Planning a vacation up north? Northern Minnesota is a fantastic place to visit, especially during the summer months, but not everyone knows what to do and where, especially when it comes to pleasing their entire family. There’s no Disney World, true, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do for kids. Your family may be a single unit, but it is ultimately made up of many different people who have different ideas of what is fun and enjoyable.
A memorable family vacation isn’t an impossibility. It just takes a bit of planning. Here’s where to begin.
What is “Fun”?
There’s a lot to do in Northern Minnesota, especially if you stay at the right family-oriented resort. The diversity of activities is one of the best reasons families visit the area year after year. What’s the trick to finding the right place to go? It’s defining what “fun” means to each member of your family. Do they enjoy hiking and biking? Do they prefer a round of golf? Do they want to get out on the lake and swim, fish, or enjoy life on the water? Do they simply want to sit by the lake and read?
Find out what’s important to your family, then choose a location that has it all.
Have Some Planned Activities
Everyone loves having something to look forward to. It builds excitement for the trip, and it helps us get through the not-so-great times as we look forward to what we will be able to enjoy in the future.
Take some time to explore your options when planning your trip, and set aside some time to do specific activities that you know you and your family will enjoy. Are there places you want to see, things you want to eat, or activities that are on your “must do” list? Plan them out in advance so that you’re guaranteed to check them off your list during your trip.
Leave Room for Unplanned Activities
There are a lot of places to explore in Northern Minnesota, especially if you’re a fan of hiking and biking. The Minnesota Northwoods is vast and feature diverse animals and plant life, and there’s no shortage of lakes to see. While you should have a set list of things that you want to do, don’t forget to leave some time open to explore. Go and wander, find something new and interesting, and take an unexpected detour every now and then. You never know what you can discover if every minute of your trip is planned out and scheduled.
Don’t Forget to Leave Space for Relaxation
You’re guaranteed to have at least one member of your family who just likes to sit around and do not much of anything at all (maybe it’s you!). Always remember the primary purpose of a vacation: to relax. If you like just sitting by the lake, reading a book, and enjoying being in the great outdoors, take a bit of time to do just that.
Spend Time Together
While it’s normal for everyone to go off in their own direction while on a vacation, taking time to do the things they like to do the most, don’t forget to spend some quality time together. Set a time during the day (outside of mealtimes) when you are all in the same place at the same time doing the same thing. Nothing brings you together more than sharing the same memories and experiences on vacation. Cherish the opportunity to bond as a family and create lasting memories in the scenic beauty of Northern Minnesota!