8 Most Relaxing Minnesota Towns
Minnesota’s nickname ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’ is not an over-exaggeration. In fact, it’s an underestimate because Minnesota has closer to 12,000 lakes! Scattered throughout the calm waters and deciduous forests are small, friendly towns where you can unwind over a long weekend. Enjoy the views atop Pincushion Mountain in Grand Marais, or admire the falls at Gooseberry Falls State Park in Two Harbors. When you are ready for a peaceful retreat, Minnesota awaits!
Grand Marais
On the shore of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota is the lakeside retreat of Grand Marais. If you want to relax by the water and soak up the sun, Grand Marais is like a secluded beach town. The Grand Marais Harbor has well-maintained beaches along Lake Superior with a view of a lighthouse. It’s the perfect spot to take the whole family!
If you prefer more secluded areas in the heart of the great Minnesota wilderness, Pincushion Mountain is a great place to explore. You’ll get amazing views from the parking lot of Pincushion Mountain, but the real magic happens on the trails. The Superior Hiking Trail takes you through heavily wooded trails to one of the best views in the area (it’s especially amazing at sunrise). After a hike (or a day on the water), be sure to grab some fresh seafood at the Angry Trout Cafe!
Battle Lake
In western Minnesota, amongst the many lakes, is the charming fishing village of Battle Lake. The quaint downtown area hosts small local stops like Ben’s Bait Shop or Larry’s Supermarket, where you can stock up on supplies before heading out into the many parks and lakeside retreats in the area. Or, check out Prospect House and Civil War Museum to learn more about the history of Battle Lake during the Civil War era. However, Battle Lake didn’t earn its name during the Civil War! Its name commemorates the battle between the Ojibwe and Lakota Indians.
Glendalough State Park is Battle Lake's most cherished public park, thanks to its beautiful scenery, Annie Battle Lake, and so much wilderness to explore. Annie Battle Lake is a fish hatchery that allows visitors to canoe on its calming waters and provides some of the best fishing opportunities in the state! If you are an avid fisherman or just love relaxing lakeside, Battle Lake is the perfect retreat that’s peaceful but never boring.
Taylors Falls
On the border of Minnesota and Wisconsin separated by the St Croix River is the lovely town of Taylors Falls in the Upper St. Croix River Valley. Thousands of years ago this area was once occupied by massive glaciers, but today is a lush green space with ample opportunities to explore the wilderness by foot or by train! The Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway takes passengers along the St. Croix River and over the Cedar Bend Draw Bridge.
If you want to explore the area by foot, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail is situated on the other side of the St Croix River and allows visitors to walk where glaciers once stood. The trails are labeled with facts about what the landscape looked like thousands of years ago! Another popular spot in Taylors Falls is Interstate State Park, a section of river, woods, and even up close to Glacial Potholes (but not too close!).
Nisswa
North of Brainerd is the town of Nisswa, known for its rich history, breathtaking water views, and local parks. It’s the perfect place to kick back or explore this hidden gem of Minnesota. The Nisswa History Center and Museum pay homage to the area's roots with a small pioneer village that visitors can tour with relics from over 100 years ago. Walking the humble streets of Nisswa feels like stepping back to simpler times.
Outside of the city proper is a wild wilderness peppered with lakes (like Nisswa, Roy, and Lower Cullen Lake, just to name a few) and picturesque state forests. Nisswa Lake Park is centrally located close to downtown and offers shaded hiking trails, docks, and picnic tables. If you want to spend the day on the water, Pillsbury State Forest has dedicated beaches for swimming or relaxing along the water, as well as beautiful hiking trails that span over 25,000 acres. For secluded retreats without straying too far from essential amenities, Nisswa is a great place to spend a long weekend.
Ely
Tucked away on the northern tip of Minnesota, not too far from the Canada border, is the isolated town of Ely, known for its mile of untouched wilderness and breathtaking views. While Ely may be secluded, the quaint downtown area has everything you need, from Zup's Food Market, where you can stock up on supplies, to Dorothy Molter Museum, which provides tours of rustic cabins and a cozy nature trail.
Venturing away from downtown are amazing forests and unique tourist attractions, like Pillow Rock. They are relics from the volcanic activity in the area that dates back millions of years ago when Minnesota was covered by oceans! One of the most idyllic spots to visit in Ely is Bear Head Lake State Park, spanning over 600 acres with 23 miles of shoreline, hiking trails, and boat rentals. It’s the perfect spot to breathe in the fresh, piney air and relax.
Two Harbors
On the shore of Lake Superior north of Duluth is the small city of Two Harbors, named after the Agate Bay and Burlington Bay that surround it. The most iconic stop in this sleepy fishing village is the Two Harbors Lighthouse Museum, which offers self-guided tours of the magnificent lighthouse that has sat on the shores of Agate Bay for well over 100 years. The lighthouse is within walking distance of Agate Bay Beach, where you can watch ships dock along its rocky shores.
Nature lovers have to check out Gooseberry Falls State Park, famous for its stunning waterfalls that are right out of a postcard. You can hike the trails that hug the Lake Superior shoreline in the shade of fragrant balsam firs or admire the wildlife in Minnesota's northern country. If you love calm lakeside retreats, Two Harbors is worth adding to your Minnesota bucket list.
Lanesboro
Settled on the banks of the beautiful Root River is the charming city of Lanesboro, known as the gem of Southeast Minnesota. One of the must-see places in Lanesboro is the historic Lanesboro Stone Dam. While it’s a beautiful dam surrounded by rocky cliffs and shaded forests, it’s also one of six gravity arch dams still standing in the United States. Before you visit the dam, make sure to stop at the colorful Another Time Ice Cream for a sweet treat to take with you!
But the friendly and inviting downtown area isn’t the only thing that makes Lanesboro special. Mystery Cave State Park is a must-see for visitors to the area. It’s about 30 minutes outside of town, but it’s worth the drive! It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to explore 13 miles of underground naturally made cave systems with beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, and crystal clear underground pools. For adventures aboveground, the Root River State Trail runs right through Lanesboro and is a great way to experience the beauty of this charming little village.
Walker
Walker is all about colorful local shops, stunning water views, and a great wilderness to explore. Located Northwest of Duluth, this small lakeside retreat is the perfect place to spend a weekend. To take in the unique beauty of Walker, grab your bike (or hiking shoes) and jump onto the Heartland Trail. It’s the oldest paved trail in Minnesota, connecting Park Rapids to Cass Lake, and it runs right through Walker! You can bike along wooded, paved paths and open prairies with river views on this special trail.
Walker is located on the shores of Leech Lake inside the Chippewa National Forest, and it’s the third-largest lake in Minnesota. The Whipholt Roadside Park is located just outside of downtown Walker but offers a secluded location to walk along the rocky shores and listen to the waves crash on the shore. With stunning views and a vibrant downtown that feels like a beachy retreat, Walker is one of Minnesota’s most underappreciated gems.
These 8 Towns Are Pure Minnesota Bliss
Sometimes, the best adventures are ones that lie slightly off the beaten path. These relaxing Minnesota towns put Midwestern charm on full display. It may take a long time to drive there (especially Ely, located near the Canadian border), but the drive is well worth the trip! From the fragrant piney woods to the beachy vibes along Lake Superior, Minnesota is so much more than icy winters. So, the next time you want to unwind in small towns that are never boring, add these cities to your next Minnesota road trip!
