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Get smarter, faster about what’s happening in your backyard with local reporter Torey Van Oot.

Axios Twin Cities

Axios Twin Cities Thought Bubble

Whether you're looking for a family lake retreat or a couples' getaway, here are three beautiful Airbnb escapes, all under four hours driving distance from the Twin Cities. 

If you're looking for your next family vacation, this waterfront house might do the trick. It has paddle boards, kayaks, canoes and bikes you can use, plus plenty of hiking nearby. 

Features: Beach, outdoor activities, beautiful interior

Space: 16 guests, 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms

Cape Cod-style home with sandy beach beach

This chic tiny house has direct access to Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike trails, an outdoor sauna, fire pits, paddle boards and snow shoes.

Features: Summer and winter activities, multiple tiny houses on property available, beautifully designed

3. Cozy cottage with Gull Lake Beach access

This charming house would be an idyllic couples' or family retreat, with its lush garden and lake access.

Features: Cinosam Club access, fire pit, serene setting

Cozy cottage with Gull Lake Beach access beach

3 cool Airbnbs driving distance from the Twin Cities

Tiny cabin in Crosby.  Photo courtesy of Airbnb

Whether you&#x27;re looking for a family lake retreat or a couples&#x27; getaway, here are three beautiful Airbnb escapes, all under four hours driving distance from the Twin Cities. <h5>1. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cape Cod-style home with sandy beach" data-vars-click-url="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/53214469?federated_search_id=ce723aa1-dbde-4d75-8118-731e8a156db8&amp;source_impression_id=p3_1646159727_iZxRU5EGA24K%2F8dF" data-vars-content-id="1a1058fe-f864-4fa8-a9e1-1c4b6bca9e3c" data-vars-headline="3 cool Airbnbs driving distance from the Twin Cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/53214469?federated_search_id=ce723aa1-dbde-4d75-8118-731e8a156db8&amp;source_impression_id=p3_1646159727_iZxRU5EGA24K%2F8dF" target="_blank">Cape Cod-style home with sandy beach</a></h5>

Things to Do

Real Estate

Axios Twin Cities, anchored by Torey Van Oot, Nick Halter and Audrey Kennedy, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard

For a whopping $6.6 million, you can get a 9,714-square-foot house on a private island with a hovercraft to get around.

The five-bedroom, nine-bathroom house is located at 1 Bald Eagle Is. on Bald Eagle Lake and in White Bear Township.  

Price: This is the second-most expensive listing in the Twin Cities' market right now. You're paying for a fully furnished and newly remodeled house on a private island.

Most waterfront homes in Twin Cities are somewhere around $1 million, listing agent Nathan Landucci says. While the average waterfront home in a place like San Diego runs north of $6 million. 

The property has already attracted interest from potential buyers in Minnesota and out of state, Landucci adds.

Design: The house has been completely renovated and expanded with fresh,  modern finishes. 

The light wood floors and neutral color scheme make the house feel light and airy. 

It comes fully furnished with Restoration Hardware furniture, too. 

Getting there: The house comes with a hovercraft, which can float above water, grass and even snow so you can access the house year-round.

In the summer you can also get there by boat, and in winter you can get there by snowmobile and truck, too. 

Other luxury features: Smart home features controlled by iPads, whole house audio system, shore garage and new docks, and a racquetball court.

Photo: 8710 Photography, courtesy of Nathan Landucci

See inside the $6.6M mansion on a private island in Minnesota

Real estate

For a whopping $6.6 million, you can get a 9,714-square-foot house on a private island with a hovercraft to get around.<ul><li>The five-bedroom, nine-bathroom house is located at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1 Bald Eagle Is." data-vars-click-url="https://www.landuccihomes.com/featured-project" data-vars-content-id="4be868c8-7f57-48d9-af49-22cac389de95" data-vars-headline="See inside the $6.6M mansion on a private island in Minnesota" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.landuccihomes.com/featured-project" target="_blank">1 Bald Eagle Is.</a> on Bald Eagle Lake and in White Bear Township. </li></ul>Price: This is the second-most expensive listing in the Twin Cities&#x27; market right now. You&#x27;re paying for a fully furnished and newly remodeled house on a private island.

Spring is here which means we're ready to get our steps in. Here are few walking trails to add to your rotation. 

For an easy nature walk with the kiddos, consider the Tamarack Nature Center trails.

Surface: Mix of dirt, grass and boardwalk. 

Parking: 5287 Otter Lake Rd., White Bear Township.

Tamarack Nature Center. Photo courtesy of AllTrails

Grand Rounds connects several popular trails, with a mix skyline, water and nature views.

Parking: Theodore Wirth Park, 2117 West River Rd. N., Minneapolis.

Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. Photo courtesy of AllTrails

Next time you want to get out of the neighborhood, consider a day at Crosby Farm Regional Park.

Nothing says spring like a scenic stroll through the Arboretum, which has more than a dozen gardens.

Parking: Minnesota Landscape Arboretum (3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska).

4 walking trails near the Twin Cities

Nothing says spring like a scenic stroll through the Arboretum.

Spring is here which means we&#x27;re ready to get our steps in. Here are few walking trails to add to your rotation. <h5><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tamarack Nature Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/minnesota/tamarack-nature-center?ref=result-card" data-vars-content-id="5b5e193e-cbea-4fd9-a9fb-725851a93ce5" data-vars-headline="4 walking trails near the Twin Cities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/minnesota/tamarack-nature-center?ref=result-card" target="_blank">Tamarack Nature Center</a></h5>For an easy nature walk with the kiddos, consider the Tamarack Nature Center trails.

If you haven't already, now's the time to plan something special for your Valentine. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Nothing says love like racing your date down a mountain in a tube. A two-hour session is $17 per person. 

Best for: Those looking for a little adventure.

3. Play tourist at Minneapolis Institute of Art

Spend the day strolling through exhibits and taking in the art with your valentine.

Admission is free. View museum happenings and special exhibits here.

The dinner date is classic for a reason. Thankfully we already have a guide to the most romantic spots in the area. 

5. Enjoy a whiskey tasting at Brother Justus Whiskey Co.

Cozy up by a fire pit or fireplace with a whiskey flight in hand.

Make a reservation for Friday here. They also have room for walk-ins.

5 cool Valentine's Day dates in the Twin Cities

Enjoy a whisky tasting or play tourist at a local art museum.

Illustration of a heart with an arrow through it. The tip of the arrow is the Axios A logo.

If you haven&#x27;t already, now&#x27;s the time to plan something special for your Valentine. Here are a few ideas to get you started.1. Take a food tour of a food hall

Food and Drink

Eye-popping listings are just one indicator Twin Cities' luxury real estate market is booming.

What's happening: Every year, there's more and more activity at the luxury price point (anything north of $1 million).

"That segment has gone from a buyer's market to a seller's market with under four months of supply," says David Arbit, director of research for Minneapolis Area Realtors.

Luxury home sales were up 25% in 2020 and then up another 50% in 2021.

Luxury listings now get 100% of their asking price on average. Pre-pandemic, it hovered around 95% asking, Arbit says.

In 2020, luxury homes were on the market for 73 days on average. In 2021, it was 72. Now, they're flying off the market within 20 days on average.

What's next: Luxury market home prices are only going up as demand grows and inventory shrinks.

Twin Cities' most expensive homes on the market:

1. 700 S. 2nd St., Unit W100 (Minneapolis) — $7 million

Specs: 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 4,370 square feet.

Features: Three parking spaces, private elevator, multiple fireplaces, guest suite, outdoor sauna, stunning views and a 3,000-square-foot terrace.

2. 1 Bald Eagle Island (White Bear Lake Township) — $6.6 million

Specs: 5 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, 9,714 square feet.

Features: Movie theater, racquetball court, private island (!), chef's kitchen and a whole lot more.

3. 1719 W. Franklin Ave. (Minneapolis) — $4.85 million

Specs: 4 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 6,883 square feet.

Features: Lake of the Isles views, resistance pool, home office in primary suite, outdoor living spaces, wine room and an elevator. 

4. 20 Park Ln. (Minneapolis) — $4.75 million

Specs: 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 4,098 square feet.

Features: On Cedar Lake, curved walls, glass-block windows, entire third-floor primary suite and a primary bath with heated floors and a steam shower.

Twin Cities' luxury housing market explodes. Plus: 4 pricy listings

In 2020, luxury homes were on the market for 73 days. Now, they're flying off the market within 20 days.

Photo: 8710 Photography, courtesy of Nathan Landucci 

Eye-popping listings are just one indicator Twin Cities&#x27; luxury real estate market is booming.What&#x27;s happening: Every year, there&#x27;s more and more activity at the luxury price point (anything north of $1 million).<ul><li>&quot;That segment has gone from a buyer&#x27;s market to a seller&#x27;s market with under four months of supply,&quot; says David Arbit, director of research for Minneapolis Area Realtors.</li></ul>

Brianna Crane

Featured stories

See inside the $6.6M mansion on a private island in Minnesota

Twin Cities' luxury housing market explodes. Plus: 4 pricy listings

4 walking trails near the Twin Cities

3 cool Airbnbs driving distance from the Twin Cities

5 cool Valentine's Day dates in the Twin Cities