One of the greatest things is to find an awe-inspiring place right in your own backyard. A good place that showcases the beauty of where you live, surprises you with its character, and takes you away, surpassing what you ever imagined for your visit. Enter: Taylors Falls, Minnesota.
The best trips are the unexpected.
About an hour (57 minutes) northeast of Minneapolis is a little village (4.24 square miles!) on the river in Chisago County that holds historic charm and outdoor adventure. The town, Taylors Falls, a population of less than 1,000, is tucked right into the hills of the scenic St. Croix River, surrounded by big trees, beautiful bluffs, and water running south. There are trail runs to hike, bike trails, glacial potholes (what?) to explore, the river to dip your toes in, and a downtown area to tour with its small shops, old school drive-in, and friendly vibe. A day in Taylors Falls is one you won’t regret and is perfect in the summer months or during the fall colors.
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What to Do in Taylors Falls MN
Visit Interstate State Park
This is why you come to Taylors Falls—if not for a juicy cheeseburger with extra pickles…lol more on that later. Owned by both Minnesota and Wisconsin (guess they play nice sometimes?), Interstate State Park will leave eyes wide and a smile on your face!
First, some easy tips and tricks:
- Google Maps: plug MN Interstate State Park Visitors Center in for the best place to start. You want to begin right off US-8 and Bench St. and Interstate State Park may bring you to an area farther south.
- Parking: There is a parking lot with a $7 state park fee. (Tip: you can park right off Bench St. in free 3-hour parking and walk over. It’s very close.)
- Restrooms: make sure to go right before you head out. There are outhouses and a restroom near the parking lot and a Casey’s General Store right across the street.
- What You Can Do: Rock-climb, kayak rental/canoe rental (more rental info—with calm water spots and rapids!), Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours, hikes, and camping.
- What to Bring: you know the drill—some water (check out the water bottle below), your camera, a little toilet paper just in case! Here is the MAP. Skip snacks. There are awesome places to grab food before and after.
I am LOVING this water bottle right now. It keeps ice for an entire day (even the hot ones!) and is big, yet lightweight and easy to carry.
All right, here is what not to miss when you get there–including where to experience rewarding views!
Glacial Potholes
Don’t worry. I had no idea what this was either. But before you get out on the trails, follow the short walking path (less than a half-mile) right when you enter and explore these legit holes in the rock for a unique experience.
What are these things that are said to be the biggest and deepest potholes in the world? Man-made wells, bigfoot, meteors? Apparently, (science nerds forgive me for the attempt at a simple explanation) they were formed when rock debris caught into the circular currents of water and acted like a drill into the earth. Nature is crazy. All I know is these things are cool to explore and all look like a bottomless pit! Boulder hop, get into a few of the potholes, and go up towards the top for a great view of the river!
Walking along this path, you’ll likely see rock climbers. If you’re interested, you must schedule a time. And at the end, there’s large boats available for river tours which cost $20.
Hike River Trail
Trail: Easy
Distance: 1.25 miles to the bottom
Stick to the well-paved hiking trail that will bring you over top of the river, along the road for a short distance, and back down to the water with high cliffs overlooks and other cool spots along the way. You start back where you came in.
Railroad Trail
Trail: Easy to Intermediate
Distance: 1.5 miles back to downtown Taylors Falls
If you don’t turn around before the bottom, connect to this trail on your way back to make the loop. There are no river views but you’ll see the beautiful bluffs. And there’s a lot of steps!
Breakfast at Juneberry Cafe
This cute café and one of the town’s coffee shops knows its audience—those ready to hike and explore the outdoors—and serves takeaway meals and snacks. Juneberry Cafe food is a local, sustainable, organic, and environmentally friendly shop located right where the downtown block starts on the corner of US-8 and Bench St. It makes for the perfect place to grab breakfast before you head out or a snack to stash in your backpack. The menu changes seasonally but you’ll always find hot-pressed sandwiches, bagels, fresh salads and soups, and a variety of grab-and-go snacks.
The Toasted Bagel with Smoked Trout + cream cheese is awesome and if you’re looking for something a little more classic, get a breakfast sandwich with bacon that comes hot-pressed and full of flavor. They also serve Peace Coffee, a Minneapolis favorite.
Lunch at The Drive In
Okay, so you had a healthy(ish) breakfast and hiked your butt off for hoursssss so guess what? Time to indulge. Your spot? Taylors Falls Drive In, which opened when Eisenhower was president and the stamp cost 3 cents—1956.
It’s both a favorite of locals and tourists with it’s 1950’s style drive-in setting complete with car service, poodle skirts (and masks lol), and oldies music. Their root beer is homemade and often finds itself on “Best Of” lists right along with their hand-packed burgers.
You can’t miss it along Bench St. with the large rotating root beer mug and The Drive-In sign luring you in. As far as what to order, you can’t skip a burger. 100% farm-grown Angus beef patties done one at a time and placed on a fresh bakery bun. And don’t skip the homemade root beer float. What. A. Treat. (And so much for that hike huh? HA. Well worth it.) Probably should note that their milkshakes are highly rated as well if that’s more up your alley.
Make sure this place is on your list if you decide to visit. It was very busy when we went (around 1:15 pm on a holiday weekend) but the service was unbelievably fast! There is also the Adventure Falls Mini Golf Course on the property to add a little more fun to your day.
What Else to do near Taylors Falls MN?
A stop at Juneberry Café, exploring Interstate State Park, and indulging in a “vacation meal” at The Drive In is the perfect half-day experience. But if you’re looking for more, that’s not all Taylors Falls offers.
- Wild Mountain: an outdoor play area and water park with go-karts, lazy river, alpine slides, water slides, and skiing in the winter. This spot it perfect for a day of family fun!
- Franconia Sculpture Park: technically in Shafer, MN, you’ll pass this place on your way in if you’re coming from Minneapolis. It’s only 10 minutes from Taylors Falls and free to enter, dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. They highlight local artists who create large sculptures and art to walk around the explore.
- Downtown: Don’t just stop in Juneberry Café and The Drive-In. There are bars, small shops, and boutiques and it’s fun to take a quick stroll down the block.
- Head to the St. Croix Falls, to Wisconsin Interstate State Park: Take on the Western Terminus of the Ice Age Trail and get a whole new set of gorgeous views from the other side.
- Wild River State Park: less than 15 minutes away is more outdoors to explore!
- William O’Brien State Park: just 18 miles north of Taylor’s Falls is a fourth state park if you want to check another one off your list!
The Taylors Falls Area is a MUST in any season!
Whether you take a road trip with the girls, spend a day with your husband, get the whole family together, or just need some me-time, this place will not disappoint and is a positive place to explore! And I have a feeling it will become one of your favorite small towns.
For another fun day trip, check out Willow River State Park!
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