Minnesota Archives - your fav travel besties!

April 1, 2024

10 of the Best Outdoor Activities to do in Minneapolis this Spring

Two friends on the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis

It may not feel like spring just yet, but a true Minneapolis spring will be here before we know it. As a native Minnesotan, I’ve experienced many different versions of MN spring throughout the years. There are the years of “will Spring every come” when we are gifted with the occasional winter white out in May. Or the "Spring in Feb", when temperatures rise above 40 degrees and the streets are filled with grown men in shorts and sandals. Regardless of when the true start of spring is in Minnesota, when it does arrive, it's one of the best tim[...]

Minnesota, Thrifty Tips

October 17, 2023

Grand Rapids, MN – Your Affordable Weekend Retreat

Black girl sitting on a chair in Grand Rapids MN

As avid Midwest travelers based in Minnesota and Wisconsin, we are always on the hunt to discover new pockets of the Midwest. It is one of our favorite things about being travel bloggers - exploring interesting, yet affordable places right in our backyard! Located only 3 hours north of the Twin Cities, Grand Rapids, is a quiet and quirky city in Northern Minnesota. From scenic hiking trails to outdoor music festivals and local breweries, this city surprised us with its unexpected charm. We partnered with @VisitGrandRapids and @Riverfest[...]

Minnesota

December 10, 2022

Why you need to check out MN’s new interactive sports store

By Wunmi Alowonle As a long time athlete and sports fan, seeking out a wellness lifestyle has always been important to me. From the earlier days of soccer teams and basketball tournaments, to present day gym memberships and hiking trails. And throughout all of my peaks & valleys on my journey with "wellness", there is one store that has been a constant resource for me - Dick's Sporting Goods! I recently visited the Dick’s House of Sport at Ridgedale Mall in Minnetonka and got to experience the store's evolution into a true athletic community. The ic[...]

Thrifty Tips

May 10, 2022

Minneapolis Street Art, Oh You Cute

You can learn a lot about a city by its street art. From its history, to its culture, to the little things that make a city unique. . The street art in Minneapolis has completely blown me away since I’ve moved back to Minnesota. I live in the heart of downtown and have been fortunate enough to explore different areas, and discover new (and old) street art in Minneapolis. Whether you are just visiting the city and are looking for some cute instagrammable spots in Minnesota. Or you live here and want to experience the city through the per[...]

Holiday Gift Guide 2021, Thrifty Tips

November 24, 2021

2021 Local Holiday Gifts under $50

We hope to make shopping a little easier for you this holiday season by putting together a curated list of 14 local holiday gifts from some of our favorite Minnesota and Wisconsin business owners! Not only are each of these gifts super affordable, each item is from incredible women owned and/or minority owned businesses that we love to support! Cheers to all of our last minute holiday shoppers! This one is for you :) Happy shopping! Woolly Bear Knits Women Owned, Local Minnesota We can't get enough of Woolly Bear Knits! Her hand knitte[...]

Minnesota, United States

June 27, 2021

7 Reasons to Book a Spa Weekend at Madden’s Resort in Brainerd, MN

black girl looking out at the lake at Maddens in Brainerd

I wish I would have discovered Spa trips much sooner in life, but I am definitely making up for lost time! A few weekends ago, I took an incredible staycation to Brainerd, MN with my three sisters and my mom. It was intended to be a Mother's Day gift from all of the children, but it ended up being a gift for everyone! We did not realize just how much we ALL needed a restful weekend away, to relax and recharge. Coming off of a year of lockdowns, racial and political tension, a global illness, etc., I'm going to assume that you could use a spa weekend away[...]

Minnesota, Thrifty Tips, United States

June 7, 2021

The Ultimate Weekend Getaway in Stillwater, Minnesota

Two women sitting in front of a fireplace

Whether you are looking to take a romantic getaway with your significant other, a fun girls weekend, or simply a relaxing staycation for yourself in Minnesota, Stillwater is a great option! It is 40 minutes outside of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area and located on the beautiful west bank of the St. Croix River. In this guide, we will share tips on where to stay, where to eat, and what to do while in Stillwater. We partnered with Discover Stillwater to come up with the perfect itinerary for a two-day trip to Stillwater and want to share it[...]

Thrifty Tips

December 19, 2020

9 Outdoor Winter Activities To Do in Minnesota

If you are like us, the thought of being cooped up inside all winter feels pretty terrible. With Covid cases on the rise, majority of indoor activities in Minnesota will be limited to help minimize the spread and keep everyone safe. Knowing this, we were determined to come up with a list of outdoor winter activities in Minnesota that we would still be able to experience safely this season. Minnesotans are no strangers to the cold, so luckily there are still a lot of great events taking place outside this winter. So bundle up, grab your face mask, and[...]

Holiday Gift Guide 2020, Minnesota, Thrifty Tips

November 28, 2020

13 Minneapolis Local Shops to Support This Holiday Season

You're here! Thank you so much for showing up. All of the locally businesses in this post need your support this holiday season. We are excited to share our list of the 13 Minneapolis local businesses that have helped make this shopping season extra special! Each business in this post was carefully selected, majority of which are women owned and/or Black owned. We hope you enjoy shopping these small Minneapolis shops as much as we did! Make sure you check out our 13 Milwaukee local business gift guide as well! SPOONFUL OF FAITH For your best gal[...]

Minnesota, Thrifty Tips

October 14, 2020

7 Minnesota Apple Orchards You Need to Visit This Year

There truly is never a better time to be in Minnesota than in the fall. One of our favorite fall activities is to enjoy a lovely hard cider and go apple picking at one of the many unique Minnesota Apple Orchards. This year we decided to explore some new Apple Orchards surrounding the Twin Cities. We tapped into our amazing Instagram community and checked out many of the suggestions that were shared with us. We compiled a fabulous list of Minnesota Apple Orchards for you to try out this year. Let us know which one you are most excited to visit![...]