Finding a recommendation for a warm weather escape in the dead of a Minnesota winter is quick and easy. Ask a neighbor, post the question on facebook, scan a newspaper. Think Cancun or South Beach. And hordes of people. And chances are a co-worker can talk your ear off about great ski mountains with blissfully barren back bowls or a great place to stay in Tuscany.
But when it comes to seeking solitude and finding the quiet within, do you really want to trust the guy at the water cooler or the virtual thumb’s up from “I’ma- world-traveler” on Trip Advisor? Maybe. But then again, maybe not. Vacation time is precious. Like sand sifting through your fingers, it slips by quickly. If it’s soul-seeking and time away to clear your head and perhaps heal your heart, do your research and choose wisely. Think about the type of experience you are really looking for. Silent retreat? A week away with a theme such as Compassion? Or time away to get your diet back on track and be thoughtful about what you put into your body?
Retreats abound these days. Take your time to really think about the type of experience you want. And let the journey unfold from there. Following are some suggestions to help you explore the possibilities. Brew yourself some chamomile, and read on.
Arts Retreats
| NAME | LOCATION | CONTACT |
|---|---|---|
| Anderson Center Rooms available from November-April in historic house on 330 acres in the bluff-land region of the upper Mississippi. | Red Wing, MN | 651-388-2009 |
| The Grand Marais Art Colony Began in 1947 as a summer refuge for artists seeking study in the wilderness. Workshops in print-making, book arts, sculpture, drawing, and watercolor, acrylic, oil, and sumi-e painting. | Grand Marais, MN | 218-387-2737 |
| Tofte Lake Center A creative retreat center for artists, scholars and thinkers of all disciplines located on the shores of Tofte Lake, a beautifully secluded lake near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. From June through September, TLC offers creative residencies for individuals, artistic groups, and organizations who seek to create work in residence in a natural setting with arts facilities and comfortable cabins. | Ely, MN | 218-365-7769 |
Families Coping With an Ill Child or Loss
| NAME | LOCATION | CONTACT |
|---|---|---|
| Faith's Lodge A unique retreat center for families who have a seriously ill child or have suffered the loss of a child. Located on 80 acres, about two hours from the Twin Cities. | Danbury, WI | 612-825-2073 |
Nature Retreats
| NAME | LOCATION | CONTACT |
|---|---|---|
| Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center In January 2020, the Audubon Center of the North Woods formally changed its name to Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center. A private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) residential environmental learning and conference & retreat center in east central MN, providing environmental and outdoor education programs since 1971. | Sandstone, MN | 320-245-2648 |
| Boundary Waters Canoe Area The BWCA is a 1,098,000-acre wilderness area within the Superior National Forest. | Northern MN | 218-626-4300 |
Spiritual/Recovery/Resort
| NAME | LOCATION | CONTACT |
|---|---|---|
| ARC Retreat Community Nestled in 90 acres of pine forest and wetlands, ARC is an interspiritual retreat community. ARC's mission is to serve individuals and groups seeking time apart for rest and spiritual renewal. ARC is nurtured on sacred land, promoting environmental sustainability, and exemplifying a just and inclusive world where every voice is valued and respected. ARC is a powerful place to do your healing work. We welcome you. Labyrinth, fire circle, library, chapel, meeting rooms. | Stanchfield, MN | 763-689-3540 |
| Benedictine Center of St. Paul's Monastery Contemporary monastic environment of Benedictine Sisters. | St. Paul, MN | 651-777-7251 |
| Christ the King Retreat Center Oblates of Mary Immaculate offer accommodations in a retreat house that overlooks Lake Buffalo. Each day, besides the celebration of the Eucharist, the retreatant meets with a director to talk about his or her personal journey and experience of God. The rest of the time is spent in solitude and silence relaxing, praying, reading and reflecting. | Buffalo, MN | 763-682-1394 |
| Demontreville Jesuit Retreat House Each year more than 3,000 men from all walks of life participate in retreats at the Demontreville Jesuit Retreat House. Retreats at Demontreville have one theme: to know, love, and serve God in this world. Strict silence is maintained throughout the weekend, except for an optional recreation period after dinner on Friday and Saturday. | Lake Elmo, MN | 651-777-1311 |
| Dan Anderson Renewal Center Retreat lodge for those living the 12-Step recovery program. Retreat participants will enjoy a variety of group and speaker sessions, recovery yoga, evening fellowship, healthy meals and access to the pool, fitness center, meditation center and more. | Center City, MN | 1-866-398-2746 |
