Southern Minnesota is one of the cool places you’ll pass when going on a typical trip through the American Midwest.
Art, food, beer, professional sports teams, live music, hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, caves, limestone bluffs, rivers, and beautiful nature trails are some reasons why Southeastern Minnesota is one of the most popular United States holiday destinations.
Amazing things to do in Southern Minnesota include walking through the majestic Niagara Cave, watching bison from your car at Minneopa State Park, and standing under the bluffs along the Mississippi at Wabasha and Winona.
With so much to see and do, the trip will take several days to complete. Here’s a guide to the different Southern Minnesota attractions you’ll find on the way.
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An Introduction to Southern Minnesota
Southern Minnesota is one of the most picture-perfect stretches of the United States Midwest. Southeastern Minnesota tourism estimates several million people trek through the Midwest on vacation yearly – and so should you!
Southern Minnesota offers great restaurants, historical museums, rivers and caves, and nature conservation parks if you want to see nature from a few feet away.
Great accommodation is available at or close to most of the attractions listed here. Travel can be kept affordable with local car rental or taxi companies. Here’s your guide to going through Southern Minnesota and what there is to see.
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The Best Things to Do in Southern Minnesota
1. Niagara Cave
Address: 29842 Co Rd 30, Harmony, MN 55939, United States
Niagara Cave is one of the best things to do in Southern Minnesota if you are a nature lover or hiking enthusiast. As one of the largest natural caves in the United States, it receives thousands of visitors annually and is one of the best caves in Minnesota to visit.
Admission gets you through the door. Special bookings apply if you’d like to see shows or guided tours. Photography is allowed so that you can take as many pictures as possible.
Accommodation is available around the Niagara Cave area if you’d like to stay before going to the next stop on your trip.
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2. Pipestone National Monument
Pipestone is free. There is no entrance fee, no parking fee, and no charge for tours or programs, so no America the Beautiful pass is needed.
Address: 36 Reservation Ave, Pipestone, MN 56164, United States
Pipestone National Monument is one of several monuments littered throughout the American Midwest. While it’s not usually the first place you think of as a Minnesota destination, it must be.
This National Monument is one of the best Southern Minnesota vacation spots, particularly when you pair it with a stay in the historic town of Pipestone. Quiet and serene, Pipestone National Monument offers a closer look at the monument for a fee and is one of the most relaxed tours you can choose.
It’s an easy hike and could be one of the best things to do in Southeastern Minnesota this weekend. Affordable accommodation is available a stone’s throw from Pipestone National Monument if you’d like to stay before your trip continues.
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3. Forestville Mystery Cave State Park
Cave tours are seasonal and ticketed separately from park entry. The Scenic Tour costs $15 for adults and $10 for ages 5 to 12, with under-fives free, and the 2026 season runs May 9 to October 18. The cave holds at 48 degrees year-round, so bring a layer even in July. You also need a state park vehicle permit, $7 daily or $35 annual, on top of the tour ticket.
Address: 21071 County Rd 118, Preston, MN 55965, United States
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park, located in the heart of Southern Minnesota, is one of the best among Minnesota’s state parks.
It’s one of the first places to visit if you want an experience that brings you right up to nature. You can follow one of their hiking trails, take a guided park tour, or soak in the incredible atmosphere.
It’s breathtaking. Admission fees are under $20 and are cheaper for kids. Plan for at least 1 to 2 hours here. It’s the type of place you’ll want to stay at for just five more minutes!
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4. Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Note: Como Park Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul is in the Twin Cities metro rather than southern Minnesota proper, but it is an easy add-on at the start or end of a trip south.
Address: 1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103, United States
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is a rare, completely free zoo found in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a must-visit for kids and adults alike. More than 500 wildlife species are represented here at one of the most beautifully manicured and popular parks in Saint Paul.
While the traditional idea of going to the zoo isn’t as popular as it used to be, Como Park is more than your average zoo. Como Park focuses on conservation and education, and the fair treatment of all the animals in their care is guaranteed.
Educational talks, trails, and seminars provide extra education about the animals you’ll see here, and it’s not just for younger visitors: there’s plenty for adults to explore. Stop by the gift shop or experience any of the small restaurants that can be found not too far from here.
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5. Quarry Hill Nature Center
Address: 701 Silver Creek Rd NE, Rochester, MN 55906, United States
Quarry Hill Nature Center is one of the many caves you will drive past while you make your way through Southern Minnesota. It’s rated as one of the best nature-themed stops in the area and worth at least several hours of your time.
Quarry Hill is located in Rochester and features a huge 329-acre stretch of beautiful nature. Visitors will definitely want to stop and see the cave, where guided tours can give you a closer view of the best parts.
