Continental Divide
The city of Browns Valley is located along the Laurentian Continental Divide, a small rise in the land which influences whether water flows north to the Hudson or south to the Gulf of Mexico.

Samuel J. Brown Memorial Park
A historic cabin where you can learn about Browns Valley’s history.

Browns Valley Man
Uncovered in 1933, experts named the bone fragments “Browns Valley Man” and estimated it to be 9,000 years old.

Big Stone Lake State Park
Nestled on the shores of Big Stone Lake, or Bde Iŋyaŋ Takiŋyaŋyaŋ, this state park offers visitors a quiet camping experience complete with fishing, swimming, hiking and bird watching.

Ortonville Historic Buildings
A group of more than 15 historic properties along the shore of Big Stone Lake.

Big Stone County Museum
Built on the site of Paul Bunyan’s anchor, this museum features many treasures of the past and interpretations about life as a pioneer.

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge
Drive or bike the auto tour where you can enjoy the granite outcrops, wetlands and woodlands, prairie.

Plover Prairie
A beautiful nature preserve with a wide variety of plant and animal species.

Marsh Lake Dam
A lake on the Minnesota River with abundant fish, waterfowl and wildlife.

Chippewa Prairie
Natural A small prairie remnant of the once vast northern tallgrass prairie ecosystem.

Arv Hus Museum
Sawdust art, handcrafts, vintage photos and pioneer items from the culturally rich Milan area, with historian and curator Billy Thompson who has stories to tell that will keep you laughing all day!

Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area
With more than 33,000 acres of land and water, this WMA is made up of wetlands, brushlands, woodlands, and native prairie and provides great habitat for birds and wildlife.

Lac qui Parle State Park
This state park on Lac qui Parle Lake (in Dakota, Bde Iedaŋ ,or “little talking lake.”) has abundant wildlife and waterfowl, and includes the historic Fort Renville and Lac qui Parle Mission.

Fort Renville Historic Site
Fort Renville was a fur trading post established in 1826 at a Waḣpetuŋwaŋ Dakota village on the shore of the Minnesota River.

Lac qui Parle Mission
Joseph Renville invited missionaries to establish the Lac qui Parle Mission near this post in 1835.

Lac qui Parle County History Center
Exhibits feature the pioneer lifestyle, agriculture, Civil War artifacts and more. Robert Bly Study.

Camp Release State Monument
An important location in the US - Dakota War of 1862, this site is where the Dakota re-released 269 white captives and about 1,200 Dakota people surrendered to the victorious U.S. armies at the end of the war.

Montevideo Historic Buildings
Join us in Montevideo as we celebrate what makes America so great, keeping the history of our individuals while coming together as one people. Sites of interest in the area include: Chippewa Historic Village Camp Release Monument Minnesota River Rapids Milwaukee Road Heritage Center Hollywood Theater on Main Historic Swenson Farm in Montevideo

Historic Chippewa City
A unique, 24-building, turn-of-the century village has been recreated here.

Milwaukee Road Heritage Depot
This is a museum reviving the history of the Milwaukee Road Railroad.

Olof Swensson Farm Museum
A 22-room house, timber-framed barn, family burial cemetery and remains of a grist mill.

Granite Falls Downtown District and River
Shop, fish, picnic, or kayak in downtown Granite Falls along the Minnesota River.

Granite Falls Footbridge
A footbridge in downtown Granite Falls that crosses the Minnesota River and was designed by the famous Roebling & Sons Company.

Andrew J. Volstead House Museum
This National Historic Landmark is a restored home that tells the story of Andrew Volstead and his family.

Yellow Medicine County Historical Museum
A museum that focuses on geology, archaeology and Native American artifacts

Fagen Fighters World War II Museum
This museum is home to the pristine collection of WWII trainer, fighter and bomber aircraft restored, owned and flown by Fagen Fighters.

Minnesota's Machinery Museum
Recapturing a century of stories about farm life, this museum features a six-acre plot filled with farm implements, tools, tractors, rural art and more.

Upper Sioux Community and Prairie's Edge Casino and Hotel
The Upper Sioux Community (or Pejuhutazizi Kapi) is a federally recognized Indian tribe and is host of the Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort.

