Northfield (Cannon River) ★ 4.0
Northfield sits 40 miles south of Minneapolis on the Cannon River with Hogan Brothers hoagies since 1991, Imminent Brewing's taproom and a brick-storefront downtown.
More food day trips in Minneapolis
Stillwater (St. Croix Valley) ★ 4.4
Stillwater on the St. Croix sits 25 miles east of Minneapolis with brick-storefront patios, Saint Croix Vineyards tastings and Main Street brewpubs by the river.
Red Wing (Mississippi River) ★ 4.2
Red Wing on the Mississippi sits 55 miles southeast of Minneapolis with Scarlet Kitchen at the St. James Hotel, Hanisch Bakery donuts and a Barn Bluff hike.
Hudson, Wisconsin (St. Croix River) ★ 4.1
Hudson, Wisconsin sits 22 miles east of Minneapolis on the St. Croix with Pier 500's deck, San Pedro Cafe Caribbean plates and the weekend Hudson Food Walk.
Stockholm, Wisconsin (Lake Pepin) ★ 4.5
Stockholm, Wisconsin sits 90 miles southeast on Lake Pepin with Stockholm Pie and General Store, named America's best pie shop by USA Today two years running.