9 Most Relaxing Minnesota Towns
If you're willing to travel, Minnesota offers plenty of secluded towns where you can slow down beside Lake Superior shorelines and trails that wind through forests and prairie. In Grand Rapids, that can mean access to more than 1,000 lakes and bodies of water where fishing and quiet time on the water come naturally. In Lanesboro, the historic dam offers a scenic place to pause and take in the surrounding natural area, while other towns across the state open onto trails, river views, and small downtowns that make a relaxing good time easier to find. For a clearer idea of where to go, here are nine of the most relaxing towns in Minnesota.
Red Wing
Sitting on the shores of the Mississippi River, Red Wing offers a nice balance of scenic sights to relax under and adventure. There are several trails that lead to Barn Bluff, sacred grounds, as well as a 340-foot cliff that offers outstanding photo opportunities and a secluded place to take in the sights. Overall, though, Red Wing is a city with a rich clay history you can explore at the Pottery Museum of Red Wing while shopping. Lastly, if you want to soak up the sights further and take a longer sojourn, the Cannon Valley Trail takes you through Cannon Falls, Welch, and Red Wing, passing the Welch Village Ski Area.
Grand Rapids
Surrounded by Minnesota's natural beauty, Grand Rapids offers classic northern scenery, with a backdrop suited to leisure and sports adventures. For perspective, there are over 100 miles of bike trails you can access year-round. Mountain biking during the warmer seasons and fat tire biking during the winter, trails like the ones in the Tioga Recreation Area offer plenty to explore at your own pace. If you prefer walking trails, the Chippewa National Forest is another suitable option, with over 298 miles of non-motorized trails to explore.
The Grand Rapids area is home to more than 1,000 lakes and is accessible to the Mississippi River. This alone makes Grand Rapids an appealing spot for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking through these lakes. With an overwhelming number of options, you can easily find your own spot to fish and take it easy.
Pipestone
Widely known for its Native American significance, Pipestone is a great place to unwind if you're a hiking enthusiast looking to take in some beautiful sights. One of the more widely known spots in the area is the Pipestone National Monument, where a 3/4-mile trail leads directly to the rock bearing initials carved by Joseph Nicollet and members of his 1838 expedition. Meanwhile, the visitor center offers cultural demonstrations of carving pipestone into pipes and other crafts.
If you're in the mood for more hiking, Split Rock Creek State Park is not too far out of town. The creek offers ample swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities with Split Rock Lake, the largest body of water in Pipestone County. In addition, there is a 2.5-mile loop that lets travelers hike through the campground, Prairie Hill, and the wooded shores of the lake before crossing the Split Rock Creek Dam.
New Ulm
About 90 miles southwest of Minneapolis and St. Paul, New Ulm offers a balance of relaxation and interest. You can see this immediately through its 13-mile bike loop, which takes you throughout the city and stops at key areas
Some of those key areas are relaxing in their own way, like Schell's Brewery. The oldest brewery in Minnesota, founded in 1860, keeps the legacy alive and well by offering tours of the facility and a beautiful outdoor garden to explore. Alternatively, that same bike loop can take you to Flandrau State Park. This 1,000-acre park includes grasslands, marshes, wooded areas, and a swimming area. Combined with lodging in the area, the park can serve as a way to have your own small piece of relaxation.
Two Harbors
Resting on the North Shore of Lake Superior, Two Harbors is a blend of relaxation and coastal living in a historic lakeside town that was once a bustling place in the late 1800s when the area was a hub for iron ore shipping. The Lake County Historical Society and Depot Museum preserves a piece of that history through its exhibits.
Another popular spot to relax is near the Two Harbors Lighthouse, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in all of Minnesota. What's also interesting about the lighthouse is that the living quarters serve as a bed-and-breakfast. Beyond that, the tower and grounds can be toured from May through October. This is all before the ready access to Lake Superior itself as an area to explore. The waters themselves allow travelers to swim, kayak, boat, or fish. Alternatively, Two Harbors has access to the Superior Hiking Trail, an over 300-mile trail that offers dramatic views of Lake Superior and takes travelers through rocky ridgelines and forest trails.
Lanesboro
With the Root River cutting right through it, Lanesboro is another picturesque town that offers sights that can recharge and soothe you in a warm and welcoming community. The Lanesboro Dam is iconic, a historic landmark. It also offers the perfect vantage point for you to take in the peace and brilliant colors of the surrounding area. Alternatively, the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center can offer you a hands-on experience through its programs, encouraging outdoor exploration, teamwork, and environmental awareness through hiking, mountain biking, skiing, bird watching, and more on its remote, scenic campus.
Shopping in Lanesboro is also part of its appeal, with the town being in the heart of local Amish country. Local boutiques and stores like E2 Boutique offer browsing and personal shopping experiences that add to the town's character.
Pequot Lakes
In the northern region of the Brainerd Lakes Area is the town of Pequot Lakes. Surrounded by lakes, the town is a great place to unwind, take in the sights, and browse through local shops and restaurants.
To take in most of the area's natural beauty, the Paul Bunyan Trail would be your best option. It runs from Crow Wing State Park to Lake Bemidji State Park and has a stop conveniently in Pequot Lakes' downtown area. Alternatively, the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway is 54 miles of paved, wide-shouldered roads you can drive through with plenty of stops and sights to take in. And after a day of adventuring, Lakes Tavern offers a casual place to eat and unwind. During the warmer months, they open up their 60-seat patio and offer foods made from scratch with an overall balanced menu.
Redwood Falls
Redwood Falls and the surrounding area offer a scenic setting with a range of outdoor attractions. Shopping is a delight, with places like The Market offering natural and gourmet products from the local community.
But the real beauty is in the natural attractions, with the town having ready access to the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway. The Byway runs along the Minnesota River from Browns Valley to Belle Plaine, connecting to 14 counties. As such, you have ready access to paddle, hike, birdwatch, and bike along the byway and uncover so many different stories and sights.
For something more local, Ramsey Park is a good alternative. It's the largest municipal park in Minnesota, spanning 256 acres. Miles of trails that cross the Redwood River and Ramsey Creek allow hikers and joggers to explore the heavily wooded park and experience the deep ravines and the beauty of the Redwood River gorge.
Henderson
Known in part for its ties to Prince and Purple Rain, Henderson is also a great place to relax, with plenty of attractions beyond those connections. The Henderson Hummingbird Garden is one such place where hummingbirds and butterflies gather (with peak season from May to October). Nonetheless, the garden is open all year round with plenty of sights to take in. Alternatively, the Ney Nature Center has hiking trails and 446 acres to spot some birds and go cross-country skiing. The area is on the bluffs of the Minnesota River, offering travelers opportunities to access the river and see the old East Henderson depot and village site.
Minnesota has plenty of towns where relaxing is less about planning activities and more about settling into the setting. Some have rivers and bluff views, others open onto lakes, trails, and quiet streets lined with local shops. However you like to relax, on the water, on foot, or simply by taking in the scenery, there is a town here that makes it come naturally.
