Looking at the Bluff Country area as our new home. Is one small town bettet than the others? (Rochester: rentals)

[apimple]

My family and I like to live about 30 minutes from larger cities. There are a lot of small towns between Rochester and La Crosse. We're looking for highlights about these towns if possible. Thank you!!!

[akronbball]

Originally Posted by apimple

My family and I like to live about 30 minutes from larger cities. There are a lot of small towns between Rochester and La Crosse. We're looking for highlights about these towns if possible. Thank you!!!

Winona offers quite a bit for a city its size. Having the presence of two Universities (Winona State and St. Mary’s) plus the Technical College make it more exciting than it otherwise would be. There are a lot of sports and cultural options because of these schools. There is actually a pretty cool film festival next week in Winona. There are also a lot of outdoor options with three state parks within twenty minutes and the backwaters of the Mississippi and lakes right in town. Red Wing has done a much better job than Winona at preserving its downtown, but I think the natural beauty in Winona is better than Red Wing. The dining options are pretty limited, but La Crosse and Rochester provide some decent places.


Winona's Tourism Site (Winona, MN Tourism | Things to Do in Winona, Minnesota | Lodging, Shopping, Dining, Business Directory)

State Parks (State park map: Minnesota DNR)

Here are a few links to some of the Cultural Options in Winona.
Frozen River Film Festival (frff.org)
Great River Shakespeare Festival (Great River Shakespeare Festival)
Minnesota Marine Art Museum (Minnesota Marine Art Museum > Home)
Minnesota Beethoven Festival (Minnesota Beethoven Festival, classical music event, Winona Minnesota.)
Saint Mary's Page Series (Select an Event)

[Blazer]

Lanesboro is very nice. On the Root River State Trail that runs from Preston, MN to Houston, MN. Bike rentals so you can take advantage of the bike trail. There's the Commonweal Theater. Several good restaurants. Fantastic food at Riverside on the Root. Tubing and canoe rentals - floating down the Root River in a tube is great fun. Eagle Bluff Environmental Center is nearby. A crafts' festival every year around Fathers Day with great local artists and vendors. Sometimes overrun with tourists at the height of summer. Beautiful old homes and B&B's.