8 Off-the-Map Towns In Minnesota

The Land of 10,000 Lakes boasts numerous popular attractions that are water-based, thanks to the state's abundance of bodies of water. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Voyageurs National Park are two of the most visited areas in the state. But in a state with as many lakes as Minnesota, you don’t need to go to the more frequented bodies of water to enjoy aquatic-based activities. Enjoy the water and the landscapes in these eight off-the-map towns.

Red Wing

Take a stroll along the Mississippi River at Bay Point Park. Located in the vicinity of the historic Boat House Village, which features one of the last remaining "gin pole" installations, the park serves as a gathering center for various community events. The walking path around the park is approximately 2/3 of a mile and offers views of the park, river, boat launch, and additional amenities. To get an aerial view of the park, river, and town below, head to the top of He Mni Can-Barn Bluff.

Three hundred forty feet and several sets of steps will take you to the top of this geological mound. This sacred site is prevalent in the Bdewakantunwan Dakota Oyate of Prairie Island Indian Community. Although sacred, tourists are encouraged to visit and enjoy the features. Memorial Park also provides elevated views of the town, the Mississippi River, and the bluffs on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin borders. Enjoy the hiking trails in the park and reach the top of Sorin’s Bluff for the most scenic sights.

Stillwater

For a unique, carefree experience in Stillwater, immerse yourself in the attractions at Teddy Bear Park. This whimsical park is loaded with giant teddy bears for visitors to climb all over. A train and boat are also located on the premises for visitors to act out whatever their imaginations can think of. A jungle gym, treehouse, gazebo, and amphitheater are all featured within the park grounds. Go from childhood fantasy land to romantic novel-esque experiences at the Gondola Romantica. Take a trip down the St. Croix River with a gondolier on your own private ride. The traditional gondolas come directly from Venice, Italy.

Another attraction on the St. Croix River is the Stillwater Lift Bridge. The bridge enables uninterrupted traffic flow from Highway 36 over the river into Wisconsin. The bridge is a significant structure in the history of bridge construction, as it is one of only six vertical-lift highway bridges built in Minnesota and Wisconsin before World War II. Although the bridge has been standing for a substantial amount of time, a pedestrian and bicycle bridge was not added until 2020.

New Ulm

Founded in 1854 by German immigrants and named after the town of Neu Ulm in Germany, the city has embraced its heritage since its inception. Appreciate that heritage with structures that are a nod to German architecture, most notably the Glockenspiel. The 45-foot-tall, two-ton clock tower can be heard chiming throughout the day. Twelve figurines depicting the town’s history and 37 bells make up the clock's display. A brick mason, a pioneer family, a beer drinker, and a dancing couple are a few of the figures featured in the scene. Celebrate the arts and learn the history of music at the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.

Honoring past and present musicians and educators who have contributed to the music scene in Minnesota, an annual banquet has been held since its inception to induct more members into the Hall of Fame. Memorabilia and photos of and from inductees are featured in the museum. Get outside and enjoy another of the state’s bodies of water at Flandrau State Park. The 1,000-acre park features grasslands, marshes, and wooded areas along the Big Cottonwood River, as well as a sand-bottomed pond. Eight miles of hiking trails surround the park, allowing visitors to explore its natural beauty. The park is not only entertaining for visitors, but also holds significant historical importance in New Ulm. During World War II, the park was used as a prisoner-of-war camp.

Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids has many museums to visit, historically related or theatrically related; there is something for everyone to enjoy. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to The Judy Garland Museum. The museum is located inside Judy Garland’s restored 1920s birthplace home. Exhibits and displays in the museum include the original Carriage featured in "The Wizard of Oz", a Dorothy Gale test dress worn by Judy Garland, and items from Judy Garland’s personal collection.

Another unique and interactive museum in town is the Forest History Center. This adventure in the North Woods offers a variety of activities, including horse-drawn rides, paddling, a river wagon ride, a fire tower, trails, and a historic logging camp. Pick and choose any quest to create your own experience. For a history-rich museum, visitors will want to stop in at the Historic Central School. Take a self-guided tour of the Richardsonian Romanesque architecture-based home, locally referred to as the Old Central School. The third floor features local art and a resident artist available for questions or conversation.

