Drive-In Food, Mini Golf, & Nostalgia an Hour & a Half From St. Cloud

This sounds like an awesome trip to take in the Fall.  Or now, but was thinking Fall because you can add in all of the Fall colors as you take a drive to the Eastern border of Minnesota.

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I'm talking about Taylors Falls, Minnesota.

Remember when there were A&W Restaurants in quite a few towns in Minnesota?  Actually, there still are several of these restaurants, the closest one being in Albany, but I'm talking about the A&W Restaurants with the drive in feature where you would order from your car, and they would bring it out to you and hang the tray on the window.  That's seems super unreliable as a place to put the food.  But it worked for many years.

There is still a restaurant with that type of feel.  But this one is not a franchise.  It's a unique restaurant aptly named "The Drive In".  And it's located in Taylors Falls, which is about an hour and a half away from St. Cloud via Hwy 95.  You can also take 94 or Hwy 10, but those routes will take longer.

The Drive In still features carhops in poodle skirts who bring food to right to you while you are still in your car.

It's got that nostalgic feel like you are back in the 50s.  Granted, I wasn't alive then, but I've seen movies and pictures.  The restaurant is seasonal, and is open from April through October and closed during the winter months.

Anyway, they make everything from scratch, and it's just a great place to hang out.  Plus, they also have a great mini golf course that you can enjoy too.

Depending on when you go, you can also take advantage of Wild Mountain.  Enjoy the Alpine Slide, or if it's still hot enough out, cool off by sliding down the water slides as Avalanche Valley.  Or, if you go during the winter, you won't get to enjoy the Drive In restaurant or the mini golf, but there will be skiing options.

Make plans for a group activity or just a retreat for a couple.  You can get all the information on the area here.