Minneapolis to Chicago drive: 24 ranked stops, break in Black River Falls

A Dells mainstay co-designed by Wisconsin native Andy North, with rolling glacial terrain. The pick of the family-vacation golf in the Dells.

A dramatic course built around an old quarry and pine woods at the Wilderness Resort in the Dells. The most striking layout in the area.

This park centers on Pierce and Olson lakes, with hiking, mountain-bike, and equestrian trails plus fishing and boating. One trail segment south of the concession is closed for reconstruction through early 2027, so check the IDNR closure page.

Mirror Lake sits below pine-and-oak woods and sandstone cliffs reaching about 50 feet. Hiking remains possible in 2026, but roadwork closes the boat launch, several facilities, and trail access points, so travelers should check current conditions before detouring.

A links-inspired public course east of St. Paul.

More than five miles of trails cross white-oak woods, prairie, fen, and lakeshore. A short wetland boardwalk ends at a wildlife-viewing platform, while the crushed-limestone Prairie Trail provides a gentler accessible option.

a city-park fall made famous by Longfellow’s poem

Thirteen miles of trails cross prairie, forest, and the Willow River valley, with Willow Falls and nearby overlooks as the main destination. The 0.4-mile falls route is short but steep; longer river-bottom routes provide a more gradual outing.

a wide multi-tier fall in Willow River State Park near the Twin Cities

The Dakota call this spot Bdote -- 'where two waters come together' -- and it's literal: walk the Pike Island trail and watch the muddy Minnesota River visibly merge into the clearer Mississippi, one of the few confluences in America where you can see two rivers' colors mix in real time from dry land.

a German-style brewery with a popular Bier Garten near Madison

A Robert Trent Jones Jr. course split between open prairie and wooded glacial terrain near Madison, home of the Badgers and a Champions Tour stop.

Trails cross the remains of a fortified Middle-Mississippian town occupied roughly A.D. 1000-1300, including reconstructed stockade sections and two restored platform mounds. The open prairie setting makes the village plan easier to read than at a conventional artifact museum.

A polished 27-hole public course on a former estate.