Bemidji

They haven’t been able to prove it, but Bemidji is one of the few towns that claim to be the birthplace of Paul Bunyan. Although not yet verified, the town still commemorates and celebrates him and his ox, Babe, with a larger-than-life statue. Visit the giant Paul Bunyan and Babe on the shore of Lake Bemidji. Stop by for a photo with the pair, who stand tall outside the Minnesota Tourist Information Center.

Continue to enjoy Lake Bemidji at the Lake Bemidji State Park. Park activities include camping, fishing, hiking, eagle and bird viewing, as well as water-based activities. For a larger-scale outdoor excursion, appreciate all that the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest has to offer. The 8,500-acre park extends beyond Bemidji due to its size, but it also includes a total of 95 lakes and ponds. Guests are encouraged to fish, hike, or snowmobile on the lakes and trails.

Alexandria

Another Minnesota town with a colossal statue of a famed folklore figure is Big Ole. Built in 1964 to try and save the New York World’s Fair from its dwindling attendance and revenue, the statue added more pizzazz and was declared the World’s Largest Viking. Standing at 28 feet tall, Big Ole can now be found in the middle of an intersection in downtown Alexandria. For more heritage town highlights, gaze around the Legacy of the Lakes Museum. Celebrating the traditions and heirlooms of the lakes by preserving and exhibiting them is the ultimate goal of the museum.

Stroll the Legacy Gardens, peruse the Wooden Boat collection, be amazed at the evolution of fishing lures and tackle, and more through the exhibits on display. Surrounding a small lake in the middle of town, Noonan Park features a walking path that takes visitors around the flower beds. In the winter, enjoy a traditional Minnesota activity, ice skating. And of course, hockey! Separate rinks are available for skating and hockey, allowing everyone to participate in the activity of their choice.

Lindstrom

Established in 1894 by a Swedish immigrant, Lindstrom is hailed as “America’s Little Sweden”. Daniel Lindstrom, the Swedish settler, is among the notorious pioneers who originated from Sweden, along with Vilhelm Moberg, who wrote novels about Swedish emigration to America. Two of his beloved fictional characters, Karl Oskar and Kristina Nilsson, are memorialized in a town statue. The Karl Oskar and Kristina Statue was created for a float for the Karl Oskar Days parade and now sits on the west end of town, welcoming visitors and residents to the heart of downtown. Another attraction embracing the town’s Swedish heritage is Allemansrätt Park.

The wilderness and recreation area is a 125-acre park with trails, benches, and campgrounds available. Allemansratt translates to “every man’s right”, and this park firmly abides by that philosophy, to allow everyone to enjoy this land. Park guests are invited to hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, or forage for berries, mushrooms, or asparagus. As a memento of your time in this small, charming town, pick up an authentic souvenir from the Swedish Gift Store. Wool blankets designed in Sweden, handcrafted from Swedish Pine Dala Horses, and Nordic candy are just a few of the novelties guests can leave with. The family business aims to honor and share the rich Scandinavian traditions through thoughtfully curated items that reflect not only Swedish, but also German and Irish heritage.

Ely

Just on the edge of the Boundary Waters, Ely offers an extensive number of outdoor adventures for tourists and locals. The Trezona Trail begins in town and is a 3.9-mile loop that is quite popular for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and running. With a difficulty rating of “easy,” most visitors should be able to complete the hike and enjoy the sites along the trail. For more enjoyable hikes with immaculate views, take a jaunt down the short but scenic Kawishiwi Falls Trail. The trail loops along the lake and offers the opportunity to view a cascading waterfall. For a more extreme trip, take the trail even further, where it forks off at Fall Lake, and continue to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

While adventuring, wild animals can pose a threat, though not often a hindrance; the possibility of crossing paths with a dangerous animal is not entirely impossible. For those who don’t want to risk seeing the animals in the wild but are still fascinated by them, the International Wolf Center is a great option. The center offers visits and tours tailored to guests' interests. Want to see these wild creatures feed? Opt for the What’s for Dinner? Package. Care to marvel at these beautiful animals in the moonlight? Join the Howling Safari tour group. The International Wolf Center allows visitors to enjoy these massive animals from a safe viewing point.

Minnesota has not only provided millions of tourists with long-time summer activities in its lakes, rivers, and ponds, but also on its beaches, hillsides, or historical mounds. But the state is also a thriving destination in the winter. Ice skating, hockey, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing have been part of their activity base since the beginning of their settlement. Enjoy the ventures the locals have been partaking in since the commencement, as well as so many newly adapted attractions in these eight off-the-map towns in Minnesota.