This Small Town In Minnesota Is Peak Midwestern Vibes
By Betsy Rathburn|Published February 03, 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.
The Midwest often gets a bad wrap. Its millions of square miles of diverse scenery, cities, and people are chalked up in two words: flyover country. But we who live in the Midwest know that our region is anything but. It’s interesting, welcoming, and full of wonderful things to do and see. The Minnesota town we’d like to introduce today proves it. With small-town charm, beautiful scenery, and plenty to do, it exemplifies everything the Midwest is about. Read on below to learn more about what you’ll find in this wonderful town.
Lanesboro, Minnesota, is a tiny town about 130 miles southeast of the Twin Cities, or about 40 miles southeast of Rochester. Fewer than 700 people live there, but it receives many visitors thanks to all that it has to offer.
First off, Lanesboro is located in one of Minnesota’s most beautiful areas. The rolling hills of southeastern Minnesota are exactly the kind of thing you’d expect to find in the Midwest.
The Root River cuts through the area, providing both fun and recreation. Visitors can float along the river or walk a trail alongside it. Either way is a fantastic way to get to know the landscape.
On the outskirts of Lanesboro, visitors will notice the seemingly endless farmland. It’s not uncommon to see horses pulling buggies along the rural roads. There is a sizable Amish population in the area.
Like any good Midwestern town, Lanesboro has a lovely downtown area. It’s full of historic buildings that house local shops and restaurants. It’s fun to browse on foot, ducking into each of the stores where you’ll undoubtedly be welcomed kindly.
Also in town, Lanesboro has a lovely landmark that it is proud of. In this case, it’s Sylvan Park, which is home to a beautiful waterfall dam. The park also has campsites, so it's a great place to spend the night.
There are other things to be proud of, too. For example, Lanesboro has a thriving art scene, with galleries and a professional theater company. Despite what stereotypes say about Midwestern towns, they are full of talented artists. Lanesboro proves it!
And if that isn’t enough for you, there are many events throughout the year where you’ll get a real sense of community. It all adds up to all that makes the Midwest great: a welcoming atmosphere, historic charm, beautiful scenery, and plenty to do. We highly recommend a visit to this quintessential Midwestern town!
