Best Small Towns in Minnesota for a Weekend Getaway

Quick answer: Minnesota’s best small towns for a weekend getaway include Red Wing, Afton, Mankato, and St. Paul. Red Wing and Mankato reward travelers who can go a little farther. Every town on this list has a real Minnesota bed-and-breakfast worth booking.

Small towns in Minnesota make an easy weekend getaway for anyone in the Twin Cities. The Midwest Association of Independent Inns connects travelers with independent innkeepers across the Midwest instead of chain hotels. Staying at any of these inns supports someone who lives right in town.

Explore MWINNS member inns before planning your route, since fall and summer weekends book quickly.

How Far Are Minnesota’s Best Small Towns From Minneapolis?

Distance shapes which of these small towns in Minnesota fit a weekend trip. Several make for easy weekend trips from Minneapolis with only a day’s notice. Afton, Red Wing, and Mankato count among the Minnesota river towns worth a stop. All four rank among the best towns in Minnesota for a getaway close to home.

Here’s how far each town sits from Minneapolis:

Afton: about 25 minutes from the Twin Cities
St. Paul: inside the Twin Cities metro itself
Red Wing: about one hour from Minneapolis
Mankato: about an hour and a half from Minneapolis

Each option still fits within a comfortable day-trip range. Booking directly with a member inn means working with the owner rather than a call center. Most innkeepers know the town well enough to point guests toward a favorite trail or restaurant.

Red Wing and Afton sit close enough together to combine into one loop along the same rivers. Even the farthest towns work well as an extended weekend rather than a full week away.

What Makes Red Wing One of Minnesota’s Best Small Towns?

Red Wing pairs a walkable downtown with bluff-top views of the Mississippi River. Barn Bluff rises just north of downtown and rewards hikers with a wide river view. The bluff forms part of the Great River Road, a scenic route that follows the Mississippi for hundreds of miles.

Levee Park sits along the water, an easy stop between downtown and the bluff. Shoppers spend an afternoon at the Red Wing Shoe Store and the Pottery Museum. Both trace back to Red Wing’s history as a manufacturing center around the turn of the twentieth century.

Round Barn Farm B&B and Event Center is a bed and breakfast in Red Wing, Minnesota. Visitors can walk downtown for dinner or drive up to the bluff for sunset views. Bluffs along the river turn vivid shades of red and gold each October. Fall visitors often pair a Red Wing trip with the wider list of fall colors in Minnesota. It makes for a longer color tour weekend.

Which Small Towns Near Minneapolis Are Best for a Quick Overnight Trip?

Afton, Mankato, and St. Paul are three small towns in Minnesota, each built for a quick overnight stay. These weekend getaways from the Twin Cities suit a single night away.

Afton sits a quick 25 minutes from the Twin Cities along the St. Croix River. The town borders the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, a protected stretch popular with paddlers. Afton Alps draws skiers and snowboarders each winter, just minutes from downtown. Afton House Inn brings a MWINNS member stay right into town.

Mankato rests roughly an hour and a half from Minneapolis along the Minnesota River. Minneopa State Park lies just outside town and is known for its waterfall and resident bison herd. Moulin Rouge House B&B and Laven House B&B both operate as MWINNS member inns in Mankato.

St. Paul offers a similar escape without leaving the Twin Cities metro. Historic District B&B offers travelers a MWINNS-member stay in one of St. Paul’s oldest neighborhoods. Victorian homes and tree-lined streets make the area easy to explore on foot. It works well for a quick Minnesota getaway with little driving. Couples looking for something extra can also browse romantic getaways in Minnesota for ideas.

Which Small Towns Are Worth a Longer Drive?

Red Wing and Mankato ask for a bit more driving than Afton or St. Paul. Both still work well for a single weekend trip.

Red Wing sits about one hour from Minneapolis. Round Barn Farm B&B and Event Center offers travelers a Red Wing, Minnesota, bed-and-breakfast worth the drive.

FAQ

What Is the Closest Small Town Getaway from Minneapolis?

Afton is the closest option, sitting about 25 minutes from the Twin Cities. St. Paul offers that same convenience without leaving the metro. Both let travelers skip a long drive entirely.

How Far Is Red Wing From Minneapolis?

Red Wing sits about one hour from Minneapolis along the Mississippi River. Barn Bluff, Levee Park, and the downtown shops fill a full day on their own. Staying overnight adds time for a hike up Barn Bluff and a relaxed morning before the drive home.

What Are the Best Small Towns in Minnesota for a Weekend Trip?

Red Wing, Afton, Mankato, and St. Paul all have a MWINNS member inn. Each town pairs its inn with nearby sights.

Can I Visit Small Minnesota Towns in One Weekend?

Yes, Afton, Mankato, and St. Paul all work well for a single weekend trip. Red Wing can also fit into two days with an early start.

What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit These Minnesota Towns?

Fall brings vivid color along the bluffs, especially in Red Wing. Summer suits river towns like Afton and Mankato, with warm days for hiking and paddling.

Ready to Book a Small Town Getaway in Minnesota?

Small towns in Minnesota turn a single weekend into a real getaway. Each destination on this list pairs a walkable downtown with a real bed-and-breakfast. Explore lodging by city to start planning the trip.

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