🚵‍♂️Tents, Tunes & Tokyo Trails

I’m not much of a writer, but man do I love sharing the best this state has to offer with you all. The pic above is from my last cart-in camping trip (more on that in a minute). It came at a time when I desperately needed to clear my head and reset—and on that trip, I did.

This week, I challenge you to do the same. Pick the event that looks the most fun and just go. Try the new thing. Take the road trip. As recent events remind us again: Life’s short. Get out there.

Cheers, friends!

-Joe & Haley

Your Weekend Forecast

Pine City Freedom Fest

6/28

We’ll have a full rundown of the big-city Fourth of July celebrations next week, but that doesn’t mean we can’t light the sparklers early. This Saturday, kick things off with a quintessential small-town Minnesota celebration featuring a full day of live entertainment, food booths, a beer garden, and vintage rides at the car show. Stick around in the evening for a street dance and fireworks to cap off the night.

more →

Is there any landmark in Minnesota more recognizable than Split Rock Lighthouse? Outsiders might say the Spoonbridge or Stone Arch, but to locals, Split Rock evokes an instant sense of nostalgia and peace. Perched atop the North Shore’s steady cliffs, it welcomes road trippers in search of history, nature, and adventure. If you haven’t been yet, here’s how to plan an unforgettable road trip to Split Rock Lighthouse.

🗺️ Getting There

This could easily be a day trip, but making it an overnight trip is definitely worthwhile if you’re able. Split Rock is 3.25 hours from Minneapolis, straight up Hwy 35. Don’t dilly-dally getting to Duluth (2 hrs), so you have plenty of time to bounce up the coast between scenic spots like the Glensheen Mansion, Two Harbors, Castle Danger (not an actual castle), Gooseberry Falls, and more. Any one of these spots would make for a great final destination, but this time they aren’t the main event. So, before you set off, research which of these interest you most to make the most of your time.

🥾 Things to Do

Note that Split Rock isn’t just the lighthouse—it’s also one of Minnesota’s 64 state parks. As such, there’s plenty to do beyond touring the lighthouse, like hiking a section of the Superior Hiking Trail, mountain biking along the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, or simply relaxing on Pebble Beach while admiring the lighthouse in the distance.

If you’re able to make it an overnight, skip the Airbnb and consider cart-in camping instead. While the name lacks creativity, the idea is brilliant: parking is half a mile from the campground, and carts are provided to haul your gear to your site. This setup offers far more peace and quiet (and fewer car doors slamming while you’re trying to sleep) compared to standard drive-up sites. Best part: campsites are perched right on the coastal cliffs of Lake Superior, so the sound of waves will lull you to sleep.

🧭 A Few Tips

• Permits – The lighthouse and state park are under different management, so separate permits are required. Reserve camp sites here.

• Make a plan – This area almost has too many places to see and things to do. Do some research in advance to figure out what you’ll enjoy most, and plan your time accordingly.

• Seriously, Camp – Did I mention how great cart-in camping is? It’s especially ideal for beginners, since you can bring all the creature comforts of home while still enjoying a remote-feeling experience.

If there’s one trip every Minnesotan should experience, it’s this one. So pack your bags and make it a weekend to remember. And as always, we’d love to see where the adventure takes you!

Happy trails!

-Joe

• Taste of Minnesota 2025

• New Restaurant you should try now

• Duluth Air Show

• Concert: Trampled by Turtles

PS: If your 2025 plans include buying or selling a home around the Twin Cites…

🙋‍♂️😃