Minnesota
6 Of The Most Walkable Towns In Minnesota
Minnesota certainly has a lot going for it. Located in the Upper Midwest region of the United States with a northern border shared with the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Ontario, it’s also a part of the Great Lakes region, sharing a Lake Superior shoreline with Wisconsin. Known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” it also shares another characteristic with its neighbors: an abundance of charming communities waiting to be explored.
Minnesota’s small towns not only serve as great jumping-off points to explore the state’s scenery, but they also offer no end of fun things to do in town. The best of them are easy to explore on foot, with top attractions often centrally located and accessible even to those who don’t want to walk long distances between attractions. For ideas and inspiration, we’ve pulled together this list of six of the most walkable towns in Minnesota.
Stillwater
Just 25 miles from downtown Minneapolis on the banks of the scenic St. Croix River, Stillwater is one of Minnesota’s oldest and most picturesque towns. Dubbed the “Birthplace of Minnesota, “it was here in 1848 that the process of statehood began, with the actual spot where this event took place easy to find on the corner of Main Street and Myrtle. Other historic sites to include on a walking tour are the Warden’s House Museum, set in the former home of a local prison warden, and the Washington County Historic Courthouse, built in 1870 and one of the finest municipal buildings in the Midwest.
The iconic Stillwater Lift Bridge is also easy to get to on foot and now sees only pedestrian and bike traffic. Built in 1931, this iconic structure connects Stillwater with Houlton in Wisconsin and is especially nice to view at night when it’s lit up. It also connects an extensive network of walking trails on both sides of the river.
Red Wing
Red Wing is another lovely riverside town worth exploring. Set along the Mississippi River 45 miles downstream of St. Paul, its immensely walkable downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it a fascinating place to explore on foot. Top attractions include the Red Wing Shoe Company Museum, dedicated to the history of the famous manufacturer with tours of the still-working factory, and the historic Sheldon Theatre, built in 1904 and just steps from the town’s John Rich Park with its attractive old church.
Nearby Barn Bluff to the east of town is a must-see. While only two miles away, you’ll want to drive to this prominent geological feature with its hiking trails and panoramic views of the Mississippi River and the town. The Red Wing Marina, just a short walk from the downtown area, is a great place to hop aboard a river cruise along the Mississippi and rest those weary feet.
Grand Marais
Situated on the North Shore of Lake Superior, Grand Marais’ compact size and scenic setting make for an excellent walking experience. The highlight here is Grand Marais Harbor, a large natural bay protected by man-made break walls, each topped with charming little lighthouses. Follow the shoreline from scenic Artist Point along a section of the Gitchi Gami State Trail to Grand Marais Marina Vista Point. It’s only a mile walk around the bay, with attractions like Fish House Historic Landmark Museum, North House Folk School, and the Harbor Picnic Shelter to check out along the way.
Just a few minutes walk from the harbor, the Grand Marais Art Colony is a key cultural attraction in this part of the Great Lakes and offers workshops and classes in various arts and crafts. The town’s annual Fisherman’s Picnic is a great time for a visit. Held mid-summer for over 60 years, this much-loved local festival features live music, a parade, and various family-friendly activities. The Grand Marais Arts Festival in July is another great event to experience.
Northfield
Follow the I-35 south from Minneapolis to Northfield for another walkable small-town experience. Located along the Cannon River, this charming college town boasts a quaint downtown core that’s fun to explore on foot. Highlights include the Northfield Historical Society Museum with its displays relating to the town’s founding and the infamous 1876 bank raid by the James-Younger Gang, along with the lovely Bridge Square, a pretty park that’s a great place to rest the feet for a while.
From here you’re just seconds away from Northfield’s Riverwalk. This delightful riverside trail follows the Cannon River for some distance in either direction and can be included with other walking routes such as the Carleton Arboretum Trail and the East River Trail for a multi-mile hike. Northfield is also home to Carleton College and St. Olaf College, both of boasting campuses with walking paths and gardens.
Winona
Winona is another small town along the mighty Mississippi River that’s worth putting the ol’ walking shoes on for. Handy to get to, thanks to the I-90 just a few miles to the south, this walkable town is known for its attractive downtown area. Among its many well-preserved historic buildings is the landmark Winona National Bank, a stunning surviving example of Prairie School architecture designed by George Maher in the early 1900s.
From here, it’s just a short distance to the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. Set overlooking the river, this state-of-the-art attraction houses an impressive collection of maritime art and exhibits, much of it related to the Mississippi. Nearby Sugar Loaf Bluff, with its hiking trails and views of the Mississippi River, offers more walking adventures.
Ely
Ely is not just a paradise for those who want to explore the town on foot but also for those who enjoy paddling. Located in the state’s northeast corner, its proximity to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness places it firmly on the radar of outdoor adventurers. Not only does Ely provide easy access to this wilderness area’s more than one million acres of stunning scenery, but it also features numerous trails and waterways of its own, enabling visitors to explore without having to venture too far afield.
Other notable attractions in Ely include the International Wolf Center and the North American Bear Center. Both provide unique opportunities to learn about and observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitats.
The Final Word
Minnesota’s small towns are worth considering if a day trip, a weekend getaway, or even a longer vacation is on the cards. These six small towns in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” offer opportunities to explore some of the state’s most exhilarating scenery and are also immensely walkable. In fact, here you may find yourself parking the car and forgetting about if or a few days.
