7 Most Inviting Towns in Minnesota
Have you ever visited the birthplace of water skiing? Camped under the stars in the world’s largest dark sky reserve? Partied at a festival celebrating the capture of legendary outlaw Jesse James? Minnesota offers all those moments and more in its inviting small towns that offer a warm welcome and lots to keep the whole family occupied. Visit Minnesota’s inviting small towns, and you’ll go home with a host of timeless memories.
Lanesboro
Located in the Root River Valley of southeastern Minnesota, Lanesboro is a river town with plenty of character, history, and natural attractions. This tiny town has just 754 people and was founded over a century ago. Learn about its long history as a significant settlement on the Root River at the Lanesboro Historical Museum or pick up a map at the Visitors Center to take a self-guided walking tour around the historic downtown, stopping at sites such as Hotel Lanesboro, built in 1872 and on the National Register of Historic Places.
While you’re in town, take the time to enjoy the water. See the best of the beautiful Root River from the Root River State Trail which follows an abandoned railroad along the riverbank through the Root River Valley. Expect to see lots of wildlife on this scenic walkway, including deer, hawks, and wild turkeys. The trail is also suitable for cyclists, maps and further information are available at the Trail Center downtown.
Lake City
From rivers to lakes, Lake City, on the shores of Lake Pepin, offers some of the best boating and fishing in the Midwest. It’s also where water skiing was invented in 1922 by 18 year old water sports enthusiast Ralph Samuelson. Samuelson later donated his skis to the Minnesota Historical Society, which is still on display today.
Take a stroll around downtown to enjoy Lake City’s relaxed atmosphere, quirky shops, and busy cafes. The town loves welcoming curious tourists, especially in August when the Float-a-Palooza brings hundreds of visitors and locals to this awesome summer beach festival. The party takes place at Ohuta Beach Park, a great place to cool off and enjoy the water. If you’re looking to get more active, visit nearby Frontenac State Park, a gorgeous venue year-round with 13 miles of hiking trails through lush forest opening onto stunning views of the lake. If you visit in the fall, look up. This is one of the best places in the US to see bald eagles as they migrate along the Mississippi Flyway.
Ely
Ely, in the pristine wilderness of northern Minnesota just south of Canada, is the ideal destination for thrill-seekers, adventure-lovers, or anyone looking to escape city life. This inviting rural town has welcomed many visitors over the years, from its beginnings as an Ojibwe settlement to its modern incarnation as an eco-tourism hub. Learn about the area’s fascinating history at the Ely-Winton Historical Society before getting acquainted with some of its four-legged residents at the North American Bear Center. Here, you’ll be able to safely view the center’s three resident black bears in a specially curated 2.5-acre wilderness area. Meet more fearsome predators at the International Wolf Center, where you can watch a grey wolf pack as they play and feed, explore wolf exhibits, and even pick up a wolf-themed souvenir.
Ely has almost 20 entry points into the sprawling Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), one million unspoiled acres of the Superior National Forest, 1175 lakes, and more than 1200 miles of canoe routes. You need a permit to canoe or camp in BWCAW, but it’s well worth staying overnight if possible. The area is the largest International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world and offers spectacular views of the star-strewn night sky.
Northfield
It’s easy to see why Northfield, on the banks of the Cannon River, was named one of the “50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America” by CountryLiving.com. This inviting town was established in 1855 by John Wesley North, who saw a lot of potential in the abundant natural resources of the Cannon River valley. You can see Northfield’s history in the many beautiful examples of 1800s architecture around town. Take the Riverwalk to see the best of the town and its waterfront scenery. If you’re visiting on a summer Saturday, you’ll see the Riverwalk Market Fair, a busy hub of artists, performers, and local farmers selling their wares.
In 1876, Northfield townspeople held off a group of bank robbers led by the notorious Jesse James, and every year, on the weekend after Labour Day, the town celebrates their heroism with a lively street party known as The Defeat of Jesse James Days. Featuring a reenactment of the bank raid, a rodeo, tractor pull, parade, arts festival, and a fun-filled midway, this is an unmissable event in the Minnesota calendar.
You can’t leave Northfield without exploring its beautiful wilderness. Hikers will love the 15 mile trail network at the Cowling Arboretum, 800 acres near the Carlton College that cover 150 acres of prairie, wildflower meadows, and upland and lowland forest. If that’s not enough nature, head to the Cannon River Wilderness Area which features a canoe launch, horse riding and hiking trails, and picnic areas.
Fergus Falls
Fergus Falls is a charming river town in Minnesota’s Otter Tail County, named for the Otter Tail River that winds through the western part of the state. You’d expect a town in an area known as the ‘land of 1,048 lakes’ to have a lot of watery attractions, and Fergus Falls doesn’t disappoint. Take the Central Lakes Trail to see the best views of the water, this 55 mile pathway runs along an abandoned railroad corridor from the southeast edge of Fergus Falls to the town of Osakis. The terrain is a stunning mix of wetlands, lakes, grasslands, and farming country.
Fergus Falls is also a stop on the Otter Trail Scenic Byway, a 150 mile loop around the area’s most picturesque attractions. Get more nature and learn a little of Fergus Fall’s agricultural history at the Phelps Mill County Park, site of the historic Old Phelps Mill which was built in 1889 and hosts the annual Phelps Mill Festival every summer.
Stillwater
In 1848, a territorial convention met in the tiny river town of Stillwater to formally establish their state, earning the town its nickname of ‘the birthplace of Minnesota’. As one of the oldest towns in Minnesota, it’s no surprise that Stillwater has 21 buildings on the National Historic Registry as well as 100 plus Heirloom Homes and Landmark Sites. See the historic district in style with a trip on the Stillwater Trolley, a 45-minute narrated tour of the downtown area. If you’ve time to explore downtown further, be sure to visit Lowell Park, a grassy riverfront area from which you can see the historic Lift Bridge, built in 1931 and one of only a handful still operating in the US today. The St Croix River, a tributary of the Mississippi River, is a National Scenic Riverway. See its gorgeous scenery from the water with Stillwater River Boats, where you can board a traditional paddle-wheel boat for a tranquil cruise downriver.
Thief River Falls
Located at the crossroads of the Thief River and the Red Lake River, Thief River Falls began as a lumber-milling town but quickly grew into a dynamic center of agriculture and industry. Today the town’s beautiful surroundings attract hundreds of visitors a year, eager to hike, bike, fish, and explore.
The seven-mile River Walk is a good place to start. This scenic pathway begins at Centennial Park and passes through the wooded Northland Trails, the site of a 19th-century Ojibwe village. The walk ends at Oakland Park on the shores of the Red Lake River. Just across the road from the park is the Peder Engelstad Pioneer Village, which is open from Memorial Day through to Labour Day. The village consists of 19 buildings, including a museum, schoolhouse, church, and blacksmith shop, giving visitors the chance to see firsthand what life was like in a northern Minnesota pioneer town a century ago. History lovers will also want to see the Historic Soo Line Railroad Depot downtown. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the depot was built in 1914 and has retained many of its original features.
Minnesota Memories
Settled by a diverse mix of German, Swedish, Norwegian, and other European immigrants, Minnesota is a state that’s had a long history of welcoming travelers. Minnesotans are known for their warm hospitality, earning a well-deserved reputation for their midwestern charm and sunny manner. In fact, World Population Review recently named Minnesota the ‘friendliest state in the US for tourists’. But don’t take their word for it — experience the North Star State’s geniality for yourself with a Minnesota vacation in one of its quaint communities.
