8 Coziest Towns To Visit In Minnesota In 2024
The "Land of 10,000 Lakes" is dotted with a delightful array of beautiful small, unpretentious, and cozy towns. Here is the trick: Set one of these cozy Minnesota towns as a base from which to explore what the state offers, including its dramatic landscapes and crunchy outdoorsy culture. Starting with Lanesboro, discover below the eight coziest towns to visit in Minnesota in 2024.
Stillwater
Even the name itself conjures up images of a serene, peaceful paradise ideal for an extended visit. Nestled on the west bank of the St. Croix River across from Houlton, Wisconsin, Stillwater is the apotheosis of cozy, a feature enhanced by a line-up of bell towers, wooded bluffs, and the rustic charm of the St. Croix River. Get airborne with Aamodt's and enjoy panoramic views of the Twin Cities skyline. The 43-acre Franconia Sculpture Park in nearby Shafer, where cone flowers swoon with earthly beauty, is a detour worth every minute. A meal at Freight House, which churns out tasty views of the St. Croix River, is a nice spot to get a filling pretzel while mingling with friendly locals. Other stand-outs include Brown's Creek State Trail, a lovely venue for a mid-morning stroll. Ann Bean Mansion Bed & Breakfast, with its tastefully decorated rooms, oozes charm and history in equal measure.
Lanesboro
Southern Minnesota’s finest gem is as cozy, adorable, and beautiful as the mind can apprehend. While many come here for the trail system, including the 18-mile Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail and the longer Root River State Trail, Lanesboro offers much more. Start with a meal at Clara's Eatery, a relatively new joint known for excellent sandwiches and yummy ice creams. Have a good laugh at the Commonweal Theatre Company, southeastern Minnesota's premier professional live theater company. To re-awaken the artist in you, spend some time at Lanesboro Arts, and admire an excellent collection of paintings, pottery, fiber arts, and jewelry. If you like the kind of stuff that makes the head light with giddiness, Sylvan Brewing is among the coolest in the area. That said, Minnesota's longest cave is close to Lanesboro — as is Niagara Cave — one of the Midwest's largest limestone caverns.
Red Wing
Access Red Wing via train on Amtrak's Empire Builder and head straight to Red Wing Depot, an impressive gallery that dabbles as the city visitor center. Expect a well-preserved downtown, heart-warming Mississippi River views, and an eclectic menu of indoor and outdoor offerings. Red Wing Shoe Store and Museum, home to the world's largest boot, is among the town’s most sought-after attractions. A hearty breakfast at Bev's Cafe should set the pace, followed by a lunch sandwich at Hanisch Bakery and Coffee Shop. Sorin's Bluff, a massive landmark that dominates the horizon, is a lovely spot to inhale great views of the town. After the fading of daylight, slide inside clean bedsheets at the historic St. James Hotel, a beautiful brick-built building that has been attentively restored.
Nisswa
If there is a Minnesota town that resembles a fairy tale, it has to be Nisswa, a charming community nestled right next to Crosslake, a four-season recreational paradise known for exceptional boating, fishing, and hiking. Sweet toothers will want to stop at the Chocolate Ox for some yummy ice cream or homemade fudge — after sitting down to a hearty breakfast at StoneHouse Coffee & Roastery, known for the best coffee and scones in the Brainerd Lakes Area. There is Nisswa Lake as well, a nice venue to sit by the water and enjoy tasty views, Big Axe Brewing Company and its comfortable corner patio, and Roundhouse Brewery, which offers food, live music, and axe throwing — all under one roof. Nisswa Turtle Races takes place every Wednesday in summer, while a Scandinavian music festival typically occurs in June.
Grand Marais
Grand Marais is a big name in vacation circles and cannot be missed from a list of the coziest towns to visit in Minnesota. Its location along Lake Superior, one of the world's largest bodies of fresh water, is a feature that can make any town envious. Park your four-footer and enjoy strolling in streets fronted by locally owned restaurants, chic boutiques, and impressive galleries, including Sivertson Gallery, a browser’s paradise with numerous eye-catching delights. Forget your phone in your hotel room and just spend two or three hours at Artist's Point, a flat rock peninsula on the shore of Lake Superior. Walk to the lighthouse and to a time when sailing the waters was often a close shave with death. You can kayak Lake Superior, hit up sections of the Superior Hiking Trail, or grab a front-row seat for the Northern Lights at spots such as the nearby Judge C.R. Magney State Park.
Ely
Ely is an anatomy of beauty hidden amid the wild and expansive areas of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Tucked away deep in the Northwoods of Minnesota, this underrated Minnesota treasure is among the coziest towns to visit in 2024. It hosts the Dorothy Molter Museum, a historic space that focuses on the life and legacy of Dorothy Molter, an unmarried woman who lived alone in a vast wilderness, serving thirsty paddlers with root beer and patching up injured canoers. Observe the night sky at Ely Folk School after locking eyes with wolves at The International Wolf Center and experiencing a one-of-a-kind underground adventure at Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park. The walleye at Boathouse Brewpub & Restaurant is known for its light, crunchy batter and can be a fitting finale to a fun-filled day.
Bemidji
One of the most underrated towns in Minnesota lies on the southwest shore of a similarly named lake about 150 miles northwest of Duluth. Bemidji is nicknamed the First City on the Mississippi River and was once a major logging and sawmilling center. The surrounding scenic lake, crossed through by the world’s third-largest river, adds a layer of rustic charm to an already beautiful spot. About 400 fishing lakes, all within 25 miles of downtown Bemidiji, make this Minnesota gem an angler’s dream. Paul Bunyan & Babe, the Blue Ox Statues in Paul Bunyan Park, is a popular roadside landmark of an American folk hero and his trusty bovine. According to folklore, Bunyan is said to have cleared forests with one ax swing, created the Old Man River by simply dragging an ax, and dug the Great Lakes to quench his thirst. Lake Bemidji State Park, a short drive from town, offers a swimming beach, a large campground, and beautiful trails. Enjoy an entertaining show at Paul Bunyan Playhouse before sipping delicious beer on a nice little patio at Bemidji Brewing a few steps away.
Faribault
Rounding off the list of 8 coziest towns to visit is Faribault, just one hour south of the Twin Cities. Although not frequently mentioned in vacation circles, Faribault is one of the most historic communities in Minnesota and, hence, a true hidden gem. Faribault has more buildings on the National Historic Register than any other city its size in Minnesota. Because of its 19th-century standing as a cultural mecca, Faribault was once called the Athens of the West. It boasted awesome architecture (it still does), a cosmopolitan character, many temples of worship, and excellent schools.
An architectural line-up that includes stand-outs such as the Rice County Courthouse, the Congregational Church of Faribault, and the Queen Anne-style Frank and Elizabeth Berry House on Third Street NW — are marvels that any first-time visitor will want to catch a glimpse of. 10,000 Drops Craft Distillers, whose whiskey won Minnesota’s 2023 Best Bourbon Award, also serves some of the best cocktails for miles. A few steps away, Good Day Coffee is known for yummy pastries and amazing lattes and can be a nice breakfast venue. Do not miss Faribault Woolen Mill on the banks of the Cannon River, which once supplied arguably half of the woolen blankets made in the United States.
The Takehome
Tucked away in the northern woods of the state, Duluth is among the coziest towns in Minnesota. It sits on the shores of the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, and the rustic charm rubs off on the town. That said, the Land of 10,000 is dotted with many other towns, many of which are smaller but no less cozy. For specific suggestions, check out the options highlighted here, including Lanesboro, Red Wing, and the aptly named Stillwater, which reclines on the west bank of the St. Croix River.
