9 Eclectic Small Towns In Minnesota
Minnesota is a magnetizing Upper Midwestern State fittingly endorsing its motto: ‘The Star of the North’ in being the ‘most northerly’ among the 48 conterminous US States. The assorted sceneries flaunted by this 86,935.83 sq. mi state ranging from expansive tracts of forest, arable lowlands, and incalculable water bodies have earned the state the sobriquet ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes.’ Irrespective of the fact that a sizeable Minnesotan population dwells in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metropolitan Area, the pivotal administrative, commercially successful, and cultural center of the state that hogs the maximal limelight, the indeterminable eclectic small towns punctuating the Gopher State are invaluable additions to your vacation schedules.
Excelsior
A whimsical western suburb of the Twin Cities, this impressive Hennepin County community is located by Lake Minnetonka, nearly 15 miles southwest of Downtown Minneapolis. Filling Excelsior’s Downtown Commercial District are uncounted late 19th to early 20th century buildings that presently house gift shops like Golden Rule Gallery, women’s clothing stores like Amore & Fede, and classy diners like Coalition Restaurant. Furthermore, sightseers need to board the heritage Excelsior Trolley that takes them to the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, chill out along Lake Minnetonka at the Excelsior Commons Park, and saunter the fully paved Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail.
New Ulm
New Ulm, labeled after its homonymous German city (Neu-Ulm), is the Brown County shiretown situated about 90 miles southwest of the state’s most populous city on a triangular land created by the confluence of Minnesota and Cottonwood Rivers. Voyagers visiting ‘the most German town in America’ should take note of the conspicuous tourist sites such as the Glockenspiel Clock Tower in Schonlau Park, the Brown County Historical Society Museum, the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, and Morgan Creek Vineyards. In mid-July every year, turn up at the Brown County Fairgrounds for Bavarian Blast - a weekend-long celebration of the town’s German roots with live music by German-style bands, a Bavarian Blast Parade on Sunday, a 5k/10k race, souvenir sales, beers, and plenty of toothsome cuisines.
Ely
Set within the Superior National Forest on the Vermilion Iron Range’s eastern edge is Ely, a wondrous Saint Louis County town in northeastern Minnesota, just 100 miles north of the port city of Duluth. Incorporated as ‘Florence’ at the outset and later renamed Ely in honor of the Michigan miner Samuel B. Ely, this nirvana for recreation enthusiasts provides hassle-free access for exploring the pristine forests and watercourses of northwestern Ontario’s Quetico Provincial Park and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Dorothy Molter Museum, Elsa Jemne’s murals at the town’s US Post Office, North American Bear Center, Listening Point - the private retreat of American environmentalist Sigurd Ferdinand Olson on Burntside Lake, and the 1936 built Ely State Theater in Streamline Moderne architectural style are some of Ely’s must-see sites of interest. Whiteside Park is the venue for annual community events like the Winter Festival in February, the Blueberry Arts Festival in July, and the Harvest Moon Festival in September.
Grand Marais
The seat of the government of Cook County, Grand Marais sits on the North Shore of Lake Superior about 38 miles southwest of the Canada-United States International boundary. Art zealots, outdoorsy types, and all those who aspire to gaze on out-of-this-world sceneries gotta check out this stunning lake town which acts as the beginning point of Gunflint Trail that finally leads to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Travelers must drop around to see the Downtown’s two National Register-listed properties including the 1911-built Bally Blacksmith Shop and the 1896-built Lightkeeper’s House currently home to the Cook County Historical Museum, besides the unnumberable art galleries like Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, shops like Lake Superior Trading Post, and premium restaurants like My Sister’s Place. Survey the Grand Marais Lighthouse and Artist’s Point, trek the Grand Marais breakwater trail, and be present at the Annual Grand Marais Arts Festival to be hosted by the Grand Marais Art Colony on July 12 and July 13, 2025.
