The Most Beautiful and Underrated Small Towns in Minnesota

Minnesota is packed with adorable small towns rich with history, but let’s be honest - some get all the attention. You know the ones with the quirky festivals, the famous landmarks, or out of this world state parks.

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Minnesota’s Most Underrated Small Towns to Visit This Spring:

But what about the ones that fly under the radar? The towns that don’t make every travel list but absolutely should?

According to Reddit users, there are plenty of underrated Minnesota towns that deserve all the love.

Lake City:

One of my absolute faves to visit. One Reddit user said they think Bluff country is the prettiest part of the state, saying maybe even prettier than than the North Shore. "There's a lot of old downtowns that are underrated, and most of them are in nice river valleys."

Excelsior:

Home to the the oldest professional theater in Minnesota, The Old Log Theater. Located on Lake Minnetonka. A Reddit user calls it a charming old farming town that has retained a downtown area with local shops, nice bars and eateries.

Also See: Today's Homeowner's Pick For The Most Underrated Spot in All of Minnesota

Wabasha:

Several people mentioned Wabasha, calling that whole Great River Road a beautiful area to drive with some nice little restaurants and breweries along the way, plus a bike trail along the river. And lets not forget the National Eagle Center! 

Crosby/Ironton:

Reddit users rave about this area because of the great biking trails around the clear water mine pits fully stocked with trout, numerous lakes, and great restaurants. Another user pointed out that they have a great coffee and ice cream spot where one can try fun flavors, "and the mine pit lakes are so clear people scuba in some of them."

Related: Picturesque Minnesota Town Now Minnesota's Coolest Small City

Faribault:

I used to go camping in Faribault as a kid and absolutely loved it. A Reddit user said the downtown is pretty impressive, lots of neat old buildings that really have a lot of character. This is one of the bigger "small towns" on our list with breweries, a nature center, state park, and more.

St. James:

Another picturesque small town loaded with bike trails, lakes, parks, and campgrounds. One Reddit user swears they had “the best burger of my life” at a local hometown cafe.

Did we miss any? What town is the most underrated in your opinion?

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