7 Minnesota Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness
Last year, Minnesota was named the country’s friendliest state by the World Population Review. That comes as no surprise to those who are familiar with the term ‘Minnesota nice’, a phrase that refers to the cultural stereotype of Minnesotans being incredibly friendly. You’ll see just how nice the North Star State’s residents really are in its welcoming small towns. Full of life, personality, and fun, these cozy communities love to put on a show for guests. From a centuries-old Halloween party to a hearty lumberjack festival and from artistic centers to scenic retreats, there’s lots to enjoy and experience on your Minnesota getaway.
Little Falls
Self-described as a ‘true river town’, Little Falls is a close-knit community on the Mississippi River. Visit in winter to see the town’s holiday hospitality on full display at the legendary I.C.E Fest. This family-friendly weekend brings the town and visitors together to celebrate the snowy season with dog sled rides, games, sleigh rides with Santa, curling, igloo building, a ‘frozen forest’, and more. In the warmer months, you can enjoy Little Falls’ many natural attractions, including the beautiful scenery at Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. This tucked-away treasure is popular with locals all year round and offers a 3.5-mile hike along the banks of the Platte River.
The boyhood home of legendary aviator Charles Lindbergh, Little Falls is proud of its most famous resident. Visit the Charles Lindbergh House and Museum to see exhibits including a full-scale replica of the Spirit of St Louis cockpit. You can also take a tour of the pilot’s childhood home, built in 1906 and furnished with many original Lindberg family objects. For more historic sights, take a stroll downtown where you’ll find the 1905 Carnegie Library, the American House, a former 1880s saloon, and the Black and White, Little Falls’ first ‘hamburger shop’ which opened in the 1920s and is still a popular restaurant today.
Houston
Tucked away in southeastern Minnesota’s Root Valley, Houston is a world away from its Texas namesake. This tranquil town lies on a national scenic byway and is surrounded by stunning scenery and recreation. Don’t be fooled by its slow, small-town charm. Houston likes to party. The town has a busy schedule of community fun, including weekly music concerts every Wednesday during the summer, the annual Houston Hoedown celebrated in July, and the town’s most famous event, the International Owl Festival. Held on the first weekend in March, this unique event began in 2003 to recognize the work of the local conservation group, the International Owl Center. From there, it has grown to attract visitors and biologists from all over the world for two days of owl-themed presentations, events, and displays.
If you miss the festival, don’t worry. The Center is open year-round, so visitors can drop in to meet its ambassador owls, which include Ruby the Great Horned Owl, JR the Eastern Screech-owl, Piper the American Barn Owl, Pierce the Barred Owl, and Bea the Burrowing Owl. For more wildlife and outdoor recreation, head to Trailhead Park where you’ll find the Houston Nature Center, community playgrounds, and access to the Root River Trail system. In spring, the park hosts the Root River Triathlon, a competitive 6.5-mile canoe/kayak trip on the Root River, an 8-mile bike ride, and a 3-mile run.
New London
Founded in 1889, New London offers old-fashioned hospitality and authentic Minnesota experiences from its scenic location on the banks of the Crow River. Being a waterfront town, it’s no surprise that most of the action takes place on the river. Visit in July to take part in New London Waterdays, a six-day festival that includes a hog roast, grand day parade, street dance, games, kids’ fishing tournament, bean bag tournament, fireworks, and more.
While you’re in town, catch a show at the Little Theatre, a historic venue operated by local arts group the Crow River Players. Performances range from short films and live music to plays and open mic nights. See more of New London’s creative community at the Norby Gallery, founded by local painter, sculptor, and writer Arthur Norby. The Gallery is also home to Norby’s art studio and sculpture garden which is open to the public May to October.
Don’t leave New London without supporting a sweet local business, crowned ‘Central Minnesota’s Best Ice Cream’ four years in a row. Deep Freeze is a family-owned restaurant and ice cream shop that offers soft serve sundaes, cones, and shakes. If you’re in the mood for something savory, you can also grab some BBQ from the cafe’s drive-thru.
Stillwater
Located in the Minneapolis-St Paul’s region, Stillwater has all the buzz of a big city combined with small town hospitality. The town is known as the ‘birthplace of Minnesota’ as it hosted the first convention to discuss statehood in 1848. Enjoy the historic sights around town with the Stillwater Trolley, a 45 minute tour through the historic Main Street riverfront area which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can also call into the Washington County Heritage Center to see displays of Stillwater throughout the ages.
