Hey Twin Cities families — now that spring is here and the temps are getting warmer, I’ve got a great idea for you: the Polk County Discovery Hunt!

We just did it as a family (that is, me, my husband and two teens), and it turned out to be one of those weekends that’s simple but so memorable.

And bonus? You could win an overnight stay in the Geodome at Big Rock Creek — yes, it’s as cool as it sounds (I checked it out!) — plus other fun prizes!

What is the Discovery Hunt?

It’s basically a county-wide scavenger hunt that gets you out exploring different parts of Polk County, Wisconsin.

Here’s how it works:

🌲 You pick up a Discovery Hunt form at the Polk County Visitors Center in St. Croix Falls. (It’s located at 710 WI-35, St Croix Falls, WI 54024)

🌲 You do one activity in each of the six categories listed on the form. (We easily did more than one in each category!)

🌲 You scan the QR code on the back of the form to submit it by May 15th.

That’s it. It’s FREE to do, super flexible (you can go at your own pace), and honestly, a great excuse to eat good food, see pretty places, and spend time together. You can stay in one area or explore highlights all over the county. Totally up to you!

What We Did

We made a weekend of it, and here are some highlights of what we ended up doing — all things my teens didn’t complain about (which, if you know, you know 😂):

🛒 We headed to downtown St. Croix Falls and explored a bit. We found some great shops and businesses to explore.

My teens of course found a cool gaming shop called Game Quest Gaming. And we found Valley Sweets – a candy shop. We had some yummy chocolates from there. (There’s really something for everyone!)

🔍 We learned some river history at the St. Croix River Visitor Center. It’s small but really interesting — and a great starting point (plus it’s free).

🥾 Hiked at Straight Lake State Park, which is a NEWER state park near Luck. Quiet trails, beautiful scenery — we had it almost to ourselves. 

🎨 Found murals and public art in Luck and St. Croix Falls. It felt like a little treasure hunt — we loved the mix of modern and historic touches.

💦 We saw a waterfall! Cascade Falls in Osceola was a beautiful little stop — you have to go down a few flights of stairs (and then back up – it’s good exercise!), but it’s worth it as it’s really scenic.

You know your teens like something when one takes their own pictures and the other makes a friend and climbs behind it!

In Osceola, there were more shops and businesses to explore, including a unique antique shop with ice cream and candy.

 Food highlights? SO many.

☕ I got a tasty Banana Bread Latte at Dalles Cafe and Coffee House (highly recommend)

🍔 We had burgers and ice cream! We found a place for lunch that had just opened up for the season – Milltown Drive-In! It was very retro here – and the food hit the spot.

🍽️ We enjoyed an elegant dinner at The Dalles House in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, which felt perfect for family night, date night, or a special occasion.

The Dalles House, by the way, is a very hospitable supper club that’s known for their amazing popovers. We had them and wow, YUM. Plus they come with homemade butter. I’ll go back anytime just for those.

Lodging?

🏡 We stayed at Big Rock Creek in a house called Elroy’s and it was the perfect spot for us – spacious and with plenty of things to enjoy. We spent a lot of time here!

My teens were obsessed with the Polaris Ranger ATV we rented. You can also use bikes, boats, a sauna, grills and more. My son especially loved exploring the trail around the lake and some of the many miles of trails on the property. 

And the Scottish Highlander cows next to the house were just the cutest.

They even had holiday lights up — in April! So festive and unexpected. They surrounded the lake and are on all year round!

Book a stay at Big Rock Creek here!

Why You Should Go to Polk County

Polk County is just about an hour from the Twin Cities, so it’s close enough for a day trip or weekend getaway. We had zero stress planning it, and it gave us a chance to unplug a little, get outside, and actually enjoy each other.

The Discovery Hunt gave us a fun framework — just enough structure to make it feel like an “adventure,” but still totally relaxed.

So if you’re looking for something easy and fun to do with your family before the end of spring, I really recommend checking it out.

My Tips:

• Check hours for museums in advance as some are open on weekdays and only select weekends during the spring. For example, the Polk County Museum is only open Wednesdays to Fridays.
• Get a state park pass online before you go. Check their options as an annual pass may be a better deal if you go at least 3 times a year.
• Ask the locals for their recommendations. That’s how we found the Dalles House restaurant – and it was so worth it!

Ready to explore?

➡️ Head to discoverpolkcountywi.com for all the details
📅 You’ve got until May 15th to complete your Hunt and enter to win!

Let me know if you go — I’d love to hear what you discover!

(Disclosure: We were hosted by Polk County for this visit, and this post contains affiliate links that help support this site at no cost to you. This post isn’t sponsored — just sharing our honest experience!)