REGIONS: CENTRAL FOUR TIPS FOR FAMILY TRIP PLANNERS 1 Book early. Plan at least a year ahead for peak summer dates. Small resorts book the fastest and may require week-long summer reservations. They can be more flexible in the shoulder seasons. 2 Pick your lodging style. Reunion cabins or homes let families share costs and stay together. If you’re more outdoorsy or have a tight budget, check out group camping and camper cabins at state parks. Madden’s Resort Beachfront Madden’s Resort from above, photo by Brad Thornberg Paddleboarding at Madden’s Resort 3 Gift time together. Some families cover cabin or resort lodging for grown kids and grandkids as an alternative to giving holiday presents. Some gather every two to three years to save for airfare–and savor the anticipation. 4 Work as a group. Lodging with kitchens lets you plan potlucks or rotate meal planning and prep. Ask resort staff about group rates for dining. They also can advise on area activities for local fun. Lisa Meyers McClintick is an award-winning travel writer for national and regional magazines and newspapers, author of Day Trips from the Twin Cities guidebook, digital content creator, volunteer master naturalist and teaching artist. You can follow Lisa on Instagram @minnelisa , Pinterest and Twitter @lisamcclintick . MEET LISA FOLLOW A room with a view, Madden’s Resort, photo by Rick Hammer Discover more Central Minnesota experiences. EXPLORE CENTRAL MN ExploreMinnesota.com/Central # ONLYIN MN | 63
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2022 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 63
