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.

Logan Square neighborhood pioneer since 1999 serving seasonal market-to-table cooking that earned a James Beard hospitality award. Order: Farmer's breakfast.

Romantic French-Vietnamese restaurant with an open interior and patio, known for house pho and locally sourced ingredients. Order: Grande Soupe pho.

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

Karyn Tomlinson's Best Chef Midwest winner in St. Paul, a grandma-chic tasting menu celebrating Minnesota farmers with precision. Order: Tasting menu.

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

All-Wisconsin tavern named for the state cocktail, steps from the Capitol and the Dane County Farmers' Market. Order: Beer-battered cheese curds.

a fun, flowy network near Madison

A nearly 50-year Pilsen family institution reopened in 2026.

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.

Ann Kim's south Minneapolis neighborhood pizzeria turning out lightly charred wood-fired pies including the Korean barbecue and My Sha-Roni. Order: Korean BBQ pizza.

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.