My Favorite Unique Things to Do in Lanesboro MN
When you're hunting with regard to unique things to do in Lanesboro MN , you've possibly already heard it's the Bed and Breakfast Capital of the state, but there is so much even more to it as opposed to the way just fancy lace doilies and scones. This little town tucked away in the Root River Valley includes a vibe you just can't find anywhere else in the Midwest. It's one of those rare places where time seems to have forgotten to move forward, the local culture seems surprisingly fresh plus vibrant.
I've spent plenty of time wandering these streets, and every period I go back, I find something new that makes me smile. Regardless of whether you're a hardcore cyclist or someone who just desires to sit by the river with a book, Lanesboro has a way of decreasing your heart price down within 20 minutes of emerging. Let's dive in to some of the stuff that makes this particular town truly remain out.
Capture a Pro Play at the Commonweal Theatre
Most people don't expect to find world-class, expert theater in the town of 700 people. Usually, "small-town theater" means a high school manufacturing or a regional community group putting on a pastime show. But the Commonweal Theatre is a whole different pet. They have a resident ensemble associated with professional actors that live and function right there in Lanesboro.
The particular space itself is usually gorgeous—it's modern, romantic, and there truthfully isn't an undesirable chair in the house. What's really unique about it is the quality of the particular storytelling. They get big risks with their has, ranging from Ibsen classics to contemporary comedies that'll perhaps you have laughing until your face hurts. It's an extremely weird, wonderful experience to watch a high-caliber performance and after that see the prospect actor grabbing a beer at the particular pub across the street twenty minutes after the curtain falls.
Explore the Amish Backroads
A person can't discuss unique things to do in Lanesboro MN without mentioning the particular Amish community. This particular isn't a "tourist attraction" in the particular sense of an amusement park; these are actual families living the traditional lifestyle just a few miles outside of town. The particular best way to see it is usually to take a guided tour, like those offered by Bluff Country Tours .
The guides know the families, to allow them to take you to farms where a person can actually buy handmade baskets, fresh cashew crunch (trust me, get the cashew crunch), and amazing quilts. It's a reality check to see people living without electricity or even cars in 2024. It's quiet, it's beautiful, and this enables you to want to throw your mobile phone into the Root River—at least for a good hour or two. Just remember to be respectful; don't take photos of the people, as this goes against their own beliefs.
Pedaling the Root River State Trail
Okay, biking a trek might not sound "unique" initially, but the particular Basic River State Trek will be special. It's built on an forgotten railroad bed, meaning it's mostly toned. You get to cruise through limestone bluffs, over wood bridges, and previous fields of corn and wildflowers without having having to fight for your existence on the steep slope.
What can make it unique will be the "trail town" culture. You can start in Lanesboro, bike out to Whalan for the cut of world-famous curry (the Whalan Quiche Shop is legendary), and then return. The trail comes after the river, therefore the scenery is constantly shifting from strong forest to wide-open valley views. In the event that you don't have your own wheels, you can lease them right in town. If you're feeling extra daring, rent a conjunction bike and test the strength of your relationship.
Get Lost in the Lanesboro Arts Scene
Lanesboro has been specified as an "Arts Campus, " which basically means the whole town is a good art gallery. The Lanesboro Arts Jury-Selected Gallery on the particular main street is definitely a great location to start. They will represent over 90 regional artists, plus the stuff they have isn't your own typical "live, laugh, love" decor. It's legitimate, high-quality art work, jewelry, and pottery.
But the particular art isn't just inside. If you walk around, you'll find ironwork, decals, and even the particular "poetry parking lot" close to the river. There's a creative energy right here that's hard to describe. It's like the town decided decades ago that being boring simply wasn't a choice.
Floating Over the Root River
If you aren't in the mood to bike, you need to get upon the water. Tubes down the Root River is definitely a quintessential Lanesboro experience. It's the shallow, winding river that moves with a pace very best described as "lethargic. " It's perfect.
You may rent tubes, canoes, or kayaks from several spots in town. Many people choose for the pipes since it requires the least quantity of work. You just sit back, let the present take you previous the towering bluffs, and watch intended for bald eagles. It's not a celebration river like some other spots in the state; it's much more relax and family-friendly. Pro suggestion: Use more sunscreen than you think you need. That river representation is no scam.
The Strange and Wonderful Rhubarb Festival
In case you happen to visit in early 06, you're in to get a treat—or at minimum something very memorable. Lanesboro is the Rhubarb Capital of Minnesota , and they get that title quite seriously. The Rhubarb Festival is one of the most unique things to do in Lanesboro MN since it is so unapologetically quirky.
There are rhubarb tasting contests, rhubarb fashion shows (yes, people wear stalks of rhubarb), and also a rhubarb-themed song contest. It's small-town charm dialed upward to eleven. It's a bit ridiculous, totally wholesome, plus a good way to see the community's character on full display. Even if you think you dislike rhubarb, you'll probably look for a pie or even a preserve presently there that changes your mind.
Stay in a Changed Jail or the Historic Inn
Since Lanesboro is famous for its B& Bs, you really should skip the common hotels and remain somewhere with the story. For some thing truly unique, look into the Iron Equine Outfitters & Resort . They have an area that used to be the particular old city prison. It's been renovated to be comfortable, obviously, but it's still got that will cool, edgy history.
If jail isn't your vibe, there are plenty of Victorian mansions like the Mrs. B's Historic Inn or the Lanesboro Pastry Shoppe (which provides rooms upstairs). Keeping in these places feels like stepping back again into the late 1800s, but with much better plumbing. The proprietors usually have great stories about the town and can point you toward the best hidden spots that aren't on the maps.
Digging in to Local Flavors
You won't discover a single McDonald's or Starbucks right here, and honestly, that's a blessing. Instead, you get locations like Another Time Ice Cream Parlor , which serves up massive scoops of Licorice or Salted Caramel. For dinner, The Old Village Area is a classic option with great sights and even much better food.
One of the most unique things regarding the food scene is usually how much of it is sourced locally. Since the city is surrounded simply by farms, the constituents are frequently incredibly fresh. If you're a coffee lover, hit up Lanesboro Coffee to fuel upward before each day associated with exploring. Everything is local, everything is definitely independent, and almost everything tastes enjoy it was produced by somebody who actually cares.
Final Thoughts on Lanesboro
At the end of the day, Lanesboro is a place to go to detach. It's about the sound of the particular river, the creak of a bike chain, and the particular smell of woodsmoke from the nearby plantation. It's a city that has figured away how to develop without losing its soul, which may be the almost all unique thing regarding it.
Whether you're there for the expert theater, the Amish crafts, or simply to eat your weight in rhubarb pie, you'll keep feeling a lot lighter in weight than once you came. If you're searching for a vacation that's genuinely various, you truly can't defeat this little part of Minnesota. Maintain your eyes open up, talk to the locals, and don't be afraid to take an arbitrary turn down a small road—that's usually where the best stories start.