11 Towns in Minnesota with Vibrant Downtown Areas

As far as cities go, Minnesota, also known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” may be best known for a variety of great attractions in downtown Minneapolis. Yet this state has 87 counties and more than 850 towns scattered across almost 90,000 square miles, and many of these cities and towns have vibrant downtown areas that encourage visitors to return over and over again. From north and south to east and west, the Gopher State has something for everyone. Let's look at 11 towns in Minnesota with vibrant downtown areas.

Excelsior

Located along the south shore of Lake Minnetonka, the charming town of Excelsior is home to a number of great parks, including Cathcart Park, Excelsior Commons, and Pheasant Hill Park. There are also several pleasing cultural attractions and community events in downtown Excelsior. Excelsior Commons, affectionately known as the Commons, presents many annual festivals, including Art on the Lake and Apple Days, both of which celebrate local artists and their crafts, helping to establish this town as one of the best places to visit in Minnesota. A variety of local markets and hometown eateries also call downtown Excelsior home, such as the Excelsior Flea Market and 318 Cafe, the latter offering a delicious brunch every weekend and live music most evenings.

Taylors Falls

Taylors Falls, sitting alongside the St. Croix River and bordering the state of Wisconsin, possesses a flourishing downtown area and is a haven for some great historic and cultural sites. Home to Interstate State Park, which is most famous for its Glacier Potholes, Taylors Falls welcomes you to experience and share in this unique location. The Folsom House, a mid-19th-century Greek Revival building, features the stories of five generations of the Folsom family, which was important to the region's lumber industry. The Taylors Falls River Walk demonstrates how the St. Croix River was instrumental in the growth of Taylors Falls and nearby St. Croix Falls. Finally, a variety of festivals, like Wannigan Days, offer a two-city, two-day parade, live music, and much more.

New Ulm

The picturesque town of New Ulm, with a population right around 15,000, is located about 95 miles southwest of Minneapolis. This quaint yet happening town is home to some great festivals, including the summer Bavarian Blast, which features a variety of different musical bands and a parade, and Bacchus Fest, celebrating the spring wine-growing season. There are also several excellent venues celebrating the history of the area within the thriving downtown area of New Ulm. Hermann the German (known officially as the Hermann Heights Monument), is more than 100-feet tall and honors Arminius, a chieftain who ensured a victory for Germania via a decisive victory over the Romans. New Ulm's Glockenspiel, a 45-foot bell tower with 37 bells, depicts characters from the city's history, including the Brick Mason, the Dakota Native American, and the Pioneer Family.

Winona

Along the banks of the Mississippi River, just across from Wisconsin, sits the town of Winona, with around 25,000 residents; it is a true oasis of history and culture. Downtown Winona, known best for possessing a great heritage and theater scene through venues and attractions like the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Page Theater, and the Kashubian Cultural Institute & Polish Museum, keeps history alive. Several historical festivals take place in downtown Winona every year as well. Winona Steamboat Days occurs every June, celebrating what steamboats meant to Winona with a fabulous parade, live music, and fireworks. The Great River Shakespeare Festival is hosted every year and showcases plays such as "Hamlet" and "Much Ado About Nothing."

Pipestone

The quaint town of Pipestone, situated in the southwestern corner of the state, has a thriving downtown area, displaying a cultural importance of their community-related values through several different historic attractions. From the downtown Pipestone Historic District, which is home to the Calumet Hotel, a four-story Richardsonian Romanesque structure built from light pink jasper quartzite in 1888, to annual events and festivals, like the Water Tower Festival, which offers a parade, a car show, and lots more, there is excitement around every corner of this small town. There are several historic venues in downtown Pipestone as well, including the Pipestone County Museum, which displays “Then & Now” videos of the history of the town and the county surrounding it.

Stillwater

Another great town along the St. Croix River just across from the state of Wisconsin, the town of Stillwater is perhaps most famous for the Stillwater Lift Bridge, one of only six built in Minnesota and Wisconsin before World War II. Though this bridge is now closed to vehicular traffic, it can still be used by pedestrians and bicycle riders. There are many other attractions in the area, too, including Teddy Bear Park, which is only blocks from downtown Stillwater, and the Midtown Antique Mall, featuring anything antique historians could ever want. There are also festivals held in downtown Stillwater, including the Harvest Fest in October, with activities such as a pumpkin weighing contest, a chili cook-off, and a beer garden, as well as the World Snow Celebration, celebrated in January and featuring a snow-sculpture contest.

