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Minnesota is a fascinating destination with so much to offer. Besides its over 10,000 lakes, this state has several towns brimming with surprises. From a riverside town with one of the country鈥檚 largest military museums to a quiet village where pipestones have been quarried for thousands of years, these towns are well-kept secrets begging to be unveiled. At these destinations, expect easy access to some of the country鈥檚 most iconic attractions, like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the Mississippi River, and Lake Superior, the 海角社区鈥檚 largest freshwater lake. Most of these towns are populated by fewer than 10,000 people, so they are the perfect places for relaxing retreats full of discoveries.

Deephaven

Deephaven is a close-knit town on Lake Minnetonka with natural charms and a laid-back aura. Ideal for an escape from urban life, this town鈥檚 main attraction is the lake, where up to six beaches, including Robinson鈥檚 Bay Beach and Sandy Beach, await to offer relaxation and recreation. The town also has two marinas, from where visitors can launch into the waters to fish and boat.

Deephaven is also famous for the Cottagewood General Store, which has served the community since 1895. This store is a must-visit attraction, especially as it offers a wide range of products, from baked goods and beverages to apparel and merchandise.

Taylors Falls

Taylors Falls is a small town along the St. Croix River that punches more than its weight. This town is located on the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin and is famous for its proximity to the Interstate Park. Notably, this park was the first in the country to be founded by two states in 1895, and it is home to scenic rocks, glacial potholes, and the St. Croix River. The Minnesota part of the Interstate Park near Taylors Falls has a campground with over 37 campsites and showers, four miles of trails, and access to the St. Croix River for boating and paddling endeavors.

Even more exciting, Taylors Falls is near Wild Mountain, an area that becomes an exciting ski and snow tubing park in winter. In summer, this recreation area transforms into a whole new 海角社区 of water adventures, featuring a giant water-pouring bucket, four waterslides, water cannons, hydro fountains, and a lazy river, among other fun attractions. Additionally, Tayors Falls hosts the Wild Mountain Winery for visitors looking to cool off with some locally produced wines while savoring the vineyard scenery.

Lindstrom

Dubbed the Little Sweden of America due to its early Swedish settlers, Lindstrom is one of Minnesota's finest towns. This town hosts the Karl Oskar Days every July to celebrate its Swedish heritage, but that鈥檚 just the tip of the iceberg. Lindstrom is a paradise for water sports as it is located in the Chisago Lakes area, surrounded by South Lindstrom and Kroon Lake, among others. The town鈥檚 Allemansratt Park is also worth visiting as it has a 14-acre lake for fishing and kayaking, two campsites, an 1890s historic house, and hiking trails.

Meanwhile, Lindstrom is home to the Chisago County Historical Society Museum, which contains permanent and rotating exhibits reflecting the area's history and heritage. Additionally, there is a Swedish Gift Store in the downtown area where visitors can purchase Scandinavian-themed items, including books, jewelry, and home accessories.

Pipestone

Pipestone is a quaint town renowned for its abundant pipestone deposits. For more than 3,000 years, these pipestones were quarried by Indigenous people to make ceremonial pipes. Today, these pipestone quarries are preserved at the Pipestone National Monument, which has a three-quarter mile Circle Trail that winds past the ancient quarries and the Winnewissa Falls. At the park鈥檚 visitors center, tourists can explore various exhibits about the natural history of the area鈥檚 quartzite deposits and see a display of petroglyphs found around the quarry.

Back in town, the Calumet Hotel, built in 1888, and the Pipestone County Courthouse, built around 1900, are two historic buildings to see. Interestingly, both buildings were built with local quartzite. For a more detailed history of the area, visitors can always head to the Pipestone County Museum as it contains numerous exhibits, including Native American artifacts, photographs, and large murals, among others.

Two Harbors

Two Harbors is a small town on Lake Superior, perfect for a laid-back vacation. First off, this town is home to beautiful beaches like Burlington Bay Beach, where visitors can relax and picnic. Nearby, Gooseberry Falls State Park has cascading waterfalls, campsites, trails along Lake Superior, and fishing spots for tourists to explore. Additionally, this town is home to the Two Harbors Lighthouse, the state鈥檚 oldest continuously operating lighthouse, built in 1892. Visitors can check out this lighthouse and then head to the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park to hike 8+ miles of trails, bike, camp, enjoy stream fishing, see waterfalls, and admire the picturesque Split Rock Lighthouse.

