28 days in Minnesota Itinerary

Lake Itasca is known for nature, sightseeing, and scenic drive. Your trip includes some of its best attractions: make a trip to Mississippi Headwaters, appreciate the extensive heritage of Peace Pipe Vista, contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Itasca, and immerse yourself in nature at Itasca State Park.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, and more tourist information, use the Lake Itasca trip planner.

El Paso to Lake Itasca is an approximately 9-hour combination of flight and car. You can also drive. Due to the time zone difference, you'll lose 1 hour traveling from El Paso to Lake Itasca. When traveling from El Paso in May, plan for much colder days and a bit cooler nights in Lake Itasca: temperatures range from 66°F by day to 43°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Tue) to allow time to drive to Ely.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Ely: Crane Lake (in Voyageurs National Park), Palisade Head (in Beaver Bay) and Vermilion Falls (in Orr).

To see maps, more things to do, ratings, and other tourist information, you can read our Ely trip itinerary maker site.

Traveling by car from Lake Itasca to Ely takes 4 hours. Expect slightly colder temperatures when traveling from Lake Itasca in May; daily highs in Ely reach 61°F and lows reach 37°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sat) early enough to drive to Grand Portage.

On the 11th (Sun), immerse yourself in nature at Grand Portage State Park, then take in the dramatic scenery at High Falls, and then explore the activities along Pigeon River. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 12th (Mon): see the interesting displays at Grand Portage National Monument, then surround yourself with nature on Points Unknown, and then take in the dramatic scenery at Devil's Kettle.

To find reviews, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Grand Portage day trip site.

Traveling by car from Ely to Grand Portage takes 3 hours. In May in Grand Portage, expect temperatures between 57°F during the day and 36°F at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 12th (Mon) so you can drive to Duluth.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Duluth: Two Harbors (Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Gooseberry Falls State Park, &more). There's lots more to do: cruise along Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive, see the interesting displays at S.S. William A. Irvin Ore Boat Museum, contemplate the long history of Glensheen - The Historic Congdon Estate, and tour the pleasant surroundings at Park Point.

To find ratings, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, you can read our Duluth attractions planner.

You can drive from Grand Portage to Duluth in 3 hours. In May, plan for daily highs up to 53°F, and evening lows to 40°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sun) so you can drive to Saint Cloud.

Venture out of the city with trips to Soo Line Depot Museum (in Crosby), Blue Hill Trail (in Zimmerman) and Jack Pine Brewery (in Baxter).

For more things to do, maps, where to stay, and more tourist information, go to the Saint Cloud holiday app.

Traveling by car from Duluth to Saint Cloud takes 2.5 hours. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Duluth in May: highs in Saint Cloud hover around 67°F, while lows dip to 44°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Wed) so you can go by car to Winona.

Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Winona: River View Vineyard and Winery (in La Crescent), LARK Toys (in Kellogg) and National Eagle Center (in Wabasha).

To see where to stay, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, read Winona online vacation builder.

Getting from Saint Cloud to Winona by car takes about 3.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 68°F in May, and nighttime lows around 48°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Sun) so you can drive to Minneapolis.

Step out of Minneapolis to go to Chanhassen and see Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, which is approximately 32 minutes away. There's lots more to do: admire the masterpieces at Minneapolis Institute of Art, get to know the resident critters at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, stroll around Minnehaha Park, and examine the collection at Mill City Museum.

To find reviews, ratings, traveler tips, and tourist information, you can read our Minneapolis trip maker.

You can drive from Winona to Minneapolis in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly; or take a bus. In May, daily temperatures in Minneapolis can reach 68°F, while at night they dip to 50°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 31st (Sat) to allow time to fly back home.