7 Most Memorable Small Towns In Minnesota
Minnesota derives its name from the Dakota term minisota, which means "Land of sky-tinted water." This reflects the state's license-plate designation: "Land of 10,000 Lakes" (though the official state nickname is The North Star State). But regardless of how it is referred to, Minnesota is full of invigorating blue, from top to bottom, interspersed with robust Northern forests. Punctuating this refreshing landscape are spirited small towns – some geared towards four-season outdoor recreation and others focusing on 19th-century settlement history and living, breathing indigenous cultures. Either camp is sure to make an impression, but for a balance of both worlds, set course for these seven memorable Minnesota towns.
Grand Marais
Much of Northeastern Minnesota is blessed with Lake Superior's shoreline. Superior is not only the largest of the Great Lakes but the largest freshwater lake in the world (in terms of area). The small Cook County city (more of a village, really) of Grand Marais is the go-to spot to experience the grandeur of the "Fresh Coast." Called "America's Best Small Lake Town" by Travel + Leisure and the "Next Great Adventure Town" by National Geographic, Grand Marais offers harborfront beaches and boat launches, scenic views from its whale-tail-shaped peninsula (known as Artist Point), and endless hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails within the modest Sawtooth Mountains that backdrop the town. Grand Marais was also the state's first art colony (hence the viewpoint's name), and continues to foster a creative atmosphere for all to enjoy. Visitors can shop for hand-crafted treasures or hone their own talent by participating in various workshops.
Ely
Speaking of memorable lake towns, the Saint Louis County community of Ely encompasses the minor Miners Lake, which is next to the much larger Shagawa Lake. Like Grand Marais, Ely sets the stage for limitless adventures in Minnesota's wilderness, whether on the water or throughout the vast Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and whether it entails a tranquil summer hike or a thrilling dog sled ride through the pristine winter snows. There are actually more sled dog operators in Ely than anywhere else in the world. If you're curious about the North's iconic wildlife but feel uneasy about encounters, pay a visit to the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center (on opposite sides of town) to learn more about these amazing predators and to safely see them in the flesh. If these experiences aren't already enough to instill lifelong memories, then just wait for the sun to set. Ely sits on the edge of the largest International Dark Sky Sanctuary, ensuring brilliant stargazing on cloudless nights.
Excelsior
Excelsior: the name alone makes it stand out. But this city (note: all of these entries are going to be "cities," but they are totally actually towns) has plenty of substance to distinguish itself. Located on the Southern shore of splotchy Lake Minnetonka (the Lower Lake compartment), just 20 miles West of the Twin Cities, this colonial gem has a lot to offer city-slickers seeking a change of pace. For a glimpse into Minnesota's past, peruse historic Water Street, with all of its Victorian charm, poke your head in the Minnehaha Streetcar Steamboat Museum (listed on the National Register of Historic Places), cruise along the Excelsior Streetcar Line (a fun way to visit other 19th-century landmarks), catch a performance at the Old Log Theatre (the Northwest's first professional theatre), and then at relax at the public beach on the shore of Excelsior Commons or the nearby Lake Minnewashta Regional Park.
Taylor Falls
Perched on the cliffs above the St. Croix River (which draws the state boundary with Wisconsin), historic Taylor Falls taps into a new type of Minnesota's beauty. Established in 1838 as a riverboat and logging hub, roughly one-third of the buildings in this four-square-mile Chisago County community are over 100 years old. The stone buildings in Interstate State Park are particular standouts, as they are listed on the National Historic Register. As the park's name suggests, this public wilderness area is shared with Wisconsin's sister town, St. Croix Falls, on the opposite side of the river. Visitors can hike on the margins of the gorge, marveling at the ancient lava flows and glacial potholes, rent a kayak, or hop on the Taylor Falls Paddlewheel Boat Tour for a float down a portion of this 200-mile National Scenic Riverway. When the day is done, pitch a tent and roast some smores at one of the shoreline campgrounds.
Pipestone
The Southwestern Minnesota city of Pipestone not only has an elegant aesthetic but also a long-standing cultural partnership with the Sioux nation and other indigenous groups (23 tribes in total). The red quartzite (aka Pipestone) at Pipestone National Monument has been quarried for over 3,000 years in order to craft ceremonial pipes. The sacred sandstone was also instrumental in the construction of Pipestone's historic district – most notably, the County Courthouse and the County Museum (look closely for the carved gargoyle heads). Visitors to the monument can walk the ¾-mile trail through the striking prairie cliffs and over to Winnewissa Falls before watching local pipe makers further their craft at the Pipestone Indian Shrine – a unique demonstration that will not soon be forgotten. Be sure to cement the memory with some souvenirs from the Keepers Gift Shop & Gallery (home of the world's largest pipe).
New Ulm
Willkommen to New Ulm – the German-settled "City of Festivals." This south-centrally situated Brown County community sits above the confluence of the snaking Cottonwood and Minnesota Rivers. Appreciate the serenity of the valley, as well as the sand-bottomed swimming pool at Flandrau State Park, or by walking up to the Hermann Monument, which stands tall over town. To learn more about New Ulm's exotic history, check out the Brown County Historical Society and Museum, housed inside a bold, German Renaissance-style building, the 45-foot-tall Glockenspiel clock tower, or the Heritage Tree – all within a few blocks of each other. There are also plenty of everyday attractions, such as the (keeping with the German theme) August Schell Brewing Company (the second-oldest family-owned brewery in America), the Grand Center for Arts & Culture/Grand Kabaret (which puts on year-round performances each Friday), and (as promised) a full calendar of events – from Bavarian Blast to HermannFest, to Oktoberfest, and many more.
Stillwater
Stillwater will forever be remembered as the "Birthplace of Minnesota," thanks to an 1848 convention that kickstarted the state's formal declaration. Like Taylor Falls, Stillwater is also situated on the Western bank of the gorgeous St. Croix River (this time just 30 minutes East of Minneapolis), and like Taylor Falls, takes full advantage of its tourist-friendly waterway by offering paddlewheel riverboat tours (as well as gondola rides). Another way to get a feel for the valley is to bike the 5-mile paved St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail (just one piece of this bicycle-friendly community's network), which starts and ends right downtown and uses both the Stillwater Lift Bridge (a Historical Landmark), and the swanky St. Croix Crossing to dip in and out of Wisconsin. Once you've racked your steed, shop at some of the town's exclusively locally-owned retailers before grabbing a bite at one of the many, many outdoor patios.
Minnesota covers a wide gamut from artistic lake towns to fun-loving river cities to prairie cultural hubs. And no matter what season speaks to you most, Minnesota once again boasts a satisfying spectrum of relevant attractions. But the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" (actually, there are almost 12,000) is too big to tackle all at once. So it all boils down to selecting communities that can deliver a memorable microcosm of this wild and magical place. And there are no better places to forge lasting neural networks than these seven small towns.
