10 Of The Most Eccentric Towns In Minnesota
Minnesota might be famed for the vibrant scene of the Twin Cities, but it houses hundreds of small towns, some of which are unknown even to lifelong Minnesotans. Besides their low-key personalities, these hidden gems raise eyebrows with how they embrace their oddities and market them to whoever cares to listen or watch. For first-timers, this is an opportunity to stray from the standard tourist experience to attend unusual festivals, document quirky roadside attractions, and chase paranormal occurrences.
Each of these eccentric towns in Minnesota tells a story far removed from the typical Midwestern charm. Whether it is giant sculptures by the roadside in Bemidji or a festival celebrating lake creatures in Walker, Minnesota’s oddball communities invite you to explore the unexpected and celebrate the wonderfully weird.
Blue Earth
This sleepy town in Faribault County turns heads with its larger-than-life roadside installation. Blue Earth is home to the Jolly Green Giant Statue, a 55-foot highway monstrosity measuring almost 8,000 pounds. The giant is a popular stop for drivers along Interstate 90 and has become an iconic town landmark, compelling many motorists to stop and admire or snap a photograph. Guests can find more information about the sculpture at the Giant Museum, home to the world's largest collection of Jolly Green Giant memorabilia.
The Wakefield House Museum provides a look into local history at the historic home of town co-founder James B. Wakefield. It showcases a diverse range of related artifacts and documents. When you need to settle down after a long day, you can stop by Lost Saint Brewing Company and relax with a craft beer in a welcoming atmosphere.
Jordan
This Scott County community calls all travelers with a sweet tooth to come and live their favorite fantasy, at 40 minutes from Minneapolis. Jordan is famous for hosting Minnesota's largest Candy Store. Housed inside a huge yellow barn, the venue is packed with candies, snacks, and treats from across the globe, promising guests the ultimate sugar rush. From homemade pies to chocolate-coated crickets and gummy bears to jelly beans, this all-you-can-eat sugar buffet sprawls over a 27,000-square-foot space and is always a hit with kids.
Those with kids can follow the indulgence up with a trip to Zap Arcade for a video game experience with a 1980s theme. Meanwhile, Lagoon Park provides family-friendly outdoor recreation with a kids' playground and picnic areas where the adults can sit and watch.
North Saint Paul
Situated east of Saint Paul, North Saint Paul is a small-town escape from the hustle and bustle of the one half of the Twin Cities. While visitors are assured of a slower pace of life, they will also encounter a curious collection of exhibits at Studio Payne Oddities Shop. This creative space specializes in unorthodox art creations and merchandise. They range from animal bone art, raccoon skulls, enhanced taxidermy, and vintage medical equipment to flesh-eating beetles. The store is the brainchild of artist Cameren Torgerud, who wanted to share his passion with the town.
At the Polar Ice Arena, guests can discover their love for ice skating or watch an entertaining game of ice hockey in a popular public facility. Elsewhere, the outdoors beckon at Southwood Nature Preserve, which preserves 28 lush acres with hiking and biking trails.
Bemidji
Bemidji is a commercial and cultural hub in central Minnesota, known for its rich collection of local attractions. However, fans of the bizarre visit the town to see the Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox Statues. These whimsical roadside installations stand out for their giant size and crude shape, and are said to be America's second-most photographed. They were erected as a tribute to American folklore hero, Paul Bunyan, and you can often find motorists stopping to take a selfie.
The Paul Bunyan Playhouse is a prominent downtown location where the community goes to enjoy theatrical performances. It seats an audience of over 300 and specializes in comedies, plays, and musicals. Meanwhile, the Headwaters Science Center has dozens of hands-on exhibits and interactive displays designed to stimulate your intellect.
Anoka
Nicknamed "Halloween Capital of the World," Anoka experiences hauntings that persist beyond scary costumes and the nationwide celebration. This is because it harbors the since-defunct Anoka State Hospital, a popular stop for paranormal investigators. This historic mental hospital from the early 1900s hosted patients who were considered incurably insane. Legends of shock therapy and other inhumane treatment methods highlight the horrors inflicted on patients, leading to suicide and death. Today, the building and its grounds are rumored to be haunted, with paranormal occurrences reported by many past visitors.