Minnesota
Minnesota Medicaid crisis: Thousands of care providers cut off from funding after state revalidation deadline
MN Medicaid deadline: Providers see funding cutoff
A rushed Medicaid review has left thousands of Minnesota care providers suddenly without funding, putting essential services, vulnerable patients, and jobs at risk. The sudden Medicaid cutoff comes after the federal government withheld $2 billion over fraud concerns, forcing the state to evaluate about 5,500 providers in high-risk programs in just five months.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – A rushed Medicaid review has left thousands of Minnesota care providers suddenly without funding, putting services and jobs at risk.
Providers face sudden Medicaid cutoff after federal pressure
What we know:
The deadline for Medicaid providers to complete the state’s revalidation process was midnight Sunday. Many, like Susan Holman of Legacy Place Assisted Living in Sauk Rapids, found themselves disenrolled without clear explanation. Holman said, “I’m disenrolled now. I’m disenrolled as of today.”
Holman and her husband have run their assisted living business for 14 years. She submitted all required documents on May 1, but by June 1, her application was still pending review. She then received notice that her Medicaid funding was terminated. “I don’t know if they meant to do all of this to everybody. I don’t know. But I know I’m not alone in this,” said Holman.
The review was triggered when the federal government withheld $2 billion in Medicaid funding to Minnesota over fraud concerns. The state was forced to quickly check about 5,500 providers in 13 high-risk programs in just five months—a process that usually takes most states two years. As of last Wednesday, only about 1,000 providers had passed.
The impact on home care services
Why you should care:
Home care providers in northern Minnesota and along the North Shore are also facing funding cuts. Meghann Lewis and Codi Warnecke, who run Bella Mente Home Care and Heart & Hara Home Care, say the process has been confusing and communication has been lacking. “It’s just been really disorganized that there’s no up or down and there’s no one to talk to,” said Lewis.
Lewis received a letter confirming her revalidation, only to get another letter an hour later suspending her funding. “An hour later I had another private letter in the same mailbox that says we’re suspending your CFSS due to failed revalidation,” said Lewis. Warnecke said, “For the last two weeks, the payroll has come out of my personal pocket.”
Both are appealing the rejections and considering lawsuits against the state. Holman is also planning an appeal, but with as many as 5,000 businesses in the same situation, she doubts the state will resolve things quickly. Some businesses may not survive, which could put vulnerable people at risk of losing essential care.
Many providers are left frustrated and uncertain about their future. “This doesn’t make any sense to me. I’m so frustrated,” said Holman.
MN Medicaid providers revalidation limbo
A deadline for Minnesota Medicaid service providers to revalidate their services for federal funding has now come and gone. FOX 9’s Corin Hoggard explains what it could mean for some.
The state’s response and what happens next
The other side:
FOX 9’s Corin Hoggard tried to get answers from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, but the agency declined interviews and did not provide updated data about the review process.
Providers are left in limbo as they wait for appeals to be processed and hope for funding to be restored. In the meantime, they are doing what they can to keep services going for those who depend on them.
What we don’t know:
It is unclear how many providers will ultimately regain Medicaid funding or how quickly the state will resolve the appeals. The Minnesota Department of Human Services has not shared updated numbers or details about the next steps.
A man suffered serious injuries on Sunday when he hit two cows in the road while driving in central Minnesota, authorities said.
The man was on Kandiyohi County Road 29 near 13th Street Northwest in Lake Andrew Township when he struck the animals just before 11 p.m., the sheriff’s office there said.
The 22-year-old from Pennock, Minnesota, then went into the ditch and hit a tree before his vehicle rolled onto its side. He was treated at the scene and then taken to a hospital. The sheriff’s office said his injuries were not life-threatening.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Sunday was the deadline for Minnesota to complete the revalidation of thousands of Medicaid providers in “high-risk” programs as the state fights with the federal government over about $2 billion in funding.
What is Minnesota Revalidate?
The backstory:
Earlier this year, state leaders announced an effort to revalidate more than 5,500 providers in Minnesota’s Health Care Programs. The revalidation was part of an effort to combat fraud and to satisfy demands from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which has withheld up to $2 billion in Medicaid funds from Minnesota.
The deadline to finish the revalidation was on Sunday, May 31.
What we know:
As of last month, state officials said only 550 providers have had applications approved, site inspections completed and been re-enrolled.
At that point, 1,510 applications were incomplete, and 160 providers had been disenrolled. State officials said mostly because they had failed to respond to state inquiries.
There were an additional 990 who had been submitting claims but failed to respond to state notices.
Medicaid funding lawsuit
Local perspective:
In January, Medicaid Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would withhold $2 billion in Medicaid funding for Minnesota.
The decision followed an audit by the centers of Minnesota’s Medicaid programs. The funding suspension also followed a new batch of federal Medicaid fraud charges that came down in December. During a news conference, as prosecutors announced new charges and guilty pleas related to fraud, federal prosecutors estimated that fraud in Minnesota’s Medicaid programs could total as high as $9 billion since 2018.
The other side:
Since that press conference, the $9 billion figure has been heavily disputed by state leaders who say there is currently no evidence that fraud in Minnesota is that rampant. Gov. Walz and other state leaders say that while fraud is an issue, President Trump has weaponized it to commit political retribution against the state.
What’s next:
FOX 9 has reached out to state officials to see how many providers are facing disenrollment as the deadline hits on Sunday.
Earlier this year, Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a lawsuit over the pulled Medicaid funds. This month, a judge granted a mutual motion for a stay in the case – a 120 pause – to give the federal government and Minnesota time to resolve the funding issue. An update is due to the court by early September.
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