MN 250. A collage of people visiting historic sites, including: James J. Hill House, Historic Fort Snelling, and Split Rock Lighthouse. 26_ST_MN250_Landing Page Header_2000x622
Road trips. An illustration with dotted lines and instant photo outlines.

Hit the Road for America’s History

Choose from 10 history-packed itineraries connecting MNHS sites with historically significant stops across the state. Travel by car, bike, transit, or from home with a virtual option—and encounter scenic places, little-known histories, and remarkable stories along the way. Complete any itinerary and earn a commemorative MN250 pin, while supplies last.

Start your trip today—MN250 Road Trips end October 17, 2026.

How to participate

  1. Download the Goosechase app and search “MN250” to choose your road trip. Itineraries vary in length and location, but each includes 10 stops.
  2. Complete the stops in any order, or start at one end and make your way to the other for the full road trip experience. To complete a stop, you’ll need to check in with GPS or answer a trivia question. Each completed stop is worth 25 points.
  3. Keep an eye out for surprise side quests that may appear in the app along the way. These optional activities are worth 0 points, but they’re part of the fun.
  4. Complete an itinerary to earn 250 points and qualify for a limited-edition MN250 pin, while supplies last.

Have questions? Email 250roadtrip@mnhs.org.

Road trip itineraries

Road trips. Binoculars with keys.

Historic Vistas

From the North Shore to the Twin Cities, soak up scenic vistas and historic heights to gain a new perspective on the 32nd state.

Road trips. Chisel hitting rock.

Iron & Industry

Cruise through the landscape that powered America’s steel industry and see the central role iron has played in Minnesota history.

Road Trips. St. Paul Cathedral outline alongside a city outline.

Metro Migrations

Move around the Twin Cities Metro to learn about the many people who have called it home for over 250 years (doable without a car).

Road trips. Handprint in the soil in front of a sunset.

Native Minnesota

From millennia-old carvings to thriving contemporary nations, Minnesota’s Indigenous people have always made an impact on our state and nation.

Road trips. A quill in ink sits next to a photo of a capitol building.

North Star Politics

Vote for this venture through Minnesota’s political history and find some unexpected examples of civic contribution along the way.

Road trips. View of a barn and silo in a farm field.

Prairies & Plows

Take a trip through tallgrass prairies, flowering gardens, peaceful parks, and historic farms to see how Minnesota’s landscapes have changed over time.

Road trips. A train sits on a track while an airplane flies above.

Rails & Routes

Transport yourself through history with Minnesota’s railroads, travel routes, and locomotive innovations.

Road trips. A river runs under a bridge.

River of Change

Follow the Minnesota River and travel through the most transformative decades of the 19th century.

Road trips. An axe sits in a tree stump.

Timber Trail

Sharpen your saws to see the forests and mills that built a nation and changed our state.

Road trips. A sofa sits next to a table with a mug and stack of books.

MN250@Home

Take a virtual tour of Minnesota’s contributions to the nation from the comfort of home!

FAQs

 

Can I participate without using the Goosechase app?

Sure! A list of stops for each road trip is available, but in order to earn a souvenir pin, you need to use the app to verify your completion of an itinerary.

Is there a map that shows all of the stops?

A map that shows the general route of each road trip is available. The address of each location is also listed in the information section of each stop in the Goosechase app.

Are there stops that are on more than one itinerary?

Yes! Some MNHS sites are included on more than one road trip, so plan ahead if you want to complete more than one itinerary. In Goosechase, you'll see a reminder in the location description letting you know it's part of another itinerary.

Do I need to take photos of myself at the stops to earn a prize?

The required stops will only be GPS check-ins or trivia questions answerable with information at the location. Optional side quests will be photo challenges. If you’re comfortable, we encourage you to complete the side quests to show other participants the fun and interesting places you’ve visited!

Can I complete more than one itinerary?

Absolutely! However, you are only eligible to receive one MN250 pin, regardless of how many road trips you complete. But after all, the real prize is the journey itself.

I don’t have mobile phone service at a stop and can’t complete the stop, what do I do?

If it is a trivia question, you can fill in the answer later when you have service. If it is a GPS check-in and you cannot complete it at the location, take a photo of yourself at the stop and email your photo to 250roadtrip@mnhs.org along with your username and the stop name so we can manually adjust your points.

What if I don’t have a car? Can I still participate?

Yes! If you’re in the Twin Cities, our Metro Migrations itinerary can be completed entirely by transit, biking, and/or walking. Our MN250@home itinerary is completely virtual and can be completed anywhere as long as you have an internet connection.