8 Minnesota Towns With Unforgettable Main Streets
Minnesota is full of alluring small towns and cities with unique Main Streets. They capture a mix of Midwestern character, outdoor heritage, and thriving local businesses. Stillwater's Main Street is often celebrated as the birthplace of the state. Grand Marais' Main Street is walkable and provides views of the adjacent lake. Park Rapids' Main Avenue feels nostalgic, thanks to its wide street layout and local storefronts. These eight towns and their inviting Main Streets are a must-visit on a long road trip.
Stillwater
Stillwater is a top-rated destination in the state, as its Main Street features a historic shopping district, a lively energy, and a romantic atmosphere year-round. Loft 214 is a wedding and event venue on Main Street, offering guests an intimate space with a brick-walled interior and a rustic feel. The venue has bar service, TV projectors, and podiums for a perfect night to remember. Across the street is Brick and Bourbon, a local restaurant perfect for some cocktails, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The interior is lively and welcoming, and offers outdoor seating for patrons to take in the views of the St. Croix River.
Further up Main Street is Hotel Crosby, a welcoming place to spend the night and weekend in town. The rooms are comfortable and inviting; the hotel can host various meetings and events, and the restaurant Match Stick Grill is in the lobby, attracting a lively local crowd with its upbeat setting. On the outskirts of downtown, on the northern tip of Main Street, is the Warden's House Museum, which was built in 1853, serving as the home of the wardens who ran the state prison until 1914, when the prison moved to Bayport. The house is full of 19th-century artifacts to see; visitors can learn about the prison's early days and view items that belonged to the Younger Brothers of the Frank and Jesse James Gang.
New Ulm
The city of New Ulm is a scenic place, with its Main Street (Minnesota Street) forming a German-heritage corridor and well-preserved 19th-century architecture that adds to its alluring character. A place to try German cuisine in town is Kaiserhoff New Ulm, serving a variety of ribs, sauerkraut, brats, and schnitzel. Patrons can also order German beers and wine, enjoy their meals outdoors, and soak up the local scenery. Across the street is the Kiesling House, a house built in 1861 that survived the U.S. Dakota War of 1862 and is one of the few wood-framed houses remaining in the region before the war. Visitors can learn about pioneer settlements, go on guided tours, and attend special events.
Further down Minnesota Street is Benny's Bar, a local bar serving refreshing drinks, wood-fired pizza, and welcoming local and live music to keep the night young and active. Every Tuesday is Polka, Pints, and Pizza, running 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., making for a uniquely entertaining experience in town. On the northern end of downtown is New Ulm's Glockenspiel, a local landmark that truly emphasizes music, history, and the German heritage found throughout. The Glockenspiel is 45 feet tall, has 37 bells ringing during the day at 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m., and has figures representing people who contributed to the city's history.
Grand Marais
Near the very northeastern tip of the state is Grand Marais, a lakeside city with a pedestrian-friendly Main Street, featuring a blend of cozy cafes and an arts culture. The Main Street in town is called Wisconsin Street, and people can enjoy a relaxing day at Harbor Park, take in the elegant views of Lake Superior, take a stroll to the beach, and attend the Grand Marais Arts Festival on July 11 and 12. Across the street is the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, a local gallery proudly displaying a rotating exhibit by local and regional artists in a log-cabin-like setting. The gallery also features a permanent exhibit of paintings created by Anna C. Johnson from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
A great place to begin the day in town is the Blue Water Cafe, where patrons can order a freshly brewed coffee, eggs Benedict, omelets, breakfast burgers, and sandwiches for lunch. The cafe is a short walk from Harbor Park, and the omelets are considered among the best in the state. On the eastern end of Wisconsin Street are the East Bay Suites, overlooking the eastern bay of Lake Superior, with access to the lakefront beach and dog-friendly rooms and suites. When people stay in the suites, they have free WiFi, painting kits, board games, and complimentary s'mores.
Red Wing
The city of Red Wing is renowned for its dramatic river bluffs, views of the Mississippi River, and its historic district on Main Street (U.S. Route 61). In the middle of the city is the St. James Hotel, which was established in 1875 as a place to stay in the "Wheat-trading Center of the World" at the time, and is a four-story Italianate building with a lot of character. The hotel can host various weddings, business meetings, corporate events, and family reunions. Not to mention, the food at Scarlet Kitchen and Bar is delicious, savory, and astonishing. Further up is the Red Wing Barrel House, a local brewery serving refreshing beers, lively pizzas, such as the supreme pizza, the pickle pizza, and the reuben pizza, making the visit more impactful. The Barrel House also hosts live music on Fridays and Saturdays, making for an incredibly memorable visit.
The northern tip of John Rich Park touches Main Street, as the park is a wonderful place to spend the day enjoying the sun, peacefully observing the Veterans' Memorial, and listening to the fountain. Right in downtown is the Red Wing Confectionery, a store with all kinds of sweet treats to enjoy, such as ice cream, chocolate assortments like peanut butter cups, mint meltaways, and cashew bear claws, and saltwater taffy, satisfying those sweet tooth cravings in a pleasant setting.
