6 Idyllic Small Towns In Minnesota To Visit In 2025

According to a report by Explore Minnesota, Minnesota received 80.2 million visitors in 2023. That number is over twice the population of Canada! So what draws so many people to the North Star State? River towns, historic art colonies, canoeing trails, and towns rich in Swedish heritage are just a few of the factors that attract so many visitors. If you want to explore some of the state’s most idyllic destinations, these six towns are a wonderful place to start your journey.

Grand Marais

Home to the state’s oldest art colony, Grand Marais has an art scene that you will not want to miss. The Grand Marais Art Colony should be the first stop on your itinerary, established in 1947, and providing the community with art classes, studio access, and annual festivals. Ceramics and printmaking classes are offered year-round, and each July, the colony hosts the renowned Grand Marais Arts Festival. There are plenty of other galleries to visit throughout town as well, such as the Betsy Bowen Gallery, a family-owned printmaking studio that creates impressive handmade woodblock prints. If you hope to explore the outdoors while in the area, you can drive about 12 minutes southwest to Cascade River State Park, which features a gorge, cascading waterfalls, and a river that visitors can explore on various hiking trails. Moose, bears, pine martens, and warblers are a few of the animals you may be able to spot as well!

Red Wing

Located along the banks of the Mississippi, Red Wing is a picturesque river town offering numerous outdoor recreation opportunities. If you enjoy a good afternoon of fishing, consider signing up for a fishing charter with Hahn's Mississippi River Fishing Guide Service, owned and operated by a local expert angler. During the excursion, Hahn provides guests with all the needed fishing equipment, including fishing rods, reels, tackle, and live bait. Fish you may be able to catch include walleye, crappies, and sauger. After a day of fishing, head over to the town’s Central Park, where you can enjoy a picnic, lawn games, or a free live music concert on Wednesday evenings through August 27th. Travelers can conclude their day with a good dinner at The Smokin’ Oak, a wood-fired rotisserie known for its ribs, chicken, and hand-cut steaks that it cooks over a cherry and oak wood flame.

Ely

With nearly 20 access points to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) nearby, Ely is the ultimate base camp for canoeing and camping. Plenty of outfitters in town will equip you for your canoeing trip, such as Cliff Wold’s Outfitting Co., which has been a top canoe rental supplier since 1961. The area also offers several campgrounds, including Whispering Pines Campground, which features cabins and campsites along Echo Trail, surrounded by the BWCAW. Renowned for its wildlife education, the International Wolf Center allows visitors to see and learn about gray wolves up close, with several resident wolves living on site. The center also offers several educational programs, webinars, and lectures throughout the year.

Stillwater

Often considered “The Birthplace of Minnesota,” Stillwater is one of the oldest towns in the state. As a result, there is a lot of history to explore. Travelers can kick off their visit at the Washington County Heritage Center, where interactive exhibits, such as a camp bunkhouse, a fashion display, and a historic brewery exhibit, tell the story of the St. Croix Valley. Afterwards, cruise down the St. Croix River on a charming boat with Stillwater River Boats, offering public cruises and private charters. Each cruise has a gourmet lunch or dinner, with possible menus including beef pot roast, wild rice stuffed chicken, and chicken and barbecue pulled pork. While on the river, you might spot the Stillwater Lift Bridge, a historic steel bridge that dates back to 1931 and is a rare remaining example of vertical-lift highway bridge construction.

Lake City

As its name might suggest, Lake City, which is located along Lake Pepin, promises the perfect vacation on the lake. The town is home to one of the best beaches in the state: Ohuta Beach, which has a lovely beach for swimming, a riverwalk trail, a large pavilion, and a modern playground on the premises. Sailing is another popular activity in the area, with Sail Pepin offering daily cruises and sailing lessons to the public. If you will be visiting Lake City in August, consider attending the annual Float a Palooza event, which is taking place on August 9th this year. Hundreds of people attend this float fest each year, bringing paddleboards, inner tubes, and lilypads to enjoy a cool day on the water. Food trucks, volleyball, beanbags, and other yard games will also be there!

Lindstrom

Nicknamed 'America’s Little Sweden,' Lindstrom traces its origins back to the mid-19th century, when many Swedish immigrants settled there. Today, the town continues to preserve this heritage through restaurants, festivals, and historic landmarks. Each July, the town throws the annual Karl Oskar Days, which celebrates its Swedish heritage with activities like a parade, a car show, a farmers market, a fair, fireworks, and more. If you want a hearty Swedish meal, stop by the Swedish Inn, which has been operating in the community since 1991, serving dishes like Swedish meatballs and lefsa and various American cuisine. Allemansrätt Park is a popular place for community members to gather as well. It is designated as a Wilderness and Swedish Heritage Park and covers about 125 acres. Natural features in the park include a 14-acre lake, a 5-acre island, wetlands, and an 1853 homestead.

Between the state’s rivers, lakes, and forests, you won’t have a problem finding a beautiful town to visit in Minnesota. However, these six towns should help narrow your search, offering some of the most idyllic natural features and landmarks. Towns like Ely provide you with the perfect access to the state’s incredible wilderness areas, while others, like Lindstrom and Stillwater, are abundant in cultural and historical attractions. So, instead of wondering where to go next, start planning the details of your trip!