Plan the Perfect Day Trip from the Twin Cities to Taylors Falls

Daydreaming about your next day trip? If you’re looking for a quick trip idea from the Twin Cities that is full of stunning overlooks, hiking amongst ancient glacial potholes, quirky attractions and small-town charm, look no further than Taylors Falls and the St. Croix River Valley!

With a relatively quick drive of only an hour from Minneapolis, you’ll feel like you’ve truly escaped the city without the hassle of a long time spent in the car to get there. So if you only have a day to explore, here are a few things I’ve really enjoyed doing and highly recommend to help plan your next adventure!

Take a Walk Through the Weird and Whimsical at Franconia Sculpture Park

Stretch out your legs with a self-guided walk through this 50-acre sculpture park. This not-so-hidden gem is home to some very quirky art installations, (some of which are interactive and can be climbed on) which is fun for adults and kiddos alike.

This park is open year round and free to visit, however at the time of this post there is a suggested donation of $10 for parking. The main building is open different hours depending on the season and has a small gift shop, accessible public bathrooms and drinks available for purchase. Visit Franconia.org for the most up to date info.

See Ancient Glacial Potholes and Epic Overlooks at Interstate State Park

If you’re up for more of a hike and some epic views, Interstate State Park is absolutely worth a visit! With a variety of trails with different difficulty levels, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

There are 2 sides of this park, separated by the St. Croix River and you can choose either the Minnesota or Wisconsin entrance (or both!) I typically go to the Minnesota side simply because as a Minnesota resident, it is cheaper for me to park than with out-of-state plates.

The Minnesota side of the park tends to have a more family-friendly experience with some easier hiking trails right near the main parking lot. Here is where you’ll find the 200 or so ancient glacial potholes that were carved into rock over 10 thousand years ago.

For a little more of a challenge, you can hike just over a mile up the River Trail to see some pretty epic views of the St. Croix below. Note: this is not my favorite trail as it will take you up several sets of stairs and along a section of the highway, which can be very loud depending on how heavy the traffic is.

While the view along the highway is pretty cool, I do think you can get a similar vantage point without all the traffic by climbing around the rocks near the glacial potholes. Or you can head to the Wisconsin side of the park for a very similar hike without all the noise by hiking the Summit Rock trail.

Grab a Cup of Joe

Perk up either before or after your day hike at Interstate with some delicious locally brewed coffee. There are 2 places I’d highly recommend and both are equally great. Coffee Talk in Taylors Falls or 3 Arrows Coffee Company just across the border in WI will both give you some pep in your step!

Shop ‘til You Drop

Take a stroll through the charming main street of Taylors falls where you’ll find locally owned artisan gifts, beads & crystals, one of a kind antiques and sweet treats. The main street isn’t large and you could easily fit in checking out all the shops in just an afternoon.

Go Back in Time with Lunch at the Drive-In!

I recently experienced this highly recommended, must-try place for the first time myself and I gotta say, everyone was right! If you’re not in a huge rush and want to feel like you’ve gone back in time without ever leaving your car, have a classic American meal at the Drive-In!

This is the perfect pit stop after a fun morning of adventuring. Enjoy a paired-back menu of American comfort food and some damn fine root beer, truly a perfect combo just about anywhere.

If you’re up for even more nostalgic fun, right next door you’ll also find Adventure Falls Mini Golf. A round takes about 45 minutes, and you’ll often find a coupon for a buy‑one‑get‑one deal if you grab a kid’s meal at the Drive In.

Feel like a Disney Princess at Fawn-Doe-Rosa

Ok, Ok I know seeing some deer in the midwest isn’t much to write home about, but getting to pet & feed them?! Now that’s a different story entirely!

You can do just that and live out being your best Disney Princess dreams at Fawn-Doe-Rosa, a wildlife educational park just a stones throw away from Taylors Falls in St. Croix, Wisconsin.

Kiddos and adults alike can enjoy a hands-on experience with friendly farm animals, and learn all about more exotic wildlife like bobcats, wolves and badgers. But the most unforgettable part? Wandering through the open deer yard, where these gentle animals walk right beside you, eager for a snack and a scratch. It’s the kind of heartwarming visit that sticks with you long after you leave.

Get an Epic View without Breaking a Sweat

If you’re looking to round out your fun-filled day with one last epic view of the river without all the huffing and puffing of climbing to get there, take a quick drive up to Heritage Park (just north of the Drive-in) for some truly epic views! Bonus points if you’re there in the Fall, you won’t be quick to forget how beautiful this view is.

Even More Fun Things to Do Nearby

Still have some time on your hands and want even more things to do? Here are a few more ideas

Take a River Cruise - To get the full experience of the St. Croix River, take a boat tour ON the river!
Add Wild Mountain to your trip for year-round thrills including snowboarding, a full water park and alpine slides
Check out a Winery - There are several near-by wineries including Dancing Dragonfly in St. Croix Falls, WI or Winehaven in Chisago, MN
Wild River State Park - Located just 15 mins north of Taylors Falls, Wild River is another beautiful state park that we’ve been to many times and love to visit, especially in the Fall!
Wait, What about Waterfalls? - The town name of Taylors Falls can be a bit misleading as there aren’t actually any waterfalls to chase. But you can make a quick drive over to Osceola, WI to see Cascade Falls only about a 15 min drive away.