2024's 10 Most Scenic Minnesota Towns

Catch beautiful sceneries in the “sky-tinted water” of one of Minnesota’s 11,842 lakes, and treat yourself to the memorable views of 2024’s most scenic Minnesota towns. From Lindstrom’s mirroring of a town in Scandinavia to Red Wing preserves and pastures, these destinations have captivated thousands of travelers for years. Although there are far more scenic attractions like the largest shopping mall in the US, the Mall of America, or the largest urban sculpture garden in America, the Sculpture Garden of Minneapolis, Minnesota’s small towns have their own sceneries and sites that protect the beautiful qualities of nature. This year, pack your gear for a wild and whimsical tour of 2024’s most scenic Minnesota towns.

Stillwater

You will not be standing still when adventure beckons in the town of Stillwater. Only about 25 miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Stillwater borders the state of Wisconsin as delineated by the Saint Croix River. However, visitors from Wisconsin can traverse the Historic Stillwater Lift Bridge to enter the riveting border town. Afterwards, you can seek out the scenic sites of Stillwater with its numerous parks and recreational areas.

Among them is Teddy Bear Park, which mostly caters to children and toddlers. Bigger and grander parks in Stillwater include Pine Point Regional Park, Lowell Park, the Otto Berg Memorial Park, Brekke Park, Afton State Park, Pioneer Park, and more. While roaming around town, you might come across several monuments and statues representing Stillwater’s history, which you can explore further vis-à-vis the River City Sculpture Tour.

Red Wing

Red Wing will gladden your day and keep you flying about with all its sceneries and opportunities. Close to the border of Wisconsin as delineated by the Mississippi River, newcomers can traverse the Cannon Valley Trail, which connects Red Wing to the nearby city of Cannon Falls. From atop Barn Bluff, you can get a superb photographic view of Red Wing and the Mississippi River. Head over to the Falconer Vineyard to sample exquisite wine while digesting the landscape.

One can go hunting at the Pierce County Islands State Public Hunting Grounds, or just enjoy ever-verdant pastures in the Spring Creek Prairie Scientific & Natural Area (SNA) and Anderson Center Sculpture Garden at Tower View. Be mindful and respectful when venturing into the Cannon River Turtle Preserve Scientific and Natural Area, and at the height of winter, make merriment when skiing and snowboarding at the Welch Village Ski & Snowboard Area.

Grand Rapids

The Mississippi River is often filled with grand rapids, but none more so than near the town of Grand Rapids. So named after three and a half miles of turbulent and challenging rapids in the Mississippi River, Grand Rapids is a town beckoning with exploration and adventure. A thousand lakes can be visited around the town, among them Trout Lake and Pokegama Lake, which are filled with trout and pokegama. From the Forest History Center, begin your scenic strolls through the Golden Anniversary State Forest and the Chippewa National Forest on Lake Winnibigoshish.

And if you are a fan of the movie The Wizard of Oz, then you can tour the former home of Judy Garland who played the protagonist Dorothy, and whose career and life can be explored at the Judy Garland Museum. Take things slow but have a grand time in the woodlands and lakes and the roaring river of Grand Rapids.

Excelsior

Excelsior excels with its numerous attractions and scenic sights. To begin a memorable experience in Excelsior, travelers can hop aboard a historic trolley from the Excelsior Streetcar Line, which connects Excelsior to Minneapolis.

Afterward, you might also want to board another historic vehicle, the steamboat Minnehaha, which was built in 1906, sank in 1926 and was repaired from the 1980s to the 1990s. Such a steamboat mainly plows the waters of Lake Minnetonka, although you can still enjoy scenic strolls around the Lower Lake and Lake Minnewashta, the latter being near the Lake Minnewashta Regional Park and the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Probably the best time to visit Excelsior is on Saint Patrick’s Day every March, when the townsfolk perform a one-mile run around the many lakes of Excelsior called the Luck O’ the Lake.

Ely

Minnesota is a land renowned for its many lakes, and the town of Ely serves as a gateway to the thousands of lakes in this natural and scenic state. Being so close to the border of Canada, the citizens of two nations in North America can pitch a yurt in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) near Shagawa Lake. This particular region is best known for the “Root Beer Lady,” a folkloric figure who once gave homemade root beer to anyone visiting, and whom newcomers to Ely can learn all about in the Dorothy Molter Museum.

