海角社区

Bordered by Lake Superior, the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario, and the US States of Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota respectively, Minnesota is a gorgeous Upper Midwestern US State. The nation鈥檚 12^th-largest state by area is acclaimed for its diverse topography featuring extensive woodlands, rolling prairies, numerous rivers, and countless lakes, earning the state its moniker, 鈥淟and of 10,000 Lakes.鈥� Although around 60% of Minnesota鈥檚 total population resides in the 鈥淭win Cities鈥� (Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metropolitan Area), which receives plenty of 海角社区wide tourist attention, the Gopher State is also peppered with many enchanting small towns that are within a short distance from the Twin Cities and the state's other minor metropolitan areas. Whether you want to discover the historic architecture, enjoy the stunning natural sceneries, taste the lip-smacking local cuisines, or participate in vibrant annual celebrations, these top-rated small towns of Minnesota are worth including in your travel plans.

Grand Marais

Cook County鈥檚 seat, Grand Marais is a charming lake town situated on Lake Superior鈥檚 northwestern shore, approximately 38 miles southwest of the Canada-United States International boundary and 110 miles northeast of Duluth. Serving as the starting point for the Gunflint Trail that leads to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Grand Marais is a must-visit destination for outdoor adventurists, art enthusiasts, and those who wish to take in the picture-perfect views. Stroll through Grand Marais鈥檚 walkable downtown and browse the countless shops, art galleries, studios, cozy eateries, and National Register-listed properties like the Bally Blacksmith Shop and the 1896 Lightkeeper鈥檚 House that houses the Cook County Historical Museum. Explore the scenic Artist鈥檚 Point, the magnificent Grand Marais Lighthouse, and various hiking trails such as the Grand Marais breakwater trail, the Superior Hiking Trail, the Honeymoon Bluff Trail, and the Pincushion Mountain Trail System. To celebrate the North Shore鈥檚 unique history and culture, Grand Marais hosts several annual festivals including Fisherman鈥檚 Picnic, Grand Marais Arts Festival, Le Grand Du Nord, Moose Madness, Lake Superior Storm Fest, and the Summer and Winter Solstice Festivals.

Lindstrom

Also known as 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Little Sweden,鈥� Lindstrom, named in honor of the Swedish immigrant and the town鈥檚 first settler Daniel Lindstr枚m, is one of the tiny communities that make up the Chisago Lakes region in the state鈥檚 Chisago County, about 35 miles northeast of the Twin Cities and 10 miles from the boundary with Wisconsin. The town looks like an island when viewed aerially due to the surrounding lakes, including South Lindstr枚m Lake, South Center Lake, Kroon Lake, North Lindstr枚m Lake, and North Center Lake, all of which make Lindstrom a popular destination for anglers. Admired for its Swedish heritage, this quintessential Midwest town allures travelers to tour some of its noteworthy attractions, such as the Karl Oskar & Kristina Monument, Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, Allemansratt Wilderness Park, Chisago County Historical Society, Karl Oskar House, Lindstrom Bakery, and the nearby Panola Valley Gardens. Lindstrom also hosts the annual Karl Oskar Days in mid-July with a wide variety of activities like parades, fireworks, street dances, and the coronation of a Karl Oskar Princess.

Stillwater

Stillwater, often referred to as 鈥渢he birthplace of Minnesota,鈥� occupies the western banks of the St. Croix River, about 20 miles northeast of St. Paul in Eastern Minnesota鈥檚 Washington County. The sereneness of the St. Croix River earned the community its name, with its historic downtown featuring carefully preserved Victorian mansions, in addition to multiple boutiques, vintage stores, art galleries, wineries, breweries, bed & breakfasts, and homey diners. The town鈥檚 most prominent attractions include the Stillwater Lift Bridge, Washington County Historic Courthouse, Warden鈥檚 House Museum, Issac Staples Sawmill, Teddy Bear Park, Gateway-Brown鈥檚 Creek State Trails, Aamodt鈥檚 Apple Farm, and Saint Croix Vineyards.聽

New Ulm

Brown County鈥檚 administrative center, New Ulm is located on a triangular land created by the meeting of the Cottonwood and Minnesota Rivers, in the state鈥檚 south-central portion, approximately 90 miles southwest of Minneapolis. Founded by the German Land Company of Chicago and christened after the city of Neu-Ulm in the German state of Bavaria, New Ulm bills itself as 鈥渢he most German town in America.鈥� Vacationers would not want to miss the town鈥檚 innumerable important sites including the New Ulm Turner Hall, Brown County Historical Society Museum, Defender鈥檚 Monument, the Hermann Heights Monument, German Bohemian Monument, Wanda Gag Home, the 45-foot-high Glockenspiel Clock Tower in Schonlau Park, and the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Besides these points of interest, New Ulm is also home to the August Schell Brewing Company, Flandrau State Park, and Morgan Creek Vineyards. To celebrate its German roots, the town hosts many yearly events including the Oktoberfest and Bavarian Blast, with live music by German bands, a 10K race, a parade, beers, and delectable cuisines.

Grand Rapids

Named for the Mississippi River鈥檚 3.5-mile-long imposing rapids, this attractive, rural up-north town is the seat of government of Itasca County. Encircled by the beautiful fishing lakes, nature trails, and forests of Minnesota鈥檚 Northwoods, Great Rapids is an ideal base camp for nature enthusiasts and adventurists who want to spend some time in one of the terminus towns of the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway. Head straight to the Chippewa National Forest, where tracks lead to incredible vistas and a chance to witness the abundant native flora and fauna; learn more about the area鈥檚 history at the Forest History Center, Judy Garland Museum, and Itasca County Historical Society; experience the community鈥檚 artistic side at the Reif Performing Arts Center or the MacRostie Art Center; enjoy shopping opportunities at the Old Central School; and relax by or partake in a multitude of water-based recreations along the pristine lakes. Throughout the year, Grand Rapids also hosts various tourism-related festivals including the White Oak Classic Dog Sled Race, Children鈥檚 Fair, Wizard of Oz Festival, Threshing & Antique Show, Timberman Triathlon, National Ruffed Grouse Society Annual Hunt, and the WinterGlo Festival.

