski Days<\/strong>. (This year also marks the 50th anny of the festival.) Typically, this daring festival includes impressive acrobatics on skis\u201422-person pyramids, anyone? Stay for the weekend and enjoy live music, a parade, an arts and crafts fair, a classic car show, and more\u2014no life jacket required. June 23\u201326. lakecity.org<\/a>, 651-345-4123, Lake City<\/em><\/p>\n When you\u2019ve exhausted your bucket list of local watering holes, it\u2019s time to expand the pool. And we all know it wouldn\u2019t really be a grown-up getaway if it didn\u2019t include a healthy pour of anything with an ABV.<\/p>\n What\u2019s red, white, and rose\u0301 all over? You, as you travel the open roads in search of places to fill up your (stemless) cup.<\/p>\n Wild Mountain Winery<\/strong> is showing us the fun side of the slopes. Besides making some very sippable adult grape juices, this vineyard offers glamping among the vines\u2014 now this <\/em>is tenting we could get down with. tempsite.wildmountainwinery.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n WineHaven<\/strong> lives up to its name\u2014wine slushies, hello! One of the top-awarded wineries in the Upper Midwest, WH has developed a handful of patented grapes. winehaven.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019re not trying to be California, but call Waconia our Napa Valley. Schram Vineyards<\/strong> stakes claim as Minnesota\u2019s first winery + brewery. A multilevel outdoor space with pergolas and rock walls gives plenty of backdrops for the perfect \u201cWine not?\u201d shot for your feed. (Psst<\/em>, the grape geniuses behind Schram also brought you AxeBridge in the Nolo. Research, anyone?) schramvineyards.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n You\u2019ve met Carlos Creek<\/strong>\u2014you love him!\u2014but the Alexandria area has a full flight to offer. L\u2019Etoile du Nord<\/strong> rests on a fully functioning 40-acre farm on Lake Irene. And Burr Vineyards<\/strong> has pizza with homemade sourdough crust on Fridays\u2014you\u2019d best get over there for a slice. carloscreekwinery.com<\/a>, letoiledunordvineyard.com<\/a>, burrvineyards.com <\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Thirteen acres of vineage is just the beginning at Chankaska Creek<\/strong>. Its line of Ranch Road Spirits nods to the property\u2019s history as a speakeasy and small-batch distillery. chankaskawines.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Get your boots on down to Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery<\/strong> outside of Rochester. Its wines have been poured at the CMA Awards after-party and SXSW and Sundance film festivals\u2014and it makes Loon Juice Hard Cider (you\u2019ve seen the speckled cans). fourdaughtersvineyard.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Ensconced in lanky birch trees, North Shore Winery<\/strong> has been churning out fine bevvies since 2016. Set your out-of-office to vino with a view. northshorewinery.us <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n So you\u2019ve exhausted trips to Fulton and Surly. We promise there\u2019s a cold one waiting at the end of each of these roads.<\/p>\n Montgomery is home to a time machine: a pre-Prohibition brewhouse. Though Montgomery Brewing<\/strong> isn\u2019t serving the original suds, the new iteration is tapping kegs in its namesake 130-year-old building. montgomerybrewing.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n There\u2019s a Dragon Squirrel Juicy IPA at Imminent Brewing<\/strong> that seems reason enough to hike down to Northfield. imminentbrewing.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n If the servers at North Loop\u2019s StormKing know your name, go straight to the source at Rapids Brewing Company<\/strong>. Grand Rapids is the birthplace of Judy Garland\u2014 maybe clicking your heels and wishing real <\/em>hard will get you here by happy hour. rapidsbrewingco.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Started in the shell of a former train turntable in Brainerd, Roundhouse Brewery<\/strong> outgrew its space and leveled up in Nisswa, adding axe throwing to the menu. roundhousebrew.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Bring your best Grumpy Cat impressions: Disgruntled Brewing<\/strong> in Perham is ready with slightly gruff, never-quite-satisfied attitude (their words!), serving up beers that satisfy your insatiability, aiming to make you… gruntled. disgruntledbeer.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Yeah, Carlos Creek pours a good grape, but 22 Northmen Brewing Co.<\/strong> brings the brawn. Fill your steins with brews inspired by European tradition. 22northmen.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Copper Trail Brewing Co.<\/strong> gets the creative-names ribbon with Goodnight Loon stout, Clouded Judgement hazy IPA, and Rednaro\u0308k red lager. coppertrailbrewing.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n We know, Duluth is overplayed, but a list of distilleries worth the drive time wouldn\u2019t be complete without Vikre Distillery<\/strong>. At the pinnacle of Canal Park, Vikre distills its spirits with fresh Lake Superior water\u2014most notably, aquavit. Grab a bottle to round out your home bar setup. vikredistillery.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Named for the nearby bridge that brought alcohol into the U.S. from Canada during Prohibition, Cantilever Distillery<\/strong>\u2014near Voyageurs National Park\u2014carries on the tradition, serving up its own hooch in a long roster of cocktails. cantileverdistillery.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Panther Distillery<\/strong> claims to be Minnesota\u2019s oldest distillery\u2014we won\u2019t argue as long as there\u2019s something on the rocks in front of us. And all its spirits are organic, so it\u2019s healthy, right? pantherdistillery.com <\/em><\/a><\/p>\n May the fores <\/em>be with you: Central Minnesota sports some of the state\u2019s best golfing\u2014PGA who? The Gravel Pit<\/strong> is a brand-new golf experience in Brainerd\u201413 holes are spread out across the classically designed course, which was transformed from a desolate gravel pit. A clubhouse outfitted with a golf shop is perched above the course. Cragun\u2019s Legacy Courses<\/strong>, also in Brainerd, is undergoing a $10 million expansion, guided by celebrated professional golfer and course designer Tom Lehman. By 2023, it will offer 54 total holes\u2014for the 2022 season, there are 36 championship holes across a wooded course encircling Stephens Lake. gravelpitgolf.com<\/a>, Brainerd; craguns.com<\/a>, 866-988-0562, Brainerd <\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for new playgrounds for your dirt bike or ATV, head north for off-roading in true form. The Martineau Recreational Trails<\/strong>, made for off-road motorcycles, start near Akeley and wind through the Paul Bunyan State Forest<\/strong>. (Keep an eye out for Babe.) Multiple loops offer smooth areas for beginners and narrow, wooded, technical areas for experienced riders. Also taking off from Akeley, the Round River Drive Trail<\/strong> is an ATV obstacle course with moraines, boulders, and potholes through the forest. Or try the flat and relatively easy Fort Ripley Trail<\/strong>, where you\u2019ll wind through rolling oak- and pine-covered hills near Sebie Lake, along the old Burlington Northern Railroad grade. BUFFALO<\/strong><\/h3>\n
ALEXANDRIA<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Pamper Party<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Grand Marais Is for Lovers<\/h2>\n
Unique Boutique Stays for Your Romantic Retreat<\/h2>\n
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Catch a Groove\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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Midsommar Dreams\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Get Tipsy<\/h2>\n
Watch Extreme Waterskiing<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Message in a Bottle<\/h2>\n
By Natalie Larsen<\/h3>\n
WINE WEEKENDS<\/strong><\/h3>\n
SMALL TOWNS, BIG BREWS<\/strong><\/h3>\n
DESTINATION DISTILLERIES<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Swing Easy<\/h2>\n
A Trail of Two Cities<\/h2>\n