The Anoka County Historical Society invites curious travelers to learn about its dynamic past by exploring real narrations, spooky folklore, and old photographs. Outdoor lovers can picnic at Riverfront Memorial Park and admire scenic vistas of the Rum River.
Red Wing
Red Wing is a delightful Mississippi River town with a rich heritage steeped in the clay and shoe-making industry. It boasts the World's Largest Shoe, which sits on the main floor of the Red Wing Shoe Company Museum and is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Rising 20 feet tall and weighing at least 80 pounds, the boot was made from 80 hides of leather and 80 pounds of brass for the eyelets. The oddity was designed as a tribute to the company's 100th birthday.
Red Wing's clay heritage is preserved by the Pottery Museum of Red Wing, where you can find diverse clay products made as early as the 1800s. Tourists can savor unprecedented vistas of the Mississippi River at Bay Point Park while picnicking on its grassy lawns.
Alexandria
America's largest Viking is a top attraction in this charming village of Douglas County. Alexandria's folklore is intertwined with the arrival of Viking explorers in the 1300s, and townsfolk erected the statue of Big Ole to honor the occurrence. The 28-foot-tall statue proudly towers over the downtown skyline and is estimated to weigh approximately 8,000 pounds. It has become part of the community's identity and serves as a unique background for a selfie or photograph for visitors.
The town's claims of visiting Norsemen are backed by the controversial Kensington Runestone, which is considered evidence of the pre-Columbian arrival of the Vikings and sits protected at the enigmatic Runestone Museum. Elsewhere, the Andria Theatre provides a change of scenery with enthralling live theatrical shows across five stages.
Walker
This tiny village in Cass County lies on the shores of Leech Lake and is known for its quirky annual traditions. Since 1980, the town has dedicated a festival every year to celebrate the ugliest fish in Minnesota. The International Eelpout Festival is centered around the eelpout, which lives at the bottom of many lakes in the north of the state. More than 10,000 people grace the occasion and participate in fishing contests on the lake, with prizes awarded to the heaviest catch by a person and a team.
Outside the festival, guests enjoy visiting Walker City Park for outdoor recreation. The oasis overlooks the beautiful waters of Leech Lake and offers picnic areas, walking trails, and playgrounds. Those with a taste for craft beer can also sample delicious local offerings at Portage Brewing Company.
Wayzata
This Twin Cities suburb on the northern shore of Lake Minnetonka earns its place among the most eccentric towns in Minnesota for hosting one of the quirkiest winter festivals in the region. As other communities recede to their indoor confines to escape the winter cold, Wayzatans come out in numbers to celebrate the Chilly Open. This strange event unravels on the frozen lake surface and features a weird version of golf, where players use hockey sticks as golf clubs and a tennis ball replaces the golf ball.
The Lake Minnetonka Historical Society takes visitors through the colorful history of the lake's north shore, with a look at the region's railroad heritage at the Wayzata Depot Museum. Elsewhere, environmentalists will love chilling in the tranquil setting of Noerenberg Gardens as they admire the sunsets over the lake.
Hinckley
This tiny village in Pine County boasts a rich mix of historical, cultural, and natural points of interest. Every September, it welcomes tourists to experience one of the most immersive Native American festivals in the country as it hosts the Grand Celebration Powwow. This quirky event attracts over 1,000 dancers, singers, and drummers from Indian tribes across Canada and the United States. Besides the energetic dancing and singing, guests can indulge in traditional Indian delicacies and buy crafts.
The Hinckley Fire Museum preserves the memory of an unfortunate disaster in the town's past, where over 400 people perished from a fire and a tornado. Movie enthusiasts can also watch the newest releases at the Grand Cinema and enjoy gourmet popcorn while at it.
From offbeat winter festivals in Walker to ghostly tales in Anoka, the most eccentric towns in Minnesota prove that the Land of 10,000 Lakes is similarly rich in quirks. These communities may be small in size, but they are bursting with personality, charm, and an unapologetic embrace of the unconventional. Whether you are a curious traveler or a local looking to uncover something new, venturing into these quirky corners of the North Star State promises a refreshingly weird detour from the ordinary in the United States.