Ely

Ely, an outdoor recreation paradise in Northeastern Minnesota鈥檚 Saint Louis County is located on the Vermilion Iron Range鈥檚 eastern edge, within the Superior National Forest, about 16 miles south of the Canada-United States International boundary. Ely offers easy access to acres of unspoiled forest and waterways of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Northwestern Ontario鈥檚 Quetico Provincial Park. Heritage lovers must visit the many historically significant structures in and around the town including the Ely State Theater, Listening Point Cabin, Burntside Lodge, Bull-of-the-Woods Logging Scow, and Tanner鈥檚 Hospital; as well as the different museums like the Dorothy Molter Museum and Ely-Winton History Museum. Elsa Jemne鈥檚 murals at the United States Post Office, the International Wolf Center, the North American Bear Center, the Ely Arts & Heritage Center, and the distinct hiking trails viz. Trezona Trail, Kekekabic Trail, and Mesabi Trail are some of Ely鈥檚 additional fascinating attractions. Visitors can also take part in community events such as the Blueberry Arts Festival, Winter Festival, and the Harvest Moon Festival held at Ely鈥檚 Whiteside Park every year.

Excelsior

A quaint western suburb of the Twin Cities, Excelsior is situated on the southern shores of Lake Minnetonka in Hennepin County, roughly 15 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis. The town鈥檚 National Register-listed downtown commercial district comprises several buildings that date back to the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries and currently house gift shops, cafes, boutiques, ice-cream shops, and many upscale restaurants like the Maynard鈥檚 Restaurant. When in town, do step onboard the Excelsior Trolley 鈥� a heritage streetcar that takes you to the Minnesota Streetcar Museum, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Minnetonka, or walk a part of the fully paved Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail that cuts through Excelsior鈥檚 downtown. The Excelsior Commons Park and the Port of Excelsior with their swimming beaches and picnic areas are the best places to unwind along Lake Minnetonka. Merrymakers can have a great time at the town鈥檚 well-attended events like Apple Day, Arctic Fever, Art on the Lake, Excelsior Farmers Market, and the North American Pond Hockey Championship.

Lanesboro

Platted in 1868 by F. A. Lane, an early landowner, this tranquil town in Southeast Minnesota鈥檚 Fillmore County is widely known for its conspicuous limestone bluffs, substantial biking trails, cool spring-fed streams, and countless bed & breakfasts. The Root River State Trail which passes right through the town鈥檚 historic downtown district is considered one of the state鈥檚 most scenic trails used for hiking, inline skating, and bicycling during summers and cross-country skiing in winters. After enjoying a biking trip through the Bluff Country, browse the various shops and restaurants that line Lanesboro鈥檚 Main Street. From March to December, the Commonweal Theatre Company entertains residents and tourists alike with a rotating repertory of dramas, musicals, holiday classics, and contemporary plays. Right next to the Commonweal is the St. Mane Theater managed by Lanesboro Arts which also hosts a variety of community theater productions throughout the year. Outdoor lovers can spend a fulfilling day at the 12-acre Sylvan Park providing a myriad of recreation opportunities besides functioning as a venue for varied events like Art in the Park, Rhubarb Festival, Lanesboro Farmers鈥� Market, and Buffalo Bill Days.

Red Wing

Red Wing, a pleasant river town along the upper Mississippi River, is the seat of government of Goodhue County. The town attracts scores of outdoor adventurers year-round for hikes to Barn Bluff, Sorin鈥檚 Bluff, Cannon Valley Trail, and the nearby Frontenac State Park. Red Wing also offers clean golf courses, cross-country skiing trails, mountain biking paths, and a myriad of water-based recreations at the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin. Alongside the ample outdoor activities, spare time to visit the locally-owned eateries, specialty shops, the esteemed Red Wing Brewery, the Red Wing Shoe Store & Museum, Sheldon Theatre of Performing Arts, Pottery Museum of Red Wing, and the Goodhue County Historical Society Museum.

Henderson

Founded by the American politician Joseph Renshaw Brown in August 1852, this small town in south-central Minnesota鈥檚 Sibley County is placed within the Minnesota River Valley about 60 miles southeast of the Twin Cities. Take a leisurely walk through the thriving Main Street of one of the state鈥檚 oldest communities and learn about the area鈥檚 glorious past at the former Sibley County Courthouse, the Sibley County Historical Museum, and the J.R. Brown Minnesota River Center. Outdoorsy types are drawn to the abundant activities offered at Henderson鈥檚 parks and wildlife refuges including Allanson鈥檚 Park, Bender Park, High Island Park, Rush River Park, the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and the Ney Nature Center. Every year, the town hosts the Sauerkraut Days, Henderson Hummingbird Hurrah, Henderson Classic Car Roll-In, and Celebration of Prince.

From the historical allure of Stillwater to the laid-back ambiance of Lanesboro, there is no shortage of postcard-pretty towns in the country鈥檚 22^nd-most populous state. Each of these uncharted gems draws curious travelers with its distinctive charms, superb sceneries, fascinating architecture, colorful festivals, and other family-friendly attractions. These appealing locales in the North Star State are sure to leave an enduring impression on everyone who visits them. 聽