Top Things to Do in Lanesboro, Minnesota

Most visitors come to Lanesboro for the trail system. Lanesboro (120 miles southeast of the Twin Cities) stands at the heart of the area's paved multi-use trails, including the 42-mile Root River Valley Trail and the 18-mile Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail. Art galleries, a seasonal farmers market and a professional theater round out a weekend trip here.

The professional theater is known for comedies, family shows and musicals. 

Tours of Minnesota's longest cave, west of Preston, range from a ¾-mile stroll to a four-hour crawl-on-your-belly expedition. Above ground at this park, you can explore tallgrass prairie, bluffs and the village of Forestville restored to its 19th-century appearance.

See works by more than 90 artists from Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, including beautifully displayed photography, jewelry, ceramics and literature.

Held seasonally at Sylvan Park, the market has vendors representing some of the region's 1,500 farms.

Visitors to one of the Midwest's largest limestone caverns—and its nearly 60-foot waterfall—should pack sweatshirts: It's a constant 48 degrees at the Harmony attraction.

The 60-mile system connects nine communities, with Lanesboro at its heart. Along the trails, watch for wildlife, barns dotting the countryside and scenic river overlooks. A bike-share program in five towns lends bikes for free.

Canoe, kayak or fish along the Root River, which has no major rapids.

At the modern cafe in Harmony, beef comes from a farm down the road. Try it as a burger dressed up with goat cheese, arugula and blackberry jam.

Sample seasonal flatbreads, cocktails and craft beer at this pub. Prime patio seating overlooks the river.

Try the huge cookies and sticky buns at this small-town cafe with an upscale edge. Lunch sandwiches are good too.

This mainstay has a deck overlooking the Root River Bike Trail. When it's in season, try the morel mushroom and chopped sirloin soup.

Burgers, grain bowls and vegan sausage with locally sourced ingredients rule at Pedal Pushers. Try the homemade draft root beer or have a Minnesota craft beer.

At the end of a Lanesboro area bike ride, kick back on the wraparound porch or one of the parlors of this 1908 Victorian home. Each day starts with a gourmet multi-course breakfast.

Five miles east of Lanesboro, well-appointed cabins, each with multiple bedrooms and easy access to the Root River Trail, make family reunions a breeze. 

The four rooms embody steampunk style above a motorcycle shop ("100% doily free"). Ask about scooter rentals or a tour on the region's backroads.

Between Lanesboro and Preston, the property offers a campground and hostel, plus a golf course and pool. The namesake barn houses a restaurant and music venue.

Guests stay in one of 13 themed rooms created in an 1885 feed mill; some rooms preserve original mill equipment inside.

For more information visit lanesboro.com