Henderson
Occupying the Minnesota River Valley in the state’s south-central portion, Henderson is a tiny town in Sibley County, roughly 60 miles southeast of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-Saint Paul) metropolitan area. While sojourning in this only 960-inhabitant town called after the maiden name of founder Joseph Renshaw Brown’s mother, acquire knowledge about the retro years through exhibits displayed at the J. R. Brown Minnesota River Center and Sibley County Historical Museum. In conjunction with this, create memories amidst the verdant settings of Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Allanson’s Park, and Bender Park where also the Sauerkraut Days Festival is held yearly on the last weekend of June.
Stillwater
Touted as “The Birthplace of Minnesota,” this Washington County administrative center is set on the St. Croix River’s western shores, around 20 miles northeast of the state capital. Drawing attention to the painstakingly maintained Victorian-era properties aside from the many art galleries like Stillwater Art Guild Gallery, antique shops like Staples Mill Antiques, breweries like River Siren Brewing, and eateries like Brick & Bourbon, Stillwater’s charming downtown lures tourists from all parts of the world. When on a tour of this town, Stillwater Lift Bridge, Washington County Historic Courthouse, Warden’s House Museum, and Aamodt’s Apple Farm must not be missed.
Lanesboro
Lanesboro, named as a mark of respect to the early landowner F. A. Lane is a serene Fillmore County community noted for its prominent limestone bluffs, crystal-clear streams, lively arts scene, classic vibe, and a wealth of outdoor activities. One of Minnesota’s most photographic trails - the 42-mile-long paved Root River State Trail, which passes directly through the Historic Lanesboro Downtown District offers bicycling, hiking, and inline skating activities in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. Also, browse Main Street’s one-of-a-kind gift shops like Essence of Lanesboro and cafes like Pedal Pushers Café; get entertained by musicals and contemporary plays by the Commonweal Theatre Company from March to December; watch year-round community theater productions at the Lanesboro Arts managed St. Mane Theater; and participate in infinite recreations at the Sylvan Park.
Grand Rapids
Itasca County’s seat, Grand Rapids, titled after the 3.5-mile-long rapids in the Mississippi River is an alluring bucolic uptown in Northeast Minnesota. Primarily set up as a logging town (taking advantage of its placement along the Mississippi River banks) and ringed by aesthetic nature trails, fishing lakes, and forests, Grand Rapids is perfect for all those who wish to nurture connections in one of the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway’s terminal towns. Come and witness stunning panoramas as well as the plentiful florae and faunae in the Chippewa National Forest, find out more about the bygone days at the Forest History Center, shop from the array of small businesses housed in Old Central School, and enjoy various performances at the Reif Performing Arts Center.
Red Wing
This administrative capital of southeastern Minnesota’s Goodhue County, baptized for the early nineteenth-century Dakota Sioux chief, is a bewitching river town along the upper Mississippi River, approx. 45 miles southeast of Saint Paul. Considered one of the ‘distinctive destinations’ owing to its marvelous natural settings and magnificent architecture, vacationers throng to Red Wing in large numbers to survey the Frontenac State Park, hike the He Mni Can-Barn Bluff, and traverse the 19.7-mile-long Cannon Valley Trail. Additionally, pay a visit to the Red Wing Shoe Store & Museum, savor the delectable dishes served by The Smokin’ Oak Rotisserie & Grill, and partake in the annual River City Days - Red Wing’s premier summer festival celebrated in the first weekend of August.
From ‘the most German town in America’ - New Ulm to ‘the Birthplace of Minnesota’ - Stillwater, the nation’s 22nd most-populous and 12th largest state packs a paramount number of photogenic towns within its purview. Showcasing breathtaking landscapes, entrancing Victorian architecture, arresting tourist spots, best-in-class dining establishments, and seasonal festivities, these varied less-frequented settlements are flawless locales to foster intimacy on your forthcoming tours to this ‘Land of Sky Blue Waters.’
