Glowing beaches, clear oceans, warm breezes, palm trees and no stress… Winter always seems like the perfect time for a vacation. Unfortunately, an all-inclusive Hawaiian getaway may not be part of the itinerary. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to make a day off from school just as relaxing and rewarding as a tropical vacation (minus the weather, of course). And for some students, adventure awaits just outside their backyard.

Look no further than Grand Avenue for a fun, mini-getaway on a day off from school. Many tourists and out-of-towners consider Grand Avenue as a major “hub” in Saint Paul: shoppers and diners bustle through the streets, winding through the assortment of local cafes, boutiques, restaurants and retail stores. But even local residents can enjoy a day trip along Grand Avenue. Use this itinerary for inspiration about where to spend time on this local adventure.

9 a.m.: Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so start the morning off right at The Uptowner Cafe. The cafe specializes in all things breakfast: it serves crispy hash browns, stacks of pancakes, omelets, and oatmeal all day. The Uptowner does offer traditional lunch fare too, with an assortment of sandwiches, burgers, soups and salads available. But patrons should fully commit to the classic diner experience and order the “eggs and pancakes and hash browns”, to sample the full spectrum of essential breakfast foods.

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Flannery Enneking-Norton

The Uptowner prides itself on breakfast, serving up pancakes, omelets and hash browns all day.

10 a.m.: After a satisfying meal, walk a few blocks up to the Red Balloon bookstore to browse for 30 minutes or an hour. The bookshop has an exhaustive collection of children’s books, but peruse the young adult sections in the back and basement of the store. Red Balloon also hosts readers’ workshops and book signings (usually targeted at a younger audience, but occasionally for a more advanced age group), and it sells board games and cool t-shirts. After satisfying the bookworm, window shop across the street at retail stores such as J. Crew and Lulu Lemon.

11:15 a.m.: For a fun arts and crafts activity, set aside one or two hours to spend at Paint Your Plate. The shop is designed so every person can decorate their own pottery, which would be a great activity for a group of friends. Personalize a cereal bowl, or design a mug for a present. Appointments can be scheduled ahead of time, but walk-ins are welcome. For people who are interested in buying art, rather than making it, check out Three Sisters Eclectic Arts. The shop has been at its Grand location for almost three years, but has been running for much longer. The shop contains all Minnesota-made or inspired art, jewelry, soaps and more. A beautiful collection of watercolor cards and wall art featuring images of moose and loose adorn the walls (a nod to the artist’s Minnesota roots). The quirky and fun storefront adds an element of local charm to any outing.

1 p.m.: As lunchtime approaches, consider getting dessert before the major rush hits at Cafe Latte. Try to save the treats for later, though (even if it’s hard to resist the luscious caramel and fudge frosting of their famous Turtle Cake) and eat lunch first at the locally-owned Khyber Pass Cafe. Started by a husband-wife team from Afghanistan in 1984, the cafe offers fresh and authentic Afghani food including a variety of flavorful meat and vegetarian options. Dine here for a culturally-enriching experience.

2 p.m.: After lunch, take an hour or two to stroll up Summit Avenue and admire the houses, or walk along the East River Road for a view of the beautiful Mississippi. There’s a peaceful lookout at “The Monument,” on the corner of the Summit Avenue and the East River Road. In the spring and summer, more adventurous hikers can access trails from this spot as well.

At the end of the day, sun burns and tan lines won’t be an issue, but sore feet and a few unique, local treasures should make the trip a grand one to remember.