15 days in Minnesota Itinerary

Step out of Minneapolis to go to Chanhassen and see Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, which is approximately 32 minutes away. There's still lots to do: walk around Minnehaha Park, explore the world behind art at Minneapolis Institute of Art, stroll through Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, and buy something for everyone on your list at Mall of America.

To see other places to visit, traveler tips, ratings, and tourist information, read our Minneapolis trip itinerary maker.

Madison to Minneapolis is an approximately 3-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 75°F in September, and nighttime lows around 57°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sun) early enough to drive to Lake Itasca.

Start off your visit on the 11th (Mon): make a trip to Mississippi Headwaters and then immerse yourself in nature at Itasca State Park.

For other places to visit, reviews, photos, and more tourist information, use the Lake Itasca travel route planner.

Traveling by car from Minneapolis to Lake Itasca takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Traveling from Minneapolis in September, expect slightly colder with lows of 50°F in Lake Itasca. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Mon) to allow time to drive to Ely.

On the 12th (Tue), explore the activities along Birch Lake, then explore the activities along Bear Head Lake State Park, then immerse yourself in nature at Soudan Underground Mine, and finally make a trip to The Tower-Soudan Historical Society Historical Center. Keep things going the next day: get curious at North American Bear Center, then stop by Piragis Northwoods Company, and then admire the sheer force of Vermilion Falls.

Start your trip to Ely by creating a personalized itinerary on Inspirock.

You can drive from Lake Itasca to Ely in 4 hours. In September in Ely, expect temperatures between 67°F during the day and 46°F at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 13th (Wed) early enough to go by car to Grand Marais.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Thu): see the interesting displays at Grand Portage National Monument, admire the sheer force of High Falls, and then delve into the lush surroundings at Grand Portage State Forest. On the next day, admire the majestic nature at Cascade River State Park, admire the majestic nature at Temperance River State Park, and then immerse yourself in nature at Judge C.R. Magney State Park.

To see where to stay, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, refer to the Grand Marais itinerary maker site.

You can drive from Ely to Grand Marais in 2.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 64°F in September, and nighttime lows around 51°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Fri) early enough to go by car to Duluth.

Explore Duluth's surroundings by going to Two Harbors (Two Harbors Lighthouse, Gooseberry Falls State Park, &more). There's still lots to do: admire all the interesting features of Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive, get to know the fascinating history of Lakewalk, examine the collection at Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, and take in the views from Aerial Lift Bridge.

To find photos, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Duluth trip planner.

Traveling by car from Grand Marais to Duluth takes 2.5 hours. In September in Duluth, expect temperatures between 68°F during the day and 54°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 19th (Tue) so you can drive to Winona.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Wed): admire all the interesting features of Old Hwy 61, admire the masterpieces at Minnesota Marine Art Museum, then examine the collection at Winona National Bank, and finally take a memorable drive along Garvin Heights City Park.

To see photos, maps, other places to visit, and other tourist information, you can read our Winona trip planner.

Getting from Duluth to Winona by car takes about 4 hours. When traveling from Duluth in September, plan for a bit warmer days in Winona, with highs around 75°F, while nights are about the same with lows around 55°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Wed) to allow time to drive back home.