Looking for river views, art, and small-town charm? Head to Winona! Nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River and framed by stunning bluffs, Winona offers a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re exploring art museums, hiking scenic trails, or kayaking the backwaters, Winona delivers big experiences in a friendly Midwestern package.
Winona, MN Highlights:
- For Art Lovers: Tour the Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM) – Discover works by Monet, Van Gogh, and O’Keeffe alongside incredible marine-themed art.
- For Nature Seekers: Hike to the top of Garvin Heights – Get panoramic views of the Mississippi River Valley from this scenic overlook.
- For Music & Theater Fans: Catch a show at the Great River Shakespeare Festival – World-class performances each summer in a charming small-town setting.
- For Couples: Stroll through downtown Winona – Enjoy historic buildings, boutiques, cafés, and riverfront ambiance.
- For Families: Explore Lake Park – Picnic, paddleboat, or bike around this large, family-friendly green space with a rose garden and playground.
Best Time to Visit Winona, MN
The best time to visit Winona is from May to October. Spring and summer bring outdoor festivals, boating, and warm-weather adventures, while fall offers beautiful bluff-top foliage and crisp river views.
How to Get to Winona, MN
- By Car: Located along U.S. Highway 61, Winona is about 2.5 hours southeast of Minneapolis and 1.5 hours from Rochester, MN.
- By Train: Amtrak’s Empire Builder stops in Winona with daily service between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest.
- By Plane: The nearest major airport is Minneapolis–St. Paul International (MSP). La Crosse Regional Airport (LSE) is about 45 minutes away.
Where to Stay in Winona, MN
- Recommended for Families: The Plaza Hotel and Suites – Comfortable lodging with a pool, breakfast, and spacious rooms.
- For Couples: Carriage House Bed & Breakfast – Historic inn with charming decor, gourmet breakfast, and quiet elegance.
- For Budget Travelers: Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott – Clean, modern option near the university and downtown amenities.
Best Things to Do in Winona, MN
1. Minnesota Marine Art Museum
Rating: ★★★★★
I drove to Winona on a day trip from Rochester, MN (it's also a great day trip or weekend getaway from Minneapolis).
Usually I go for a walk or a hike when I arrive, but I just couldn't pass up a visit to this unique museum as soon as I arrived in Winona. You can learn all about the ongoing human relationship with water at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM).
I read that MMAM’s initial collection consisted of a massive accumulation of traditional marine paintings and a large number of folk artworks by Leo and Marilyn Smith.
The collection has expanded throughout the years so that today you can see a variety of artworks from American and European masters such as Turner, Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, O’Keeffe, and Cassatt.
Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM) , 800 Riverview Drive, Winona, MN, Phone: 507-474-6626
2. Garvin Heights
Afterwards, I grabbed a slice of pizza at Rocco’s Pizza close to the museum before heading to Garvin Heights.
If you want a scenic view of the area, don't miss this unique park. On the clearest of days, you can see over 30 miles of the sprawling city of Winona and Mississippi River Valley. To reach the lookout, you will have to drive, bike, or hike up the bluff for a mile and a half.
You can hike up a well-maintained, but winding trail that climbs up the bluff side, reaches a flight of stairs, and ends with a dirt path that curves along the edge of the bluff at Garvin Heights.
3. Lake Park
If you are an outdoor fan like me, you'll also want to check out Lake Park, a charming city park surrounding the lovely and serene Lake Winona.
You can hike on a five-mile long blacktop trail that runs along the city’s south side and circles both areas of the lake.
The route will give you some truly extraordinary views of the Park as well as the surrounding neighborhoods and bluffs.
You can walk, bike, or in-line skate on the trail. Lake Park is also home to Veteran’s Memorial Park, a tranquil beach with boat dock, playgrounds for your kids to play, a winter skating rink, sport fields, a Frisbee golf course, picnic areas, a band shell, and a rose garden with adjacent gazebo.
You are allowed to kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, and fish on Lake Winona.
W Lake Street, Winona, MN, Phone: 507-457-8258
If you are a photographer, don't miss:
4. Great River Bluffs State Park
If you are craving more outdoor scenery, visit Great River Bluffs State Park in the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest roughly 20 minutes southeast of Winona where U.S. Highway 61 and Interstate 90 connect.
