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Groups, organization or just individuals
looking for adventure in Southeastern Minnesota?
Ask us for an itinerary for a particular
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communities to supply us with some interesting places to visit and to do in their
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to do such as hiking, boating, fishing, biking & camping
SE MN Historic Bluff Country
AGRICULTURAL TOUR
Day 1
Apple Orchard Tours are a wonderful way to start the day. They can be arranged through La Crescent Chamber of Commerce, 1/800/926-9480 or directly with Roseanne Buehler of Leidel’s Apple Orchards 1/507-895-2403.
Next take the Apple Blossom Scenic Drive and visit Van Gundy Elk Farm on State Hwy. 76, Houston, MN 1/507-896-2380. After a tour of the Elk Farm and a visit to the Antler Shed it is time to go up the road to Money Creek Haven Restaurant, Hwy. 26, Houston, MN 507-896-3544, for an elk burger. Take Hwy. 26 to Rushford or take 76 back to Houston and travel the Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway Hwy. 16 to Rushford. Once there you can indulge in a tour of the Lefse Factory which has just celebrated its 100th year. Contact Merlin Hoiness, 1/507/886-2365, for a tour of the factory or to purchase one of his cookbooks, “Amish Recipes” or “91 Ways to Serve Lefse”. You will then drive past Maiden’s Point and be on your way to Peterson where you will tour Lone Ridge Gardens, 1/507/864-2593, and marvel at their dozen display gardens. Dinner that night after winding your way down more of the National Scenic Byway is at the Old Barn Resort, located between Lanesboro and Preston, 1/800-552-2512. This resort’s main building is also knows as the Allis Barn, constructed in 1899 for Reliance Stock Farm, which raised purebred cattle, swine and thoroughbred horses and included two racetracks. It is an excellent example of pegged-timber construction and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After dinner it is just a short drive to Preston and your stay for the night at Country Trails Inn and Suites, Hwy. 52, 1/507/765-2533 or 888/378-2896 where you can unwind in the pool or hot tub.
Day 2
Breakfast is part of your stay at Country Trails Inn and Suites and then you travel north to Chatfield, the northern gateway to SE MN Historic Bluff Country to visit a family business called Kappers Big Red Barn, Inc., 1/507-867-3556. After seeing one of only four milk producers, processors and packagers of milk in glass bottles in the state of Minnesota, travel south on Hwy. 52, for a tour of a Fourth Generation Farm Family who grow and retail over 400 kinds Hostas and many Perennials, Anderson Acres, 1/507/352-2451, Fountain. Next in line for a tour is the ethanol plant, Pro-Corn LLC, Preston, 1/507/765-4548. Lunch is almost directly across the street at the Branding Iron Supper Club where you will have a commanding view of the city of Preston. Next on our tour of agricultural in the Historic Bluff Country area is the city of Harmony. There you will tour a wool mattress plant, High Point Coverings, 1/507/886-2864, which will have the added surprise of an artist’s gallery at one end of the factory. To round out the day R & M Amish Tours, 1/507/467-2128, or Amish Tours of Harmony, 1/800/75-AMISH, will supply a step on guide to take you on a informative trip to our Amish friends and their various enterprises. This will include Amish Owned Golden Ridge Cheese Cooperative in Granger, 1/563/547-3717. The specialty here is Bleu Cheese. If you have worked up an appetite and would like to have dinner before heading home, please take your pick of three restaurants in Harmony, Wheeler’s, 1/507/886-4444, Village Square of Harmony, 1/507/886-4406 or Harmony House Restaurant, 1/507/886-4612.
This is just a sampling of the many and varied businesses in our area. We also are home to Harmony Enterprises, 1/507/886-6666, specialists in recycling products, boat tour operators, Julia Belle Swain Steamboat, 1/800/815-1005, and Mississippi Explorer Cruises, 1/563/586-4444, that will also give history lessons as you enjoy the view and of course, our caves, Mystery Cave, 1/507/352-5111 and Niagara Cave, 1/507/886-6606. Please contact SE MN Historic Bluff Country at 1/800/428-2030 if you have a specific tour in mind.
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