Minnesota's 6 Most Laid-Back Towns For 2025

With November 2025 approaching, some of us are already preparing for the chaos that comes with end-of-year celebrations. On one hand, the holidays are a time of joy, togetherness, and excitement; on the other, it can be hard to take a break from the season’s stresses. From holiday shopping and endless expenses to social obligations and everything in between, this time of year can feel overwhelming, with no escape in sight.

Avoiding holiday burnout can feel impossible, but a getaway or day trip can be the key to unwinding and recharging in between. Whether bundling up for a State Park hike, antique hunting with a coffee in hand, or visiting an art museum or two, these 6 laid-back Minnesota towns remind us to slow down, decompress, and leave our worries at home for another day.

Grand Marais

Situated between the Sawtooth Mountains and the North Shore of Lake Superior, Grand Marais is an artsy harbor town with breathtaking natural scenes. Budget Travel Magazine named it “America’s Coolest Small Town” in 2023, and if you ever stop by, it’s easy to see why. The town’s bohemian feel is rooted in the Grand Marais Art Colony, the oldest art colony in Minnesota. First opening in 1947, today it infuses the town with creativity at galleries like Studio 21. Guests can browse vibrant exhibitions or even attend seasonal events like the Grand Marais Holiday Market, taking place on December 6th, 2025.

Judge C.R. Magney State Park is another must-see attraction in Grand Marais. Open year-round, the park is home to award-winning hikes like the Devil's Kettle Trail. Voted the #1 “Best Hiking Trail (2025)” by USA Today Readers, this serene forest route leads to the bewitching Devil’s Kettle Waterfall, which uniquely “splits” into two cascades. Outside the park, nature lovers can also hike Grand Marais’ scenic section of the Superior Hiking Trail through Pincushion Mountain. Whether cross-country skiing or hiking before the snow hits, its panoramic lake views are absolutely sublime.

Stillwater

Blessed with a storybook downtown and picture-perfect waterfront, Stillwater is the type of place you go to escape everyday stresses for a while. Much of its charms are centered on Main Street, a charming and nostalgic remnant of the town’s past. In place of chain restaurants and big-box stores, the stretch is lined with Victorian storefronts and over 50 locally owned businesses, including gems like the Locale Makers Market. The market features handcrafted goods from over 60 artisans, making it an ideal place to get some holiday shopping out of the way.

Further south, the Midtown Antique Mall is another eclectic business you could explore for hours on end. Housing over 65 antique dealers across 3 floors, many celebrate it as “the Midwest’s largest antique mall.” Nearby, Mad Capper Saloon & Eatery is a cool and quirky follow-up, serving great food in a former 19th-century shoe store. From there, the breathtaking St. Croix River is just a five-minute walk away. Enhanced with views of the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge, the majestic waterway can be enjoyed at spots like Lowell Park.

Red Wing

Overlooking the mighty Mississippi River, Red Wing is another town renowned for its small-town charms and storybook feel. Its hallmark landmark, the He Mni Can-Barn Bluff, makes for a truly spectacular hike. The sandstone cliff rises 340 feet over the Mississippi, rewarding hikers with soaring views of the waterway and town. Its hillsides are brightened with orange, red, and gold from mid-September through mid-October, making this a popular time to hike. However, the Barn Bluff is equally romantic even after the leaves fall, crunching underfoot on scenic overlook paths like the Prairie Trail.

Like Grand Marais, Red Wing pairs its natural beauty with art and culture. The town’s historic clay industry is honored at sites like the Pottery Museum of Red Wing, which houses dozens of exhibits across 13,000 square feet. Musicals, concerts, and dance performances can also be enjoyed at venues like the Sheldon Theatre, an enchanting 1904 auditorium. For the remainder of 2025, there are countless shows and performances to look forward to, including Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night on November 1st and A Minnesota Mini-Nutcracker on December 4.

Taylors Falls

Home to the nation’s first state park to cross two states, Taylors Falls will steal your breath in more ways than one. Sharing its splendor with Wisconsin, Interstate State Park is the town’s crown jewel, punctuated by the beautiful St. Croix River and tree-studded cliffs. Mid-October is a gorgeous time to visit if you want to see the St. Croix River Valley ablaze with fall foliage. On the other hand, once the leaves fall, unobstructed views are another perk on wooded overlook paths like the Walter F. Mondale River Trail.

In winter, Interstate State Park transitions into a winter recreation hub, boasting 12.5 miles of trails for snowshoeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing. This time of year is also when travelers begin flocking to Wild Mountain, a small yet thrilling ski area and snow tubing park in Taylors Falls. Projected to open for the season on November 14th, 2025, guests can enjoy 26 trails across 100 Acres, ranging from beginner-friendly hills to a more epic 300-foot drop.

Ely

Averaging 84 inches of annual snow, Ely is another winter wonderland town, with so many ways to embrace the season’s magic in 2025. Situated in Superior National Forest along Shagawa Lake, the former mining town is renowned for its winter recreation, namely as a main entry point to Boundary Waters Wilderness Canoe Area. When snow blankets the region, the area remains full of life, inviting winter camping, ice fishing, dogsledding, and cross-country skiing.

After your Boundary Waters adventure, consider refueling with a hot drink from Log Cabin Coffee, an adorable drive-thru cafe. As for more outdoor fun, the Kawishiwi Falls Trail is another gorgeous spot to explore during colder months in Ely. When the waterfall freezes over, it creates a dramatic icy scene, making this a popular snowshoe route. Back in town, outfitters like Piragis Northwoods Company offer snowshoe rentals, while stores like Wintergreen Northern Wear specialize in high-quality winter clothes.

Silver Bay

Returning to the picturesque Sawtooth Mountains, Silver Bay stands apart for its proximity to many of the state’s coolest parks. Bordering the North Shore of Lake Superior, Silver Bay’s top attraction is Tettegouche State Park, a year-round lakeside oasis. Overlooking the Great Lake atop towering cliffs, the Shovel Point Trail is especially stunning in fall and winter, whether hiking over a blanket of leaves or snow. Even higher up, guests can drive (or take a short hike in winter) to the Palisade Head for sweeping views atop a massive 200-foot cliff.

Beyond the Great Lake park, Silver Bay is also a gateway to natural wonders like the seasonal Caribou Falls State Wayside. Open until mid-November, visitors can visit the wayside to hike to Caribou Falls, a spectacular 35-foot waterfall with views of the Caribou River, gorge, and Lake Superior along the way. For a more family-friendly seasonal attraction, Silver Bay is also home to the North Shore Adventure Park, which is open until the end of October. Welcoming ages 3 and up, the forested park boasts zip lines, treetop rope courses, and a section for adventurous “Little Climbers.”

Avoid Holiday Burnout In Minnesota's Laid-Back Towns

Whether celebrating Thanksgiving, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, or time off from work, the approaching holidays can feel overwhelming. From financial hardships to difficult family dynamics, the "season of joy" often has the opposite effect. Even if you just take a few hours for yourself, these laid-back Minnesota towns will help you leave the stress behind for a while. Whether visiting a Holiday Market in Grand Marais, hiking the Barn Bluff in Red Wing, or bringing the whole family to Silver Bay for North Shore Adventure Park, these towns will help remind you to slow down, reset, and appreciate the rest of 2025.