Small town Granite Falls on the Minnesota River features the historic Volstead House Museum, a WWII air museum, and a spirited arts community. Just over two hours’ drive from Minneapolis, it makes for an easy overnight or weekend getaway.
The Lac Qui Parle Mission provides a glimpse into some of the earliest interactions between the Indians of the Upper Minnesota River area and the first white settlers, including Joseph Renville, who was instrumental in creating a system of writing the Dakota language.
Created as one of two Indian agencies created by the Sioux treaty of 1851, the Upper Sioux Agency is now a state park with history exhibits and nice hikes.
Lake Shetek is the largest lake in southwestern Minnesota and the Lake Shetek State Park that borders its east side makes for ample recreation opportunities.
The Blue Mounds State Park in the far southwest corner of the state can be at once one of the less difficult yet most rewarding of the Minnesota State Parks trails.
Blue Mounds and Minneopa State Park, near Mankato, are the two parks where bison have been reintroduced, so there’s an obvious added attraction–if you’re lucky enough to get close enough to get a good look.
The Pipestone National Monument in southwestern Minnesota is the site of ancient quarries where Native Americans have dug out stone used for the carving of their ritual pipes.
The Jeffers Petroglyphs stone carvings in southwestern Minnesota preserve insights into the lives of the earliest residents of Minnesota.
A collection of historical sites in southwest Minnesota offers the story of the first white settlements in the area, and the events which led to the Dakota people being driven off their lands to reservations in the West. But not without a fight.
A bit of hiking and a bit of driving will get you some some looks at bison and some lovely waterfalls at Minnesota’s Minneopa State Park.