The little town of Lanesboro is worth seeing in and of itself; the entire business district is on the National Register of Historic Places. This is arguably one of the most beautiful towns in the state. Take some time to wander at your leisure.
To See and Do
Along the Minnesota-Iowa border is a small but thriving Amish community, and there are tour companies that offer rides through the beautiful area as well as stops at selected farms and shops. (For other more active tours, see Green Space and Outdoor Activities.)
Amish Tours of Harmony (507-886-2303 or 1-800-752-6474; amish-tours.com), 94 2nd Street, Harmony. Tours are given Mon.–Sat., Apr.–Nov. Adults $25; teens $20; children 4–12 $8; children 3 and under free. Discounts given if you use your own vehicle.
Bluffscape Amish Tours (507-467-3070 or 1-800-944-0099; bluffscape.com), 102 E. Beacon Street. Tours are given Mon.–Sat., early Apr.–early Nov. Adults $25; children $8; children 3 and under free.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN LANESBORO
Green Space and Outdoor Activities
BIKING AND BOATING Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley Trails (rootriver trail.org). This 60-mile paved trail system wanders along the Root River and through Lanesboro, offering both level trails (along a former railroad grade) and more challenging inclines that lead to gorgeous vistas. Those adventurous enough to bike the entire trail will be rewarded with changing scenery that includes wooded areas, rivers and bluffs, and an attractive array of wildlife. The trails are open for cross-country skiers in the winter (seasonal fees apply). If the riverways are what you want, local outfitters will rent canoes, kayaks, and inner tubes. Contact Root River Outfitters (507-467-3400; rootriveroutfitters.net), which offers shuttle service for one-way journeys, or Little River General Store (507-467-2943; LRGeneralStore.net), which rents boating equipment. Both outfitters also rent bikes and offer shuttle service with them.
PARKS Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park (507-352-5111 or 507-935-3251; dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/forestville_mystery_cave/index.html), 21071 County Route 118, Preston. Open daily. $7 day pass ($35 for an annual pass). Cave and Forestville tours offered daily Memorial Day–Labor Day, weekends mid-Apr.–Memorial Day and Labor Day–Oct. Various tours are offered at different prices, and advance reservations are recommended. This state park has something for everyone. Mystery Cave takes visitors to underground pools and geological cave formations; aboveground, hikers and horse riders have 15 miles of trails that wind through the bluff areas and through wildflowers (in the spring), and skiers and snowmobilers are welcome in winter. Forestville is a trip back in time to a once-functioning town that declined after the railroad bypassed it. Today visitors cross the Carnegie Steel Bridge to visit the general store, where costumed guides lead tours and demonstrate activities from the store’s late-1800s roots, and give tourists the chance to work with the farm laborers in the garden.
Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center (507-467-2437; eagle-bluff.org), 28097 Goodview Drive. This environmental learning center, with 80 acres nestled into 1,000 acres of state forest, welcomes thousands of school children each year for environmental education. However, Eagle Bluff also welcomes families, retreats, and even weddings. Of special interest is the ropes course, in which participants (using safety gear, of course) cross a wire 30 feet high in the sky, along the treetops.
ROOT RIVER OUTFITTERS
TOURS Cyclin-Inn’s Bluff Country Jeep Tours (507-467-2415), 439 Half Street, Whalan. Tours offered daily Apr.–Oct. (weather permitting). $30 per person for a one-hour tour. For an adventurous ride, try this tour, which goes over rough terrain and up into the hills and bluffs overlooking the river. Tours last one hour; think hard about doing this if you get carsick easily.
THE EAGLE BLUFF ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER
OTHER ATTRACTIONS Old Gribben Mill, County Route 23, Whalan. Just off a dirt road in the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest is the remnants of an old mill, now a stone shell of itself, but beautiful to look at. Hiking back behind the mill will bring you to a seeping waterfall.
Lodging
Not surprisingly, this historic area has more than its fair share of historic bed-and-breakfasts.
VIEW FROM EAGLE BLUFF ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER
Andor Wenneson Historic Inn (507-875-2587; andorwennesoninn.com), 425 Prospect Street, Peterson. Nine rooms, all with private bath, are offered between the main house and the carriage house. Rooms are named for their color schemes, and all have period furniture and décor. The inn is a short walk from the Root River Trail. Continental breakfast served on weekends. Rates start at $89.
Historic Scanlan House B&B (507-467-2158 or 1-800-944-2158; scanlanhouse.com), 708 Parkway Avenue S. This 1889 Queen Anne mansion is a striking piece of architecture, and the seven rooms and suites, all with private baths, are elaborately finished and very romantic. The home itself is packed with antiques, and beds and windows are dressed in linens and lace. Full breakfast is included (and if you’ve reserved the Safari Suite, you can have it served in your room). Rates start at $110. Packages are available.
