8 Bucket-List Small Towns In Minnesota

With 69,200 miles of rivers and streams, over 11,800 lakes, and millions of acres of national forest, Minnesota is bursting with adventure. Given the sheer scale of the landscape, it is no surprise that the state offers an endless travel bucket list. If you are looking to explore some of the most impressive corners of the North Star State, these eight towns should be at the top of your list. From wilderness areas and bluff trails to energized art colonies and live music, these destinations will make your next vacation truly memorable.

Grand Marais

Grand Marais should be on every art lover's travel list in Minnesota, as it is home to the state's oldest art colony. Known as the Grand Marais Art Colony, it was established in 1947 and continues to play an essential role in the town’s art scene, hosting ceramics and printmaking classes and annual events such as the Grand Marais Arts Festival in July.

You can also sign up for a class at the North House Folk School, an organization that offers loom weaving, woodworking, and rag weaving classes, among others. Just a short drive from town, you can also reach Judge C.R. Magney State Park if you are hoping to get outdoors. Great for hiking, picnicking, and camping, this park is home to the iconic Devil’s Kettle Waterfall, where half of a river plunges 50 feet into a pothole and the other half into a fabulous pool.

Fergus Falls

Fergus Falls is home to something you won’t find anywhere else in the world: Otto the Otter. This massive otter sculpture is the largest in the world, measuring 40 feet long, and is proudly displayed in Adams Park. While in town, there are all sorts of other activities to do.

For example, visitors can take a stroll along the Fergus Falls River Walk, which winds along the river and contains interpretive signs about local buildings. Broken Down Dam Park is another fascinating landmark, which includes the ruins of an old dam, with water now rushing through the middle of the broken wall.

Red Wing

Red Wing is in the Mississippi River Valley, offering excellent hiking trails. The Mni Can-Barn Bluff is a must-hike for outdoor lovers, featuring a slow climb up a 340-foot bluff with incredible views of the Mississippi River on one side and the town on the other.

If you’re familiar with the famous Red Wing shoe brand, you also might want to stop by the Red Wing Museum, which contains artifacts and historic exhibits from the company, along with the world’s largest boot: a size 638 ½! Finish off the day with a visit to the Red Wing Brewery, a classic brewery in town that has been providing small batch brews since 1951.

Excelsior

If a summer on the lake is in the cards this year, you’ll definitely want to keep Excelsior on your radar. This little town is on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, with plenty of ways to enjoy the water. The Commons and Port of Excelsior is one of the most popular shorelines, a 13-acre park with two swimming beaches, picnic sites, and docking facilities.

The park is also home to a bandshell that hosts an annual Summer Concert Series, so that you can enjoy some live music during the warmer months. Right along the lakeshore, you can grab a bite to eat at Maynards, an upscale establishment selling American dishes like burgers, sandwiches, steaks, and more.

Winona

Winona lies along the Mississippi and is a lively college town, making it one of those places that offers a little bit of everything you could ask for on a vacation. Those wanting to explore the Great Outdoors can head to Great River Bluffs State Park, which preserves a beautiful collection of bluffs spanning over 3,000 acres and offers approximately 6.5 miles of hiking trails for visitors.

There are plenty of places around town to appreciate fine art as well, such as the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries on the campus of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, which showcase six to eight exhibitions each year. The culinary scene is just as impressive, with one highlight being Heirloom Seasonal Bistro, a family-owned restaurant serving scratch-made, globally inspired cuisine.

Grand Rapids

Surrounded by snowmobile and ski trails, Grand Rapids is a phenomenal winter town filled with cozy lodges and local coffee shops. The Chippewa National Forest is an excellent place to enjoy winter recreation, with nearly 300 miles of non-motorized trails that are suitable for skiing and snowshoeing.

Wildwood Resort, meanwhile, offers nine cozy, year-round lakeside cabins. To start your morning with a comforting caffeine boost, stop by Brewed Awakenings Coffeehouse, a centrally located coffee shop serving coffee, tea, baked goods, homemade soup, and more.

Stillwater

History fans will definitely want to plan a visit to Stillwater, which is known as the historic Birthplace of Minnesota. In 1848, the town hosted the first territorial convention that would go on to establish Minnesota as a state, and many historic landmarks remain today.

A couple of the landmarks visitors can make sure to explore include the historic Courthouse and Jail, which dates back to 1870 and is the state’s oldest courthouse, and the Historic Stillwater Library, which dates back to 1901 and was originally a one-story Renaissance Revival. If you are looking for a good way to take in all of the sights, consider signing up for a tour with Stillwater Trolley, a local agency that provides 45-minute tours through some of Stillwater’s most beautiful historic districts.

Ely

Ely is one of Minnesota’s most incredible natural marvels, serving as a gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). In fact, there are nearly 20 entry points to the wilderness area near town, leading to over one million acres of forest and waterways! Right on the edge of the wilderness, you will find Grand Ely Lodge Resort.

This cozy nature lodge offers amenities like a marina and boat slip rentals, a four-mile loop trail, a firepit with s’mores roasts, and complimentary use of canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and fishing poles. For a craft beer and some mouthwatering pub fare, travelers can conclude their day at The Boathouse Brewpub, which serves an array of in-house brews, burgers, sandwiches, and salads.

Don’t sit around and wait for the adventure to come to you. Now is the time to begin planning your next adventure, and any of these eight towns would be a fantastic addition to your itinerary. Some of them, such as Ely and Grand Rapids, emphasize outdoor recreation, while others, like Grand Marais and Stillwater, are wonderful to visit if you are craving a more culture-focused trip. No matter which town you choose to visit first, rest assured that your vacation will be incredible!