Located in Minnesota’s bluff country, you get scenic bluff top views of the majestic Mississippi River valley.
I also love the hardwood forest here, side-hill prairies, pine plantations, and old fields.
You can go hiking, bird watching, and camping during the warmer months. Or visit for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the colder months.
121 7th Place E, Suite 360, St. Paul, MN, Phone: 651-556-8465
5. U.S. Highway 61
If you are traveling to Winona from Minneapolis, you will actually drive on U.S. Highway 61, commonly referred to as blues highway, a sprawling scenic highway traveling through the heart of the United States.
While you'll only get to see a smaller stretch of it, this highway spans 1,300 miles from New Orleans in the south to the bustling Twin Cities in the north, and on to the legendary Great Lakes ending at the Canadian border.
I was interested to learn that historically it served as more than just a road, it was an escape route for black Americans fleeing the rural south to establish new lives in cities like Memphis, St. Louis, and Chicago.
I enjoyed learning about how equally influential it was to blues history; several famous blues singers lived along its bordering communities and wrote songs about traveling it. Bob Dylan, Willie Dixon, and Artie White among them.
6. Winona County Historical Society
As a history buff, I loved the work that the Winona County Historical Society has done in this town to to preserve the rich history of Winona through three museums.
You can visit the main museum, the Winona County History Center (their headquarters) and learn about various interactive exhibits, and the Laird Lucas Library and Archives.
You can see what it was like during the Victorian era and pioneer days at the Historic Bunnell House. Originally built for fur-trader Willard Bunnell, it’s an exquisite example of Rural Gothic Architecture and you can explore the home with costumed guides encouraging you to participate in activities notable to the Victorian and Pioneer days
The Rural Heritage Museum is their latest addition it boasts several exhibits on rural life in Winona which you can visit with kids.
Address: 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, Phone: 507-454-2723
7. Pickwick Mill
Another kid-friendly attraction I enjoyed was the Pickwick Mill, a historic gristmill built by Wilson Davis and Thomas Grant from 1856 to 1858.
Situated on the banks of Big Trout Creek, I was interested to learn that it is one of the oldest mills of its kind in southeast Minnesota and was the first commercial mill west of the Mississippi River.
Powered by a 20-foot water wheel, the six-story mill boasts a timber frame and was made using locally quarried limestone. Most of the original machinery is still intact and operable which was very interesting to visit. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Pickwick Mill is now a museum showcasing its history through its exhibitions.
24813 County Rd 7, Winona, MN 55987, Phone: 507-457-0499
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
8. Sugar Loaf
Arguably the most distinguishing landmark you can see in Winona, Sugar Loaf is a towering bluff uniquely capped by a rock pinnacle situated along the Mississippi River.
Created by quarrying in the late 19th century, you will find the bluff rising above the junction of State Highway 43 and U.S. Highway 61.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the bluff, including its pinnacle, stands at nearly 585 feet above Lake Winona-you should definitely take a picture here!
You can enjoy incredible hiking trails and magnificent scenic vistas of the lake, river valley, and city.
Corner of Highway 61 and Highway 43, Winona, MN, Phone: 507-452-0735
9. Kashubian Cultural Institute & Polish Museum
While you are walking around downtown, check out the Kashubian Cultural Institute & Polish Museum. Housed in a historic three-story building originally constructed in 1890, this is a cultural complex devoted to the preservation of Winona’s Kashubian Polish heritage, letting you learn more about history on your trip.
The museum is located on the first floor and contains several exhibits showcasing the life of Polish immigrants in Winona and the neighboring cities.
There is also a gift shop adjacent to the museum where you can purchase clothing, music, books, and other imported artifacts from Poland.
The cultural institute includes two nearby buildings, the Schultz House, a heritage house, and the Annex, an event hall featuring a 165-foot tall mural depicting the lives of Polish immigrants and the contributions the made to the city.
102 Liberty Street, Winona, MN, Phone: 507-454-3431
There are many great places to eat near the museum, including Heirloom Seasonal Bistro and Acoustic Café.
I like write about day trip from Minneapolis and Minnesota which you can read about here.
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