Winona Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Nestled along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, the picturesque city of Winona in the Minnesota region of the United States offers a charming blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. Known for its stunning bluffs and scenic landscapes, Winona is a hidden gem that beckons travelers seeking a serene getaway.

Nature enthusiasts will be delighted by the abundance of outdoor activities that Winona has to offer. The city is surrounded by lush forests and sprawling parks, making it a haven for hikers, bikers, and birdwatchers. Take a leisurely stroll through the beautifully manicured pathways of Lake Park, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the river and catch a glimpse of the diverse wildlife that calls this area home.

For those interested in history, Winona is a treasure trove of fascinating stories waiting to be discovered. The city boasts a rich architectural heritage, with stunning Victorian-era houses adorning the streets. Visit the historic Winona County History Center to delve into the region's past, where exhibits and artifacts bring to life the stories of the Native American tribes, early settlers, and the thriving river trade that shaped the city.

Art lovers will find themselves immersed in a vibrant cultural scene in Winona. The city is home to several renowned art galleries, showcasing works by local and national artists. Be sure to visit the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, which houses an exquisite collection of marine-themed art, including works by master painters such as Monet and Renoir. The annual Great River Shakespeare Festival also attracts theater enthusiasts from far and wide, offering world-class performances in a stunning outdoor setting.

As evening falls, Winona comes alive with an array of dining options to please every palate. From cozy cafes serving up freshly brewed coffee to elegant restaurants offering farm-to-table cuisine, the city's culinary scene is a true reflection of its vibrant spirit. Sample local delicacies such as the famous Minnesota hot dish or indulge in a mouthwatering steak at one of the many family-owned steakhouses.

Alternative names: Population: 27.1 thous.Area: 24.17 mi²Elevation: 666 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 44°3'4"N, 91°38'15"W

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MinnesotaUnited States

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Winona Top Attractions

Winona Attractions - What to See and Explore

Winona offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Basilica of Saint Stanislaus Kostka, Pickwick Mill, Polish Cultural Institute. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Museum • Maritime museum • Art museum
Minnesota Marine Art Museum
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum is an art museum in Winona, Minnesota, United States, specializing in marine art. The MMAM features six galleries of world-class art and artifacts including impressionism and Hudson River School paintings, marine art, folk art sculptures and traveling exhibits.
Church • Romanesque architecture • Neo-baroque architecture
Basilica of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
The Basilica of Saint Stanislaus Kostka is a historic church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona in Winona, Minnesota, United States, and a prominent fixture on the city's skyline. Within the diocese it is better known as Saint Stan's. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 as Church of St.
Museum
Pickwick Mill
Pickwick Mill is a historic gristmill in the unincorporated community of Pickwick, Minnesota, United States, near the city of Winona. It was constructed in the mid-1850s and is now operated as a milling museum.

