There are no end of fun places for a roadtrip in Minnesota
From museums to geological wonders to centers of consumerism, there are a variety of places to explore on a road trip in Minnesota. Beginning in Austin and traveling north through the Twin Cities, the Niagara Cave, the SPAM museum, the Mall of America and the Science Museum of Minnesota are just a few of the sights and experiences throughout the state.
Niagara Cave
Voted "Best Family Destination" for two years in a row by Bluff Country Travel Guide's Reader's Choice Awards, Niagara Cave in Harmony is worth a stop on any roadtrip. Visitors explore the cave for one hour on a guided tour that highlights a 60-foot waterfall, 400-year-old fossils, calcite flowstone and stalactites. Also, the cave features a geological wedding chapel, the site of more than 400 weddings. In addition to picnic tables, facilities at the cave include a mining sluice that allows visitors to mine for their own gemstones.
SPAM Museum
Celebrating all things SPAM, the SPAM museum in Austin, Minnesota is 16,500 feet of exhibits that include videos and a SPAM game show. With free admission, the museum features trivia and historical context, providing educational elements of the role of SPAM in history since the company began in 1937. Exhibits like the World War II display highlight SPAM's place in the war, and the CyberDiner is a working restaurant that is a vintage throwback centered around the main menu item, SPAM.
Mall of America
In Bloomington, Minnesota just outside St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Mall of America attracts more than 40 million visitors each year. The mall contains over 520 stores, around 20 restaurants, and 25 rides and attractions at Nickelodeon Universe, the nation's largest indoor theme park. In addition to the theme park, other activities include a movie theatre, miniature golf, the House of Comedy, and the Underwater Adventures Aquarium, with over 5,000 sea creatures.
Science Museum of Minnesota
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Paul, the Science Museum of Minnesota has offered exhibits and programs since 1907. Permanent galleries include the Human Body Gallery, Experiment Gallery, and Dinosaurs and Fossils Gallery. The 10,000 square feet of temporary exhibit gallery space is part of the total 370,000 square feet that makes up the museum. Science Live theatre presents demonstrations and interactive programs for kids.
Tags: Mall America, Museum Minnesota, Niagara Cave, Science Museum, Science Museum Minnesota
