8 Stunning Small Towns In Minnesota

Across Minnesota, you will find towns with stunning views and fascinating history. Some towns, like Grand Marais, boast the oldest art colony in the state, while others, like Stillwater, are home to the oldest continually owned winery. You’ll even find some groundbreaking history in Taylors Falls at Interstate State Park, which was one of the first interstate park projects in the country! Naturally, this pioneer spirit has led to some incredible sights, and these eight towns are home to some of the most impressive of all.

Stillwater

Between its wineries and gondola rides, Stillwater might remind you more of a small town in Italy than the Midwest. On the western side of town, you will find Saint Croix Vineyards, the state’s oldest continually owned winery, which has a tasting room set in a cozy barn. Afterward, head to the river for a ride with Gondola Romantica, which offers both daytime and moonlight cruises aboard a Venice-style gondola. If you are looking to do some hiking, you can spend an afternoon at the St. Croix Boom Site State Wayside. Overlooking the St. Croix River, this historic spot was once where logs were gathered and sent downstream to sawmills.

Taylors Falls

Taylors Falls lies along the banks of the St. Croix River and is home to one of the oldest interstate parks in the US. Aptly named Interstate State Park, this beautiful green space shares a border with Wisconsin, offering cliff-top views, hiking trails, and canoeing and kayaking opportunities. After exploring Interstate, get ready to relax aboard a river cruise with Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours, which offers paddlewheel riverboat excursions on the St. Croix. Finish your day with a mouthwatering burger from The Drive In Restaurant, a 1950s-style drive-in that serves fresh burgers made with hand-packed patties.

Wabasha

Known as the “Eagle Capital of America,” the birdwatching is bound to be incredible in Wabasha. The best place to begin your eagle watching is at the National Eagle Center, an educational center that offers eagle viewing river cruises, habitat tours, and other eagle-focused activities. If you want to immerse yourself even further in nature, you can arrange an excursion with Broken Paddle Guiding Co., a local outfitter that hosts raptor tours, flooded forest tours, and sunset tours in the area and along the Mississippi. You might also enjoy planning your trip in July, during the Annual Wabasha Riverboat Days, which celebrates Mississippi River heritage through parades, live music, rubber duck hunts, car shows, and more.

New Ulm

This year, you can have a European vacation right in the heart of Minnesota in New Ulm, a Bavarian-style village. Founded in the 1850s by German immigrants, this little town has held onto much of its Bavarian influence, seen through landmarks like the Glockenspiel. This 45-foot-tall German clock features 37 bells and 12 rotating figurines that circulate on a stage throughout the day. Once July rolls around, the town also holds the Bavarian Blast, a multi-day event with a polka hall, parade, and plenty of live entertainment that will immerse you in its German roots. And, of course, you can expect to drink some good beer while here. The August Schell Brewing Company is one of the most iconic breweries in town, standing as one of the oldest in the country, with origins dating back to the 1860s.

Lindstrom

Lindstrom is another great town to add to your travel list if you couldn’t get enough of the European flair in New Ulm. Founded in 1853 by a Swedish immigrant, the town continues to honor this heritage today through local businesses and festivals. One of the largest cultural celebrations takes place in July during the Karl Oskar Days, which celebrate the town’s Swedish roots through live music, art, fireworks, and more. You can find the perfect gift at the Swedish Gift Store, which sells Swedish Dala Horses, cozy wool blankets and hats, and books, among other items. You will definitely want to grab a picture of the Coffee Pot Water Tower in Kaffe Kanna Park, an iconic, 500,000-gallon water tower that was designed to look like a massive Swedish coffee pot.

Grand Marais

In Grand Marais, you will find the oldest art colony in the state: the Grand Marais Art Colony. Established in the mid-20th century, this colony continues to play a major role in the community’s art development. Throughout the year, it hosts ceramics, printmaking, and drawing classes, among many other events. You can also hone your artistic abilities at the North House Folk School, which holds knitting, woodcarving, and painting classes, to name just a few. Grand Marais’ nearby natural beauty is just as stunning as its art scene, perfectly exemplified by sites like Judge C.R. Magney State Park. Home to Devil’s Kettle, this park features a roaring river that splits across volcanic rock, where half the water plunges into a pool, and the other half vanishes into a giant pothole.

Excelsior

Between its lakeside concerts and cool beaches, a summer in Excelsior is arguably unlike any other. A lot of the community’s activity centers around The Commons and Port of Excelsior, a 13-acre park along Lake Minnetonka with two swimming beaches, picnic areas, a boating dock, and a band shell. One of the most iconic events that takes place in this park is the Concerts in the Commons series, a summerlong event that takes place on Wednesday evenings, gathering the community together for nights of live music, food, and drink around sunset on the lake. At the end of your exciting day, you can unwind at Hotel Excelsior, an independent boutique hotel that was fully renovated in 2020, making for a comfortable stay.

Beaver Bay

Beaver Bay is definitely one of those more underrated towns along Lake Superior, home to just 120 residents. As a result, you will find a lot of quieter gems here, starting with the Beaver River Falls, a series of cascades that form as a result of the river dropping roughly 300 feet. You can stop and see this marvel for yourself along the pedestrian walkway that is on the north edge of Highway 61. Along Main Street, you can pop into several gift shops for a souvenir, such as the Cedar Chest gift store, which sells an assortment of t-shirts, sweatshirts, books, and moccasins. Or travel a few minutes outside of town to the Silver Bay Golf Course, a well-maintained course that sits among forested hills near the Beaver River.

A Travel List To Get You Started This Year

Deciding where to travel is always a bit hard. However, these eight towns provide you with a great outline of where you could go in Minnesota, depending on your interests. Towns like Lindstrom and New Ulm are wonderful if you are craving a European-inspired vacation. For a weekend immersed in nature, you have some great options in Excelsior, Grand Marais, and Taylors Falls as well. Just be prepared that your breath will most certainly be taken away during your visit!