The Surprising Minnesota Town That Makes An Excellent Weekend Getaway
By Betsy Rathburn|Published January 26, 2022
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Betsy Rathburn
Author
Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
Looking for a weekend getaway? If you’re like most Minnesotans, your first thought might be to head way up north to a cabin or resort. There are countless places to stay all across northern Minnesota, and all are worth visiting. But this isn’t the only place to have a fun weekend away. Small towns all across Minnesota offer up beauty and recreation, and the place we’d like to feature today is no different. If you’re looking for a new town to visit, one that you might not expect, plan a trip to Pine City, Minnesota, for a fun-filled weekend getaway. Read on below to learn more about this lovely little town:
Pine City is a small town in east-central Minnesota. It's about 70 miles north of the Twin Cities, or 90 miles south of Duluth. The town has just over 3,000 people and plenty of things to do for entertainment.
While there are no hotels in Pine City, there are many Airbnb stays all around the city, both in town and on the outskirts. You can get a river or lakeside home, a wooded cabin, or a house in town. These stays are wonderful places to relax on your weekend away from home!
After you check in, head out to explore all that Pine City has to offer. Despite its small size, there is plenty to do. Pine City's Main Street is walkable, with plenty of local shops and restaurants to check out. When you want to rest, head downtown to Robinson Park to enjoy a wonderful picnic and playground area.
Voyageur Park is another fun Pine City park. It features the Voyageur statue, a symbol of the town. This 35-foot-tall statue was carved out of redwood and placed here in 1992. Take a photo, then walk around the lovely riverside park. Disc golf is another popular activity to do here.
Speaking of the river, there are many activities along it. A boat landing across from Voyageur Park makes it easy to access the river for fishing, floating, or swimming. Use the river to explore Cross Lake and Pokegama Lake, both popular spots for locals to get out on the water.
Beyond the Snake River, Pine City has even more nature to explore. Highway 8 leads to the St. Croix River, which separates Pine City from Wisconsin. Along the way to the boat landing, which features lovely views, you can stop for a hike in the Chengwatana State Forest. See if you can find the Million Dollar Bridge hidden in the woods!
When it's time to grab a bite, there are plenty of great places to stop. Pizza Pub is a popular spot near Robinson Park, as is Nicholl's Cafe. Head a little farther down Main Street to eat at an old-school A&W or at Chubby's across the street. For dessert, head a bit farther down the road for dessert at the local Dairy Queen!
In addition to restaurants, Pine City also has plenty of shopping. There are several thrift stores in town, the largest being Family Pathways, which shares a parking lot with A&W. Definitely head in here to find new-to-you treasures! If you're a crafter, check out the Pine City Scrapbooking Co.
Pine City is a wonderful small town in Minnesota. It's fun all year, and it only gets better during special events. The Pine County Fair draws in people from all over the place. Art in the Park events are held on Fridays throughout the summer. And the annual East Central Minnesota Pride event, held every June, is the largest event of its kind in the area!
All in all, Pine City has a ton to offer to visitors. It’s a fantastic community with plenty to do, from restaurants and shops to natural areas to special events. It makes for a fantastic weekend getaway!
Have you ever been to Pine City? What was your favorite thing to do there? Let us know in the comments! And if you’re interested in visiting other small towns in Minnesota, check out our list of charming towns in Minnesota that are perfect for a weekend trip.
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