Ely
Right on the coasts of Shagawa Lake and Miners Lake is the city of Ely, renowned for its mining history and natural beauty. The Main Street in town (Sheridan Street) is a rugged yet welcoming hub full of life, restaurants, local hotels, and parks. Right on the western end of downtown is Stay Inn Ely, a local hotel offering a lodge-like feel, spacious rooms with kitchens, and a wonderful place to gather with family and friends on a weekend trip. Just east of the hotel is Northern Grounds, a great place to enjoy a freshly brewed cup of coffee, breakfast burrito, and sweet pastry to start the day. Northern Grounds also hosts its own wine tasting nights, making for an alluring experience north of the Twin Cities.
Further east in town is the Boathouse Brewpub and Restaurant, serving patrons exciting meals and ice-cold beers, such as freshly crafted gyros, falafel, and reubens from the pubhouse specialty menu. Not to mention locally brewed beers like blueberry blonde ale, outdoorsy folk IPA, and pontoon ride cream ale. The brewpub is a wonderful place to gather with friends and family and make new friends along the way. A short walk away from the brewpub is the Brandenburg Gallery, where people can view, purchase, and enjoy the artwork of Jim Brandenburg. Visitors can view striking nature photography, high-def videos, and retrospective photos.
Park Rapids
Near Itasca State Park is the city of Park Rapids, where Main Street (Main Avenue) offers visitors the quintessential Midwestern downtown feel. Revel Brewing is a popular spot to unwind after a long day of work and enjoy freshly brewed beers such as the Velvet Hammer, the all-night amber, and the beach on Hawaii, which are unique flavors to try. The brewery also hosts live music during the summer, featuring local musical acts that bring the community together. Up the street at the northern end of downtown is the Tin Ceiling Gallery, an art gallery dedicated to showcasing the work of emerging artists in the community, especially artists with learning disabilities who demonstrate excellent artistic skills for all to enjoy. People from far and wide can purchase artwork from the gallery's eBay page or in person, supporting local talent and honoring the community.
Just across the street from the gallery is Aunt Belle's Confectionary, a local candy shop selling elegant and delicious chocolate, fudge, caramel, and large assortment trays for friends and family gatherings. Most of the candy sold is handmade, and visitors can view the candy being made in front of them, making the experience more meaningful. South on Main Avenue is Necces Italiano Restaurante, serving gloriously delicious Italian cuisine, from the likes of jumbo shrimp scampi, housemade lasagna classica, and chicken parmesan. The restaurant also hosts wine tastings, making for a pleasant place to enjoy on a night out on the town.
Lanesboro
The city of Lanesboro has an incredibly walkable Main Street (Parkway Avenue), full of 19th-century architecture in a laid-back atmosphere, with the Root River flowing right next to it. The Lanesboro Historical Museum showcases the city's history through artifacts from the inception of the town to the present, and offers guided tours for visitors. The museum is also next to the Root River State Bike Trail that goes through town, and a trail where people can enjoy a peaceful natural walk next to the adjacent Root River. The trail is a wonderful place to take a jog or go on a bike ride on a sunny morning.
Hotel Lanesboro is a welcoming, relaxing hotel to spend the night or weekend in the community since its inception in 1872. The hotel has nine comfortable rooms to choose from, is within walking distance of museums, shops, parks, and restaurants, and is a gorgeous limestone building in town. Up the street is the St. Mane Theatre, a local theater showcasing incredible plays, musicals, concerts, and documentary films. The theater is a staple of the community, as the building it's housed in was a furniture store in 1897 before being called the Elite Theater in 1915. Since 1984, the theater has been a hub for the arts and culture for the city.
Excelsior
On the southern shores of Lake Minnetonka is the city of Excelsior, a city with an incredibly timeless Main Street (Water Street) that is pedestrian-friendly, has Victorian-style buildings, and is full of lively restaurants, cafes, and shops. On the northern tip of Water Street is the Port of Excelsior Park, providing visitors with wide views of the lake and adjacent landscape, a place to enjoy group picnics, and access to the nearby docks and Excelsior Bay. Down the street is Fleurish Gifts, which sells tabletop wear, barware, novelty pillows, glassware with the state etched on, and seasonal gifts celebrating graduation and holidays. The store sells custom gift baskets and monogrammed presents for that special family member or friend, and everything in store and online is packaged and sold with love.
A nice touch of Japan found in the city is in Shiki, a restaurant serving delicious ramen, dumplings, sticky ribs, and panna cotta. Shiki also has a happy hour running 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and serves all kinds of exciting drinks, including sake, house wines, beers, and cocktails in an upbeat and lively setting. A short walk from the restaurant is Hotel Excelsior - Suites on Water Street, providing a pleasant place to relax and recharge for the night or weekend. The rooms are comfortable, the lobby has an attractive modern feel, people can order a coffee and/or a croissant from the Lobby Coffee and Leisure in the hotel, and it is within walking distance of the shops, restaurants, and glorious Lake Minnetonka.
Main Streets of the "Land of 10,000 Lakes"
These Main Streets found in these alluring towns and cities show visitors the true local essence of the communities they're experiencing. Water Street in Excelsior gives people instant access to Lake Minnetonka; Parkway Avenue in Lanesboro allows people to experience nature and the arts and cultural scene, thanks to the St. Mane Theatre, Lanesboro Historical Museum, and Root River State Bike Trail; and Red Wing's Main Street is a perfect blend of 19th-century Mississippi character and modern small-town allure. Each of these timely communities and their inviting Main Streets is glorious, historic, and connected to their respective town's past, making them all the more worthwhile when exploring the "Land of 10,000 Lakes."
