Have you been dreaming about your next vacation? It’s spring break season, and summer is approaching. That may have you thinking about your next trip, whether it’s a trip with friends, family or yourself. 

You don’t have to go far to have a great time.

Luckily, there are plenty of day trips and staycations you can take right here in Minnesota. 

MPR News host Angela Davis talked with Em Cassel, co-founder and co-editor of Racket, a Twin Cities publication for news, arts and culture, and Stephanie March, the executive editor of new media and food at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, about their favorite hidden gems for travel in and around Minnesota, and how to plan a short getaway.

Here is a list of cities, places, and activities our guests, callers and readers shared with us.

The following transcript has been edited for length and clarity. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.   

Hot dish festival and more in Fargo-Moorhead

March: We drove up (from Minneapolis) on a Saturday and we did 24 hours in Fargo. We went to go see some music, then we went to dinner and did some bar stuff, and then the next day we went vinyl record shopping. They have a Plains Art Museum that is spectacular. We saw Indigenous art. We walked around and then we went to this brewery, Drekker. We saw everybody going nuts over hot dish and it was a riot. It was perfect.

Hiking and rafting with your dog in Northern Minnesota

Cassel: I do a lot of day tripping based around my dog, who is big and loves being outside. It’s a lot of state parks. I really like going to Jay Cooke, which is a state park. If you head up that way, it’s really close to Duluth and to Gordy’s Hi-Hat, which is one of my favorite spots to grab a burger and sit on the patio. 

There are these inflatable rafts called pack rafts. They pack down to a foot by a foot and you can latch them to a rack on your bike and then ride somewhere, inflate them and raft somewhere and then bike away.

The tour of lakes in Brainerd

There is a great trip called “The Tour of Lakes bike ride.” It’s in Brainerd on Saturday, June 3. It’s…