5 Unique Places to Stay in Minnesota under $500

 

Every time backpackers shift their travel routines from adventure destinations to other unique places where they're rich in culture and extraordinary natural beauties. So, they'll be looking for the most underrated or unique places on earth.

If you’re thinking or looking where exactly these sorts of destinations within in the US, I highly recommend you to visit Minnesota. Often known as a “Land of 11,842 Lakes” consist of rich Nordic and sauna cultures and deep back country canoeing.

 

What I feel is the most tedious task here in Minnesota for every backpacker is “where to find a unique place to stay beyond the most standard hotel rooms”. Most of the standard hotels are costly and sometimes need 1 or 2 months before advance booking.

Most people book Minnesota the way they book any state in the US. They book a chain hotel near the mall of America or maybe a night in Duluth. I think this kind of decision is not at all required, since Minnesota has plenty of places where the buildings are the destination. 

To clear this confusion, I came up with 5 best ideas that give you “What are the top 5 Unique Places to Stay in Minnesota under $500”.

 

Brief Ideas about Your Unique Places to Stay in Minnesota under $500

 

1. Naniboujou- If you want to stay near history and friendly atmospheres.

 

2. The Lighthouse- Want Something quirky and intimate settings.

 

3. The Houseboat- Wanna stay to disappear on the water.

 

4. Douglas Lodge- To stay in nature without roughing it.

 

5. Lutsen- For classic Lake Superior base with activities.

5 Unique Places to Stay in Minnesota under the Budget $500

 

1. Naniboujou Lodge, Grand Marais

The hotel will be available if you drive highway 61 up the north shore, about 15 miles past Grand Marais. The Naniboujou Lodge looks fairly plain from the road. 

 

Once you walk into its great hall surely its vast ceiling with bold, geometric cover will surely impress and it is often considered as the hotel's first impression. However, rooms look clean, but its Cree inspired painting designs in red, yellow and blue will make your stay more valuable. You’ll have giant native stone fireplace anchors in each room.

The hotel was built in 1920 as an exclusive private club, later turned into a lodge, but today offers budget friendly rooms to every sort of backpacker. 

 

What to Consider in Naniboujou Lodge

 

1. Rooms look old fashioned and simple. Guests can expect character, not luxury things. 

 

2. The dining room here is the real draw, so plan on dinner and breakfast in that painted hall.

 

3. The lodge has seasonal operating windows, so check dates before you build a trip around it.

 

4. If you love to watch storms and skipping stones, may be this hotel's ideal location to visit Lake Superior shoreline. Located just walking distances even though not friendly to swimming, the beach is often known even for sunset viewings.

 Estimated Cost to Stay Per Person: Between $300 to $350. 

2. A Houseboat in Voyageurus National Park

Another great spot to stay in Minnesota under your budget is Voyageurus. The place is one of the few national parks where the main way to see it is by water.

 

The interesting part here visitors like you is can rent a houseboat from outfitters around Kabetogama and Ash River, then easily sleep on the lake. Additionally most guests like to anchor or tie up at a park campsite, cook on board and wake up to loons. Don’t miss the slow, quiet travel experience through the landscapes of islands and rock outcrops while staying in ahouseboat.

 

What to Consider in Houseboat in Voyageurs National Park

 

1. To stay at this houseboat you’d not have any valid boating licence or prior booking, but outfitters give you a brief orientation.

 

2. Try to stay during Autumn. Since the season is short, reserve your boat early. Sometimes prices may vary a lot by outfitter and boat size, so better to get quotes from a couple of them.

 

3. Since wind effects matter most here, especially while you stay at big or boxy houseboats, so try to plan short hops and always ok to wait out rough afternoons. 

 

4. Try to adjust to mosquitoes and biting flies which is common during June month and even sometimes July. If you dislike it, try to stay during late summer, it could be more comfortable to you.

 Estimated Cost to Stay for 2 Person: Between $320 to $400. 

3. The Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast, Two Harbors

There’re only a few places in the U.S that let you sleep inside an actual working lighthouse station. Out of those popular places “The LighthouseBed and Breakfast” is one.

This lighthouse was actually built in 1892, as a two harbours light station and keeper’s quarters have been turned into a small B&B run in connection with the local historical society. 

 

But while we talk about its features, you’re much blessed to enjoy a number of rooms including breakfast and even some evening drinking options. But choosing the right place to make your dinner is the most crucial aspect. Even today guests like me choose front row seats to the ore boats sliding in and out of the harbour, some of them are even 1,000 feet long.

 

What to Consider in the Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast, Two Harbors

 

1. If you’d made plans to visit in July, maybe it is a good idea to bring layers. Month witnessing wind off the lake that can be 20 degree cooler than inland.

 

2. Book well in advance. During summer rooms availability is few and even fall weekends go quickly.

 

3. Try to cover your trip to Gooseberry Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse, both located just walking distance.

 

4. Check in after the day visitors leave and you’ll have the grounds nearly to yourself.

 Estimated Cost to Stay per night; within $200. 

 4. Lutsen Resort, Lutsen

 

Like The Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast, Lutsen Resort is the most demanding and Minnesota’s oldest resort, going back to the 1880s. Today Lutsen Resort is located right on the shoreline of Lake Superior where there’re plenty of opportunities to enjoy history with modern comforts. 

Choose to stay at lakeside lodge rooms and cabins, both have dining rooms. Fortunately the resort has easy access to Minnesota popular hiking and skiing spots. 

 To stay in this Lutsen resort all you’ve to do is arrive at Lake Superior by boat. 

 

What to Consider in Lutsen Resort, Lutsen

 

1. Prices may differ from season to season, so better to compare midweek versus weekend before you stay.

 

2. Your stay is close to “The Superior Hiking Trail” which runs nearby. If you truly love to do it, try to take a day hike without driving too far.

 

3. I personally recommend you to try skiing. Since you’re staying close to the Lutsen Mountains, you can visit one of the larger ski areas in the Midwest. 

 

4. Bring your camera to get perfect captures of nearby Sawtooth Mountains peaks while its fall color. It hits in mid to late September.

 Estimated Cost to Stay per Person: Between $200 to $300 (applicable during summer). 

5. Douglas Lodge and Cabins, Itasca State Park

                   

One of the best options to stay overnight in Minnesota is “Douglas Lodgeand Cabins”. Like the above 2 staying options, the lodge has a historical log from the early 1990s with beautiful lodge rooms and a series of cabins set among old growth red and white pines.

Douglas Lodge and Cabins are located headwaters of the Mississippi River, you can easily walk across it on stones. If you’re a professional photographer choose a drive for quick photos.

 

What to Consider in Douglas Lodge and Cabins, Itasca State Park

 

1. You have to obtain a state park vehicle permit in addition to your lodging reservation.

 

2. During winter parks witness heavy snow effects so try to skip winter to stay unless you like cross country skiing. 

 

3. Bike or Walk the park’s loops and look into the Wilderness Drive for old pines.

 

4. Aim for the first hours after sunrise at the headwaters, before the day trippers arrive.

Estimated Cost to Stay per night: Between $150 to $300.