Visit These 12 Incredible Charming Small Towns in Minnesota, One for Each Month of the Year

Because you can't possibly visit all of the wonderful small towns in Minnesota, we thought it might be easier - and fun - to visit one of our state's charming small towns each month of the year. So, here are a dozen of the best towns to visit in Minnesota. Of course, you can visit these towns any time of year, but we suggest this order for your calendar.

1. January - Biwabik

January is the perfect time to visit the winter playground of Biwabik. Hit the slopes at Giants Ridge or enjoy the solitude of the Superior National Forest's many trails.

2. February - Ely

Ely truly comes alive in the wintertime. Visit in February to take part in the annual Ely Winter Festival. Later in the month, cheer on your favorite mushers at the WolfTrack Classic Sled Dog Race. There are also plenty of nearby lakes for ice fishing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Bear Head Lake and Lake Vermilion/Soudan Underground Mine State Parks are only minutes away from town. One of my favorite winter adventures in Ely is skiing or snowshoeing to the pictographs on Hegman Lake.

3. March - Lutsen

As one of Minnesota's snowiest towns, Lutsen is a great place to visit in late winter. Snow seekers are likely to find some white stuff to play in, and the temperatures won't be as brutal as they can get in the depths of the cold months. Moreover, it also happens to be home to Lutsen Mountains, the largest ski resort in the Upper Midwest, so there's plenty of adventure to be had.

4. April - Houston

Houston is a town that can capture your heart, and spring is an excellent time to visit. Winter will be loosening its grip and wildflowers will start appearing. Hike or bike the Root River State Trail or visit Beaver Creek Valley State Park to watch spring emerge in Minnesota.

5. May - Plainview

Come May, the bluebells are blooming at Carley State Park, and the charming town of Plainview is the perfect place to set up basecamp.

6. June - Blackduck

Visit Blackduck in June for an early summer adventure in the North Woods. Located just south of scenic Minnesota Hwy. 1, the town makes a perfect home base for exploring Red Lake and the Chippewa National Forest, including the Lost 40 grove of old-growth pines. June is also the perfect time to explore the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway, which runs south of Blackduck and showcases the iconic Minnesota state flower.

7. July - Currie

At the height of summer, Minnesotans flock to the state's lakes, and one of the best spots for a summer cool down is Lake Shetek State Park. Currie is one of the most charming towns in Minnesota and the gateway to Lake Shetek, so it's definitely worth exploring. Check out End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum, and be sure to grab a meal at The Hideaway

8. August - Warroad

Catch all that late summer has to offer with a visit to the charming community of Warroad. From there, you can land a lunker on Lake of the Woods or explore Beltrami Island State Forest.

9. September - Wabasha

Early autumn, when the fall foliage is beginning to burst, is an awesome time for a trip down the Mississippi River valley. Visit Wabasha in the fall - it's one of the most historic towns in Minnesota, and it leans into the spirit of the season with its annual Septoberfest celebration.

10. October - Springfield

The town of Springfield is located in the heart of Laura Ingalls' country. Its charming downtown is home to Tommy's Central Street Steakhouse, one of the best small town steakhouses in Minnesota. It's also an awesome jumping-off point for visits to Jeffers Petroglyphs or Oktoberfest in New Ulm.

11. November - Park Rapids

Park Rapids is not only the gateway to Itasca State Park and the headwaters of the Mississippi River, it also kicks off the holiday season with a bang. Visit in late November for the town's annual Yuletide Sampler and Heartland Lakes community tree lighting event.

12. December - Red Wing

During the holiday season, the beautiful river town of Red Wing looks like a scene from a Norman Rockwell Painting. This makes it an ideal place to visit during the holidays and to cap off your year of small towns.

There are so many fantastic towns in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we're only sorry that we didn't have room to squeeze them all in. But we hope this sampler offers a taste of what you can expect in small-town Minnesota. Do you have a favorite small town in the Bold North? We'd love to hear about it. While you're out exploring all the awesome small towns in Minnesota, be sure to show off your Minnesota roots!