Regional Visitor Center

303 S Elm St, PO Box 489, Rushford, MN 55971

Phone: (507) 864-2992

Email: hbc@bluffcountry.com

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OUR MISSION:  “To establish the Historic Bluff Country Region of Southeastern Minnesota as a desirable travel destination, as well as to strengthen and improve the economic base of the area.”

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Drive east from Caledonia on MN 249 (part of this route is gravel) past the pioneer village and museum on the fairgrounds, winding along beautiful Crooked Creek Valley with its old building foundations and logging trails on the bluffs. Watch for wild turkeys.

At Freeburg visit St. Nicholas Church, built in 1868, and the fossil stone cross in the graveyard. A few miles along, note the Evangelical Country Church, built in 1895, and old log buildings. Turn left on MN 26, driving along the Mississippi River bottom and the National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Eagles are spotted frequently on this route. Thousands of Tundra Swans gather in this area each November. Brownsville is one of Minnesota's oldest towns on the main channel of the Mississippi. The little church in town is on the National Register of Historic Places. Caves in the bluffs were once used as refrigeration for apples and other perishables. Continue on MN 26 until the junction with MN 16.

Turn left and follow through Hokah to MN 76. Turn left. Note the old Stone Church built in 1863 from stones quarried in the area. At the junction with Co. 4, you can turn right to the Yucatan Valley, which abounds in native American relics. Three miles past Yucatan on a wood-clad hillside are the Winnebago Indian Catacombs of Yucatan. Then two miles past the 125 year old Lutheran Church at Black Hammer is the "Black Hammer Stone Lady" on top of a tree-covered mound shaped like a hammer.

Continue into Spring Grove, where you will find unique shops and a variety of lunch stops.  Year ‘round enjoy a stroll along Main Street, the art gallery and City Park.  Summer visitors can cool off at the new SWIM Center.

From there, Co. 17 passes the beautiful Wilmington Church on the way to quaint Eitzen.

More Driving Tours…