| Center for Spirituality and Enrichment / McCabe Renewal Center The Center for Spirituality and Enrichment provides opportunities for holistic spiritual and personal growth grounded in the Catholic Benedictine tradition of St. Scholastica Monastery. | Duluth, MN | 218-724-5266 |
| The Christine Center For 40 years the Christine Center has provided a spiritual home to visitors of all spiritual paths. A woodland sanctuary with a beautiful circular meditation hall, chapel, library and bookstore. Programs offer healing and personal development. Private hermitages and group housing, always open Art Studio, great home cooking, hiking trails and sauna. | Willard, WI | 715-267-7507 |
| Lakeplace Retreat Center Provided by The Fellowship Foundation, The Lakeplace Retreat Center is a family owned business operated by three generations, as well as a dedicated staff, all sharing their strength, hopes, and experiences. Located on a remote lake in Northern Minnesota, all living facilities are surrounded by acres of birch, pine, and hardwoods. Lakeplace is an ideal setting providing a non-institutional atmosphere reminiscent of a resort where time for reflection, fellowship, and sober recreation is a key element. | Isanti, MN | 218-245-1395 |
| The Retreat / McIver Center We believe spirituality is critical to a successful and fulfilling life and recovery. The McIver Center is available for use by private groups and is also available to Twelve Step Groups, spiritual communities, outside groups, and organizations. Our 18 bed facility can accommodate groups of 24 for daytime events. Our staff is available to work with each group to help shape and personalize their retreat experience. | Wayzata, MN | 866-928-3434 |
| The Spirituality Center at St. Benedict's Monastery Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict offer rooms at their Spirituality Center, Studium and two hermitages located near a labyrinth, walking paths and woods. Due to COVID-19, some programs have been canceled. | St. Joseph, MN | 320-363-7112 |
| St. John's Abbey Guesthouse Benedictine monks offer 30 rooms in their guesthouse that also has a meditation chapel, library, meeting rooms, and dining room. On the campus at St. John’s University. Plans to re-open June 1. | Collegeville, MN | 320-363-2573 |
| Waldheim Resort Vacation destination in Minnesota’s Northwoods on the sandy shores of Big Pine Lakes, halfway between the Twin Cities and Duluth. Cabins, RV camping, events. Two lakes are known for crappie, bass, northern, walleye and both sunfish and bluegills. Local proximity to trails, rivers, state parks and forests offer an extension of activities to the resort. | Finlayson, MN | 320-321-9096 |
| MN Humanities Center Surrounded by parkland yet minutes from the downtown St. Paul, you’ll feel like you’ve escaped the city. With private overnight lodging, flexible meeting spaces, and onsite catering staff preparing every meal, consider the center for your next retreat. Give your event the attention it deserves at the Minnesota Humanities Event Center. | St. Paul, MN | 651-774-0105 |
| Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center Surrounded by 150 acres of woods, lakes, and prairies, guests are nourished and restored by connecting with nature, others, and themselves. Our meeting spaces and overnight accommodations welcome groups and individuals for day retreats or overnight stays. Fresh, nutritious meals are served daily. Amenities like the pool, labyrinth, and trails enrich your renewal. Spiritual care and programming support are available. | Farmington, MN | 952-469-2175 |
| Pacem in Terris Hermitage Retreat Center Founded in the Franciscan tradition, Pacem serves God’s people through prayer and by providing the opportunity to retreat into the silence and solitude of a simple hermitage environment. Pacem serves both individuals and groups amidst a 240-acre wilderness, including oak woodlands, wetlands, native prairie, and a lake. | Isanti, MN | 763-444-6408 |
Where to Go Spots
| NAME | LOCATION | CONTACT |
|---|---|---|
| Jeffers Petroglyphs Jeffers Petroglyphs is home to about 5,000 sacred rock carvings, also called petroglyphs, made by the ancestors of today’s Native Americans. Jeffers tells the story of this continent like no other place — connecting visitors to those who lived and traveled in ancient times across what is now known as North America. | Comfrey, MN | 507-628-5591 |
| Visit Red Wing A true representation of the authentic Midwest, a unique and charming breathtaking blend of landscapes, artistic vibes, and small-town tokens. Be sure to visit The Pottery Museum, The Cannon Valley Trail and nearby Frontenac State Park. | Red Wing, MN | 651-385-5934 |
Last Updated on May 16, 2022