Best Small Towns in Minnesota for Retirees

With a superior quality of life and four distinct seasons, Minnesota is rich with outdoor activities and ample job opportunities without having to live in the big cities. Minnesota is classic Midwest and provides retirees, vacationers, and families looking to escape the confines of the concrete jungles with beauty, landscape, and peaceful towns to call their own. Below are some of the best small towns in Minnesota, acknowledged for their supreme livability, outdoor recreation, and slow-paced scenes.

Grand Marais

This charming little quiet town is located near the water and woods. A small harbor village nestled along Lake Superior, it boasts picturesque scenery and superior views. The town draws artists and outdoor enthusiasts from around the region. Hiking and biking are among the area’s finest options. Scattered throughout the village are art galleries and museums, each providing a dash of culture and charm.

Warren

Nestled only sixty miles south of the Canadian border, Warren is like a time capsule to the past. Retro signs and vintage flair abound, reminders of an era gone by. Home to Settlers Square, full of antique farm machinery and the sheriff’s car that allegedly was present during an alien encounter.

Winona

Located along the Mississippi River and nestled among the Great River Bluffs, art and theater bring nature to life. The area is famous for the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, which displays one of the largest displays of its kind in the country.

Chanhassen

Located at the edge of the Twin Cities boundary is the small community of Chanhassen, just twenty miles from Minneapolis. Major magazines have cited Chanhassen as the best town to live in the entire country. It offers major attractions just footsteps or a short drive away. Of course, the beautiful landscape will entice any naturalist!

Aitkin

Best known for its annual Fish House Parade, Aitkin boasts back-in-time coffee shops and quirky residents. Despite the slow pace the entire town seems to abide by, you won’t grow bored. The town is filled with enough museums, festivals, and outdoor gardens to meet your entertainment quota all year round.

Nisswa

A North Woods classic, Nisswa is a fine town located along scenic Gull Lake. The town is quiet, yet houses the historic Grand View Lodge. An honest-to-goodness loghouse, it’s been welcoming guests from all over the country for nearly ninety years. The area is great for outdoor enthusiasts, offering plenty of hiking and fishing opportunities.

Red Wing

Still considered a small town by many, Red Wing is recognized as being one of the top historic destinations to visit in Minnesota. Many who have traveled to Red Wing in the summer season claim that it was one of the best trips taken and they can’t wait to return. The town is full of museums and points of interest for the slow-paced traveler.