Red Tour

Regional Visitor Center

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

Phone: (507) 864-2992

Email: hbc@bluffcountry.com

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.”

Like us on Facebook

Begin your tour at Rushford, where prairie land falls sharply away to a deep valley of limestone bluffs, created by a prehistoric river that widened out at Rushford. The restored railroad depot, adjacent to the Root River State Hiking and Biking Trail, offers a spot for trail users and others to learn about the area. Be enchanted by the city’s lovely parks, Magelssen Bluff overlook and its many dining options, including a Scandinavian lefse factory!

Follow MN 16, Historic Bluff Country’s National Scenic Byway, west along the Root River. Stop in Peterson to see the restored railway depot museum. Continue to Whalan for homemade pie or mini-golf. In historic Lanesboro the entire business district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Unique shops and a professional theater provide attractions that may warrant a stop. Tour the State Fish Hatchery, one mile west of Lanesboro on MN 16.

Traveling on, turn right at the junction of MN 16 & US 52 to Preston. Stop to fish in one of many nearby trout streams, visit an apple orchard, visit the new National Trout Center, or view the old Fillmore County Jail, currently the Historic Jailhouse Inn, built in 1869. (The community is also home to an advanced Resource Recovery Center to recycle solid waste.) The Historic Elevator is being renovated as an interpretive center (estimated completion in 2013), and the Scenic Overlook on Hwy 52 south of Preston is being restored to its 1930’s condition.

From Preston, turn north on Co. 17 winding through wooded hills to visit the historic Allis Barn, now a resort. Continue on Co. 17, turning left on Co. 8 to Fountain, gateway to the Root River State Trail and home of Fillmore County History Center Museum & Genealogy Library. Take Co. 11 north from Fountain to MN 30, traveling east to Troy and Saratoga, onto MN 74 and back through Amish Country to I-90, or continuing from Troy to Fremont and visiting an old country store.