Other scenic destinations in Ely include the Superior National Forest and the Kawishiwi Falls Trail. However, you ought to first visit the International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center to be more prepared when encountering the wolves and bears living in Ely’s woods.

Grand Marais

With the Sawtooth Mountains as a backdrop and Lake Superior as an eternally prominent feature, Grand Marais certainly provides several spectacular views of Minnesota’s sublime landscapes. For centuries, artists old and young have flocked to Grand Marais, the oldest art colony in Minnesota. They specifically gather at Artist's Point, one of the most pristine spots to best view the entirety—or at least the finest side—of Lake Superior and gain inspiration from it all. One might also consider heading to the Grand Marais Marina Vista Point or standing atop the Grand Marais Lighthouse.

It is not only Lake Superior that has inspired many an artist, but even the Sawtooth Mountains contain a plethora of invigorating locales such as the Devil's Kettle, Devil’s Track Lake, and Cascade River State Park. Whether in the clouds, on land, or by the water, Grand Marais will give you a grand time.

New Ulm

New Ulm promises new experiences at the confluence of the Cottonwood River and Minnesota River. The town was named after a city near Bavaria and, as such, contains numerous features and attractions akin to many small towns in Germany. One prominent example is the Hermann Monument, a homage to a Germanic chieftain named Arminius, who rallied the Germanic tribes against the Roman Empire. Schell’s Brewery has protected America’s oldest brewing techniques for generations, while the Glockenspiel stands as a 45-foot-tall clocktower, always telling the time.

Do not miss out on New Ulm’s Bavarian Blast in July, the Bacchus Fest in May, the HermannFest in September, or Oktoberfest. And one can always be tempted to trek through Flandrau State Park or leisurely strolls along Swan Lake.

Lindstrom

Lindstrom “America’s Little Sweden” is the kind of place that inspired writers to create mesmerizing stories and settings. Indeed, a novelist named Vilhelm Moberg produced The Emigrants based on the personal journals of Erik Norelius, one of Lindstrom’s founding members. The Karl Oskar Days, a yearly festival in the ides of July, was inspired by one of the protagonists in the novel, Karl Oskar. Aside from the literary, you can feel inspired yourself while gallivanting beside Lindstrom's many lakes, such as South Center Lake, North Center Lake, South Lindstrom Lake, North Lindstrom Lake, Chisago Lake, Sunrise Lake, and many more.

Afterward, feel the sun and touch grass at Beach Park and Allemansratt Park, the latter with a Swedish phrase that translates to “Every Man’s Right.” Only about 40 miles from the Twin Cities, find the perfect spots for respite and rejuvenation in the humbling town of Lindstrom.

Lanesboro

Deep in the Root River Valley, and around 40 miles from Rochester, lies the lovely small town of Lanesboro. Although the surrounding features are certainly a delight, one of the most curious facets about Lanesboro is the 20 or so medallions scattered all throughout town. Each one represents a different episode in Lanesboro’s past which you can uncover during the Discover Sculpture Explore Lanesboro Medallion Walking Tour.

However, if you are more interested in seeing Lanesboro’s present, then you can travel to Mill Pond Overlook for an exquisite view of the South Branch of the Root River. Afterwards, traipse about in the lush woodlands of Sylvan Park, and wait for the month of June to attend the Rhubarb Festival in Lanesboro, hailed as the Rhubarb Capital of Minnesota.

Biwabik

The Bavarian-style town of Biwabik derives its name from the Ojibwe word biiwaabik, which means “iron.” This is a respectful nod to Biwabik’s role as the gateway to the East Range on the Mesabi Iron Range. Do not feel embarrassed when lounging about in Embarrass Lake, and feel great joy when sojourning beside lakes Sabin and Wynne.

Pitch a tent or lie upon the warm and comfortable earth at the Biwabik Campground on Vermilion Trail, or take the Vermilion Trail all the way to the Giants Ridge Recreation Area for its alpine ski runs and two golf courses.

Within the Land of 10,000 Lakes are 2024’s most scenic Minnesota towns—New Ulm for its representation of Germany, Biwabik for its golf courses and mountainous trails, and Grand Rapids for its rolling rivers. There is no shortage of stellar sights and sites to behold in the Hockey State, and whether you are wading in Excelsior’s or Ely’s many lakes or taking in the majesty of the mountains at Grand Marais, you will not feel disappointed by Minnesota’s scenic small towns. So should you ever have plans to explore Minnesota, make a detour and stay a long while in 2024’s most scenic towns.