Guide Book to SE Minnesota
Food scene
Old stage coach hotel. Full of history and half decent overpriced food. Has changed owners recently. Inside is old timey.
17 locals recommend
The Hubbell House
502 N Main StOld stage coach hotel. Full of history and half decent overpriced food. Has changed owners recently. Inside is old timey.
Surprisingly hip little joint in an off the beaten path locale. Excellent food. Specialty coffee. Good decor. Friendly staff.
Area 57 CoffeeCafe
125 Main StSurprisingly hip little joint in an off the beaten path locale. Excellent food. Specialty coffee. Good decor. Friendly staff.
A bit of a drive (40 minutes) but sooo worth it. Great bar, great decor, excellent food (I have the Shrimp Caesar every time) Good size portions, enough for handy lunch next day. Perfect food handling. Nice service. The desserts; OMG!
Torey's Restaurant & Bar
208 North Cedar AvenueA bit of a drive (40 minutes) but sooo worth it. Great bar, great decor, excellent food (I have the Shrimp Caesar every time) Good size portions, enough for handy lunch next day. Perfect food handling. Nice service. The desserts; OMG!
Also a bit of a drive, but pretty drive. Thru farm land. Surprisingly well run based on the location...I mean, its in the sticks...LOL...Never had a bad meal here. Sometimes they have live music. HOPPING bar. Make reservations during busy season (Holidays, etc.) We like to sit on the new enclosed patio. Beside the fire is cozy, too.
Fireside Lounge & Supper Club
37540 Goodhue AvenueAlso a bit of a drive, but pretty drive. Thru farm land. Surprisingly well run based on the location...I mean, its in the sticks...LOL...Never had a bad meal here. Sometimes they have live music. HOPPING bar. Make reservations during busy season (Holidays, etc.) We like to sit on the new enclosed patio. Beside the fire is cozy, too.
Inclusive atmosphere. Hosts Food trucks on occasion. Try for when the wood fired pizza truck is there. Has a small play area for kids, vineyard looking outdoor area. Right off highway, so convenient. Pets allowed. They made a small batch IPA...we hear it is terrific.
South x SouthEast Minnesota Brewing Company
51146 U.S. 52Inclusive atmosphere. Hosts Food trucks on occasion. Try for when the wood fired pizza truck is there. Has a small play area for kids, vineyard looking outdoor area. Right off highway, so convenient. Pets allowed. They made a small batch IPA...we hear it is terrific.
Casual dive, local watering hole, burger specials, drink specials. Unpretentious. Surprisingly complex delicious chef inspired menu.
JB's Tavern
112 Main StreetCasual dive, local watering hole, burger specials, drink specials. Unpretentious. Surprisingly complex delicious chef inspired menu.
Nupa
1035 Civic Center Dr NWGreek Food. 'Nuff Said.
Old School Cafe
515 Clay StLocal fave in a converted 1900's school house.
Owatonna Location: Fancier decor, Authentic decor, good date night place. Games on TV, strong drinks, great Mexican food. Never had a bad meal here. Nice service. Large portions.
Plaza Morena Campestre Grill
160 26th Street NortheastOwatonna Location: Fancier decor, Authentic decor, good date night place. Games on TV, strong drinks, great Mexican food. Never had a bad meal here. Nice service. Large portions.
Chocolate Shoppe
420 N Main StOld time-y candy store with gourmet ice cream and handmade premium chocolates
Namaste Cafe
2512 Hennepin AveMY personal fave. In Minneapolis on Hennepin Ave.
Nerstrand Meats & Catering
231 Main StreetCustom meat and sausage, deli, coffee shop, Boots and Lou's gift shop.
Cannon River Winery
421 Mill St WWell, wine.
Just added to Best of Minnesota lists. Safe neighborhood. Local biz. Good parking.
76 locals recommend
Forager Brewery
1005 6th St NWJust added to Best of Minnesota lists. Safe neighborhood. Local biz. Good parking.
Squash Blossom Farm
7499 60th Avenue NorthwestCity/town information
If you want to do 'city stuff'. Good whole foods scene, good arts. Coffee shops.
