Four Hidden Gems In Minnesota Worth Visiting In 2026

If traveling more is one of your New Year's Resolutions for 2026, let me help you out with 4 overlooked Minnesota cities that you should make time to get to in 2026. Chances are you've heard of these towns, or driven by them on your way to places like Duluth, Rochester, or the Twin Cities. Let's see where you are going in 2026.

Get Out And Explore In 2026

Of course, there are plenty of Minnesota cities, great and small, that deserve to be highlighted, but these four stand out as being overlooked/overshadowed by larger cities nearby.

All of these cities are great to visit year-round, as they offer plenty to do and see. Let's get to the list!

Grand Marais

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Grand Marais was a French fur trading hub back in the 1700s, and before that was home to the Ojibwe people. Today, Grand Marais is a tourist destination, specifically in the warmer months, as the town offers up the Fisherman's Picnic, Moose Madness, the Grand Marais Arts Festival, and a bike race known as Le Grand Du Nord.

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I had the chance to see Grand Marais during the peak of fall color in October, it was beautiful to see the vibrant color against the steely-blue gray of Lake Superior. Need a breakfast suggestion when you visit? The South of the Border Cafe is steps from a downtown farmers market on the weekend, and they make a mean breakfast sandwich.

Biwabik

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Biwabik is the gateway to the East Range on the Mesabi Iron Range in Minnesota. The town has a Bavarian theme to it and is home to great golf and skiing, making it a year-round destination for those who like the outdoors.

Biwabik also offers up laid back things to do, like the summer time Music in the Park event that happens on Thursday nights, plus they have city-wide rummage sales in both the Spring and Fall, for those that like to find hidden treasures. When you go to visit, be on the lookout for Honk the Moose, named so because of the sound the real-life moose made.

Lanesboro

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Lanesboro is found in the Southeastern portion of Minnesota, where the Root River can be found meandering through town. It's a place that avid bicyclists will love as it's part of the Root River State Trail. An Amish community nearby offers up the taste of the simpler life.

On top of the trail, the art community also brings people into Lanesboro, as the Commonweal Theater Company calls downtown home. Fans of the arts can also take in the art gallery downtown between rides on the trail. Sylvan Brewing is pictured above. I haven't been, but I've heard good things.

Scandia

Google Maps

Scandia is believed to be the first Swedish immigrant settlement in Minnesota, as records indicate the first log cabin was built in 1850. It's located near the border of Wisconsin in Washington County, and offers visitors a 'Barn Quilt' bike trail that runs 16 miles, the Gammelgården of Scandia, and it's pretty much right between two state parks, Interstate State Park and William O'Brien.

Coming soon, there will be a project starting to bring back the water barn. You can learn more about that here.

The pace of residents in Scandia is so relaxed, you'd think you've gone back in time, where the pace of life is slower.

Need a bite to eat after the drive down to Scandia? Check out this small bar that packs 'em in for Friday fish fry's as well as offering up hand-cut fries and burgers.

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Source: 4 Overlooked Minnesota Cities You Need To Visit In 2026