Riverside parks in LeSueur, St. Peter, Mankato, and New Ulm, as well as bluff top overlooks in New Ulm. At Minneopa State Park, a trail follows the riverbank and takes you past the famed 45-foot double waterfalls along Minneopa Creek. This drive offers charming river towns and wooded bluffs along the Mississippi. In autumn the steep hillsides dress up in brilliant hues of red, russet and gold. Stop at one of several scenic overlooks, including those at Frontenac and Great River Bluffs state parks.
Munch apples from roadside stands.
This is a popular fall drive, so book your stay ahead of time. The scenic St. Croix River winds through wooded hillsides and sheer cliffs. The riverside towns of Stillwater, Taylors Falls and Afton offer places to stay, though this popular area fills up fast on the weekends. This is great biking land, where the prairie meets the forest. The rolling countryside between Fergus Falls and Perham is a blend of wooded hills, lakes, and farmland.