Museum • Specialty museum
Polish Cultural Institute
The Polish Cultural Institute and Museum is located at 102 Liberty Street in Winona, Minnesota, United States. Known locally as the Polish Museum, it is housed in a lumber yard office built by the Laird-Norton Lumber Company in 1890.
City hall
Winona City Hall
Winona City Hall is the seat of municipal government for Winona, Minnesota, United States.
Natural attraction • Geologic formation • Hiking trail
Sugar Loaf
Sugar Loaf is a bluff on the Mississippi River topped by a rock pinnacle, overlooking the city of Winona, Minnesota, United States. The name "Sugar Loaf" is sometimes taken to mean just the rock pinnacle, which was created by quarrying in the 19th century. The bluff stands above the junction of U.S. Route 61 and State Highway 43.
Church
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester. The cathedral is located in Winona, Minnesota, United States, on Minnesota State Highway 43 near downtown.
Library
Winona Public Library
The Winona Public Library is the public library serving Winona, Minnesota, United States. It is a member of Southeastern Libraries Cooperating, a Minnesota library region.
Historical place
Merchants Bank
Merchants National Bank is a bank building in Winona, Minnesota, United States, designed in the Prairie School architectural style. It was built in 1912 and features elaborate terracotta and stained-glass ornamentation.
Italianate architecture • Moorish revival architecture
Huff–Lamberton House
The Huff–Lamberton House is a historic house in Winona, Minnesota, United States. It was built in 1857, and in 1873 it was given a Moorish Revival porch. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 for its state-level significance in the theme of architecture.
Bridge
Main Channel Bridge
Main Channel Bridge consists of a pair of bridges, the original cantilever bridge, and a concrete box girder bridge completed in 2016, that span the main channel of the Mississippi River in the United States between Winona, Minnesota, and Latsch Island.
Romanesque architecture
Winona County Courthouse
The Winona County Courthouse is the seat of government for Winona County in Winona, Minnesota, United States. The 1889 Richardsonian Romanesque building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 for having local significance in the themes of architecture, art, and politics/government.
Concerts and shows • Theater
Winona Masonic Temple
The Winona Masonic Temple is a historic Masonic Temple in Winona, Minnesota, United States, completed in 1909. Many local civic and business leaders were members of the lodge. Containing a large ballroom and other meeting space, the building was an important venue in Winona for both Masonic activities and general public events.
Bridge
North Channel Bridge
The North Channel Bridge crosses the north channel of the Mississippi River between Latsch Island and Buffalo County, Wisconsin. The bridge has a street setup, with one lane in either direction. It carries Minnesota State Highway 43 and WI 54 in either direction. Immediately to the southwest is the Main Channel Bridge.
Library
Krueger Library
Darrell W. Krueger Library, commonly known as Krueger Library, is the center of research, discovery, and creative output at Winona State University. The library serves more than 10,000 students, faculty, and staff in the WSU community, residents in the city of Winona, Minnesota, and the greater Southeastern Minnesota region.
44°3'4"N • 91°38'13"W
Grain and Lumber Exchange Building
The Grain and Lumber Exchange Building is a historic office building in Winona, Minnesota, United States. It was designed in Renaissance Revival style by the architectural firm of Kees & Colburn and built in 1900.
44°3'7"N • 91°38'46"W
Abner F. Hodgins House
The Abner F. Hodgins House is a historic house in Winona, Minnesota, United States. It was built in 1890 for Hodgins, a successful lumber executive. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 for its local significance in the themes of architecture and industry.
Interesting neighbourhood • Romanesque revival architecture
Choate Department Store
The Choate Department Store is a historic commercial building in Winona, Minnesota, United States. It was built in 1881 for Hannibal Choate, an early Winona-based merchant who achieved such regional prominence that he became known as the "merchant prince of southeastern Minnesota".
Interesting neighbourhood • Italianate architecture • Gothic Revival architecture
East Second Street Commercial Historic District
The East Second Street Commercial Historic District is a small historic district in Winona, Minnesota, United States. It comprises 14 contributing properties mostly built in the late 1860s.

Day trips

Winona – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Winona, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe (La Crosse), Riverside Park (La Crosse), Rochester Public Library (Rochester).

31 milesSE
Church, Historical place, Sacred and religious sites
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Crosse
Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Catholic shrine located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The 100-acre grounds include a visitors' center and outdoor devotional areas such as a rosary walk, Stations of the Cross, and a votive candle chapel.
25 milesSE
Park, Historical place
Riverside Park, La Crosse
Riverside Park is a public park located on the riverfront of downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin. It hosts events such as Riverfest, Fourth of July fireworks, Oktoberfest, Moon Tunes, and the Rotary Lights. The steamboats American Queen, La Crosse Queen, and Julia Belle Swain make stops along the river in the park.
41 milesW
Library
Rochester Public Library, Rochester
The Rochester Public Library is a library in Rochester, Minnesota. It is a member of Southeastern Libraries Cooperating, the southeast Minnesota library region. It is the largest public library in an 11-county consortium.
24 milesSE
Arenas and stadiums, Sport venue, Playground
Copeland Park, La Crosse
Copeland Park, also referred to as "The Lumber Yard", is a stadium in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA. It is primarily used for baseball and is the home field of the La Crosse Loggers baseball team.
41 milesW
Church, Modernist architecture
Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Rochester
The Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is a cathedral of the Catholic Church in Rochester, Minnesota, United States. It is the co-cathedral and a parish church of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.