Our May trip to Minnesota wasn’t built around a single must-see attraction or a packed schedule. It was more about moving at a comfortable pace, taking short drives, and letting the season set the tone. Spring was giving way to summer, and the days felt open in that way they only do this time of year.
Day One: Hastings and the River
We kicked things off with a drive down to Hastings, Minnesota. It's a town that feels immediately tied to the Mississippi River. Our first stops were Levee Park and then the lock and dam, where we stood and watched barges work their way through. It’s slow, deliberate, and strangely calming to watch. Though I think it made a bigger impression on me than the boys.
Growing up in Las Vegas, their idea of landscape usually means desert, heat, and wide-open space. Standing next to the Mississippi was a totally different experience. The river feels alive in a way that’s hard to explain until you’re right there next to it.
We wrapped up the morning at Vermillion Falls. You can hear the water before you see it, and the short walk to the overlook makes it an easy stop. We stood there for a bit and took it in, and then grabbed coffee and drinks for our drive back to the Cities.
Day Two: Road Trip South
The next day was all about the road. We headed south to Austin, about 2 hours from our hotel. The SPAM Museum was our main destination. After all of my years living in Minnesota and Wisconsin, I'd never been. The museum is way more engaging than you might expect. It leans into its own weirdness just enough, mixing history with humor, and it works. Even if SPAM isn’t a staple in your kitchen, it’s still a fun stop.
While we were in Austin, we also stopped by Cry Baby Craig’s. It was a quick visit, but it added a little personality to the day. If you like hot sauce, it's a good detour, if nothing else to remind you that Minnesota’s food scene isn’t all casseroles and hotdish.
On the way back, we stopped in Faribault to visit the Faribault Woolen Mill. There’s something grounding about places like this. Businesses that have been doing the same thing for a long time and doing it well. I really wanted to take the tour, but it was about an hour until the next one, and 12-year-old boys can only stand and look at blankets in a gift shop only so long before they get restless.
On the drive back to the Twin Cities, we made one more stop at Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store. The name pretty much says it all. It’s over-the-top in the best way, and walking through it feels like part shopping trip, part spectacle.
That evening, we headed to the Mall of America. The shift from quiet towns to full-on sensory overload was immediate. The boys spent a little time riding attractions in the indoor theme park and picking out treasures in the Lego store, leaning into the chaos a bit before winding down for the night.
Kickoff to Summer
The following day took us to the Kickoff to Summer event at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. While it happens in the same space as the Minnesota State Fair, it’s a completely different experience.
Kickoff to Summer feels more like a warm-up than the main event. The crowds are smaller, the pace is slower, and it’s easier to enjoy without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. It’s a nice way to get a taste of fair season without committing to the full late-summer experience.
Slowing Things Down at Como
For our last full day, we visited Como Zoo & Conservatory. After a few busy days, it was exactly the kind of place we wanted to be. Walking through the zoo and conservatory gave the day a calmer rhythm, with plenty of space to wander and pause.
It felt like a natural way to wind things down. No schedule to chase, no must-see list, just time to enjoy where we were.
Heading Home
We headed home the next day with that familiar end-of-trip feeling: tired, satisfied, and already replaying moments in our heads. Minnesota in May offered a little bit of everything — rivers running strong, towns easing into summer, and experiences that felt grounded and unpretentious.
It wasn’t a flashy trip, and it didn’t need to be. It was steady, easy, and memorable in all the right ways.