Minnesota Hot Spots — Cool Places

Ready to plan your next Minnesota event, but tired of the same old location options? NYC is expensive, Chicago is been-there-done-that, and LA is just too over-the-top. Wouldn’t it be nice to find a town with all the amenities you need, and none of the headaches of those other “trendy” locales?

You’re in luck! Take a little road trip with us. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you arrive at these hidden gems, hot spots, and cool places!

Just ten minutes from the hustle and bustle of downtown lies a vibrant group of communities.  Known as Minneapolis Northwest, the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park and Maple Grove converge to offer visitors endless possibilities. With nearly 20 hotels, more than 200 restaurants, gorgeous parks, trails, championship golf courses, and even breweries and wineries, you’ll feel confident you picked the perfect place. Minneapolis Northwest CVB can help you with a free visitor’s guide, a free mobile app, and even a planner’s grant program.

Head just a few miles further north and you’ll arrive at another collection of communities on the cutting edge. Encompassing the towns of Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Fridley, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes, Moundsview, New Brighton, and Shoreview, Twin Cities Gateway is a great way to enjoy the best of the Midwest. Choose from 22 different lodging properties, enjoy snacks at a local pub or fine dining at an award-winning restaurant, bike, hike, golf, or make a splash at a waterpark — this place has it all.

Jump on the highway and in little more than an hour north of the metro you’ll find yourself in granite country where the St. Cloud CVB welcomes you. This area is known for its more than 100 area parks, gorgeous lakes, hundreds of restaurants and shops, plus a long and interesting history. Add in year-round events, a vibrant arts community, and comfy accommodations and you’ll know you’ve struck gold.

Travel down roads lined with fir trees and legends of Paul Bunyan and in a little under two hours, you’ll arrive at Detroit Lakes, the heart of lake country. Detroit Lake Tourism Bureau will be happy to show off their town, whether you’re interested in activities like skiing or snowshoeing; want to know the best place to stay (there are over 400 hotel rooms to accommodate your group); or want to take on some of the best fishing south of the Canadian border (they’re biting year round!)

Hit the road again and this time journey to a place that’s equi-distant from Minnesota’s capital city of St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis — Roseville. The good folks at Roseville Visitors Association invite you to explore their perfectly positioned community. Here you’ll find hundreds of hotel rooms, close proximity to historical landmarks, colleges and universities, museums and galleries, and the area’s 110,000 square foot ice rink, the OVAL. 

Back in the driver’s seat, and in a little more than an hour you’ve arrived in Red Wing, named one of the most historic places to visit in the world by National Geographic Traveler magazine. From beautiful B&Bs to historic hotels, farmers markets, the Red Wing Pottery Place to the famed Red Wing Shoe Company, the Red Wing VCB would love to show you the town.

Let’s turn right and head south, arriving at two of Minnesota’s “big small towns” in this part of the state — Albert Lea and Owatonna. Both are overflowing with charm, history, comfortable accommodations, recreational activities, shopping and more. The pros at either Albert Lea CVB or Owatonna CVB will make sure your guests feel right at home.

After that, we’ll take some time to Visit Mankato and experience the open country roads, downhill slopes, cycling trails and river rapids. With a reputation for the arts, entertainment, shopping and nightlife, Mankato is easily a stop you won’t mind making.

You ride shotgun and we’ll take a turn behind the wheel. Enjoy the scenery as we travel north to the south metro, where the Lakeville CVB wants you to experience the place where nature meets the Twin Cities. Ski, snowshoe, snowmobile and ice fish in winter, swim, bike, golf, and lake fish in the summer. Just down the road a piece, the Bloomington CVB await your arrival. Home to the world famous Mall of America, 42 hotels, 76 restaurants and just minutes from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, Bloomington has everything your guests need, plus more.

The west is considerably less wild, and much more inviting when you Discover St. Louis Park. Located just west of the metro, it is rich with history, natural wonders, comfortable rooms and so many things to do you’ll have a hard time picking just one. Known as Minnesota’s hometown, when you Explore Hutchinson you might just feel like you’ve come home. That is if your home features cozy lodging, local restaurants that serve food just like mom’s, more than 30 parks and the scenic Luce Line State Trail that meanders alongside the Crow River for 63 miles of biking, hiking, or horseback riding.

Continue traveling toward the setting sun until you arrive at Willmar Lakes Area where you’ll find about 360 of them ... lakes, that is. Whether ice fishing or boating, ice skating or water skiing, in any season there’s always a reason to park yourself here.  At the end of the day, you can put the brakes on and discover that you’ve arrived to Visit Marshall.  Whether winter or summer, this gem of a town invites you to stay, eat, shop and play, while taking in a little history, a lot of nature, and a friendly population that will welcome you back again and again.

View our complete directory of Minnesota event destinations here.