Travel stops I90 in Minnesota (Winona, Austin: movies, high school, casino)

[klingerfamj]

We are planning a trip from WI to SD and are looking for travel stops (teens and adults) to stretch our legs and see Minnesota.

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by klingerfamj

We are planning a trip from WI to SD and are looking for travel stops (teens and adults) to stretch our legs and see Minnesota.

Other than the state park east and south of LaCrosse, there isn't much scenery on I-90 across Minnesota. Farm fields, corn, and rural communities that are all pretty much the same. I'd probably make a stop at Albert Lea cutting your journey across the state close to being in half. There's a couple decent truck stops there as well as a casino, which with your kids probably wouldn't be a place you might want to go.

If it's summer when you're taking your trip and have a little spare time, I would turn south at Jackson, MN and drive down to the Iowa Great Lakes near Spirit Lake, IA. It's barely south of the MN/IA border. There is lots of things to do there family wise. You can then take Iowa State Hwy. 9 the rest of the way to Sioux Falls where you can reconnect with either I-90 or I-29.

Google the Iowa Great Lakes, Arnold's Park, and Lake Okoboji and you'll see what I'm talking about.

[TheGrandViking]

Originally Posted by klingerfamj

We are planning a trip from WI to SD and are looking for travel stops (teens and adults) to stretch our legs and see Minnesota.

Blue Mound State Park- (Luverne, MN) Blue stem grass, buffalo, and some interesting rock formations. I used to play on the rocks there as a kid. If you are into native prairie grasses and plants, Pipestone National Monument is better and that is 25 miles off the path.
NOTE: They used to have something called The Blue Mound Inn and was a strange banquet style eating with a panoramic window to the park...odd.

Fairmount (I like this town and a bit of hidden gem). Cedar Creek Park, Gomsrud Park, Sylvania Park, and historic downtown. Sylvania park has a very cool band shell. Google those names and see what you think would be interesting to see. I've been there many times through my participation in high school sports.

Austin (I plan to go the Spam museum someday). So, If you like spam or just want a kitsch photo, there is your place. I've just driven through so I have no personal experience here.

Albert Lee. I love state parks and this one is no exception (Myre-Big Island State Park). Albert Lee lake is the focal point. Camped there.

Winona- Make a trip to Great River Bluffs State Park. This a very nice place to view the Mississippi from some well placed observation areas. I've only been there a couple of times but it is beautiful view.

Ha, You are now getting close to some of my trout fishing spots and that you will NEVER get those locations from me!!! kidding...sort of.

[Teak]

Originally Posted by TheGrandViking

Blue Mound State Park- (Luverne, MN) Blue stem grass, buffalo, and some interesting rock formations.

I second this recommendation!

Luverne is right on I-90, and the state park only 2.5 miles north of the interstate. This park has a Sioux quartzite cliff formation that the Sioux used to run the bison off, just like in the movies. You wouldn't be going very far out of your way to visit.

Also, the coolest cafe in outstate Minnesota is in Luverne: Vinnie's Dang Fine Dine. They are open for lunch (09:00-14:00) and dinner (17:00-20:00). Although small, they serve awesome food, and play vinyl records. I was sitting there one day and asked about the record collection which was 4-5 feet wide on a shelf behind the counter. The waitress told me that that represented only 1/4 of their collection. They play entire albums at a time, just like the old FM days.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Vi...!4d-96.2136772