Road Trip Minnesota

Looking to uncover the hidden gems of Minnesota? Time for a road trip! Drive this route through the Land of 10,000 Lakes state and enjoy “Minnesota Nice” hospitality along the way. From visiting the bacon capital to traveling to the most German city in America, you’ll be delighted and surprised to see what you find on your road trip of Minnesota.

Stop 1: St. Cloud, Minnesota

Start your trip with a visit to St. Cloud, Minnesota. Grab lunch and a humongous drink at Ultimate Sports Bar & Grill to get the day going, Cliff jump at the unique setting of the Quarry Park and Nature Preserve or kayak the banks of the Mississippi River. Spend a night exploring the restaurants and breweries of Downtown St. Cloud, steps away from your Best Western Plus Kelly Inn and make sure you don’t miss the newly open, hidden Blue Goose Speakeasy.

Pit Stops: Darwin, Minnesota and Dassel, Minnesota

When riding Highway 15, don’t forget to make a stop at a few roadside attractions. On your road trip, you can find the “World’s Largest Ball of Twine” in Darwin, Minnesota. The ball weighs in at 9 tons, and was made famous when “Weird Al” Yankovic released his song, “The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota” in the 1980’s. Another pit stop is “the Mushroom Building” in Dassel, Minnesota. The historic 1931 gas station is literally, shaped like a mushroom, and is a perfect opportunity for photos.

Stop 2: New Ulm, Minnesota

A visit to “the most German City in America” will delight and surprise you. Eat lunch in downtown New Ulm at Kaiserhoff New Ulm, a landmark that’s been around since 1938, to dine on authentic German fare. Order the Kaiserhoff German Sampler, which includes the famous Kaiserhoff Ribs, Bratwurst, and sauerkraut, and add Ray’s Salad, which is topped with bacon and Kaiserhoff dressing. Stroll down Main St. to see the chiming Glockenspiel, a 45-foot-tall clock that chimes musically throughout the day with historic figurines.

When in New Ulm, a must do is visiting Schell’s Brewery, the oldest brewery in Minnesota and second oldest family-owned brewery in the U.S., at 162-years-old. Enjoy the Bier Halle, Biergarten, or a Brewery Tour. Schell’s Brewery is conveniently located a mile from your stay at the Best Western Plus New Ulm. The Best Western Plus New Ulm has traditional German architecture which aligns with the town’s heritage, and is the ideal homebase for discovering all that New Ulm, Minnesota has to offer.

Stop 3: Fairmont, Minnesota

Head to bacon country in Fairmont, Minnesota – the Bacon Capital, USA. Martin County produces 40 million pounds of bacon per year, and the county embraces its bacon identity. Visit Downtown Fairmont to see the “Going Hog Wild” art installation. 36 pig statues decorated by local artists can be found throughout Fairmont and is perfect for photographs. At your stay at the Best Western Fairmont, the hotel celebrates bacon with special events, such as “Bonfire with Bacon S’mores” where you can roast marshmallows around a bonfire and top your s’mores off with bacon.

Pit Stop: Austin, Minnesota

Start your morning off with SPAM®. The SPAM® Museum in Austin, Minnesota is a fun place to stretch your legs and learn about SPAM®, and admission is free! You’ll learn fun facts about SPAM®, like how Hawaii consumes the most SPAM® out of any of the states, at over 8 million cans a year, or  how South Korea’s SPAM® sales are the 2^nd largest in the world – right behind the U.S. Measure up how many SPAM® cans tall you are, and don’t forget to pick up specialty flavored SPAM® in the gift shop. The SPAM® Tocino, is a sweet, flavored SPAM® popular in the Philippines, for instance, that you can take home as a souvenir.

Stop 4: White Bear Lake, Minnesota

End your road trip in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. White Bear Lake has the second largest lake in the metropolitan area and is a respite from the busyness of daily life. Check out the arts and culture scene by watching a show by the Lakeshore Players Theatre, or even the Children’s Performing Arts. The White Bear Center of the Arts also offers hundreds of classes to enjoy, too. With the Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn conveniently located in Downtown White Bear Lake, you can shop the local businesses, and pick up souvenirs at shops like, The Minnesotan or GoodThings, to name a few. Don’t forget to stop at the on-site rooftop restaurant and bar, Rudy’s Rooftop, for a Rudytini.

Calling all outdoor enthusiasts, foodies, and families – Minnesota is calling, and you must go. The Land of 10,000 Lakes is the perfect playground for your next adventure. Experience “Minnesota Nice” for yourself when you book your stay with Best Western® Hotels & Resorts Minnesota now.