10 Best Small Towns In Minnesota For A Crowd-Free Summer
Minnesota has 10,000 lakes, and the small towns scattered among them make for a quiet summer. Lindström serves Scandinavian doughnuts and sits ringed by lakes with boat rentals and 10 miles of walking paths. Red Wing stacks pie shops and patios along the Mississippi bluffs where its boots and pottery have been made for over a century. Wabasha draws eagle watchers to the National Eagle Center year-round. These are the 10 best small towns in Minnesota for a crowd-free summer.
New Ulm
New Ulm's history of German immigrant settlement makes this town a summer destination that blends history, hiking, and biking, and, of course, brewery hopping. It's home to several, including August Schell Brewing, America's second-oldest, family-owned brewery. Take a tour, then sit in the lush beer garden and watch the resident peacocks stroll proudly by.
Nearby Flandrau State Park has eight miles of hiking along the Big Cottonwood River and an unusual, chlorinated sand-bottomed swimming pond.
Northfield
Home to St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges, Northfield is a college town, and that means the downtown is replete with pubs, live music, cafes, cozy bookstores, and eateries. In the summer, the student population dwindles to almost nothing, leaving all of these wonderful spots to you, without the crowd.
Spend your day kayaking along the Cannon River (it flows right through downtown), take a break at a café, then start out your evening at the tasting room of the nearby Keepsake Cidery, where you can try some locally-made beverages among the company of locals. At the end of the day, it's time for a Nordic-inspired dinner at the Ole Store, built in 1889. If you've still got some energy left after all of that, there are many pubs that offer live acoustic music.
Red Wing
Think of Red Wing, and the Red Wing Shoe Company will probably come to mind. The shoes and boots have been made for over 120 years, and you can still buy them at the flagship store, which also features a museum that showcases local history. Red Wing Pottery is another manufacturer, founded in 1877, set on the towering bluffs of the Mississippi River.
Along those same bluffs, you'll find no end of patio scenery and eateries where you can enjoy elevated comfort food on patios that overlook the water. Red Wing is partially known for its pie and pastry culture, so after dinner, enjoy a little something sweet, such as the bumbleberry pie offered at Stockholm Pie.
Wabasha
First settled in 1826, Wabasha is another Mississippi River town with an old-time vibe. A walk through town, surrounded by brick buildings with glass front shops that now host boutiques and cafes, will have you feeling as though you have gone back in time to another century. Stepping away from downtime, nature is the theme. Eagle watching is a favorite, and you can learn more about these intelligent birds at the National Eagle Center or go on a guided eagle tour.
Rent a boat, kayak, or a pontoon if you want to do a bit of fishing. If boating is new to you, hire a guided tour company and learn as you go. Quick day trips include Kellogg, home to one of the largest independent toy stores in the US, LARK Toys, and Nelson Cheese Factory, all located right over the bridge in Wisconsin.
Lindström
Visiting Lindström is like visiting a Scandinavian country without paying plane fare. First settled by Swedish immigrant Daniel Lindström, the culture is unmistakable. Begin your day with a Scandinavian doughnut at Lindström Bakery and then go on an antique store crawl, visiting shops with colorful names, such as Picket Fence Gals and Ghosts in the Attic.
In between antique stores, visit boutiques and Scandinavian gift stores. Lindström is surrounded by numerous lakes, so it's easy to mix your shopping with some water sports. Chisago Lake offers boat rentals, fishing, and over 10 miles of walking paths.
Excelsior
Perched on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior exudes charm. This town has been a summer playland for generations, and that history shines through. Back in the day, day trippers from the Twin Cities got there via streetcar, and you can still get a taste of that at the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, which offers short rides.
If you are looking for some higher-end shopping and great food, this is the place to go. Take a ride on Lady of the Lake, an authentic paddlewheel boat docked in downtown Excelsior, or, better yet, have a sunset dinner cruise onboard. A public beach within walking distance from the shops and restaurants rounds out this town's magical appeal perfectly.
Grand Rapids
Like so many towns in Minnesota, Grand Rapids is surrounded by lakes, forests, and trails. What makes it different than others is its Northwoods flavor. Within a short distance, you'll find hundreds of miles of hiking trails, such as the local section of the North Country Trail. To get to it and many others, you'll drive through dark green pine forests and past lakes that are surrounded by wilderness.
In town, treat yourself to the Judy Garland Museum. Grand Rapids is where Garland was born and where she began her career in show business. You can drive due west for about two hours out of Grand Rapids to reach Itasca State Park, the starting point of the Mississippi River. It's so narrow that you can step right over it!
Fergus Falls
A wonderfully affordable summer destination, Fergus Falls boasts lovely prairie landscapes and, of course, hundreds of lakes. There isn't a waterfall in this small town anymore, but the River Walk that leads you across the dam that replaced it features interpretive signs highlighting local history and buildings. This walk is also a popular birding trail.
There is plenty of good eating here, too, such as at Dining Car #423, housed in a historically preserved train depot. You'll find local breweries and cafes to relax in after partaking in all of the outdoor activities, such as hiking, water sports, fishing, golf, and more, that this area offers.
Nisswa
The Brainerd Lakes Area is one of the most classic (and crowded) summer destinations in the state, but smaller lake towns like Nisswa make for a peaceful visit. Classic Minnesota eating is plentiful, from beloved Walleye fish dinners to supper clubs to ice cream stands, such as The Chocolate Ox on Main Street.
One of the many things that Nisswa is known for is the Nisswa Turtle Races. This happens every Wednesday from June to August and, yes, they do race real, live turtles. Since Nisswa is surrounded by multiple lakes, water sports are plentiful. Bicycle riders will love the 115-mile Paul Bunyan State Trail.
Winona
Downriver from Red Wing and Wabasha, the town of Winona sits below the bluffs of the Mississippi River. If you long for arts and culture during your vacation, in addition to spectacular views from nearby Sugar Loaf and Garvin Heights Overlook, there are multiple options here. Summertime here means festivals, including the Great River Shakespeare Festival, the Minnesota Beethoven Festival, and many more.
There are over 100 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, mostly from the opulent Victorian lumber era. Winona is also surrounded by five state parks and two natural refuges to round out your time in this town.
Quiet Summers in Minnesota
Memorable summer escapes in Minnesota don't have to come with packed resorts, traffic, or crowded beaches. These 10 Minnesota cities offer the best parts of the summer season at an easier pace. Whether you're looking for patio dinners, antique shops, paddling routes, historic architecture, or just a quiet place to sit by the water, these destinations show off the state's charm. Head to these welcoming small towns for peace and quiet, plus a rich range of activities.
