As the Mississippi River lopes languidly along through Minnesota it calls in at St Cloud, a pleasant college town. Several major roads cross here, making this a central stop for visitors passing through the middle of this northern state. Venture out of the city itself to the northwest and you'll stumble onto a part of America that feels almost frozen in time ? and may seem eerily familiar ? and not unjustifiably so. This area was, in fact, once home to author Garrison Keillor, whose National Public Radio show, A Prairie Home Companion, has delighted a listening audience over the years and recently made movie status.
Set comfortably in the prairie land of central Minnesota, St Cloud has a handful of museums to attract visitors in the vicinity, like the Stearns History Museum and Benton County Historical Museum. For a slice of nature in this laid-back urban area, head for the Munsinger and Clemens Gardens at the edge of the Mississippi River, or have a wander along trails winding through the Quarry Park, chopped up in the early 20th century for granite.
If you're lingering on in the area long enough to do some day-tripping, consider Lake Maria State Park for easy hiking trails, or take a scenic drive through Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge to do some wildlife spotting.
St Cloud is 67 miles northwest of Minneapolis, and 72 miles east of Alexandria.
