9 Most Beautiful Small Towns In Minnesota You Should Visit

The northernmost state in America’s Great Lakes region, Minnesota more than earns its nickname as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes." Bordered by the states of South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, and Lake Superior, Minnesota, is a nature lover’s paradise. In addition to its beautiful lakes, rivers, and forests, though, Minnesota is also a state with lots of beautiful and charming small towns just waiting for you to visit.

Stillwater

Stillwater was a key political center during Minnesota’s territorial and early statehood eras over 150 years ago, and proudly stands as one of the oldest towns in the state. The calm flow of the serene St. Croix River, which serves as the boundary line between Stillwater and Houlton, Wisconsin, gives the town its soothing name. Many of Stillwater’s earliest settlers were German, and this heritage is apparent in many of the town’s 50-plus shops and boutiques, including the famous Kathe Wohlfahrt German Christmas Store. After a day of shopping, visitors can enjoy the river on a paddlewheel cruise by Stillwater River Boats, or a Venice-style gondola ride from Gondola Romantica.

Red Wing

Red Wing has a claim to fame as the home of the Red Wing Shoe Company, yet it deserves an even bigger reputation as one of the most charming river towns not only in Minnesota but the entire United States. Red Wing boasts several great examples of historic architecture from over 100 years ago, including the 1875 St. James Hotel and the Romanesque-style State Correctional Facility. The town also has a historic train depot that still serves rail customers while doubling as an art gallery. Red Wing’s architectural beauty is amplified by the town’s commanding location overlooking the Mississippi River, with panoramic views of the river and countryside offered in spots like Barn Bluff.

Northfield

Northfield earned a spot in the history books back in 1876, with the daring and deadly bank raid by the infamous Jesse James-Cole Younger Gang. The Northfield Historical Society Museum, housed in the historic bank building, offers several great exhibits about the raid and the gang. Additionally, the town holds a late-summer "Defeat of Jesse James Days" festival each year, with re-enactments, carnival rides, a rodeo, and more. While embracing these historical ties, Northfield also maintains a youthful college-town vibe as the home of two well-regarded higher education institutions, Carleton College and St. Olaf College. Meanwhile, the nearby Caron Park offers the lovely Caron Falls, impressive rock formations, and a steel footbridge.

Henderson

Henderson sprouted up rapidly as an important river and railroad junction before the turn of the 20th century, then slowly faded over the decades as industry and commerce shifted elsewhere. Fortunately, much of the town’s historic architecture survived, and Henderson has rebounded as a regional tourist destination. Henderson takes pride in having a bit of a quirky reputation, with fun events such as the annual Sauerkraut Days festival. The town has also reconnected with nature, with the 450-acre Ney Nature Center, providing a great opportunity to relax among native flora and fauna. Henderson also serves as one of the endpoints of the 70-mile-long Minnesota River National Wildlife Refuge. 

Grand Rapids

The town of Grand Rapids gained its name from a tough-to-navigate stretch of the Mississippi River in northern Minnesota. Steamboats could go no further north on the Mississippi, making Grand Rapids an important and wealthy hub, as evidenced by the splendid late 1800s architecture still found downtown. Highlights like the intricately decorated Old Central School, now a shopping and civic center, serve as visual time capsules. Grand Rapids also has a claim to fame as the birthplace of famed actress and entertainer Judy Garland. The town honors its most famous citizens by holding an annual Wizard of Oz festival each June and maintaining a “yellow brick road” that passes through downtown.

Grand Marais

Cook County, which covers the far northeastern tip of Minnesota, is so rural that Grand Marais, with about 1,300 residents, is its booming metropolis! Ensconced on a natural harbor along Lake Superior, Grand Marias was once the trading hub for the entire area. While those days are gone, Grand Marais has transformed itself into an artists’ haven. The town’s biggest annual event, the Arts Festival each July, is hosted by the Grand Marais Art Colony. Painters and non-artists alike are drawn to the breathtaking natural beauty of the area, including the majestic lake and the seemingly endless forests.

Fergus Falls

Lovely Fergus Falls rests along the pleasant waters of the Otter Tail River in west central Minnesota and is surrounded by several of the state’s famous 10,000 lakes. Boaters, anglers, and sightseers are drawn to these picturesque waterways all throughout the year, making Fergus Falls a popular but not crowded tourist destination. Visitors also come to explore the charming downtown area, with the Fergus Falls Historic State Hospital serving as a prime example of the town’s well-preserved architectural heritage. Meanwhile, Grotto Park is a great place to relax, take a walk, and get a photo with the statue of "Otto the Otter!"

Excelsior

Any town with a name like Excelsior should be an exceptional place, and this small Minnesota town fits the bill! Located on the southern end of beautiful Lake Minnetonka, Excelsior is only about 15 miles from downtown Minneapolis. Visitors from the Twin Cities contribute to the vitality of Excelsior’s downtown area, centered on Water Street along the lakeside. In addition to nice shopping and dining scenes, Excelsior is a magnet for artists, due in part to the picturesque lakefront and the significant number of stately Victorian homes and buildings. Local art and artists take center stage during the annual Art on the Lake festival, a big tourist draw in the Twin Cities metro area.

Ely

Situated in far northeastern Minnesota in St. Louis County, the town of Ely (pronounced “ee-lee”) was once a bustling center for the mining industry. These days, though, Ely relies on its surrounding beauty, including Lake Superior, to draw in visitors seeking outdoor recreation experiences. Canoeing and kayaking are particularly popular, especially in the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, so it is common to see canoe-topped SUVs parked along the Sheridan Street business district. For outdoor enthusiasts (along with visitors in general) who are interested in learning more about some of nature’s most impressive creatures, Ely is home to both the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center.

From boating and swimming in the summer to skating and ice fishing in the winter, Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes — not to mention its many other natural wonders — offer year-round fun to visitors. And nothing complements a morning on a Minnesota lake like an afternoon exploring one of the state’s many beautiful small towns.