The town’s long history owes a lot to its thriving lumber industry which it now celebrates every summer with Lumberjack Days, a three-day festival that takes over downtown with live music, fun runs, stunt shows, a pancake breakfast, a lumberjack show, and a huge parade. The event has been running since the 1930s and attracts thousands to Stillwater annually.
Later in the year, visitors can enjoy HarvestFest. Taking place in the riverfront greenspace of Lowell Park, the event welcomes fall with pumpkin contests, a chili cook-off, and a pumpkin regatta. Winter is also a great time to visit Stillwater with easy access to three ski resorts near town and a busy festive calendar of holiday events, including the annual Winterfest, held in February.
New Ulm
New Ulm, in southern Minnesota, has a strong connection with Europe, starting with the German settlers who founded the town in 1854. Proud of its Bavarian connection, the town loves to show off its rich heritage to visitors with events including Oktoberfest and Bavarian Blast. The Latter takes place in July and has entertained locals and visitors for almost two decades with polka dancing, craft beers, authentic German clothing and music, craft vendors, and a show-stopping Bavarian Blast Parade. There are also lots of games for those who want to try their luck in the dog races, beer stein-holding contest, barrel rolling or sauerkraut-eating contest.
Downtown New Ulm is a beautiful setting for a wander, mingle with friendly locals as you take in sights including a 45ft tall Glockenspiel and Hermann the German, a towering 4,000lb monument of a Germanic hero who defeated the armies of the Roman Empire. Meet some of New Ulm’s characters at Domeier’s, an Old World store packed with authentic European gifts, including German foods, steins, clocks, and Christmas decorations. After shopping for souvenirs, grab some refreshment at Turner Hall, Minnesota’s oldest bar in operation since 1856 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lanesboro
Known as ‘the magical hamlet,’ Lanesboro is a quaint small town that was settled in 1856 amid the rocky bluffs of the Root River Valley. Since its establishment in the 1970s, the town has welcomed scores of visitors along the Root River State Trail, which was converted from a rail line and runs 42 miles through rolling hills, waterfront meadows, limestone bluffs, and farm fields.
A friendly, active, rural community, Lanesboro is also a creative hub. Check out the schedule at the Commonweal Theater, whose company and productions have an impressive list of state, regional, and international awards. The theater features the work of classic, contemporary, and emerging playwrights and has more than 180 performances annually.
Visit the Lanesboro Art Gallery, housed in a 1879 brick building, to see works from local potters, painters, sculptors, and others. The space houses the Lanesboro Arts Juried Sales and Exhibition Galleries, which are open year-round. During the summer, the Lanesboro community puts on quite a show with Buffalo Bill Days, an annual festival held the first weekend in August. The family-friendly fun includes food vendors, dance shows, parades, live music, and a dazzling fireworks finale.
Anoka
Anoka is a historic riverfront town with a spooky side. Nicknamed the ‘Halloween Capital of the World,’ the town is believed to be the first in the United States to host a Halloween festival. The story goes that over a century ago, the Anoka townspeople were fed up with their kids pulling pranks and decided to organise an event to keep them occupied. That community spirit continues today with block parties, games, costume contests, and parades throughout October.
Anoka has plenty of community fun year-round, too. The Lyric Arts Main Street Stage theater has a busy calendar of lively community concerts, plays, music, and more in the heart of historic downtown. If you’re visiting in summer, time your trip for the Anoka Riverfest & Craft Fair, one of the Twin Cities’ largest craft festivals that features the work of over 150 local artisans.
Enjoy Anoka’s beautiful scenery like a local with a trip to the town’s biggest park, the Anoka Nature Preserve. The park contains over 200 acres of forested oak savanna, meadows. grassland, wetlands, and Rum River shoreline. The trail system is popular with hikers and bikers in the summer as well as a favorite with skiers and snowshoers in the winter.
A Warm Welcome In Minnesota
Hospitality is built into Minnesota’s history, with the state taking in millions of European and American settlers since it was first established centuries ago. Given this heritage, it’s no surprise that the state’s small towns are full of warm smiles and hearty welcomes. Community events, historical sights, outdoor fun, and seasonal festivals bring locals and visitors together so tourists can experience the real Minnesota and enjoy an unforgettable vacation in the North Star State.
