9 Undiscovered Small Towns in Minnesota
The word “Minisota” comes from the Dakota Native Americans and means “sky-tinted water.” Indeed, both the state of Minnesota and the Minnesota River have remained as clean as the blue sky to this day. Between the 11,842 recorded lakes in the Hockey State are some of the remotest and often undiscovered small towns worth sightseeing this 2024. From lake-surrounded destinations like Grand Rapids, Grand Marais, and Ely to European-style settlements such as Lindstrom and New Ulm, these destinations are waiting to be discovered by tourists such as yourselves. Better prepare some extra clothes in case you get soaked in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Excelsior
Approximately 16 minutes from Minneapolis, Minnesota, the humble village of Excelsior entreats visitors to the lofty simplicities of the Lower Lake. Whether you are sailing through Lake Minnetonka aboard the historic steamboat vessel, Minnehaha—built in 1906, scuttled in 1926, and revitalized from 1980s to the 1990s—or partaking the Luck O’ the Lake, one-mile run on Saint Patty’s Day every March 16, these riveting opportunities should not be dismissed nor missed. So take a ride on the historic trolley cars of the Excelsior Streetcar Line, connecting Minneapolis to the town, and feel safe and comfortable in resplendent lodgings like The Guest House.
Grand Marais
Light House at Grand Marais Minnesota
Grand Marais beckons newcomers with several attractions on Sawtooth Mountains and around Lake Superior. For starters, since Grand Marais is the oldest art colony in Minnesota, those with aesthetic appetites can get a grand view of Lake Superior from Artist's Point, the Grand Marais Marina Vista Point, and the Grand Marais Lighthouse. The Sawtooth Mountains also have many locations that will inspire many an artist. Among these destinations are the Devil's Kettle, Devil’s Track Lake, and Cascade River State Park. Only around two and a half hours away from Ely, you will feel right at home in places like the Aspen Lodge or Mangy Moose.
Ely
Similar to Grand Rapids, Ely is a gateway to thousands of lakes in Minnesota, some of which are also within the nearby borders of Canada. One of these awesome lakes is Shagawa Lake, one of the finest lakes to pitch a Turkish yurt in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The BWCAW also bears an atmosphere of mystery, since one of the last residents in the wilderness, best known as the “Root Beer Lady,” often gave delicious homemade root beer to anyone visiting—more about her can be seen at the Dorothy Molter Museum.
For those of you who prefer dryer temperaments, you can always venture into the Northwood, the Superior National Forest, and the Kawishiwi Falls Trail. Thousands of years ago, Ely was once the home of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe, whose indigenous culture can best be reviewed at the Bois Forte Heritage Center and Cultural Museum. Today, Ely is now home to communities of wolves and bears, protected by the International Wolf Center and North American Bear Center. In this small town that resembles a village in Finland or the Balkans, you will be swept away by the fierce and untamed nature of the area. Of course, if you prefer to sleep indoors, you can always book a room at the Grand Ely Lodge Resort & Event Center, Northwoods Inn & Suites, or Adventure Inn.
Grand Rapids
At the town of Grand Rapids, adventure and adrenalin await amidst the rolling rapids of the Mississippi River. Over three and a half miles of the Mississippi River are roaring with challenging rapids, and Blandin Paper Mill has served as the maximum limit for steamboat travel since the late 19th century. There are also over 1,000 lakes surrounding Grand Rapids, each filled with unique species of fishes as seen in Trout Lake and Pokegama Lake. Then there are lush and vibrant forests such as the Golden Anniversary State Forest and the Chippewa National Forest on Lake Winnibigoshish, which can all be explored via the Forest History Center. However, Grand Rapids gained much acclaim by being the former home of Judy Garland, the actress who played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and whose life and career can be viewed in the Judy Garland Museum. If you are curious to discover more of this undiscovered town, then you ought to book a room at the Hotel Rapids or Timberlake Lodge Hotel & Restaurant.
Stillwater
Approximately 25 miles from the Twin Cities, Stillwater is the kind of place that will stir your enthusiasm. This unassuming town beside the Saint Croix River was renowned for hosting the first territorial convention commenced in 1848, and where Minnesota was officially recognized as an American state. People from Wisconsin can cross the Historic Stillwater Lift Bridge to enter Stillwater, Minnesota.