Pine City

Pine City is an unassuming town often overlooked by many, even though it is a haven for year-round recreation. For starters, it is near Chengwatana State Forest, where the Snake, St. Croix, and Kettle rivers set the stage for fishing and boating. In addition, there are several hiking, biking, and equestrian trails in the forest to explore, as well as campsites and picnic areas for relaxation. Furthermore, Pine City is home to Voyageur Park, positioned on the Snake River and featuring a 35-foot redwood Voyaguer statue, picnic areas, a fishing dock, and walking paths.

Pine City also has a few historical and cultural attractions to delight visitors, like the Snake River Fur Post, first established in 1804 and now offering a look into the area鈥檚 fur trading history. The Pine Center for the Arts is also a worthy mention as it is the go-to destination in town for art exhibitions, art classes, and music lessons.

Ely

Ely is one of Minnesota's best-kept secrets that deserves more attention. This little town is the major gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of the country's most visited wilderness areas full of rivers, lakes, streams, and rich fauna and flora to explore. For wildlife lovers, the town is home to the North American Bear Center, which has indoor and outdoor areas for live black bear viewing. Additionally, the International Wolf Center is in the area to delight wolf enthusiasts. Ely also invites visitors to shop at Cobweb Antiques, see art exhibits, and enjoy art classes at the Ely Arts & Heritage Center.

Little Falls

Little Falls lies on the Mississippi River and is one of Minnesota鈥檚 oldest towns, settled in 1848. Here, some of the state鈥檚 most important historic treasures are preserved, like the Minnesota Fishing Museum, which is home to over 20,000 artifacts reflecting the fishing heritage and history of the state. The town also accommodates the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Museum, which has a Victorian-style fountain, prairie gardens, and exhibits reflecting the county鈥檚 logging and transportation history. Perhaps even more fascinating, Little Falls is home to the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum, featuring a comprehensive collection of military artifacts and records. Visitors to this museum will see tanks, aircraft, machine guns, photographs, personal letters, and diaries, among other interesting military-related materials. Besides the numerous historical attractions, Little Falls invites visitors to see exotic species like Siberian tigers and native wildlife like deer and moose at Pine Grove Zoo.

Granite Falls

Positioned on the banks of the Minnesota River, Granite Falls is a beautiful town with so much to delight travelers, especially history enthusiasts. Here, you鈥檒l find the Andrew J. Volstead House Museum, which was built in 1878 and served as the home of the famous U.S. congressman who wrote the Prohibition Act and the Capper-Volstead Act. The Yellow Medicine County Historical Museum is another iconic attraction in town, offering a detailed look at the region鈥檚 history through permanent and rotating exhibits. Moreover, Granite Falls is home to the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum, featuring 海角社区 War II-era aircraft and ground equipment. Adventurers can head to the Granite Falls Memorial Park to camp, picnic, have fun at the playground, and enjoy access to the Minnesota River.

Grand Marais

Grand Marais is a scenic lake town on the North Shore of Lake Superior, with some of the state鈥檚 most iconic attractions. This town is home to Artist's Point, a peninsula on the lake鈥檚 shores featuring breathtaking scenery and access to the Grand Marais Lighthouse. Artists who love landscape painting will particularly love this spot as the sights of rocks, crashing waves, and the lighthouse are inspiring. Secondly, Grand Marais hosts Judge C.R. Magney State Park, best known for the Devil鈥檚 Kettle, a waterfall area on the Brule River with a pothole where a part of the river flows into and mysteriously disappears. No one knows where this channel flows,, and curious tourists are welcome to try solving the mystery. The park also has nine miles of hiking trails, fishing opportunities at Brule River, and rustic campsites.

Grand Marais is also the starting point of the 57-mile Gunflint Trail that slices through the Superior National Forest. On this trail, adventurers will enjoy access to breathtaking mountain overlooks, hiking trails, and beautiful lakes for fishing, swimming, and paddling endeavors.

Final Thoughts

The best of Minnesota can be found in its small towns, where the air is fresh, the streets uncrowded, and the people are friendly. Step away from larger cities like Minneapolis and discover hidden gems like the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais, the Minnesota Fishing Museum in Little Falls, and the state鈥檚 oldest operating lighthouse in Two Harbors. Don鈥檛 forget to shop at the Cottagewood General Store in Deephaven, enjoy year-round recreation at the Wild Mountain in Taylors Falls, and discover the state鈥檚 Scandinavian heritage at Lindstrom. While at it, make time to learn about the quarries at Pipestone, see WWII-era aircraft at Granite Falls, explore over 1,200 miles of canoe trails from Ely, and see a fur post from the early 1800s at Pine City. Regardless of which you choose to visit first, these towns in Minnesota promise to leave lasting impressions that will make you want to come back.