Many don't know that once upon a time, the beautiful towns of St. Peter and St. Paul were both considered as an option for MN's state capital. In 1857, before Minnesota was a state, Joseph Rolette, a politician, holed up in a hotel in the Twin Cities with the bill that, if it had been signed by territorial governor Willis Gorman, would have relocated the capital. Today the town is home to Gustavus Adolphus College, and is still one of the most scenic places to visit in the entire state.
When you first get to town, take a walking or driving tour of the stunning downtown. The buildings are enchanting and packed with MN history.
You'll especially love the Nicollet Hotel, Carnegie Library, and the Konsbruck Hotel Building as you stroll or drive past dozens of buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Of course, stop by Gustavus Adolphus College, and take in the gorgeous campus including the Linnaeus Arboretum. The schools is a marvelous example of the Swedish and Lutheran heritage that can be found in MN. “Old Main” is always worth stopping by for a photo. This building was made from Kasota limestone and was the first structure on campus.
Recreate on the Minnesota River whether by boating, fishing, or paddling. You can find beautiful scenery during the summer and fall along the river.
A trip to this historic city will always be phenomenal, and once you head there - make sure to stop at these other small towns that hold the keys to MN's past!
What town gets the most snow in Minnesota? Although Duluth may be the snowiest city of consequence in the state, the snowiest town in Minnesota is almost always a community tucked against the Lake Superior highlands along its north shore. Lutsen, for example, regularly receives more snow (not counting what is made at the eponymous ski resort) than most other places in the state, making it one of the state's snowiest towns - and a great place for a winter getaway in Minnesota.
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It will come as a surprise to almost no one who lives here that the township of Lutsen is one of the snowiest places in Minnesota. This area of the state - the North Shore Highlands - is the snowiest part of Minnesota, thanks to Lake Superior's "lake effect."
The area around Lutsen regularly receives more than 100 inches of snow. In 2019, they folks who live in the area were blessed with more than 124 inches of the white stuff, and in 2022-23, more than 150 inches were reported in inland areas near Lutsen. So, it's definitely a wonderful place for a winter getaway.
Consider a stay at Cascade Lodge. It's adjacent to a state park, offers in-house dining at its restaurant, and affords spectacular Lake Superior views. Situated outside of Lutsen, proper, the lodge is a perfect jumping-off point for your winter adventures or a quick trip into Grand Marais. Book one of the resort's cabins to use as your basecamp. You won't be disappointed by the lodge's amenities or its proximity to so many awesome things to do in winter in Minnesota.
Jump start your day with a steaming cuppa joe from Fika Coffee. After you've fueled up, hit the trails. You can access more than 36 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails from Cascade Lodge.There are hundreds of additional miles of trails in the area. Snowshoeing is also a fun way to explore this wintertime wonderland.
Fat bikers are welcome at Cascade Lodge and on many of the adjacent trails, and snowmobile enthusiasts will also appreciate the miles and miles of North Shore trails. Cascade River State Park is right next door to the resort, so be sure to take a short hike and visit the park's waterfalls.
If you prefer a little more adrenaline in your day, Alpine skiers and snowboarders flock to Lutsen Mountains, the largest ski resort in the Upper Midwest, for skiing and boarding with a view.
In late January or early February, racers in the annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon mush their way through Lutsen. You can learn a little more about these intrepid mushers and their amazing dogs in this YouTube video from PBS North:
And as always, keep your eyes peeled for the northern lights.
While you're spending time in the snowiest town in Minnesota, don't forget to stop by the Lockport Marketplace and Grill to grab a tasty breakfast or lunch. We sure think that this is one of the best places to spend winter in Minnesota. Don't forget - as the Scandinavians say, there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad preparation, so be sure to pack all the winter essentials you'll need before you head up to Lutsen. Along the same lines, if you're heading out on the trails - whether snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, or snowmobiling - be sure to download AllTrails Plus, so you'll have offline trail maps available for navigation.
Have you made it up to Lutsen in the winter? Do you agree that it's the snowiest town in Minnesota? What are some of your other favorite snowy destinations in the North Star State? Be sure to tell us all about them in the comments!
It may be true that people from the coasts often look at the Midwest as flyover country. But those in the know realize that this region of the United States has some of the best scenery - not to mention the best people - of anywhere in the country. Many charming small towns in Minnesota show the Midwestern character that is so familiar to those who live here, but one - Winona - may do that better than any others.
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Keep reading to find out why Winona, Minnesota, is the perfect Midwestern town.
With fewer than 27,000 people, the Winona, Minnesota, population would make it a small town by most East Coast standards.
Thick trees and still waters evoke a simpler time that in many ways still exists in Winona.
In Winona’s historic downtown, the homey look created by the brick buildings with arched windows will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard.
This is a community - and a whole region - that believes in kindness. What’s more Midwestern than that?
You can really do a deep dive into Winona's history with a stay at the historic Alexander Mansion, right in the heart of town. Have you been to Winona? Or do you have another favorite Midwestern town? Let us know in the comments If you love small towns, check out this list of 11 picturesque and charming small towns in Minnesota.