Once there, kids can play about in the Teddy Bear Park while adults can relish in the quaint delights of Lowell Park, the Otto Berg Memorial Park, the Brekke Park, Afton State Park, and Pioneer Park. The River City Sculpture Tour will provide newcomers a comprehensive tour of Stillwater’s many monuments and statues. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s first territorial prison warden from the 1860s now functions as the Warden’s House Museum, detailing much of Stillwater’s past. Should you wish to stay a bit longer in Stillwater, you can always keep your belongings safe at either the Ann Bean Mansion Bed & Breakfast or Lowell Inn Hotel & Restaurant.
Red Wing
Located at the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin on the Mississippi River, Red Wing is sure to keep you fluttering from one destination to another. You can start your adventures at the very beginnings of the town at the Pottery Museum of Red Wing, home to numerous pots and clay artifacts which contributed much to the town’s inception. The Red Wing Shoe Museum, on the other hand, houses dozens of historic shoes. There was a time when Red Wing was a military town, and the Aliveo Military Museum offers more contexts about this period. Travelers might also want get good pictures of Red Wing and the Mississippi River from atop Barn Bluff, or sample fine wine at the Falconer Vineyard. Consider staying a while in excellent establishments like the Treasure Island Resort & Casino, and do take your time when exploring more from this town only halfway between Rochester and Minneapolis.
New Ulm
At the confluence of Cottonwood River and Minesota River lies New Ulm, a mirror of Germany in one of the remotest corners of the US. New Ulm’s name originated from a city near Bavaria, and among the Old World structures that harken to Europe is the Hermann Monument, depicting an ancient Germanic chieftain named Arminius who rebelled against the Roman Empire. There is also the 45-foot-tall clocktower called Glockenspiel and Schell’s Brewery, the latter having preserved America’s oldest brewing traditions for generations.
Dozens of events occupy New Ulm’s calendar—for instance, there is an Oktoberfest on October, a Bacchus Fest on May, a Bavarian Blast from July 18 to 21, and finally a HermannFest on September 7. So if you are intrigued by New Ulm’s eventful atmosphere and historic appeal, then you can always seek accommodations at the Bingham Hall Bed & Breakfast
Lanesboro
About 40 miles from Rochester, Lanesboro welcomes travelers with an assortment of attractions in the Root River Valley. From Mill Pond Overlook which has a grand vantage over the South Branch of the Root River to the lush woodlands of Sylvan Park, these destinations are sure to satisfy all manner of wanderers. The Lanesboro History Museum chronicles much of the town’s origins, and the Discover Sculpture Explore Lanesboro Medallion Walking Tour allows one to see over 20 medallions imbedded in Lanesboro whereupon each medallion represents a different event in the town’s past. You can attend the Buffalo Bill Days every August, or you can partake in the Rhubarb Festival each June since Lanesboro is the Rhubarb Capital of Minnesota. This year, let the lively lodgings of Scandinavian Inn, the Green Gables Inn, and Root River Inn & Suites keep you wanting for more.
Lindström
About 35 miles from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Lindström sits comfortably in five or more serene lakes (South Center Lake, North Center Lake, South Lindstrom Lake, North Lindstrom Lake, Chisago Lake, Sunrise Lake, and many more). Lindström is hailed as “America’s Little Sweden” due to its founding by Swedish immigrants in 1853. These immigrations were so influential to Lindström that novelist Vilhelm Moberg wrote his magnum opus, The Emigrants, based on the personal journals of Erik Norelius, one of Lindström’s founding members.
One of the main characters in the novel, Karl Oskar, even inspired Lindström’s annual celebration every mid-July, the Karl Oskar Days. Further literary influences can also be seen at the Ki-Chi-Saga Park, where a 19th-century immigration house called Nya Duvemala inspired the home setting for The Emigrants. Outside of the novels, one can go adventuring at Allemansrätt Park—whose Swedish name means “Every Man’s Right”—and Beach Park.
Conclusion
As undiscovered as these small towns in Minnesota are, they will not go unnoticed for long once you get to know more about their attractions, cultures, and histories. Lindström’s delightful atmosphere reminiscent of Scandinavia, Red Wing’s galleries and unusual museums, Ely’s many untamed woodlands and mysteries—all these and more have captivated thousands of visitors and will certainly amaze you. Sure, there may be bigger attractions in cities like Bloomington with its Mall of American (the largest shopping mall in the US) and Minneapolis with its Sculpture Garden (the largest urban sculpture garden in America), but do not dismiss the undiscovered small towns of Minnesota.
