Hinckley is the ultimate, quintessential “halfway stop” on your way up to the North Shore in Minnesota.
In other words, this town has everything you could want in a quick stop. Like, gas stations, clean bathrooms, fast food, but there’s one place that everybody visits when coming to Hinckley… and that is Tobies Restaurant and bakery.
For Minnesotans, just mentioning the very name “Tobies” evokes a nostalgic feeling. Almost like you are talking about visiting Grandma’s house. Yes, it’s that special.
Mainly because Tobies has been a part of many families’ “stopping halfway” traditions since it opened in the 1920’s. Incredibly, the current owners have been running the restaurant since 1966. And this multigenerational family has that magical formula that keeps people coming back year after year.
Known for their amazing caramel rolls, they also have doughnuts and other baked goods that you can stock up on for your trip up north.
Tobies Gas Station
Tobies is split into two buildings, a gas station and the bakery/restaurant. Which is super convenient having a gas station right here and also why it’s really busy on Fridays and Sundays. Don’t be surprised if it’s slim pickings for doughnuts if you come late in the day!
The gas station recently added Minnesota’s own, Caribou coffee. Talk about a dream combo right there, doughnuts and coffee! And yes, the gas station has a mini bakery case with rolls and doughnuts right inside. So, no need to go over to the main bakery if you are in a hurry.
And if you are here in the summer, there is a walk-up ice cream window. So, if you are craving ice cream more than doughnuts, you can get your cone! All the sweet treats you could want in one area!
Tobies is definitely a must stop, but Hinckley has a few more gems that you can visit. So, keep scrolling to see what else is in Hinckley.
Grand Casino Hinckley
Just down the road from Tobies, is Grand Casino Hinckley. Which is primarily a casino with your typical slot machines and table games.
However, if gambling is not your thing, Grand Casino Hinckley has done a great job at making themselves an entertainment destination with a wide variety of other things to do.
Read on to see what else is at the Grand Casino in Hinckley.
Grand Harmony Spa
If you are in need of some relaxation, be sure to check out Grand Harmony Spa.
The spa has everything you could possibly need for ultimate relaxation. I love hanging out in their whirlpool, and in their relaxation lounge. And, trust me, after getting a Grand Harmony Signature massage, you will feel like a million bucks.
Lady’s tip: If you don’t want to spend a lot of money getting a service, you can get a day pass. This pass allows you to use their steam room, relaxation lounge and whirlpool for a fraction of the cost. Definitely worth it!
Hinckley Outdoor Ampitheater and indoor Concert Venue
Grand Casino has really good concert venues both indoors and in the outdoor Ampitheater. With concerts throughout the year, both the venues host a pretty good lineup of music stars, bands, and other fun events. Check out what is playing here.
Rival house- Adult Arcade Gaming
If arcade style games sound more fun than casino games, there is an adult bar/arcade play area at Rival house. Note that it’s open on the weekends only.
Restaurants at Grand Casino Hinckley
There are plenty of restaurants right at the casino if you are looking for some good eats. There’s a quick to go place at Provisions to-go, a classic sit-down diner at Stories, or you can have an upscale steak dinner at Winds Steakhouse.
The Grille house and Rival House are also fun to try but they may only have evening or weekend hours. My favorite thing to get is the wild rice soup, available at most of the restaurants, and it’s the best!
Grand National Golf Club
Take a chance on a game of golf at Grand National Golf Club. Located next to the Grand Casino, this golf club has 18 holes and is open April through October.
Where to stay in Hinckley
Instead of just passing through Hinckley, you can also make it your home base and stay overnight as there is a hotel attached to the casino. Additionally, Grand Hinckley Inn is another hotel across the street from the casino.
Or if you have a camper or an RV, there’s also an RV park located next to the casino.
Alternatively, right next to the RV park they have little chalets or cabins you can rent, and bonus, the chalets are pet friendly!
As you can see, there are plenty of options if you choose to stay overnight.
Staying overnight gives you more time to check out the rest of the places on this list. Keep scrolling for more things to do in Hinckley!
Hinckley fire museum
If you are into history, you can check out the Hinckley fire museum and learn about the devastating fire that happened in the town in 1894.
Check out the State Parks nearby
St. Croix State Park
If you are looking to spend some time in nature, check out the state parks in the area.
St. Croix State Park is right down the same road (MN- 48) as the Casino, about 19 miles further down the road. The park is the biggest state park in Minnesota and lies alongside the St. Croix River.
Within the park, there is plenty of hiking trails, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fishing and mountain biking. And if you are not afraid of heights, you can climb 134 steps up the fire tower for an amazing view.
Banning State Park
Wolf Creek Falls
You can also check out Banning State Park which is about 15 miles north of Hinckley on Hwy 35W. The park runs alongside the Kettle River and has a really neat deal where you can see the ruins from when it used to be a sandstone quarry.
Additionally, Banning State Park also has two waterfalls. Wolf Creek falls is amazing in the summer, but it’s truly spectacular in the winter. Not only is it visually beautiful in the winter, but you can also walk behind the frozen falls! The trail to the falls is a little challenging as it’s almost 4 miles round trip. And you do have to climb some rocks in order to reach the falls. But the falls are certainly worth the effort!
Big Spring Falls
The second waterfall is actually not in the state park itself. You have to go through the town of Sandstone to get to it. But you should be able to find it on Google Maps. An easy hike to get to the falls and the wooded trail and rock formations are also neat to see.
At the very least, be sure to stop by and grab a doughnut
Hinckley certainly has what it takes to be a halfway point, and it’s even worthy of an overnight destination. But at the very least, stop and get yourself get a drool worthy doughnut at Tobies!!
Read More:
Things to do in Duluth
North Shore Itinerary
Hinckley, Minnesota
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