This Quaint City With Midwest Charm, Riverside Parks, And Evening Concerts Is Nestled Just Outside Minneapolis

For a community with a Midwestern vibe, slower pace, and that's still an easy 32-minute car ride from Minneapolis (making it a practical base for exploring the region), look to a city at the junction of the Crow and Mississippi Rivers called Dayton. This quaint city was once primarily farmland and is now continuing to see a transition into a growing suburb. You see new home construction when you pop over to Dayton, but the area keeps up a quiet, residential feel. You also find that a key part of the community's overall repertoire is its connection to the outdoors and riverside parks.

Many of the city's parks are hidden along the Mississippi River in this cute city, giving you quick access to the water (keep an eye out for your kids and pets). You can visit Cloquet Island Park for paths to stroll or jog on and a viewing area for anyone wanting to simply watch the river flow by. For a family outing, Sue McLean Park has a pavilion with picnic tables and Goodin Park has a pathway that takes you down to the shore.

This charming Minnesota city offers festivals and family-friendly fun put on by Dayton with a concert series that has food trucks, bounce houses, and adult-friendly pop-ups. You can also attend free concert series in the communities of Ramsey and Chanhassen during the summer. These events feature a variety of musical groups in outdoor parks. You can plan your trip around Dayton's yearly festival, Dayton Heritage Day, a weekend event that has a parade and other family activities during the day with more live music in the evening.

Dayton's park system gives you many options for outdoor activities, including going to River Hills Park, a large space with bike paths (good for walking or running too), a zip line, and a half basketball court. If you have the kiddos with you, Sundance Woods Park and Riversbend Park are good choices. Both have zip lines and plenty of space to run around. For anyone wanting to play some baseball or kickball, head to Dayton's Central Park. Larger games that require a tad more people can happen at McNeil Park, which has a baseball field with a scoreboard, lights, and playground. A different kind of outdoorsy activity is available at Wildwood Springs Park, where you can play on its disc golf course.

A popular fall hotspot to visit is Dehn's Pumpkin Patch. Your family can get lost in the corn maze, take a hay ride, or play in the large corn pit and on inflatable bounce houses. To enjoy this Twin Cities suburb's historic downtown and outdoor fun, a point of historical interest for your trip should include a stop at the preserved, grassy Daytonport Roadside Parking Area. It's part of the Red River Trail, a major trade route back in the 19th century for moving trinkets, supplies, and goods across the United States. If you want to get your performing arts fix in, check out Bunce Performing Arts. It's a local non-profit that puts on a free outdoor musical every summer (be sure to wear your sunscreen).

The food scene comes with a classic American-style selection in Dayton. You can go to a local spot called Dayton Bar & Grill for a burger, or you can have a Southern-style dinner at Dehn's Country Manor. This spot gives supper club vibes where you can order steaks and seafood. If you're after a drink, pop over to Celts Pub or keep your seat at the Dayton Bar & Grill. You can't find any coffee shops in the city itself when you want a cup of coffee (like I would), but a short drive to Champlin (about 16 minutes) gets you to Just Love Coffee Cafe. It has a fairly large menu with options such as a classic latte, a white chocolate tiramisu latte, Nanna's Cinn Rolls, and some other savory and sweet goodies. You can also find Kingdom Coffee in Maple Grove and Annabelle House in Osseo.

After flying into Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), the closest major airport to Dayton (43.2 miles away), look to nearby towns such as Maple Grove, Elk River, and Rogers for a place to stay — there are no hotels directly in Dayton. For a higher-end experience, book a room at The Hotel Landing in Wayzata (25.5 miles away), or stay at the Canopy by Hilton in Minneapolis's Mill District (about a 34-minute drive) for a boutique vibe. If you want a historic stay, try the Ann Bean Mansion, a bed and breakfast in Stillwater. For more standard hotel choices a tad closer to Dayton, check into the Cambria Hotel in Maple Grove (11.4 miles away) or the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson in Elk River (around a 10-minute drive).