| 3 miles from the mall of america. there's also a business center. accessed via exterior corridors, the low-key rooms feature old-school decor, and offer complimentary wi-fi, cable tv, and tea and coffeemakers, plus microwaves and minifridges. a half-mile from route 10, this simple, colorful hotel is 12. 2 miles from the afton alps ski resort and 19. check-in time: 2:00 pmcheck-out time: 11:00 am. free amenities include continental breakfast and parking
Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport 22 min
James J. Hill House (20 min)
Visitors can take guided tours of this rugged stone mansion completed in 1891 for a railway magnate. Science Museum of Minnesota (18 min)
Museum since 1907 exploring the sciences via hands-on exhibits & movies in an IMAX dome theater. Minnesota State Capitol (18 min)
Built in 1905, this beaux arts–influenced building serves as the seat of the state's government. Landmark Center (19 min)
Completed in 1902, this ornate former government building now houses art & history exhibits. Afton Alps (19 min)
This winter ski & snowboard resort on 300 acres includes 48 trails, 5 terrain parks & 18 chairlifts. Minnesota Zoo (27 min)
A 485-acre preserve exhibiting local & global animals from Russian grizzly bears to butterflies. Lake Elmo Park Reserve (19 min)
Hilly preserve featuring opportunities from camping to boating to horseback riding on 2,165 acres. Fort Snelling State Park (17 min)
Boasting a golf course & many trails for hiking, biking or skiing, this park also offers swimming. Afton State Park (16 min)
Expansive park featuring a swimming beach, campsites & a variety of wildflowers. Lebanon Hills Regional Park (26 min)
This sizable recreational area features multiple lakes, hiking trails, camping & a visitors center. Minnesota History Center (19 min)
Music recordings, a simulated tornado & other interactive exhibits featured at state history museum. Historic Fort Snelling (19 min)
Civil War–era military structure & museum with a drum corp, historical re-enactments & a gift shop. Minnesota Children's Museum (19 min)
Playful, interactive exhibits for younger kids including a look at state habitats & a rooftop park. Cathedral of Saint Paul (19 min)
A replica of St. Peter's in Rome, this 1915 beaux arts church features a copper dome & rose window. Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (20 min)
72 waterfront miles with canoe & riverboat trips, hiking, biking, fishing, bird-watching & a center. | 
