Can you suggest a resort near Minneapolis?

July 12, 2012 8:27 AM

I'm looking for a weekend getaway within two hours of Minneapolis. And I just know that you have suggestions.

My wife and I would like to do a weekend resort getaway this summer, with a travel time of 2 hours or less from the Twin Cities. We're usually big campers and north shore visitors, so that's where all of my knowledge lies; that means that I'm totally, totally ignorant of what's available closer to Mpls, especially when it comes to resorts.

We'd like to find a place that's pleasant, scenic, and preferably has a pool or hot tub. Being on water would be nice, but I kind of assume that's a given.

Stuff in Wisconsin is as welcome as stuff in MN. Bonus points for stuff on Lake Pepin.

OK, MeFites, what've you got?

posted by COBRA! to travel & transportation around Minnesota (6 answers total)

How "resorty" do you want to get? I was thinking of recommending somewhere like the Trempeleau Hotel, but that is not resorty in the least. (But it does have a Jacuzzi...)

Are you looking for stuff to do on-site/nearby, or basically something that is reasonably nice and will let you just lie around and be lazy in style?
posted by Madamina at 8:57 AM on July 12, 2012

Leaning towards being lazy in style. We might wind up doing stuff onsite/nearby, but the idea is to really loaf on this one.
posted by COBRA! at 9:37 AM on July 12, 2012

Mrs. P and I got married here.
posted by pencroft at 4:15 PM on July 12, 2012

Stillwater seems an obvious option? On the river so you could do a boat ride and I stayed at a lovely bed & breakfast there a few years ago which had a hot tub.

Also, I've never been there for a vacation but I hear all sorts of good things about Red Wing and am planning on visiting one of these days.

If it were me and I was looking for a relaxing weekend away for the weekend, I would look for a spa destination. Here is one which looks good.
posted by triggerfinger at 8:46 PM on July 12, 2012

Sorry, missed the "resort" part. The only resorts I know of are farther north outside of your two hour radius. :(
posted by triggerfinger at 8:47 PM on July 12, 2012

Thanks! (and it's funny, the Elephant Walk is the one place in Stillwater that I've stayed at- I agree, it's awesome)

Further consultation with my wife reveals that the 2-hour boundary is less firm than I'd believed, although the north shore's still probably off limits.
posted by COBRA! at 7:36 AM on July 13, 2012