Final Minnesota Bucket List region today….the area that takes us out of the Northwoods and into the rolling prairies! Tomorrow we move on into Iowa.
Altura
- Whitewater State Park: This park surrounds the Whitewater River and is filled with trails along the bluffs.
Austin
- Hormel Historic Home: Historic home of the Hormel family that started Hormel Foods.
- SPAM Museum: Delightful little museum that details out the history of SPAM and offers free samples!
Blue Earth
- Jolly Green Giant Museum: Museum dedicated to the Jolly Green Giant and the canned veggies he is known for. Take photos with the Giant himself in the adjacent park.
Caledonia
- Beaver Creek Valley State Park: Park features a narrow, steep valley created by Beaver Creek.
Comfrey
- Jeffers Petroglyphs: Outcrop filled with Pre-Native American petroglyphs.
Fairfax
- Fort Ridgely State Park: Site of the Battle of Fort Ridgely in the Dakota War of 1862.
Frontenac
- Frontenac State Park: Park located along the Mississippi River known for birdwatching.
Granite Falls
- Gneiss Outcrops SRA: Beautiful rocky area filled with very old rocks.
- Upper Sioux Agency State Park: Park sits on the Minnesota River and is the site of the Historic Sioux Agency which was destroyed in the Dakota War of 1862.
Hokah
- Como Falls: Falls hidden away behind the local fire station.
Jackson
- Fort Belmont Civilian Fort Replica and Museum: An 1862 civilian fort built to protect settlers.
Jasper
- Split Rock Creek State Park: Popular water recreation area located near Pipestone.
Luverne
- Blue Mounds State Park: One of the state’s largest prairie remnants, it also protects a bison herd.
Lynd
- Camden State Park: Filled with 15 miles of hiking trails along the Redwood River.
Mankato
- Minnemishinona Falls: Overlook of the 42 foot falls.
- Minneopa State Park: Scenic area with waterfall and trails.
Montevideo
- Lac Qui Parle Mission: Site of a pre-territorial mission in the county.
Morton
- Birch Coulee Battlefield: Site of the Birch Coulee Battle during the Dakota War of 1862.
New Ulm
- Flandrau State Park: Park located along the Cottonwood River.
Ortonville
- Big Stone Lake State Park: Located on the shores of Big Stone Lake, the headwaters of the Minnesota River.
Pipestone
- Pipestone National Monument: Hike along the red pipestone that was quarried for years by Native Americas and carved into pipes used for prayer.
Preston
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park: Park contains the historic village of Forestville as well as the longest known cave in Minnesota.
Red Wing
- Red Wing Shoe Company Museum: The museum is home to the World’s Largest Boot!
Walnut Grove
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and Info Center: Setting and home of Laura Ingalls’ “On the Banks of Plum Creek.”
Winona
- Great River Bluffs State Park: Gorgeous park perched high above the Mississippi River.
- John A. Latsch State Park: Another park located along the bluffs of the Mississippi River.
- Historic Pickwick Mill: Historic mill that now operates as a milling museum.
All attractions found on exploreminnesota.com
Sites & Bites 