Grand Rapids

Not to be confused with the town by the same name in Michigan, the town of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is perhaps best known for the Blandin Paper Mill, which was first opened in 1902. The logging history of Grand Rapids began in the 1800s, influencing events such as the North Star Logging Expo, which has a date of origin starting in the 1950s and now features over a hundred different exhibitors. Many other great venues in Grand Rapids include the Judy Garland Museum, where the legendary performer was born. There, visitors will find artifacts and historical information, especially that which is related to Garland and perhaps her most famous movie, 1939's “The Wizard of Oz.” Another attraction: the Gilbert Mansion, a Victorian-style home built in 1904 that is now a popular bed and breakfast.

Ely

Most famous for several outdoor attractions, like the North American Bear Center, the International Wolf Center, and Bear Head Lake State Park, the quaint town of Ely possesses a thriving downtown area, as well. From excellent shopping in friendly local stores, including Spirit of the Wilderness, to delicious foods at local eateries, like Insula Restaurant, both of which are on East Sheridan Street, downtown Ely is a great place to visit. There are also a variety of festivals which occur in downtown Ely. The Boundary Waters Blues Festival and the Ely Winter Festival, also taking place on Sheridan Street every year, offer visitors alike the chance to celebrate a community-oriented spirit of heritage and connectivity with residents of the town.

Fergus Falls

The town of Fergus Falls, home to a vast variety of natural attractions, like Broken Down Dam Park and Pebble Lake Beach, has many cultural attributes and festivities which contribute to a thriving downtown, as well. From several parks, such as Adams Park and Veterans Memorial Park, to museums like Otter Tail County Historical Society Museum and Otter Cove Children's Museum, to some great annual events, like the Hostmarknad Fall Festival, there is something for everyone in this picturesque town of fewer than 15,000 people. Downtown Fergus Falls also showcases a variety of points of interest, including a number of popular restaurants — as well as Otto the Big Otter, a 15-foot-tall, 40-foot-long statue standing in Adams Park since 1972.

Red Wing

Named after a Native American chief, Hupahuduta ("a swan's wing dyed in red"), the charming town of Red Wing has one of the most vibrant downtown areas in southern Minnesota. With some great festivities, like River City Days, which celebrates summer along the banks of the Mississippi through a variety of fun activities, and the Red Wing Arts Fall Festival, catering to the local artists of the region, the thrill of discovery is alive in Red Wing. Downtown Red Wing is also home to a vast variety of fun venues, including the famous Red Wing Shoe Company Museum and the Aliveo Military Museum, which has exhibits related to the multiple wars that have been fought by the United States, including the Civil War, the Korean War, and both world wars.

Grand Marais

Situated on the shores of Lake Superior, the town of Grand Marais is home to a number of natural attractions. Yet, this town of just over a thousand people also possesses a great and lively downtown area filled with a variety of quaint shops and local eateries, including Beth's Fudge and Gifts. The Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery and Yellowbird Fine Art showcase the artistic integrity of this quaint town, while Blue Water Cafe provides a taste of community-connectivity through delicious food. There are also several festivals occurring annually in Grand Marais, bringing visitors from throughout the region. The Fisherman’s Picnic takes place each summer, and an Unplugged Music Festival occurs every September, presenting a variety of local music to visitors and those who call Grand Marais home.

Conclusion

There are many reasons to plan a vacation to another town, county, or state — from the majestic outdoor attractions and locations to the historic value of the community to its shopping, dining, and lodging options. In Minnesota, whether it's visiting the historic district in Pipestone at the Calumet Hotel, checking out Otto the Big Otter in Fergus Falls, or attending the Boundary Waters Blues Festival in Ely, these 11 towns in Minnesota with vibrant downtown areas offer many ways to explore, whether it's with family, friends, or with the locals themselves.