Minnesota and Wisconsin

Voyageurs National Park will have to be part of another road trip (we're already planning our second and we haven't even completed this one!) but we are going to stop off in Minneapolis for a couple of nights to check out a few sights in the city. First on my list is the Mall of America, the largest shopping mall in America. I'm sure there will be an opportunity to buy one or two pairs of shoes!

Plan for Minnesota:

State:	Minnesota
Towns of Interest: (FB) = Firebreak	Minneapolis
National Parks:	Voyageurs National Park - Not Visiting
State Parks of Interest:	N/A
Places of Interest: (N) = Night Stay	Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway Minneapolis (Nx2) Mall of America (Largest shopping Mall in America) Minnehaha Park (This city treasure is home to the 55 ft high Minnehaha Falls, as well as statues of Hiawatha and Minnehaha, the chief characters in Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha". The 193 acre park is one of the oldest and most popular in the city.) Mill City Museum (The Mill was built in 1880 and was the largest of its kind at that time. A devastating fire in 1991 left the structure in ruins. The present day museum has been built on the ruins and features an 8 story glass facade, giving the building a contrasting historic and modern look) Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (displays sculptures of the Walker Art Center in a lovely 11 acre urban green space. One of the most famous pieces is Claes Oldenburg's "Spoonbridge and Cherry".) Nicollet Mall (a beautifully laid out precinct running along Nicollet Avenue. This mainly pedestrian zone has a large concentration of shops, restaurants, galleries and other attractions.) Nicollet Mall is City Hall / Municipal Building (a National Historic Landmark)
Routes of Interest:	Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway (A 287-mile drive through south-central Minnesota takes you through river towns and by orchards and vineyards.)
Where to Stay:	MinneapolisDays Inn St. Paul-Minneapolis-Midway ($69) Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Minneapolis St. Paul/Roseville ($92) Motel 6 ($51) Holiday Inn St. Paul Downtown ($100) Days Hotel University Ave SE ($88)

We plan to stay in Devil's Lake State Park Wisconsin to break up the journey from Minneapolis to Chicago. We did consider staying in Milwaukee instead of camping but decided that we would prefer to camp to save money but also enjoy more of the outdoors. We're still planning a visit to Milwaukee but it might be a flying one with just enough time for some food and drinks in Lakefront.


Plan for Wisconsin:

State:	Wisconsin
Towns of Interest: (FB) = Firebreak	Milwaukee
National Parks:	N/A
State Parks of Interest:	Devils' Lake State Park
Places of Interest: (N) = Night Stay	Wisconsin Great River Road (Historical markers, museums and visitor centers tell the story of the Wisconsin Great River Road and the people who live and work along the Mississippi River. Scenic overlooks along the Wisconsin Great River Road are some of the best places in North America to see bald eagles. ) Devils' Lake State Park (N) Milwaukee Lakefront (Pleasant walking trails, parks, restaurants and bars)
Routes of Interest:	Wisconsin Great River Road (Wisconsin’s only designated National Scenic Byway. The Wisconsin Great River Road parallels the Mississippi River for 250 miles from Prescott in the north to Kieler in the south)
Where to Stay:	Devils' Lake State ParkState Park Campsite ($10)