7 Undisturbed Towns To Visit In Minnesota

Perhaps you can't just take the cookie-cutter architecture of Anytown, America, any longer, and are craving something more authentic, or just want a deserved break from the rat race and the endless rush to nowhere. Whatever your reason or excuse, the solution is to fold your work laptop, find some charmingly undisturbed town, and set off for an adventure that will leave you feeling reborn. But where to? Check out the following 7 undisturbed towns to visit in Minnesota.

Marine on St. Croix

We don't know how Marine on St. Croix would have turned out if it were not set along the beautiful St. Croix River. The location gives it a rustic and “undisturbed” look that makes it quite the discovery. Its lush river setting aside, you will find beautiful 19th-century buildings, including the Asa Parker House, a stately Greek Revival with white columns that sits atop a hill overlooking the historic downtown and river valley. You will also find passenger cars from a bygone railway and a downtown area that carries an intoxicating whiff of nostalgia. Check out the Marine Mill Site, where a plaque informs visitors about the history of one of the state’s first major industries. For those who love digging into local history, the Stone House Museum is rich and boasts a history that dates back to the 1870s. Also, the Marine General Store has been serving customers for slightly over 150 years, making it the oldest general store in Minnesota. Don't even mention the outdoors, especially because you are at the doorstep of the William O'Brien State Park, a lovely place crisscrossed with several picturesque trails.

New London

New London styles itself as “The City on the Pond” and is tastefully embraced by rolling hills, prairie, and the nearby Sibley State Park, from where Mount Tom offers sweeping views of the rolling hills, lakes, and prairies of west-central Minnesota. Goat Ridge Brewing Company, a cherished name on Central Avenue, serves delicious full-flavored beers along with other foods like pizza, calzones, and pretzels. The trick is to find outdoor seating right next to the murmuring creek, especially for the ambiance and the pristine views. The Middle Folk Crow meanders through the town and gives it an additional tint of rustic allure. There is also the peaceful Neer Park, if you want to watch a wonderful ski show.

Wabasha

With the Mississippi River raging through its eastern rim and Robinson Lake luring water lovers with its shimmering beauty, Wabasha will leave first-time visitors wondering why they have arrived late to the party. It is a cute bluff-settled river town that hosts one of the most significant wildlife institutions in the Midwest: the National Eagle Center. It is a beautiful building right on the water with bald eagles flying overhead. At the Reads Landing Brewing Company, about 3 miles northwest of Wabasha, you can enjoy garlicky shrimp and grits while watching trains rumble past. And if your relationship with rich truffles is undisturbed, Chocolate Escape on Main Street serves lots of high-quality chocolates and yummy ice creams. The best part is the lovely eating area that features great views of the river.

Walker

Although the name Leech Lake is scary (leeches can be quite painful), the Minnesota outdoor beauty that bears the name will effortlessly cast a spell on any first-time visitor. The small town of Walker is backdropped by Leech Lake, and strolling along the lake’s shores is always such a pleasurable pastime. Moreover, nicknamed the Muskie Capital of the World, avid anglers will have to create every excuse to explore the lake's offerings. Stop at Walker City Park to get your toes wet, or just to rest and people-watch. Meanwhile, Chippewa National Forest has lots of trails for hiking and an environment that is incredibly scenic and relaxing. If hunger pangs begin to set in, Green Scene on Michigan Avenue serves some of the most delicious pizzas in the world, and the best part is that they have gluten-free options.

Lanesboro

Lanesboro is another undisturbed Minnesota location that makes first-time visitors always want to smile from ear to ear. It is about 120 miles southeast of the Twin Cities and reclines at the heart of the area's paved multi-use trails, one of which is the famous 42-mile Root River State Trail, which provides splendid views of the soaring limestone bluffs of the Root River Valley. The other is the 18-mile Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail, which winds through historic towns tucked into hillsides. The Commonweal Theatre, a red-brick building on Parkway Avenue, regularly schedules splendid performances by incredible groups of actors. You will enjoy comedy shows that can make you laugh till it hurts, or other genres that are equally unforgettable. A well-timed detour to the nearby Mystery Cave State Park is quite in order. It is a quiet and peaceful retreat, perfect for those seeking a serene hiking experience.

Henderson

Pick a good camera when visiting Henderson, one of the oldest communities in Minnesota. The good thing is that Henderson is less than an hour's drive from Minneapolis, making it an expedient getaway. The Minnesota River flows along the town's eastern rim and presents a yummy range of outdoor recreational opportunities. There is Henderson Station River Access & Park, a quiet, under-the-radar location that is down by the river and ideal for a walk, and the more famous Henderson Hummingbird Garden, a neat place to catch sight of hummingbirds, unique for being the only birds able to fly backwards. You will want to check out Rush River County Park as well, an outdoor gem that provides some of the finest experiences that Mother Nature has to offer.

Ely

Crowning the list of the most undisturbed towns in Minnesota is the small, rustic town of Elly, a peaceful place tucked north close to the U.S.-Canada border. It will look like you have the whole world to yourself, and with outdoor wonderlands such as the Boundary Waters Wilderness, the largest Wilderness east of the Rockies and the most visited wilderness in the United States, you may not keep pace with —or exhaust the area's outdoor menu. You also have immediate access to Superior National Forest, an untamed landscape filled with lakes and streams and a tranquil world with excellent opportunities for canoeing and camping. That said, the Dorothy Molter Museum is not to be missed. It celebrates a personable and enterprising local hero who lived alone on Knife Lake, selling root beer and helping travelers in distress.

The Takeaway

Are you sick of drives where streets unexpectedly turn into parking lots, work environments that leave you worked up or emotionally drained, or neighborhoods filled with endless noise from the streets? There's only one solution: A quick escape to some restful and undisturbed location. Fortunately, Minnesota is tastefully pockmarked by some of these places, where life moves to the lazy rhythm of rippling rivers. So fill your car tank and jump behind the wheel for the most undisturbed towns in Minnesota.