Top Places to See When Driving from Bloomington, Illinois to Duluth, Minnesota

The journey from Bloomington, Illinois to Duluth, Minnesota is an expansive one. Both cities are located in different states, with Illinois boardering Wisconsin to the north and Minnesota to the east. This long drive is an adventure filled with endless opportunities for exploration. Driving from Bloomington, Illinois to Duluth, Minnesota through the heart of the Midwest provides an excellent opportunity to experience new sights and sounds. This post is dedicated to tourist attractions and locations that are worth seeing when traveling by car from Bloomington, Illinois to Duluth, Minnesota.

Explore Wisconsin’s Weekend Destination

The journey from Bloomington, Illinois to Duluth, Minnesota starts with Wisconsin's weekend destination, Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva is situated around 200 miles north of Bloomington, Illinois, and a perfect first stop within the state. Retaining its character as a classic Midwestern resort town, Lake Geneva offers attractions for visitors to enjoy. Among Lake Geneva's primary attractions is its lakefront area, which features beautiful scenery and an array of shops and restaurants.

If you have time, you can indulge in water sports or enjoy some time in the town's picturesque downtown. Alternatively, drive around Lake Geneva on the Scenic Route which provides a beautiful view of mansions on the shores and stunning scenery. Lake Geneva is undeniably a great stopover to rejuvenate after the rigorous drive from Bloomington, Illinois to Duluth, Minnesota.

Brainerd’s Recreational Haven

Brainerd is a small town in northern Minnesota, and it is one of the spots to explore along your way from Bloomington, Illinois to Duluth, Minnesota. Brainerd is popularly referred to as a central hub for fishing and hunting in the state, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from all over the country. With around 450 lakes within 25 miles, water sporting in Brainerd is a top priority. The town features convenient facilities such as fishing shops, bait and tackle shops, and countless water tours.

Brainerd is also famous for its cross-country skiing facilities, with trails that weave in and out of towering pine trees and offer varying levels of difficulty. Located in the Axmen District, alongside pastel-colored buildings, the town's historic railroad tracks are worth exploring. The tracks date back to the early 1980s and have been given a new lease of life with benches and streetlights suitable for a leisurely walk or biking.

Explore the Charm of Minneapolis/St. Paul

Out of all the cities mentioned earlier, Minneapolis/St. Paul has the most substantial metropolitan feel. Nonetheless, in terms of attractions and landmarks, the Twin Cities is not a disappointment. The sculpture park, located in downtown Minneapolis is an excellent starting point. The park showcases modern art installations from artists worldwide.

The city's oldest district is the Mill District, which features various educational institutions and museums such as the Mill City Museum and the Guthrie Theatre. Another must-see attraction is the Mall of America. As one of the world's biggest malls, it boasts over 500 stores, an enormous amusement park with a roller coaster, and a massive aquarium. If you're feeling tired from all the fun, you could take a break and enjoy the mall's food court, which has a wide selection of cuisines from all over the world.

Soudan Underground Mine Tour

When exploring the Soudan Underground State Park Mine, visitors take an underground mine tour that traverses some 2,341 feet deep into Minnesota's rock formation. The tours are scheduled and led by personnel who provide detailed lectures on Minnesota's iron-ore mining, its role in the state's economy, and the geological conditions that made ore mining viable here. The tour includes walking through lengthy shafts, narrow ladders, and witnessing the struggles miners encountered in the early 1900s mining for ore in the region.

At the tour's end, a separate Bluebird mine tour is also available, which was primarily intended to extract copper until the surrounding iron-ore mines were discovered to be more lucrative. The tour provides a comprehensive history lesson about Minnesota's mining culture and its contribution to the state's overall development.

Famous North Shore Scenic Drive

As the final stop on this list, visiting the North Shore Scenic Drive is an excellent way to conclude your expedition from Bloomington, Illinois to Duluth, Minnesota. Spanning across 154 miles, the scenic drive offers splendid views of Lake Superior's stunning coastline, state parks, waterfalls, and lighthouses. The best way to explore North Shore is by traveling on Minnesota State Highway 61 along Lake Superior's north shore and taking in the moody splendor of Lake Superior.

You can stop by small towns and cities along the way, including Grand Marais, Two Harbors, and Silver Bay, which offer quaint bed-and-breakfasts for visitors. Furthermore, hikers can quickly embark on a stroll on these scenic routes via access points such as Cascade River State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.

Conclusion

Driving from Bloomington, Illinois to Duluth, Minnesota is a long and adventurous drive full of limitless exploration opportunities. From Northern Michigan’s beautiful scenic lakefronts to historic railway tracks around Brainerd and Minneapolis/St. Paul's modern art sculptures, there is something to satisfy everyone's unquenchable thirst for recreational fun. Whether you choose to take in Soudan Underground State Park’s story on Minnesota's iron-ore miners or explore North Shore's breathtaking scenic drives, each stop provides an adventure that comes with plenty of photo opportunities. So, click your seat belts and head out to experience the American Midwest's wonders, as this drive offers a once in a lifetime opportunity.