Sacred Heart Area Museum
A museum with photographs and other memorabilia from the early pioneer days of Sacred Heart and the surrounding area.

Renville County Parks: Skalbekken
Experience the scenic water views with rushing waters of Limbo Creek, Hawk Creek and the Minnesota River at Skalkbekken County Park.

Wood Lake Monument and Battlefield
A tall granite monument erected by the State of Minnesota in 1919 near the Wood Lake Battlefield.

Joseph R. Brown State Wayside Rest
This wayside rest displays granite ruins of Joseph R. Brown’s home which was destroyed during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.

Renville County Parks: Vicksburg
Part of the Renville County Park system featuring history, camping, picnicking, canoeing, and a sandbar.

Schwandt Memorial
This was erected in 1915 in memory of Johan and Christian Schwandt who were killed in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.

Redwood County Historical Society (Poor Farm Museum)
The Old Redwood County Poor Farm houses is a museum with a variety of exhibits.

Redwood Falls Historic Buildings
Some of the Redwood Falls historic buildings are: the courthouse, saw mill, and many downtown buildings.

Ramsey Park, Caŋ ŝa yapi
A city park with the picturesque Ramsey Falls and the Swayback Bridge. The park is also known by its Dakota name Caŋ ŝa yapi where they paint the trees red.

Renville County Parks: Beaver Falls
Part of the Renville County Park system that features impressive overlooks, the wooded and cascading waters of Beaver Creek, and a horse camp.

Birch Coulee Battlefield State Historic Site
The Dakota’s most successful engagement during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 was fought at Birch Coulee.

Renville County Historical Museum
A museum packed with many exhibits, research library and a 1869 log cabin.

Morton Monuments
Two obelisk markers are located up on the bluff near Morton to honor combatants of the U.S.- Dakota War of 1862.

Lower Sioux Agency Historic Site
Find a dynamic Interpretive center and extensive trail system where you can explore the history and culture of the Dakota Oyate.

Lower Sioux Community and Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel
The Lower Sioux Indian Community is a federally recognized Indian tribe and is host of the Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel.

Gilfillan Farm Estate
An estate with a farm house to tour, as well as beautiful grounds. The site of Farmfest.

Fort Ridgely State Park & Historic Site
This state park offers opportunities for camping, hiking, picnicking, horse trails and access to the historic Fort Ridgely.

Sleepy Eye Depot Museum
A restored train depot houses a museum. Dakota Chief Sleepy Eye is buried on site under an impressive obelisk, with a full-size statue of him across the street.

Harkin Store
A 1870s general store where you can savor the sights and smells as you sample the wares or sit down for a game of checkers.

Milford Monument
Once a small settlement, a monument stands where more than 50 Milford Township residents were killed during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, making it one of the hardest-hit communities during the war.

New Ulm Historic District
New Ulm is a German city on the Minnesota River.

Hermann Monument
A 102’ tall monument and statue in New Ulm, MN to honor an ancient German hero.

Wanda Gág House Interpretive Center and Museum
The childhood home turned museum of Wanda Hazel Gag, author of classic children’s books.

Glockenspiel
This is a unique 45-foot, free-standing clock tower with animated figures that depict the city’s history in New Ulm, MN

Riverside Park Environmental Learning Center
This learning center displays on the value of the river with a pirate ship playground

Brown County Historical Museum
This notable building was built in 1910 in an eye-catching Northern German Renaissance-style, as the town’s Post Office; becoming the County Museum in 1984. Inside are three floors of rotating exhibits, featuring an award-winning exhibit of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. It contains over 5,000 family history files to help researchers. Open Mon.-Sat., 10 to 4 pm, May 1 to Oct. 31, reduced hours in the off-season. $5 admittance.

John Lind House
Built by Minnesota’s 14th governor in 1899, the John Lind house has been restored in the style in which it was originally built and is open for tours.

Minnesota Music Hall of Fame
Minnesota’s museum that honors musicians who have significantly contributed to the Minnesota Music scene.

August Schell Brewery Museum
Visit Minnesota’s oldest brewery, the August Schell Brewing Company.

Flandrau State Park
The gentle flowing Big Cottonwood River meanders through this state park park. The park features a sand-bottom swimming pond, picnic area, campgrounds and group center.

