Thank you for helping me spread my wings in 1000 things I’d never done before. I had the adventure of a lifetime. -- Vicky M, NY

Women’s Adventure Tour of Minnesota

Land of 10,000 lakes (more actually, but Minnesotans don’t like to brag) and known as the Land of Sky Blue Water, Minnesota is a fall foliage and outdoor enthusiast’s playground. At the southwestern tip of Lake Superior sits Duluth, home to the world’s largest freshwater inland port. We’ll drive north along Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive and visit the small towns, beautiful state parks, and more along the way. Grand Marais offers not only arts and cuisine along Lake Superior’s North Shore, but also serves as the gateway to the Gunflint Trail and the famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. We’ll experience the beauty of these millions of acres of the Superior National Forest, rocky cliffs, serene inland lakes and wilderness streams plunging into waterfalls. We’ll enjoy this idyllic setting highlighting nature while we hike, bike and canoe. And you betcha the eating is good! All this in the natural beauty of Minnesota’s showy fall foliage season!

Minnesota Explorer – Fall Foliage Activities at a Glance

Minnesota Fall Foliage Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Minneapolis/St Paul (airport code MSP) by 2pm and be greeted by your Canyon Calling Trip Leader. Our northbound drive will begin the oh’s and ah’s of the fall foliage as we travel to Duluth to sample a bit of the “San Francisco of the Midwest.” Both the hilly surroundings and shoreline’s abundant outdoor spaces create the similarity. We’ll check into our hotel right in Canal Park, do the Lake Walk and introduce ourselves to Lake Superior, which is very aptly named. We’ll enjoy our Welcome Dinner in one of the many great restaurants in Canal Park, next to the historic Lift Bridge. Overnight Duluth.

Day 2

After breakfast we’ll hop on our bicycles and drive along the Lake Superior bike path, and walk along the lakeshore and stop at the site where the Edmund Fitzgerald met its ill fate. Leaving Duluth, we’ll continue our journey via the North Shore Scenic Drive, a designated American Scenic Byway along Lake Superior. We’ll stop along the way for lunch in Two Harbors, a cheerful lakeside community. After lunch we’ll explore one of our favorite places, Gooseberry Falls with an easy two mile “Falls Loop” hike, enjoying the many waterfalls and fabulous photo opportunities of the fall foliage. We’ll arrive late afternoon in the heart of the Gunflint Trail. We’ll get checked into our cabin for a two night stay. There is a lodge restaurant right on site for dinner. Maybe we’ll join the fire pit with a beverage of choice this evening and listen to the sounds of the loons, Minnesota’s state bird. Overnight Gunflint Trail Lodge.

Thanks for a fabulous vacation. All your pre-planning certainly paid off.  -- Susan N, NY

Day 3

After breakfast, we’ll canoe or kayak in the BWCAW with amazement of this precious and stunning area. The fresh air is endless, the loon calls are soul-stirring, and the experience is priceless!  Again, the fall colors will bring the oh’s and ah’s to our lips.  We’ll travel to the harbor village of Grand Marais, as we amble through this unique, artistic community. There are fun shops to wander through and we’ll have lunch at a cool little diner. On the way back to our lodge, we’ll have some hiking stops with the hopes to see moose or possibly black bears.  Back to our cabin for the evening. Quiet, surreal, time for reflection or play!  Dinner at the lodge. Maybe we’ll open a bottle of wine to have by our own fireplace, perhaps a sauna too if we choose!  Overnight Gunflint Trail Lodge.

Day 4

After a leisurely breakfast we’ll head south with hiking stops in some of Minnesota’s foliage-famous state parks along Lake Superior. We’ll enjoy lunch in another quaint town and maybe try some of the tasty fresh-caught fish out of one of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes.  We’ll head back to “civilization” with a late afternoon arrival in Minneapolis/St Paul. Our hotel is by the Mall of America and yes, we will have time to enjoy tax-free shopping at the MOA (on clothes, shoes, and more) before or after our delicious Farewell Dinner. Overnight Minneapolis St. Paul / Bloomington MOA Airport area.

Janet led us through an adventure that filled our souls and brought Mother Nature into full view.  -- Betty H., WA

Day 5

Enjoy breakfast and the hotel’s amenities before your hotel to airport transfer…or stay and enjoy all the beautiful Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have to offer!

What’s Included

• 5 days / 4 nights fully guided tour
• Accommodations in double occupancy
• All transportation as noted in the itinerary
• All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 5
• All activities noted in the itinerary
• All entrance fees, park passes, and required permits

What’s Not Included

• Round-trip transportation to/from Minneapolis/St. Paul airport
• Alcoholic beverages and other Items of a personal nature
• Optional gratuity to your Trip Leader at the end of the tour