7 Adorable Small Towns in Minnesota to Visit in 2024
Set in the far north of the Great Lakes region, Minnesota shares borders with the US states of South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, and Lake Superior. Known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” Minnesota is renowned for its natural beauty and endless options for outdoor adventure, no matter the season of the year. Situated among the picturesque lakes, rivers, and forests, dozens of lovely little towns also await your visit. So check out our 2024 list of Minnesota’s seven most adorable small towns.
Ely
In former times, Ely (pronounced “ee-lee”) was a bustling mining town in far northeastern Minnesota, but in recent decades the town has reinvented itself as a destination for outdoor recreation. Lake Superior is always a popular tourist draw, while in summer the Boundary Waters Canoe Area brings visitors to Ely in canoe and kayak-topped SUVs from near and far. You can also safely experience some of the region’s most famous wildlife at the North American Bear Center and the International Wolf Center, both in Ely. Make sure to include a stroll down the Sheridan Street business district, with its classic midwestern small-town look and feel, during your visit.
Excelsior
As befitting the town’s name, Excelsior has an excellent location—set on the southern end of lovely Lake Minnetonka and only about 15 miles from downtown Minneapolis. Despite this proximity to the Twin Cities metro area, Excelsior maintains a nice downtown business district along Water Street. The town’s lakeside setting and fine collection of stately Victorian homes have long contributed to Excelsior’s reputation as an artists’ haven. While you will have to wait until 2025 for the next Art on the Lake Festival (held each year in early June), Excelsior is home to numerous galleries and art programs year-round. You may even be inspired to create some art after a day floating on the lake and strolling through town!
Grand Marais
Unlike Excelsior, with its proximity to the Twin Cities, Grand Marais is a much more isolated artists’ haven, tucked away in sparsely-populated northeastern Minnesota. Once an important trading center for the surrounding mining operations, the town now houses the Grand Marais Art Colony, which hosts its signature event, the Grand Marais Arts Festival, each summer (July 13-14, 2024). Whether or not you are artistically-inclined, Grand Marais’ setting between the seemingly endless blue waters of the lake and the seemingly endless green forests is perfect for making a connection with nature. While it may not quite compare to the surrounding natural magnificence, the town has a quaint beauty that is also well worth experiencing.
Grand Rapids
The rough waters that gave Grand Rapids its name once marked the northernmost point to which steamboats could navigate on the mighty Mississippi River, making the town an important trading hub. The wealth of that era is revealed in the town’s magnificent late-1800s architecture, including the ornate Old Central School building. Anyone taking a walking tour of Grand Rapids’ picturesque downtown will notice a yellow brick road, an homage to Wizard of Oz film star Judy Garland, who was born in town. You may have just missed the annual Wizard of Oz/Judy Garland Festival held each year in June, but you can still enjoy a visit to Grand Rapids in 2024 and get a head start on planning your return trip in 2025!
Henderson
Downtown Henderson’s fine collection of Victorian-era architecture represents its past as a hub for river and railroad commerce. These days, the town relies on its historic charm and riverfront location to draw tourists. Henderson also celebrates having a somewhat quirky reputation, best represented by its annual Sauerkraut Days festival, held the last weekend of June. If you missed this year’s festival or are not a sauerkraut fan, come to Henderson anyway and explore the 450 acres of native flora and fauna at the Ney Nature Center. The town is also an entry point into the 70-mile long Minnesota River National Wildlife Refuge.
Northfield
In America’s centennial year of 1876, Northfield was the site of a deadly but foiled bank robbery by the infamous Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang. The Northfield Historical Society Museum houses several exhibits about the event, and the town holds a “Defeat of Jesse James Days” festival each year (September 4-8, 2024), with re-enactments, a tractor pull, and much more. Downtown Northfield still has much of its historic look and feel, and local businesses get a boost both from tourism and the presence of two colleges, St. Olaf College and Carleton College. Make sure your walk through town includes a trip through Caron Park, which includes Caron Falls, a metal footbridge, unique rock formations, and other natural highlights.
Stillwater
Stillwater is one of the oldest towns in the state of Minnesota and played an important political role in the transition from territorial status to statehood over 150 years ago. The town sits along the slow-moving “still water” of the St. Croix River, which forms part of the border with Wisconsin. Many of Stillwater’s earliest settlers were German, which helps explain why downtown Stillwater was chosen as the first American location for a world-famous Kathe Wolfahrt German Christmas Store. Downtown houses more than 50 other shops and boutiques as well, and your shopping trip can be paired with a paddlewheel boat cruise (via Stillwater River Boats) or Venetian style gondola ride (via Gondola Romantica).
While Minnesotans enjoy the outdoors all year long, even during the icy winters, they love to celebrate the warmer months with festivals, parades, and community gatherings. These events showcase the history, charm, and beauty of Minnesota’s small towns, making the cute little communities even more adorable. But if you cannot wait until the next festival to make your 2024 trip to small-town Minnesota, do not worry—you will have a good time no matter when you visit!
