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Southern Minnesota: What to See and Do in the Southeast and Southwest

By Tim Gihring and Joel Hoekstra Minnesota Monthly

Destination: Southeast Minnesota

Think southeast Minnesota is best known for the Mayo Clinic? You should try some of the area’s waffles and river trips. Here are a few of the things we love most about the region.

Sweet Lou’s Waffle Bar
For most of history, waffles have been confined to the breakfast table. No longer. Sweet Lou’s Waffles in Northfield serves up sweet or savory waffles any time of day. Gobble up the Waffle Suzette with orange sauce for breakfast, then stick around for the Minnesito Burrito (cheddar, salsa, sour cream) for lunch. Or choose from more than 25 other toppings. Thanks to Lou’s, now you really can have three squares a day. 303 Division St., Northfield, 507-650-7592, sweetlouswaffles.com

Root River Outfitters
If you’ve got an extra $12 in your pocket, you could spend it on a ticket to a summer blockbuster and a box of Raisinettes. But what you should do is this: Head to Lanesboro, where that same $12 will get you an inner tube and a couple hours of floating on the Root River. You can bake yourself to a crisp, and perhaps even spot a few fish. When you arrive at your destination, a van will shuttle you back to where you started. 109 Parkway Ave. S., Lanesboro, 507-467-3663, riversideontheroot.com

Garvin Heights Park
Scenic views? Check. Hiking trails? Check. Wildflowers? Check. Winona’s Garvin Heights Park rises more than 500 feet from the river, boasting panoramic views of the Mississippi River Valley and Wisconsin bluffs. On a clear day, you’ll have a view for a good 25 miles or more. Tuck a blanket and a few snacks into your bag and enjoy some post-constitutional refreshments while enjoying the view from above. Just off of Hwy. 61 on Garvin Heights Road, Winona

Pottery Place Historic Mall
If the word “mall” makes you think of vast ugly spaces, it’s time to upgrade your experience. First stop in Red Wing: Pottery Place Historic Mall. More than a dozen unique shops offering pottery, antiques, and specialty items fill the city’s old pottery factory, a brick building with plenty of character. After you’ve finished your shopping, get some ice cream at the locally owned scoop shop Just Chillin’. 2000 W. Main St., Red Wing, rwpotteryplace.com

Destination: Southwest Minnesota

Back in the day, southwestern Minnesota was a sea of rippling grass. Today, many interesting sites still pay homage to the area’s prairie and pioneer roots.

Blue Mounds State Park
A 100-foot cliff of bruise-colored Sioux quartzite sits atop Blue Mounds State Park, like a thick slab of rare steak flopped down on the prairie. Standing on top, you can look south into Iowa, and west into South Dakota. Step back into a gentle swale and you can imagine what the prairie was like when the grass ran unbroken in all directions. A herd of 100 bison roams a 500-acre pasture, furthering the illusion. The park has picnicking and camping sites. 507-283-1307, mndnr.gov/parks

The Calumet Inn
The Sioux quartzite that undergirds much of southwestern Minnesota built settlements like Pipestone. One grand Romanesque building that remains is the historic Calumet Inn, erected in 1888 and still putting up visitors. Rooms are furnished with antiques, clawfoot tubs, and other period appointments. Nearby is Pipestone National Monument, where American Indians still quarry pipestone. 104 W. Main St., Pipestone, 800-535-7610, calumetinn.com

Nobles County Pioneer Village
Step back a century and visit the village your great-grandparents might have lived in. The Nobles County Historical Society in Worthington has assembled nearly 50 old buildings and major artifacts at Pioneer Village, including a sod residence, one-room school house, blacksmith’s shop, Lutheran and Methodist country churches, general store, whitewashed farmhouse, and a caboose from the Rock Island Railroad. 507-376-4431, noblespioneervillage.com

German Fest
In Minnesota’s early days, German immigrants settled New Ulm on a bank overlooking the Minnesota River. The town’s heritage is still on display. Tour August Schell’s brewery, mansion, and gardens. Sample seasonal and year-round craft beers. Continue German-style indulgence with dinner at Veigel’s Kaiserhoff for pork ribs and sauerkraut. Schell’s: 1860 Schell Rd., New Ulm, 800-770-5020 schellsbrewery.com. Veigel’s Kaiserhoff: 221 N. Minnesota St., New Ulm, 507-359-2071