Chandler MinnesotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Chandler, Minnesota.
1. Murray County Historical Society Museum
LOCAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE
The Murray County Historical Society Museum offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the rich history of Murray County, which includes Chandler. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the area's settlement and development over time. The museum provides an educational experience that connects people to the cultural heritage of Murray County and its communities.
2. End-O-Line Railroad Park And Museum
HISTORIC RAILWAY ATTRACTION
End-O-Line Railroad Park And Museum preserves the history of the railroad industry that was vital to the development of southwestern Minnesota. Visitors can tour the restored depot, turntable, and other railroad buildings while learning about the importance of rail transportation in the region. The museum features an impressive collection of railroad memorabilia and equipment that brings the golden age of rail travel to life.
3. Lake Shetek State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Lake Shetek State Park offers visitors beautiful natural landscapes centered around the largest lake in southwestern Minnesota. The park features hiking trails, swimming beaches, fishing spots, and camping facilities for nature lovers to enjoy throughout the year. Visitors can also learn about the area's historical significance, including the Dakota Conflict of 1862 that took place near the lake.
4. Main Street
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
Main Street in Chandler offers visitors a charming glimpse into small-town Minnesota life with its historic buildings and local businesses. Visitors can stroll through the downtown area, stopping at local shops and eateries that showcase the community's character and hospitality. The street represents the heart of Chandler and provides an authentic experience of rural Midwestern culture.
5. Minneapolis Sculpture Garden
ICONIC OUTDOOR ART GALLERY
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is one of the crown jewels of Minnesota's art scene, featuring more than 40 permanent art installations including the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry. Spanning 11 acres adjacent to the Walker Art Center, this urban sculpture park combines art with beautifully landscaped gardens to create a unique cultural experience. Visitors can enjoy free access to world-class sculptures while taking in views of the Minneapolis skyline.
6. Split Rock Lighthouse
HISTORIC LAKE SUPERIOR BEACON
Split Rock Lighthouse stands majestically on a 130-foot cliff overlooking the vast waters of Lake Superior, serving as one of Minnesota's most recognized landmarks. Built in 1910 following a series of shipwrecks, this historic lighthouse offers guided tours where visitors can climb the tower and explore the keeper's house, fog signal building, and visitor center. The surrounding state park provides stunning panoramic views of Lake Superior's shoreline and excellent hiking opportunities through boreal forest.
7. Minnesota State Fair
GREAT MINNESOTA GET-TOGETHER
The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and most beloved state fairs in the United States, drawing nearly two million visitors annually during its 12-day run ending on Labor Day. Known as the 'Great Minnesota Get-Together,' the fair features agricultural exhibits, live entertainment, carnival rides, and an incredible array of famous food options including everything on a stick. Visitors can experience Minnesota culture through craft beer tastings, butter sculptures, seed art, and the crowning of Princess Kay of the Milky Way.
8. Canal Park
DULUTH'S WATERFRONT DISTRICT
Canal Park is Duluth's premier waterfront district where visitors can watch massive lake freighters pass under the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge. This vibrant area features converted warehouses now housing restaurants, shops, and breweries, all connected by a scenic lakewalk along Lake Superior's shoreline. Visitors can explore the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, rent bikes for the lakeside trail, or simply enjoy the perfect vantage point for spectacular sunrise and sunset views over the world's largest freshwater lake.
9. Enger Tower
PANORAMIC DULUTH VIEWS
Enger Tower is a five-story blue stone observation tower providing breathtaking panoramic views of Duluth, the harbor, and Lake Superior from 531 feet above the water. Built in 1939 as a tribute to businessman Bert Enger, the tower sits within a 130-acre park featuring Japanese gardens, hiking trails, and a peace bell that visitors are encouraged to ring. Climbing the spiral staircase to the top rewards visitors with one of the most spectacular vistas in Minnesota, especially stunning during fall foliage season.
10. Walker Art Museum
CONTEMPORARY ART DESTINATION
The Walker Art Museum (officially Walker Art Center) stands as one of the most prestigious contemporary art museums in the United States, showcasing an impressive collection of modern visual arts, performing arts, and design. Located across the street from the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, the Walker features rotating exhibitions from internationally acclaimed artists as well as emerging creators pushing artistic boundaries. Visitors can explore multiple gallery spaces, attend film screenings, and participate in engaging public programs designed to make contemporary art accessible to all.
11. Sugar Loaf Bluff
ICONIC NATURAL LANDMARK
Sugar Loaf Bluff is Winona's most recognizable natural landmark, a 26-meter limestone pinnacle formed when quarrying operations removed most of the surrounding bluff. Hikers can climb this spectacular formation to enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the Mississippi River valley and the picturesque city below. The bluff stands as a testament to the region's geological history and offers photographers exceptional opportunities to capture the natural beauty of southeastern Minnesota.
12. Garvin Heights Park
SCENIC MISSISSIPPI RIVER OVERLOOK
Garvin Heights Park provides visitors with one of the most spectacular overlooks in southeastern Minnesota, offering breathtaking views of the Mississippi River valley and the city of Winona from 575 feet above. The park features hiking trails through native bluffland prairie and woodland habitats, educational interpretive signs about local ecology, and perfect picnic spots with unmatched vistas. Visitors can access this natural treasure via a scenic drive or challenging hike, making it a popular destination for both casual sightseers and outdoor enthusiasts.
13. Minnesota Marine Art Museum
WORLD-CLASS RIVER ART
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum houses an extraordinary collection of marine-themed and river-inspired artwork, including masterpieces by Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and J.M.W. Turner. Situated along the banks of the Mississippi River, this architectural gem showcases historical and contemporary exhibitions of marine paintings, folk art, and impressionist works in a serene setting. Visitors can explore multiple galleries that connect Minnesota's river heritage with global maritime traditions through world-class art rarely found outside major metropolitan museums.
14. Great River Shakespeare Festival
PROFESSIONAL THEATER EXPERIENCE
The Great River Shakespeare Festival is Minnesota's largest professional Equity theater outside the Twin Cities, dedicated to bringing the Bard's timeless works to life each summer in Winona. The festival features professional productions of Shakespearean classics alongside contemporary works, performed by a company of talented actors, directors, and designers from across the country. Visitors can enhance their experience with pre-show conversations, post-performance discussions, and various educational workshops that deepen appreciation for Shakespeare's enduring relevance.
15. Signatures Restaurant
ELEGANT RIVERSIDE DINING
Signatures Restaurant offers an elegant dining experience with spectacular views overlooking the Mississippi River bluffs in the scenic Winona area. The restaurant serves sophisticated cuisine crafted from locally-sourced ingredients in a beautiful setting that celebrates the natural beauty of southeastern Minnesota. Visitors can enjoy seasonal menus, fine wines, and exceptional service while taking in panoramic vistas through floor-to-ceiling windows or from the outdoor patio during warmer months.