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 visiting the Museum of Medical Quackery and Fraud, walking through the majestic Niagara Cave, or even shopping at the internationally famous Mall of America.
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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What We Cover
- An Introduction to Southern Minnesota
- The Best Things to Do in Southern Minnesota
- 1. Niagara Cave
- 2. Pipestone National Monument
- 3. Forestville Mystery Cave State Park
- 4. Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
- 5. Quarry Hill Nature Center
- 6. The National Eagle Center
- 7. The Minneapolis Institute of Art
- 8. The Mall of America
- 9. The Museum of Quackery & Medical Fraud
- 10. The Spam Museum
- 11. Four Daughters Vineyard, Winery & Restaurant
- 12. Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
- 13. Orfield Labs Quiet Chamber
- 14. Frank Lloyd Wright Gas Station
- Tours in Southern Minnesota
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 can be found around the Niagara Cave area if you’d like to stay somewhere before going to the next stop on your trip.
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2. Pipestone National Monument
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
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
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 definitely 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
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
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
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. The Museum of Quackery & Medical Fraud
Address: 120 W Kellogg Blvd. Fl 3. Saint Paul, MN 55102
The Museum of Quackery & Medical Fraud is an odd attraction at best. Still, it is one of the top Southern Minnesota tourist attractions—and will always continue to draw a crowd thanks to the incredible number of strange items you’ll find here.
Atlas Obscura lists this as a top travel destination, and we must agree! The Museum of Quackery & Medical Fraud is where you’ll see a medical history of the bizarre, from false claims to snake oils through the ages.
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10. The Spam Museum
Address: 101 3rd Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912, USA
If you thought the Museum of Medical Quackery & Fraud would be the strangest local attraction on this list, you might have to think again! Southern Minnesota also has the great 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
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. Frank Lloyd Wright Gas Station
Address: 202 Cloquet Ave, Cloquet, MN 55720, USA
The Frank Lloyd Wright Gas Station is important because it is a poignant landmark that is part of the country’s history and quite unlike any other gas station you might see across the United States: yes, it’s a one-of-a-kind piece of historic architecture.
Also called the R.W. Lindholm Service Station, it was designed by one of the most prolific architects in the States. As far as gas stations go, it’s a quirky stop on any Southern Minnesota road trip. Plus, it’s free!
Tours in Southern Minnesota
Led by expert local guides, this tour will take you on a captivating journey through Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Tour at one of the seven hills of Saint Paul, then head over to the State Capitol before weaving your way back into downtown. Along the way we’ll learn about the rich history of these great cities, stop for a coffee at a fantastic local establishment, and finish with a beer for the road.
Take a private tour of Minneapolis and St. Paul and see the best of both cities. This three-hour tour will take you to sixteen different sites, including the Mill District, State Capitol, University of Minnesota, and the Sculpture Garden. You'll learn about the local history, art, and culture from your knowledgeable guide while sipping on bottled water. This is the perfect way to get a comprehensive view of both Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Travel back in time and explore the rich history of Minneapolis through its bars and breweries on this one-of-a-kind walking tour. Your knowledgeable local guide will take you to four of the city's most beloved watering holes, regaling you with stories of temperance groups, alcohol smuggling, and the golden age of drinking in Minneapolis. You'll also have the chance to enjoy a delicious top-shelf drink at each stop.
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