Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Red Wing, MN
Year Listed: 2008
An aerial view of Red Wing and the Mississippi River.
Credit: Jon Love
Conveniently located only one hour south of the Twin Cities, Red Wing, Minnesota perfectly combines an impressive architectural history with an enviable natural environment. Historically and architecturally significant buildings dominate the community’s landscape and reflect its mid-19th century beginnings as a riverfront trade point.
This treasure trove boasts a total of 25 listings on the National Register of Historic Places while its downtown district retains the majority of the commercial buildings that were constructed during the city’s early boom period of 1860 - 1910. Red Wing has long been considered a leader in the historic preservation movement in Minnesota, maintaining and rehabilitating a wide range of structures throughout the city. Landmarks include the St. James Hotel, one of the region’s most celebrated hotels and a member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America, the Sheldon Theatre, a turn-of-the century cultural icon, and the west residential historic district, a neighborhood that retains much of its original character and architectural styles, including Italianate, Queen Anne, Classical Revival and Prairie School.
Flower baskets outside the Red Wing Depot.
Credit: Jon Love
Natural resources abound with Red Wing’s riverfront, majestic bluffs, hiking trails and immaculately preserved city parks. The city’s most famous landmark, Barn Bluff, showcases sweeping views of the area. From the top of the 340-foot bluff, miles of Wisconsin’s and Minnesota’s urban and rural countryside are visible against the backdrop of the Mississippi River. The city is also noted for a 19.7 mile paved bike trail that runs parallel to the Cannon River between Red Wing and Cannon Falls. With overhanging cliffs that allow for extensive views of nature’s seasonal changes, the area is unsurpassed for its beauty and serenity. Red Wing is celebrated for being one of the Top Ten locations in the United States for its spectacular fall foliage.
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