MN honeymoon options during October?

Veittobe

My FI and I are planning a bigger trip to Mexico in January, but I wanted to take a few days right after our wedding for a mini-moon.  I have no idea where to go!  Can anyone recommend a place within a days drive of the twin cities that we could go during October?  

ScissortailFlycatcher

What do you like to do?

I'd go to Duluth or one of the smaller towns around there like Two Harbors. It's beautiful up there in October. You could go shopping downtown, or drive up to Cascade Falls and hike (our favorite place to hike).  There is a cute little inn right by Cascade Falls called Cascade Lodge
http://www.cascadelodgemn.com/

We used to drive from south Twin Cities to Duluth in 4 hours, plus about another 45 minutes to Cascade.

Veittobe

Something like what you mentioned is great.  I'm just not sure what is open or entertaining in October.  Whenever I've gone up north in the past it has always been July/August.  We want to be able to enjoy some activities in the area, but probably spend most of the time in our room or nearby. Just someplace romantic to get away.  Maybe a spa?  Hiking is good providing it wouldn't be too cold (I'm a baby about being cold).  I'm not limiting us to MN.  WI/SD/ND/IA - anything drivable.

Izzygrim

I second the north shore. Maybe get out of Duluth though and go a bit further north. I love Grand Marais, but I'm not sure if the colors will be past their peak by then anad I'm not sure how cold it would be by then. We've gone to the north shore in late September and had gorgeous weather. The north shore of WI might be neat too - Madleline Island, Ashland, around that area (never been though, sorry!).

Another option would be to drive down Hwy 61 along the Mississippi down to SE MN or into IA. There is a group of cities in IA/IL (Dubuque and Galena) somewhat across the river from each other that, from what I've heard, have lots of cute B&Bs and shops and good restaurants. And the drive down Hwy 61 along the river is gorgeous IMO, though 10/1 might not quite be peak fall colors down there yet.

maybe984

I would highly recommend Bayfield, WI. My FI and I take little mini-vacations for our anniversary every year (that is, the anniversary of when we began dating) which is in mid-October... and last year we went to Bayfield.

Some things start closing down in October, since it's nearing the end of tourist season... but there's more than enough to keep you entertained. And it's GORGEOUS. Just bring a sweater.

Oh, and if you go... you have to go to Wild Rice. It's seriously the best restaurant I've ever been to. It's a high-end, gourmet restaurant in the middle of the woods. Seriously, the middle of the woods.

llgus

If you want to stay closer to the twin cities - Red Wing is a very cute little historic town. The St. James hotel is very old and there are a ton of things to do in and around that  little town. Or take 61 down towards LaCrosse, WI - tons of things to do in any of the little river towns.

debbieupper

We're doing the same thing - taking a mini-moon right after our 10-16-10 wedding. Since we live in Chicago, we're going to hit up a spot in WI for a couple days on our way back.

Wisconsin Dells has some beautiful spas/resorts (that aren't jammed with kids) on the lakes and rivers there. If you happen to be near a WI rest stop, you can pick up a few Wisconsin guidebooks - there's one called "Wisconsin Dells Vacation" that groups hotels/spas/B&Bs by what you're looking for in a place (e.g. no kids, spas, private rentals, etc).

wittyschaffy

We went to my folks cabin about an hour from Bayfield, WI  for ours with plans to horseback ride, take a sailboat tour of the north shore (last weekend for it though), go canoeing, etc.  It ended up sleeting most of the week and we had to cancel most of our plans but the colors were gorgeous. 

shudak1

I second bayfield, also Lutsen is beautiful in the fall, and not the crowds of the winter season.

LolaBelle515

I'm sitting here at work 4 days after my wedding jealous because you'll be on a mini-moon at this point while I'm working...TRUST ME, IT'S A GOOD IDEA!

No one above has mentioned Blue Fin Bay yet, which is north of Duluth (near Lutsen) and an excellent resort for honeymooning...I know some others on the boards have used it for that. I would recommend it from my experience.

Or, there's no need to go far away at all to enjoy yourself...even a mini-moon in Stillwater would be absolutely beautiful and relaxing without the drive:)

Have fun planning!

Veittobe

Thanks for all of the advice ladies.  

beka0404

I third Bayfield, but be careful of Applefest weekend. It's really fun but lodging can be tight.

Grand Marais would be great - mid to late October is when things start getting cold. Check out the East Bay Suites - I stayed there a few years ago and totally loved it. There is so much to do - lunch at Naniboujou Lodge, hiking at "The Devil's Kettle", grab a microbrew and awesome dinner at Gunflint Tavern (DT Grand Marais), Chez Jude, drive up the Gunflint Trail, etc.

Also check out Ely - I think River Point Resort is still open in early October. They have a "honeymoon cottage" that would be perfect for a cozy mini-moon. http://www.riverpointresort.com/romance.htm