Minnesota’s largest towns and cities get all the attention. Even outside of the Twin Cities, smaller communities like Stillwater and Red Wing tend to overshadow the state’s tiniest towns. But there’s plenty to see in small-town Minnesota, from lively celebrations to local eateries and shops. In western Minnesota, there’s a little town called Dawson that is home to one of the most unique claims to fame in the state. This tiny town is strangely full of garden gnomes. How many Dawson, MN gnomes do you think you could find? Read on below to learn more about this quirky town.

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Have you ever been to Dawson? How many Dawson, MN gnomes did you see? Let us know about your experience in the comments. For other fun small towns in Minnesota to visit after staying in Dawson, check out some other rather unique small towns:

11 Small Towns In Minnesota With An Incredible Claim To Fame

 

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Minnesota’s Wonderful Small Towns

What are the most peaceful small towns in Minnesota?

The most peaceful small towns in Minnesota include:

  • Wabasha. A quiet town on the banks of the Mississippi River that is perfect for a quiet riverside stroll.
  • Harmony. An aptly-named town that has Amish culture everywhere as it’s Minnesota’s largest Amish community.
  • Holdingford. The state’s largest covered bridge can be found here which is affectionately called “The Gateway to Lake Wobegon.”
  • Two Harbors. With a lovely lighthouse and tons of natural beauty, this is a great place to come and relax.

Discover more about the most peaceful small towns in Minnesota

What are the most charming small towns in Minnesota?

The most charming small towns in Minnesota include:

  • Cosmos. With a cool-looking space water tower and an annual Cosmos Space Festival, this is quite a lovely place to visit.
  • Blue Earth. This place is best known for its 55-foot-tall Jolly Green Giant statue and it’s a lovely town in its own right.
  • Askov. Not only is it the Rutabaga Capital of the World, but the street signs have names listed in Danish and English.
  • Pine City. There’s a ton of natural beauty to explore as well as some excellent restaurants in its downtown area.

Learn more about the most charming small towns in Minnesota

What are the most historical small towns in Minnesota?

The most historical small towns in Minnesota include:

  • Hastings. Railroad history abounds here as it was where the Hastings & Dakota Railway and the Stillwater & Hastings Railway were started.
  • Winona. Ancient Native American villages can be found here and musicians will recognize the Hal Leonard Corporation as it makes the most sheet music in the world.
  • Pipestone. With deep Native American history, this area is still in use for harvesting the stone for peace pipes.
  • New Ulm. Filled with German culture, this was the site of two battles in the Dakota War of 1862. 

Find out more about the most historical small towns in Minnesota