7 locals recommend
Rochester
If you want to do 'city stuff'. Good whole foods scene, good arts. Coffee shops.
Founded before the State of Minnesota was founded. Has an adorable Opera House. Great photo ops. Antique shops, old time-y candy store, covered bridge, park. Hosts lots of fairs and festivals during summer.
Mantorville
Founded before the State of Minnesota was founded. Has an adorable Opera House. Great photo ops. Antique shops, old time-y candy store, covered bridge, park. Hosts lots of fairs and festivals during summer.
Bike trails, historic woolen mill here, Cannon River, Lake Bilsby, Sakatah State Park here.
Faribault
Bike trails, historic woolen mill here, Cannon River, Lake Bilsby, Sakatah State Park here.
Winona
River city, college town, Lock and Dam shipping access.
Considered one of the best State Capital buildings in the country. Tours available. Call ahead.
28 locals recommend
Saint Paul
Considered one of the best State Capital buildings in the country. Tours available. Call ahead.
Home of Luther College. Make sure to see their Holiday Concert. Hiking and sightseeing. Chapel rock.
16 locals recommend
Decorah
Home of Luther College. Make sure to see their Holiday Concert. Hiking and sightseeing. Chapel rock.
Sightseeing
Zumbrota
Covered bridge park, boutiques, coffee, Farmer's market, music.
Wanamingo
Site of Area 57 Coffee and Bistro. Cute boutiques. Little walk. Cute park.
Historic, cute thrift stores, has some food trucks. They are working on getting a restaurant. Historic buildings.
Kenyon
Historic, cute thrift stores, has some food trucks. They are working on getting a restaurant. Historic buildings.
Covered Bridge
In Zumbrota, Worth the trip.
Opera House dating from 1800's. Hosts Melodramas. Kitchy, quirky live theatre.
The Mantorville Theatre Company
5 5th St WOpera House dating from 1800's. Hosts Melodramas. Kitchy, quirky live theatre.
Rice Lake State Park
8485 Rose StNatural, wildlife and prairie habitat on a lake, bird sanctuary.
Mayowood Mansion
3720 Mayowood Rd SWMall of America station
Ikea WayShopping.
National Eagle Center
50 Pembroke AveLearn about and see Eagles
Hosts live music, has a great dining room and buffet.
16 locals recommend
Treasure Island Resort & Casino
5734 Sturgeon Lake RdHosts live music, has a great dining room and buffet.
LARK Toys
63604 170th AveOld time-y toy store. Not to be missed.
Niagara Cave
29842 Co Hwy 30Tour a cave
Mystery Cave State Park
Tour another cave.
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park
21071 County Rd 118More caves.
Hemp Maze Minnesota
47385 Hwy 52 BlvdHip little place
College town, good downtown walking scene. Bike shops here. Bike trail departs from here.
10 locals recommend
Northfield
College town, good downtown walking scene. Bike shops here. Bike trail departs from here.
Douglas Trail
Biking and walking. Very safe.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
12364 145th St WCos Play, Caber Toss, Mead.
Wabasha
Downtown, Flea Market. Tourists in summer. Mississippi River. Cat Cafe.
Lake City
The birth place of waterskiing.
Zumbro River
Chapel Brewing
15 Hester StIn an old church.
Barn Bluff
Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo
5731 County Rd 105 NWAnimal attraction. Hiking trails.
Pine Island Golf Course
920 8th St SEGolfing.
Zumbro Valley Golf Course
25202 615th StGolfing. Bar.
Largest gift store in Southern Minnesota. Unique selection. Good quality. Good prices. Nice service. Not 'tourist-y chatsky 'gifts...legit beautiful items, treasures. Wind chimes, figurines, books, statuary, Christian gifts, linens, cards, floral, flags, jewelery and clothing lines.
Country Goods
4515 22nd Ave NWLargest gift store in Southern Minnesota. Unique selection. Good quality. Good prices. Nice service. Not 'tourist-y chatsky 'gifts...legit beautiful items, treasures. Wind chimes, figurines, books, statuary, Christian gifts, linens, cards, floral, flags, jewelery and clothing lines.
