
16 Best Things to Do in Big Bear, California
Big Bear works in every season — but most people only show up for the ski slopes and miss half of what makes it worth the drive.
North America travel guides covering the United States, Canada, Mexico, and beyond — national parks, road trips, big-city food scenes, and ski destinations from Banff to the Sierra Madre. Includes cross-border logistics, ESTA and eTA rules for visiting travelers, and seasonal pricing on flights, hotels, and rental cars.

Big Bear works in every season — but most people only show up for the ski slopes and miss half of what makes it worth the drive.

Compare five NYC areas for a family stay, including the best fit for first visits, young children, larger groups, and longer trips. Each neighborhood includes honest tradeoffs, verified room configurations, transit notes, and practical hotel picks.

Dodgeville sits between bluffs and farmland in southwest Wisconsin — small enough to cover in a weekend, varied enough to actually fill one.

Albert Lea sits 97 miles south of Minneapolis and most people drive right past it. That’s their loss — this town earns a full weekend.

Malibu rewards the people who stay longer than a afternoon. The ‘Bu has enough coast, trails, and food to fill days.

Rogers sits at the edge of the Twin Cities metro — small enough to feel local, close enough to never run out of things to do.

Wisconsin Point is one of the largest freshwater sandbars in the world — and most people drive right past it on the way to Duluth.

Pipestone sits 200 miles from the Twin Cities and most Minnesotans have never been. The Native American history here is unlike anything else in the state.

Northfield, MN is 30 minutes from the Twin Cities and consistently underestimated. That’s exactly what makes it worth the detour.

Forest Lake sits close enough to the Twin Cities for a day trip but far enough that it actually feels like an escape.

Silver Bay sits quietly on Lake Superior’s North Shore, 50 miles from Duluth — and Tettegouche State Park alone makes the drive worth it.

Minnesota honeymoons don’t require a passport — Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior delivers fireside suites and freshwater views that rival any coastal resort.

Deadwood punches above its size — gold rush history, Mount Moriah Cemetery, and trails that most visitors walk right past.

St. Cloud gets skipped for the Twin Cities constantly. That’s a mistake — the Munsinger Gardens alone are worth the detour.

Longville sits between Woman Lake, Boy River, and Girl Lake — and its bike trails alone could fill a long weekend.

Hutchinson, MN is Lindsay Whalen’s hometown and has a cold-climate winery that looks straight out of the French countryside.

93% of Eden Prairie residents rate their quality of life above average — and after a day at Round Lake, you’ll understand why.

Aberdeen keeps surprising you — world-class fishing, a legitimate prairie history museum, and a festival calendar that fills up fast.

Muscatine was once the button capital of the world — and that backstory alone makes the Mississippi riverfront worth a stop.

Prior Lake has 55 parks, two casinos, and a lake almost 20 miles long — and most visitors only scratch the surface.

Ankeny gets written off as a Des Moines suburb. It has a lake, serious trail systems, and an art scene that earns a full day trip.

Tobies Restaurant has been a Twin Cities-to-Duluth road trip ritual since 1948. Hinckley earns a full stop, not just a gas station break.

Willmar sits between glacial lakes and farmland with more to do than most people expect — plan more than a weekend.

The North Shore alone could take a week — and that’s before you factor in the state parks, the small towns, and Lake Superior pulling you off the road.