THE OLD GRIBBEN MILL
JailHouse Inn (507-765-2181; jailhouseinn.com), 109 Houston Street NW, Preston. This building began its history as a county jail in 1870 and now has 12 rooms and suites, all with private baths, some with dainty names like the Sun Room and other with more pointed titles like Drunk Tank and Court Room. The Cell Block room gives visitors the chance to sleep behind bars. The rooms are beautifully decorated in Victorian style. Breakfast is included. Rates start at $89 (but note that their rate sheet cheekily stipulates this price range is for “friendly people”).
Mrs. B’s Historic Lanesboro Inn (507-467-2154; mrsbsinn.com), 101 Parkway Avenue N. A large and lovely limestone building on the Root River and right in downtown Lanesboro, Mrs. B’s has nine rooms with private baths and are warmly decorated with color and quilts. Full breakfast is included on Sat.–Sun. from mid-May–Oct. Rates start at $125.
Stone Mill Hotel and Suites (507-467-8663 or 1-866-897-8663; stonemillsuites.com), 100 Beacon Street E. This limestone mill has served as both an egg and poultry processing plant and as a grain company since it was built in 1885. In 1999, the current owners bought it and created a bed-and-breakfast. Each of the 10 rooms and suites is named and decorated after an aspect of the region, including the Amish Room, Grain Room, and the Egg Jacuzzi Suite. All rooms have private baths, and some suites have fireplaces. On-site massage can be arranged. Continental breakfast is served daily. Kids are welcome. Rates start at $100. Packages are available.
Art Loft Lodging (507-467-2446; lanesboroarts.org/art-lofts-lodging), 103 N. Parkway Avenue. Located above the Lanesboro Arts Center (see Selective Shopping) are two simple but attractive loft rooms designed for guests who wish to enjoy artistic endeavors of their own; the rooms both have good access to daylight. Exposed brick walls and original artwork highlight the space’s arts-center neighbor. Rates start at $100. Discounts for weeklong stays are offered.
STONE MILL HOTEL & SUITES
Berwood Hill Inn (612-867-3614; berwood.com), 22139 Hickory Road. Just outside town is this gorgeous inn, located on a hill overlooking the valley. The historic home has been beautifully renovated and is surrounded by lush gardens. Adirondack chairs perch atop the hill, giving guests the option of winding down while enjoying the view of the valley below. Two-night minimum stay required. Rates start at $160.
BERWOOD HILL BED & BREAKFAST
Where to Eat
DINING OUT 
Old Village Hall Restaurant & Pub (507-467-2962; oldvillagehall.com), 111 Coffee Street E. Open Thurs.–Tues. for dinner and Sat.–Sun. for lunch. The former village hall and jail, on the National Register of Historic Places, houses Lanesboro’s nicest restaurant. The stone building has been beautifully renovated, and the outdoor patio is a delight in summer. Changing seasonally and taking advantage of local foods, including herbs from the restaurant’s own herb garden, the creative menu might include items like lamb chops with couscous or salmon in curry sauce. Moderate/expensive.
EATING OUT The Bite (507-467-2200; facebook.com/TheBiteofLanesboro), 111 Parkway Avenue N. Open Thurs.–Tues. for lunch and dinner. Pizza, sandwiches, and desserts. Inexpensive.
Pedal Pushers Cafe (507-467-1050; pedalpusherscafe.com), 121 Parkway Avenue N. Open Mon.–Sat. for lunch and dinner, Sun. for lunch. A 1950s-style restaurant with sandwiches and burgers for lunch, and comfort food like chicken potpie, Norwegian meatballs, and homemade meat loaf for dinner. Fountain treats and homemade pie round out the menu, which also has daily blue plate specials. Moderate.
Aroma Pie Shoppe (507-467-2623; facebook.com/aromapieshoppe), 618 Main Street, Whalan. Open Thurs.–Sun. May–Oct. This little diner, close to the Root River Trail, serves up lunch staples like sandwiches and soups, ice cream and frozen yogurt, and—best of all—homemade pie. Inexpensive.
THE OLD VILLAGE HALL RESTAURANT & PUB
Entertainment
Commonweal Theatre (1-800-657-7025; commonwealtheatre.org), 208 N. Parkway Avenue. The Commonweal produces at least four other plays each year, sponsors readings of new works, and produces a live radio show every summer. The theater has an unusual employee arrangement that has the resident artists not only perform onstage, but also handle the behind-the-scenes marketing and administrative work. The building is a recent renovation and includes an art gallery on the first floor made up of whimsical local antiques and artifacts. Tickets are $35 for adults; $15 for students; or $115 for a season ticket. Discounts offered for seniors 62 and older, 30 and younger, and military members.
Selective Shopping
Lanesboro Art Center (507-467-2446; lanesboroarts.org), 103 N. Parkway Avenue. Open Tues.–Sat. Jan.–Apr., Tues.–Sun. in May, Nov.–Dec., daily Memorial Day–Oct.; Mon. by appointment. An art gallery exhibiting and selling artwork by local and national artists, it also has lofts for rent (see Lodging).
Special Events
April: Bluff Country Studio Art Tour (bluffcountrystudioarttour.org), Lanesboro. Held in late April, this art tour spans several communities in the bluff country region, opening private studios and artist workspaces to visitors and potential art buyers.
THE AROMA PIE SHOPPE