But Quarry Hill Nature Center is much more than something pretty – several great activities exist. Skiing is available during certain times of the year. The Center presents skiing lessons if you still find your snow feet.
Educational talks for younger visitors are presented at the Children’s Pond and are best booked in advance. While you’re here, check out downtown Rochester, as it’s one of the most charming small towns in Southeast Minnesota.
6. The National Eagle Center
Admission is $14 for adults 16 and over, $12 for seniors 65 and over, and $10 for youth aged 5 to 15, with children four and under free. The center is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a reserved seat at the live eagle program is $5 extra.
Address: 50 Pembroke Ave, Wabasha, MN 55981, USA
How often do you get to go straight up to bald eagles? I’ll wager it’s not often. The National Eagle Center is one of the best Minnesota attractions for anyone who loves to get up close and personal with nature while learning about the topic, perhaps even with a bird!
The National Eagle Center is one of the top conservation centers for eagle health in the United States. For visitors, the National Eagle Center is where you’ll find talks and up-close experiences with these great creatures.
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7. The Minneapolis Institute of Art
Note: the Minneapolis Institute of Art is in the Twin Cities metro rather than southern Minnesota proper, but it is an easy add-on at the start or end of a trip south.
Address: 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404, United States
Yes, we know that Minneapolis is not the most southern city in Minnesota, but it is technically in the southern half of the state. The city of Minneapolis is an art Nirvana; you’ve got the Weisman Art Museum, the Walker Arts Center, and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
Among these giants is The Minneapolis Institute of Art, located at 2400 Third Avenue in South Minneapolis. The Institute is one of the most well-known art galleries in the world, and it can’t be missed on the way through if you are an art lover, or even if you aren’t – it is a simply incredible art museum that covers a huge array of styles and topics.
Given the aesthetic and the park across the street with skyline views, it’s one of the best places to take pictures in Minneapolis. This grand old building houses a collection of more than 80,000 unique objects.
A small inside gift store offers posters, prints, and other cool stuff you might want to take home to remember your visit. Books are also available if you are interested in a specific collection and want more information.
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8. The Mall of America
Note: the Mall of America in Bloomington is in the Twin Cities metro rather than southern Minnesota proper, but it is an easy add-on at the start or end of a trip south.
Address: 60 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425, USA
The Mall of America is internationally famous as one of the largest by-area retail complexes in the United States and the largest mall in the States. Located in Bloomington, next to MSP International Airport, it’s one of the most popular Minnesota attractions for tourists and local visitors who want to get their retail therapy sessions on the road.
Once inside the greatest mall in the land, you can explore more than 500 stores. These include shoes, clothing, food, electronics, art, furniture, and gaming. You’ll probably find it here if you can add it to your wishlist.
It’s like a huge, physical Amazon store where you can buy anything you can name. Expect to do a lot of walking as you walk through the aisles and from store to store. While it’s not a hiking trail, it can feel like one after about an hour’s worth of walking back and forth.
It’s a good thing there’s a huge food court to explore and several great restaurants to fuel up at! Not only that, there’s an indoor theme park in the form of Nickelodeon Universe, the SeaLife Aquarium, the Crayola Experience, and a water park for kids’ activities, as well as hotels right outside for overnight trips.
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9. Minneopa State Park
Address: 54497 Gadwall Road, Mankato, MN 56001
Minneopa is the one southern Minnesota park that gives you two genuinely different things in a single stop. The first is the waterfall: the Minnesota DNR calls it southern Minnesota’s largest, a double falls dropping roughly 40 feet into a wooded gorge, reachable on a short walk from the parking area.
The second is the bison. The park keeps a herd of 30 to 40 animals on about 325 acres, and you drive your own vehicle through the range on Bison Drive Road while interpretive commentary plays over your car radio. Two things to plan around: Bison Drive Road is closed every Wednesday for maintenance, and the drive hours change with the season, so check the park page before you set out. A Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required – $7 for a single day or $35 for the year – and the same permit covers Forestville, Mystery Cave and Nerstrand Big Woods on this list.
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10. The Spam Museum
Admission is free, and so are the guided tours. The museum opens Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Note the 9 a.m. weekday opening – several listing sites still show 10 a.m.
Address: 101 3rd Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912, USA
For sheer strangeness, nothing else on this list comes close to the Spam Museum in Austin. It’s the only place in the world other than the state of Hawaii where Spam is loved exactly this much.
Not the dreaded e-mails you must occasionally clear out, but the squidgy pink foodstuff typically found in cans. Follow Spam from its invention to modern enjoyment, with resources and selected recipes on display.