Gunderson House
107 Gunderson BlvdOpen for special events; call ahead.
Northwoods Orchard
8018 75th Ave NWGreat for family in Fall.
Wasioja Seminary Ruins
602nd StreetLegit historic.
Zumbro Bottoms Horse Campground - West
T-83Bring your own horse.
Science Museum of Minnesota
120 W Kellogg BlvdFoshay Museum and Observation Deck
821 S Marquette AveClear Lake
Surf Ballroom. See Museum.
U.S. Bank Stadium
401 Chicago AveHome of the Minnesota Vikings.
Target Center
600 N 1st AveStadium
University of Minnesota
Crossings at Carnegie
320 East AveOld library restored to be art Gallery.
Sogn Valley Apple Orchard
37750 41st Ave WayFamily fun in Fall
Aspelund Peony Garden
9204 425th StAspelund Peony Garden
9204 425th StRight near the Winery
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
9700 170th St EFalls.
SPAM® Museum
101 3rd Ave NEWell, because Spam.
Plummer House
1091 Plummer Ln SWNational Historical Site.
Pine Island Cheese Festival
In summer.
Shattuck-St. Mary's School
1000 Shumway AveOld, beautiful campus. Great photo ops.
Neighborhoods
Owatonna
Good walking downtown. Chain stores. Torey's is here. Also Cabela's (like REI)
Lanesboro
Historical sight seeing
Pine Island
Wine and Cheese tasting events. Hosts Faires and Festivals in summers.
Good downtown walking mall. Restaurants, bars, shops, historic buildings,
14 locals recommend
Red Wing
Good downtown walking mall. Restaurants, bars, shops, historic buildings,
Harmony
Entertainment
Luscious decor, reminiscent of NOLA or a San Fran speak easy. Interesting musical acts. Pizza and bar snack. Some Import beers. Very reasonable prices!! Open Mike on Thursday nights. call ahead. Live music. Open Mic Night on Thursday (call ahead) wine bar, pizza, restored historic building. Does not accept credit cards.
The Annadine
16 West Main StreetLuscious decor, reminiscent of NOLA or a San Fran speak easy. Interesting musical acts. Pizza and bar snack. Some Import beers. Very reasonable prices!! Open Mike on Thursday nights. call ahead. Live music. Open Mic Night on Thursday (call ahead) wine bar, pizza, restored historic building. Does not accept credit cards.
Food Scene
Tokyo Grill
1301 Bollenbacher DrThe Hibachi Filet Mignon. As good as any beef I ever had in Japan. FR
EXCELLENT PAD THAI. Fresh Spring Rolls on occasion. Custom coffee. Salad, wraps and sandwiches. Cute, historic walkable neighborhood.
County Seat Coffeehouse
1 5th St WEXCELLENT PAD THAI. Fresh Spring Rolls on occasion. Custom coffee. Salad, wraps and sandwiches. Cute, historic walkable neighborhood.
Hidden Pines Bar & Grill
Good food. Cheap eats. Fun environment.
Traveler advice
Getting around
No transit
Must have a vehicle. No transit options in rural area.
Customs and culture
Locals have Flat Affect
Locals generally originating from Scandinavian Heritage where they have a saying "Do not speak loudly unless the house is on fire". They like you, they just don't show much emotion.
Getting around
Winter Travel
Be prepared. Have snow tires or chains. Allow extra time for travel. Slow down.
Customs and culture
No alcohol sold in convenience stores; only in bottle shops
Unlike our neighbors to the South and West and East, our area does not sell alcohol in convenience stores or grocery stores..... Not even beer. Beer and alcohol come from specially licence "bottle shops", so plan ahead. Some Municipalities have a Government funded "Liquor Store" which is a bar where you can buy 'carry out' booze but even that ends at 10 p. m. -- If a few beers are part of your plan, PLAN AHEAD. Kasson and Zumbrota have bottle shops we have been to. PLAN AHEAD TO BUY ANY ALCOHOL..
What to pack
Rugged Shoes.
Its a farm. There are trails. And gravel. Hiking Boots.
Getting around
Speed traps at County Line
When entering or leaving a County by road in Minnesota, watch your speed. LEO set up speed traps at entrance and exit of Counties.