
Mississippi River at Winona

View of winona

Downtown Winona

Winona Letters

Winona Art Walk

Winona County History Center

Dancers at the Great Dakota Gathering and Homecoming

Ice climbing

Great River Shakespeare Festival

Mississippi River in Winter

Ice Fishing houses

Historic Winona Bridge over the Mississippi

Levee Park gateway

Lake Park Rose Garden

Levee Park, Winona

Lake Winona

From Hwy 90 ( Rochester), exit 43N, left on Hwy 61, turn right on Huff St; VC is .1 mile on right. From Hwy 14, take a right turn on Hwy 61, turn left on Huff St, VC is on the right, from Hwy 61 ( Wabasha), follow 61 S to Huff St; turn left on Huff.
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The Winona Visitor Center is open seven days/week (April-October) and Fri-Sat-Sun (November-March) from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and is located at 924 Huff Street.
Still nearly surrounded by water, life in this historic (1851) city (population 27,069) centers on the river. If you like magnificent views of our river valley, head to Garvin Heights Overlook. The view from 575' above the Mississippi is 20-30 miles up and down the valley, as a Japanese journalist said, "makes your jaw drop."
Because the Mississippi brought great wealth to Winona early, its commercial and residential buildings are of an opulent style not common in Minnesota. Many also boast fabulous interiors and stained glass windows made by Tiffany and other famous studios. Writers have called Winona the "Stained Glass Capital of the United States!"
There are over 100 sites on the National Register in Historic downtown Winona. Besides many city parks like Garvin Heights, the Winona area is central to five state parks (Minnesota-3, Wisconsin- 2), and two national wildlife and fish refuges: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge and Trempealeau National Refuge.
Recreational facilities in Winona complement those in the parks. Great golfing at 3 courses plus area courses nearby. Exceptional swimming at the Bob Welch Aquatic Center, a state of the art Olympic-size pool including a 209 foot water slide. Winona has many scenic bike routes with a special 5.5 mile paved path around 300-acre Lake Winona. Brochures highlighting Winona and area bike trails also points out canoeing opportunities.
The Mississippi near Winona is a maze of bays and channels with some places so secluded that there is no sign of civilization. Fishing is excellent, and more than 290 species of birds can be found.
Festivals and events include Frozen River Film Festival, Great Dakota Gathering and Homecoming, Steamboat Days, Great River Shakespeare Festival, Minnesota Beethoven Festival, Swan Watch Weekends, and more. Many events are provided through Winona State University and Saint Mary's University. Simply Beautiful: Winona, The Island City on the Mississippi River!
Dates
The main office is located in the Winona County History Center at 160 Johnson & is open MO - Sat., 10am to 4pm. There is visitor information in the lobby that is available when the museum is open.What's Nearby
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Whitetail Woods in Farmington has two camper cabins open year-round / Paul Vincent

A wild turkey in Carlton County / Sparky Stenssas

Follow the Mississippi River's 600-plus-mile journey across Minnesota on the Great River Road

The eastbound Empire Builder as it hugs the Mississippi River near Wabasha / Jerry Huddleston

Pedal through Minnesota's Bluff Country on the scenic Root River State Trail

Father and son share a sweet family moment at the apple orchard / Paul Vincent

Lake Winona summer paddlers and kayakers / Visit Winona

2018 Boats and Bluegrass Festival / Tim McG Photography & Video

An aerial view of Faribault Mill's flagship store and factory / Faribault Mill

One of many Prince murals can be found in Chanhassen

Weisman Museum, Minneapolis / Paul Vincent

Two children ice skate at Spirit Mountain / Credit: Spirit Mountain

The Duluth Traverse connects over 100 miles of mountain bike trails into one massive ride / Hansi Johnson

Bike tour America's most legendary waterway on the Mississippi River Trail / Min Enterprises

Paddle boarding in Duluth / Visit Duluth