Winona, MS Road Trips

Home to Winona State University, St. Mary's University, and MN State - Southeast Technical College, Winona has a large student population. It is also central to five state parks: Great River Bluffs, John A. Latsch, and Whitewater, in Minnesota, and Merrick and Perrot in Wisconsin; and two wildlife refuges: Upper Mississippi Nat'l Wildlife and Fish Refuge, and Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. Winona has a Continental climate, with hot, wet summers, and cold, dry winters. Average January temperatures are 26°/9°F (-3°/-13°C) and can reach as cold as -20°F (-29°C) on the coldest nights, while average July temps are 85°/66°F (29°/19°C) but can reach up to over 100°F (38°C).

Winona's historic downtown hosts a variety of interesting architectural styles...including Italianate, Queen Anne, Victorian, Egyptian Revival...the list goes on. The city's Heritage Preservation Commission and Visit Winona have walking and driving tour brochures to assist in exploring downtown. Be sure to visit Levee Park, and talk a walk on Third Street from the Courthouse to Watkins, then head back west on Second Street. It is also a nice walk from City Hall west to the Courthouse on Fourth Street. Sandwiched between downtown and WSU is a wonderfully walkable historic residential neighborhood along Seventh Street from Franklin to Huff. You'll find interesting spots everywhere. There are scores of churches in Winona, offering a diverse selection of size, age, and denomination. Some of architectural interest include Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (Diocese of Winona; on East side of Main Street, between WSU and Downtown), United Methodist Church (intersection of Broadway and Main Streets), Church of St. Stanislaus Kostka (Polish Catholic, 625 Fourth Street, in the East End), and First Congregational Church (historically, now United Church of Christ, 161 W. Broadway). Garvin Heights Overlook (Up Garvin Heights Road, then head east, following signs). Looking out from 575 feet over the Hiawatha Valley, this is the most accessible overlook in the city. Looking up the valley, the Alma power station can be seen in the distance on a clear day, while the bluffs in Trempealeau can be seen looking downriver. There is a steep trail from the base to the overlook.

Hike, bike, or ski on Winona's paths around the lakes, on the 16 km of mountain biking trails behind Holzinger Lodge (cross highway 61 on Huff street to the frontage road, turn right and follow past the cemetery, the lodge is on the left and has ample parking) or the 17 km of cross-country skiing trails around St. Mary's University (in Gilmore Valley, on highway 14). Swim at one of the many sandbars in the Mississippi around Winona, or particularly at the Latsch Island Beach (from Winona, cross the bridge and take an immediate right; also leads to several houseboat communities), the LaCanne Park Beach in Goodview (head Northeast on 61/14 through Goodview, on the right), or the city-owned Bob Welch Aquatic Center (from downtown go West on 5th Street to High Street, turn right; $4 adult, $3 under 18), which includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a 200-ft waterslide. Winona has a variety of festivals throughout the summer, along with a few sprinkled here and there the rest of the year. Some of the best include: Earth Day Fair. Saturday nearest Earth Day on the Winona State campus. An annual event that has grown throughout the years, includes many informational booths, speakers, and activities. Goodview Days. In August, in Goodview. The community festival celebrating the city of Goodview, featuring a parade, a car show, road race, and royalty pageant. Mid West Music Fest. In late July 30, the festival embraces the art and culture of Winona and serves as a fundraiser for local charities. Features local, regional, and national musical acts. Heritage Fair.

Acoustic Café, 77 Lafayette (at 3rd, downtown), ☏ +1 507 453-0394. A relaxing atmosphere serving excellent sandwiches and coffee, there is music performed live every weekend. About $5-$10 per person. Bloedow Bakery, 451 East Broadway (at Laird). Pronounced like 'playdough'. In the words of one blogger, "Putting a Bloedow's doughnut next to a Krispy Kreme doughnut is like parking a Ferrari next to a Pinto." River City Grill, 1025 Hwy 61 East (connected to the Holiday Inn, underneath Sugarloaf), ☏ +1 507 452-5400. Pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, salads. A nice, but not too expensive restaurant serving mainly Italian cuisine. $10-15 per person. Lakeview Drive-Inn, 610 East Sarnia (by the big lake), ☏ +1 507 454-3723. The oldest restaurant in Winona, Lakeview makes its own root beer and has carhop service. "Cruise Nights", every Wednesday from 6-9PM in the summer, feature dozens of locally owned classic vehicles. Signatures, 22852 County Road 17 (in Pleasant Valley), ☏ +1 507 454-3767. M-Sa 11AM-2PM and 5-9PM, Su 10AM-2PM and 5-8PM. A nice restaurant serving various cuisines. Zaza's, 529 Huff Street, ☏ +1 507 452-9292. Sports bar & pizzeria across the street from the WSU main campus. Pizzas ('zas), sandwiches, burritos, calzones, chicken wings, pastas, $5-15 per person. Great Hunan Restaurant, 111 W 3rd St, ☏ +1 507-452-1556. A Chinese place in a small storefront on 3rd street. If you want a fancy dining experience, this would not be it. However, if you want some delicious and inexpensive food, come here.

Winona boasts the most bars per capita in the state of Minnesota. Each bar offers a different personality and atmosphere. Ed's (No Name) Bar (on 3rd and Franklin Streets). Ed's offers a relaxing atmosphere and a unique variety of ales and lagers served on tap. Take advantage of the beer garden during the summer or enjoy a nice chat with friends in the adjecent lounge room. Ed's also showcases new local artwork every month. 2 Brothers Sports Bar + Grill, 129 W 3rd St, ☏ +1 507-474-3003. Cool place, popular with college students. Cheap with lots of drink and food specials.

Alexander Mansion Bed and Breakfast, 274 East Broadway, ☏ +1 507 474-4224. Four rooms, from $149/night. Carriage House Bed and Breakfast, 420 Main Street, ☏ +1 507 452-8256. Across from WSU main campus. Four rooms, from $89/night. Great River Bluffs State Park. Prairie Island Campground. AmericInn, 303 Pelzer St, ☏ +1 507-474-7700. $98 (Nov 2023). Express Suites Riverport- Conference and Event Center, 900 Bruski Drive, ☏ +1 507-452-0606. Near intersection of MN 45 and US 61. Ave. price/night $91. The Plaza Hotel & Suites, 1025 Highway 61 East (near intersection of MN 43 and US 61, underneath Sugarloaf), ☏ +1 507-453-0303.

If you are travelling by car, from the north (Twin Cities), travel along the Mississippi River on US highway 61 through the picturesque Hiawatha Valley. About 110 miles from the Twin Cities. From the west (Rochester), take Interstate 90 east about 45 miles, then head north on state highway 43 about 6 miles. From the east (La Crosse, Madison), take Interstate 90 west about 10 miles into Minnesota then continue north on US highway 61, another 15 miles. 1 Winona station, 65 East Mark Street. (updated Oct 2023) Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. (updated Mar 2022) Route stopping at Winona: Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago. There are several nearby airports, including La Crosse (LSE, 25 miles), Rochester (RST, 45 miles), and the Twin Cities (MSP, 110 miles).

Being small, Winona is a quite safe community. Other than staying away from unlit and untravelled areas at night, you should remain safe just taking basic precautions. If you have a problem, just remember the number for 911 is 911. The local hospital and clinic are located in the same building, off of Highway 61 on Mankato Ave in the East End, across from Target. The East End is where Sugarloaf is.