Strange? Yes. Worthwhile? Also yes. It’s one of the most fun and unique things to do outside the Twin Cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, but you’ll want to visit a restaurant once you’re done. Check out these other best museums in Minnesota if you love learning about art and history in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
11. Four Daughters Vineyard, Winery & Restaurant
Address: 78757 MN-16, Spring Valley, MN 55975, United States
Four Daughters Vineyard, Winery & Restaurant is located outside of the big cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Spring Valley. Opening hours are later in the day, from 11 a.m.
With bookings, you can experience an incredible one-of-a-kind wine-tasting experience in their tasting room or stay longer and sample some of what the excellent in-house restaurant has to offer.
If you are not a traditional wine drinker, a restaurant that serves beers and other refreshments is also available on the menu. The food is top-rated, and alternative options are available if you are gluten-intolerant or vegan. While small, that’s exactly what counts when the “small town” atmosphere matters.
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12. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
Address: 9700 170th St E, Nerstrand, MN 55053, USA
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park is located at 9700 170th Street (East) and was first opened to the public in 1945. It’s one of the most incredible forests you can find close by and one of the best hiking trails in the Upper Midwest.
The park’s trails line More than 11 miles of the forest, and that’s not all. If you want to spend more time in the forest, camping options are available at different price points. There’s a visitor center in the forest if you want to learn more about the beautiful environment around you.
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13. Orfield Labs Quiet Chamber
This one needs planning and a real budget. Visits are by appointment only, and the standard 1.5-hour tour, which includes a 20-minute session inside the anechoic chamber, is $200 per person with a two-person or $400 minimum per tour. Older articles quoting roughly $90 are out of date. Orfield still holds the Guinness World Record for the quietest place on earth, measured at -24.9 dBA in November 2021.
Note: Orfield Laboratories in Minneapolis is in the Twin Cities metro rather than southern Minnesota proper, but it is an easy add-on at the start or end of a trip south.
Address: 2709 E 25th St, Minneapolis, MN 55406, USA
The Orfield Labs Quiet Chamber is in Minneapolis at 2709 East 25th Street. It used to be named the quietest place on Earth according to the Guinness Book of Records, although its spot has since been overtaken.
There are many serious scientific reasons why the Quiet Chamber exists: research is one of them. But let’s be honest, a completely soundproof chamber is also fun.
Visits to the Quiet Chamber run into the expensive side, up to $125 per person a visit, but it’s worth it for the experience. Don’t stay inside too long; the lack of sound sends people barmy if they’re in one of these chambers for too long!
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14. Minnesota Marine Art Museum
Address: 800 Riverview Drive, Winona, MN 55987
Winona sits right on the Mississippi under the bluffs, and its art museum is built around exactly that: water, boats, and the people who work them. The collection runs from marine painting to river history, and the setting on the riverbank is half the point – the grounds and gardens face the water.
General admission is $12, seniors 62 and over pay $10, and students pay $7. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Mondays and federal holidays, with late opening until 8 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Check the current exhibition schedule before you drive out, because the galleries rotate and the headline shows change several times a year.
It also pairs well with the rest of a river day. Wabasha and the National Eagle Center are about 45 minutes upstream, and the bluff drives on either side of Winona are some of the best scenery in the state.
Also worth knowing: the landmark that is part of the country’s history most often mistaken for a southern Minnesota stop is the Frank Lloyd Wright service station in Cloquet. It is a genuine Wright building and worth seeing, but Cloquet is near Duluth in the northeast of the state, so save it for a different Minnesota road trip.
Southern Minnesota FAQ
What counts as southern Minnesota?
Southern Minnesota is generally the part of the state south of the seven-county Twin Cities metro, running from the Iowa border up to roughly the Minneapolis and St. Paul suburbs. The southeastern corner along the Mississippi is often called Bluff Country.
Do I need a permit for Minnesota state parks?
Yes. Every vehicle entering a Minnesota state park needs a permit. A one-day permit is $7 and a year-round permit is $35. The annual permit covers all state parks, so it pays for itself in five visits.
Where can you see bison in Minnesota?
Minneopa State Park near Mankato has a drive-through bison range with a herd of 30 to 40 animals on about 325 acres. You stay in your vehicle. Bison Drive Road closes every Wednesday for maintenance and the hours vary by season.
Is the SPAM Museum free?
Yes. Admission to the SPAM Museum in Austin is free, and so are the guided tours. It is open Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What is the longest cave in Minnesota?
Mystery Cave, in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park in Fillmore County, with more than 13 miles of mapped passages. Tours run seasonally and the cave stays at 48 degrees all year.
When is the best time to visit southern Minnesota?
Late spring through early fall covers the most ground, since cave tours, the Minneopa bison drive, and the wineries all run then. Fall is the best time for the bluff country along the Mississippi, and winter is when bald eagles concentrate around Wabasha.
Tours in Southern Minnesota
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