Lanesboro is the postcard town of Minnesota’s Bluff Country, a small community in the Root River valley with century-old brick storefronts, Victorian houses that now serve as bed-and-breakfasts and a main street called Parkway Avenue. The paved Root River State Trail, about 42 miles long, runs through town and follows the river across dozens of wooden bridges, making it one of the best bike rides in the Midwest. Summer visitors also float the South Branch of the Root River on inner tubes, a roughly mile-long drift of about 45 minutes from below the dam to the County Road 250 bridge, then return by shuttle, bike or on foot. The Commonweal Theatre, a professional company, stages plays from spring through December, and local festivals include the Rhubarb Festival on the first Saturday of June, Art in the Park in mid-June and Buffalo Bill Days on the first weekend of August. Autumn is the busiest season for biking and leaf color. Lanesboro is roughly an hour from Rochester, so it works as a long day trip or an overnight escape from the hospital district.
Planning
Rooms in town are hard to get from May through October, so book early if you want to stay. If you are visiting for the day, start early, rent a bike from a local outfitter and ride a section of the trail, then have lunch on Parkway Avenue. Tubing and paddling depend on water levels and season. The theater has a performance calendar, so check dates. Dress for the weather, and bring water and sun protection in summer. In winter, the trail becomes a cross-country ski route and the town is very quiet.
What to expect
Gentle grades on the trail, with limestone bluffs, farmland and river views. Shops sell antiques, housewares, jewelry, art and local treats such as Amish cashew crunch and Spring Grove soda. Cooperative galleries and the Lanesboro Arts Center showcase regional artists. Restaurants and cafes offer hearty Midwestern meals, and many serve locally produced ingredients. The mood is relaxed, and visitors often linger.
Making the most of it
Pair Lanesboro with Mystery Cave and Forestville to the east, or with a drive through the small towns of Fillmore County. Cyclists can ride out and back to Whalan or Peterson, and families can choose short stretches. Photographers will find old bridges and bluff overlooks. If you want a quieter experience, visit on a weekday or in early summer, before autumn crowds arrive.
Good to know
Lanesboro was once a stop on a railroad line, and the trail follows the old rail corridor, which explains its gentle grade. The surrounding area has Amish farms, so expect to share some roads with horse-drawn buggies and drive carefully. Cell service can be spotty in the valley, so download directions and trail maps in advance.
A visit in spring brings wildflowers and morel hunting, while winter offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing for those who dress warmly and plan ahead. Bring cash for small shops and check the hours of cafes, which can be shorter on weekdays outside the main season.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided day trip to a Bluff Country river town with a paved bike trail, tubing and a professional theater.
Best time
Late spring through autumn; fall for color and biking.
How long
A full day.
Tips
Book lodging early for May to October and reserve bike rentals or tubing shuttles.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Cyclists, couples and anyone who wants a classic small-town day.
- Families
- Easy trail sections and tubing suit families.
- Couples
- Romantic B&Bs and a quiet main street.
- Pair with
- Mystery Cave and Forestville.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
How long is the Root River State Trail?+
The paved trail is about 42 miles long and crosses dozens of wooden bridges.
Can I go tubing?+
Yes. A roughly one-mile stretch of the South Branch takes about 45 minutes; arrange your shuttle or walk back along the trail.
Is there a theater?+
Yes. The Commonweal Theatre stages plays from spring through December.
When is Lanesboro busiest?+
Autumn is the most popular season for biking, and rooms are hard to get from May through October.
What festivals are held?+
The Rhubarb Festival in early June, Art in the Park in mid-June and Buffalo Bill Days in early August.