Minneopa State Park
A major waterfall in southwestern Minnesota tumbles through Minneopa State Park. An old stone mill and traces of Glacial River Warren can be found in the midst of the park’s native prairie that is filled with wildlife. The park offers camping, picnicking, and hiking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter.

Minnemishinona Falls
This county park is a scenic overlook, 42’ waterfalls located on the Judson Bottom Road.

Mankato Historic Districts
Mankato is home to two historic districts and 204 total properties on the National Register of Historic Places.

Dakota Wokiksuye Makoce (Land of Memories) Park
This park offers camping, hiking, river access, fishing, and an annual Wacipi (Pow Wow).

Sibley Park
This park along the Minnesota River is rich in history, and offers a storybook farm zoo and playground, and many natural areas.

Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota
This is Southern Minnesota’s most immersive and hands-on museum for kids.

Betsy-Tacy Houses Literary Landmarks
Betsy's House is restored as a museum to look just as it did when author, Maud (Betsy), lived there from 1892-1906. Tacy's House is an interpretive center and gift shop.

R.D. Hubbard House Museum
Built in 1871, this historic house museum stands as one of the finest examples of French Second Empire Style architecture in Minnesota.

Blue Earth County History Center and Museum
Explore exhibits featuring people, places, and events that shaped Blue Earth County, Minnesota.

CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour
Explore these outdoor sculptures displayed year-round in the City Centers of Mankato and North Mankato, Minnesota.

Carnegie Art Center, Mankato
This renaissance revival-style architecture Carnegie Library now houses a gallery of local artists' work.

Reconciliation Park
On the site of the largest mass execution in U.S. history, the park was dedicated on September 19, 1997, as a collaboration of the Bdewakaŋtuŋwaŋ Dakota and Mankato communities in a spirit of reconciliation.

Winter Warrior and Memorial Marker
A bronze historic marker and limestone sculpture of a Dakota Warrior stands here in honor of the warriors.

Riverfront Park
This park along the Minnesota River offers beautiful views.

Kasota Prairie Scientific & Natural Area
Located on a rock terrace 70 feet above the Minnesota River Valley, the Kasota Prairie, meaning “cleared-off plac”, is named for its view. Tread lightly, as there are no walking paths here, but the walking is rated relatively easy and bird watching is good.

St. Peter Historic District
Explore this historic district, which remains a dynamic walkable downtown full of unique shops, art center, and great eateries.

St. Peter State Hospital Museum
The museum displays the history of Minnesota’s first and oldest state hospital.

Arboretum at Gustavus Adolphus College
Visitors can enjoy 130 acres of prairie, woodlands, wetlands, gardens, Interpretive Center, and a variety of unique features.

E. St. Julien Cox House
Home to one of the earliest settlers of St. Peter, Eugene Cox, the house was built in 1871, and is one of the few fully restored Italianate homes in Minnesota.

Treaty Site History Center
On this site, the Dakota signed a treaty with the U.S. government, along with another treaty signed a few weeks later, that transferred to the government 24 million acres of Dakota land. The History Center features an exhibit on the 1851 Traverse des Sioux Treaty, displays on local history topics.

Traverse des Sioux Historic Site
Follow the paths used by generations of Dakota and early French fur traders as you learn about the deeply complex historical significance of the site.

Ottawa Town Hall and Stone Church
Step back in time in this quaint village.

W.W. Mayo House
A small, Gothic-style house that was once home to the founders of the Mayo Clinic and Green Giant Company.

Henderson Historic District
Main Street in Henderson is a nationally registered historic district comprised of 13 vintage buildings all made from local red brick.

Sibley County Historical Museum
This is a museum housed in an 1884 brick mansion.

Joseph R. Brown Minnesota River Center
Explore this interactive displays and exhibits tell the stories of the Minnesota River, the history of a 33-county area, the life and works of Joseph R. Brown.

Ney Nature Center
This is a Nature Center on acres of native prairie and woodlands along the bluffs of the Minnesota River.

Belle Plaine Historic Buildings
With rich history dating back to 1854, the Belle Plaine and Minnesota Valley State Recreational Area greets you as you enter one of the gateways to the Minnesota River Valley National Byway.