Must See & Do

Fan Favorites. Whether indoors or out, high-brow or high energy, you’re going to find things you love in Winona. Here is what people say are some of their favorites.

Courtesy of Great River Shakespeare Festival

MINNESOTA MARINE ART MUSEUM

Prepare to be blown away. Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Matisse – name a master painter and chances are good they have original artwork hanging in the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. From a moody O’Keefe to a brilliant Degas to a jaw-dropping original “Washington Crossing the Delaware” painting that came to Winona from the White House – visitors are completely shocked to find this incredible museum in Winona. Bonus: Bring a picnic and settle in on the museum’s riverwalk to watch barges and eagles pass by while prairie gardens sway nearby in the breeze.

THE GREAT RIVER SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL

Plan to be in town between mid-June and late-July to take in a play by one of the finest Shakespearean theater companies in the country. With a national cast and an approach that aims to make Shakespeare fun for even non-theater lovers, The Great River Shakespeare Festival entertains more than 10,000 people annually who come from far and wide. Come to a show

and you’ll see why.

BLOEDOW BAKERY Savour Magazine called it one of the 50 best doughnut shops in the country and WCCO fans have named it Minnesota’s best bakery more than a couple of times, and there is a reason why: Secret recipes handed down for nearly 100 years create sweet treats that taste like equal parts of love, flour and magic. The maple long john is legendary – in fact, the whole bakery is. It’s no wonder that a line

forms out the door nearly every day of the week.

#winonaparkrec Think thousands of acres of public land crisscrossed with trails that are there for the wandering, whether you’re into gentle slopes or teeth-gritting descents. Winona is designated as a bike-friendly city and serves as a hub for bike routes across Southeastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin.

5.2

miles of paved paths around Lake Winona

ALL THINGS SUGAR LOAF

That rock pinnacle sitting about 500 feet above the city is more than just a landmark visible from miles away. It is also part of Winona’s storied past and today part of its very active present. Quarrying more than a century ago shaped it to something resembling a lump of sugar, and today that sweet landmark is part of Winona’s core recreational jam. Biking and hiking routes to its base offer sweeping views of the river valley, and climbing routes to the top will leave you feeling like king of the hill in a very big way.

Must See & Do

WINONA FOR WATER LOVERS

Hankering for a paddle? You picked the right spot. Winona has two beautiful lakes plus the Mississippi River, which meanders past Winona through a labyrinth of backwaters and islands, creating gentle waters for a leisurely paddle on one of the world’s mightiest waterways. Fun fact: The islands are public land - perfect for pulling up on for a picnic lunch. Don’t have a boat? No problem. The city rents access to canoes, kayaks and standup paddleboards (plus a whole lot of other stuff) in Lake Park, and boat rentals at Prairie Island Campground will get you out on the Mississippi River for a perfect day underneath soaring eagles.

6

COOL FESTIVALS

Winona knows how to entertain itself and there is a long slate of local festivals celebrating everything from the music of Beethoven to our steamboat-ladened past. Film, music, theater, even storytelling - Winona’s dance card is full of entertainment year-round that has featured world-famous performers (Yo-Yo Ma, anyone?), internationally acclaimed films, talented musicians and a whole lot of fun.

FOODIE ADVENTURES

We like great food in these parts and Winona has no fewer than 40 unique local eateries that you can’t taste the fare from anywhere else. In fact, restaurants have exploded here, bringing epicurean wonder and a heap of praise from great chefs with them. Interesting takes on American and farm-to-table cuisine are getting people like Andrew Zimmern excited about Winona’s food scene, and our authentic international kitchens are pure delight as well. Believe us, you’ll get excited too, but bring a pair of stretch pants with you.

8