Minneapolis to Springfield Road Trip Guide

The last attraction before you arrive at your destination lies just half an hour away from Springfield. The Hermann Monument Society is a society in New Ulm, built around a 102-foot monument that pays homage to Hermann the Cheruscan.

Hermann the German is a primeval hero and was the reason behind what is now Germany’s liberation from Roman rule in 9. A.D. What is the statue of an ancient German hero doing here in Minnesota, you might wonder? Well, people bring their legends with them, and when German immigrants began to enter America, they brought the stories of their great hero with them.

This 4,000-pound statue took nearly ten years to complete. Today, it is a popular spot not only amongst Germans but for all the road trippers and vacationers who find themselves in Minnesota.

W. W. Mayo House in La Sueur is just 25 minutes away from Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area and might seem like a premature stop, but passing right by it would be a greater offense.

W.W. Mayo House was built by hand, by Dr. William Worrall Mayo and also witnessed the first medical practice of this great doctor during the US-Dakota War of 1862. In case you’re unaware, this is the same doctor who was behind the world-renowned Mayo Clinic.

The greatness of this house doesn’t end there. It was also home to the Cosgrove family, three generations of them, as they built and expanded their own Green Giant Company. The wife of Dr. Mayo also sheltered 11 refugees in this very house and the nearby barn during the war.

The house has been redecorated to mimic Dr. Mayo’s days of residence. 18th-century medical tools and a work desk provides a pretty accurate depiction of what went on.

We suggest you add some variety to your RV road trip and allow yourself to enjoy a pure retreat in nature, away from the chaos of cities and indoor shenanigans. Good thing that after nearly an hour of driving, you’ll come across the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area in Jordan.

This recreation park offers a large and spacious campground where you can settle down in your RVs. Once you are parked and comfortable, explore the outdoor opportunities offered here. Enjoy snacking at the picnicking area, hiking the trails for spellbinding views, riding a horse, or observing wildlife in its most natural habitat.

This retreat enjoys a combination of habitats with its river lowlands, lakes, floodplain forests, marshes, prairies, and of course the Minnesota River that runs alongside the recreation area. As a result, this area hosts more than 100 species of birds. This recreation park also has historical significance as it played an important role during the U.S. Dakota War of 1862.

Minneapolis Institute of Art will take you a little ways away from where you need to go, but this detour will be totally worth it. This institute of art has managed to collect some of the best and most unbelievable artworks over the centuries.

These artworks have no boundaries and no criteria other than the fact they are all brilliant. The collection includes artwork from every century and from artists all over the world. The museum has a collection of over 80,000 art objects that represent a variety of old cultural traditions with a timeline dating back to almost 4,000 years.

Imagine being bombarded with such a vast amount of visual beauty in just a few hours. Be prepared to come face to face with the art of renaissance-baroque style, post-impressionist style, and then a complete turn of style with Indian, Japanese, and Korean style of art. In this museum, you’ll find yourself traveling back in time and acknowledging the skills and craftsmanship of eras bygone.