Explore SW MN

10/02/2025

Get ready for 's Day! Surprise your special someone with a day just for her at Salon 75 Hair & Spa. Hair – massage – facials – pedicures - manicures – sugaring – sunless spray tan… Salon 75 Hair & Spa has it all. Then take that someone special out to enjoy a casual fine dining experience at Sterling's Cafe & Grille on Main Street in Luverne. Brian & Chef Frank will provide a special dining experience you’ll want to try again!

10/02/2025

Celebrate 🍕 in Southwest Minnesota! If your motto is "the cheesier the better," then hop in your car and head to Dar's Pizza. What better place to celebrate than this favorite regional pizzeria located in Pipestone, MN. Locally owned for over 50 years, you won't want to miss their most popular pie: the House Special! And, be sure to bring money for their on-site Arcade too!

📷 Credit: Erica Volkir
Learn more about Dar's: https://business.pipestoneminnesota.com/.../dar-s-pizza-37
www.exploreswmn.com

04/02/2025

02/02/2025

If you're looking👀 for some great 𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒔🎣 in Southwest Minnesota, look no further than in Murray County. Along with Lake Shetek, there are several other great lakes in the county to fish at. Pictured is Summit Lake in Hadley.
📷 credit: Justine Wettschreck.
For more lake and fishing info, visit: https://murraycountymn.com/community/recreation/fishing.php


www.exploreswmn.com

30/01/2025

❤️✨ 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐲 & 𝐌𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩! ✨❤️

Hey moms! Need a fun outing with your little one? 💕 Join us for the Mommy & Me Valentine Gnome Craft Workshop—a perfect little date where you and your kiddo can create the cutest Valentine’s gnome together! 🎨🪄

PLUS—your kiddo gets a FREE Kids’ Meal with a menu purchase! Bitton's Roadhouse 🍽️😋

📅 February 2nd at 11:00 am —grab your spot now and make some sweet memories! ❤️👩‍👧‍👦

28/01/2025

Looking for something to do outdoors and exercise at the same time? Round Lake Vineyards has a great trail for Cross County Skiing and Snow Shoeing. After you enjoy the trail, stop on into the winery's tasting room for a glass of wine 🍷 and dinner.
https://www.roundlakevineyards.com/


www.exploreswmn.com

27/01/2025

Get lost together and ignite the spirit of adventure by taking your Valentine on an outdoor journey through nature. Experience the spontaneity and beauty of the great outdoors by going for a walk/hike on Jackson County trails or ice fishing on one of our lakes or rivers, all while enjoying views. With endless possibilities awaiting you in nature, remember to bring a thermos filled with hot chocolate, cider, or coffee, setting the perfect atmosphere for a romantic evening.

Discover a curated selection of exceptional coffee shops, bakeries, and local restaurants that will make your Valentine's celebration unforgettable, whether you choose an intimate dinner out or cozy takeout dining at home. Elevate your Valentine's menu with the delicious offerings from these talented vendors.

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬:
𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝, 𝐌𝐍 - https://www.ecologybus.org/sparks-park.html #/
𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 - https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00196
𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 -https://www.cityofjacksonmn.com/vertical/sites/%7BF3D1701B-7B85-48F8-8964-A7A738030D91%7D/uploads/Trails_Map_Updated_May_2022_Final.pdf

𝐄𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬:

𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒏 𝑳𝒂𝒌𝒆:
Nena's Bar and Grill 507-792-2223

𝑱𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔𝒐𝒏:
American Legion: 507-847-2004
Bridget's Bucksnorts Brew Haha and Grill: 507-847-4595
Kats Hog Heaven: 507-847-2572
Santee Crossing: 507-847-3841
Smokin Java: 507-849-7533
Subway: 507-847-5004
Pizza Ranch: 507-847-5555

𝑳𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅:
Bergen Bar and Grill: 507-831-2200
Dudleys Garage: 507-662-5418
Hi-Lo Supper Club: 507-662-5992
Horse Barn and Hunt Club: 507-662-5490
Kiehl's Bakery: 504-662-4827
The Shed Chill n' Grille: 507-662-5133
Silverback's Cafe: 507-662-5755
SOJO Coffee Company: 507-840-0009
Simply Sweet Cheese Cake: 612-232-2605
VFW: 507-662-6118

𝑶𝒌𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒂:
Blue Barn 507-853-4562

www.exploreswmn.com

26/01/2025

Explore Minnesota's vast snowmobile trail network. There are over 21,000 miles of groomed trails maintained by local snowmobile club volunteers.
See an interactive map of MN trails and learn more about snowmobiling in MN: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snowmobiling/index.html

📷 Photo Credit: Jon Wood Photography

22/01/2025

Plan your vacation to Southwest Minnesota! With numerous parks, abundant wildlife, beautiful lakes, and picturesque communities, Southwest Minnesota is your invitation to step back, relax, and unwind. Vacation is calling!

20/01/2025

Pipestone National Monument is a winter wonderland this time of year!
❄️Experience the serene snow-covered sights along the Circle Trail via snowshoes! Adjustable snowshoes are available in both adult and youth sizes for use at the Monument (weather permitting). There is no admission fee to the national park site and no fee to use the snowshoes making this a budget-friendly family activity or unique date idea!

18/01/2025

FIRE & ICE FESTIVAL
FEBRUARY 8, 2025

It's almost time for Fire & Ice--just 3 weeks until we can have fun on Lake Redwood with bonfires, s'mores, mini-golf, sled rides, bobskis, free skating, and FIREWORKS!!!!

www.exploreswmn.com

18/01/2025

𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐘 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐒𝐍𝐎𝐖! ❄️
It's winter in Minnesota and a great time to get out on your sled! Take a trip to 𝑹𝒐𝒄𝒌 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒚 to enjoy riding on some of the 𝟗𝟎 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬 of groomed trails maintained by the 𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗞 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗬 𝗦𝗡𝗢-𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦! This great group of men and women do an outstanding job connecting communities and points of interest.
Travel from Beaver Creek to Luverne to Kenneth to Hardwick and points north as you ride the trails through the flatlands, hills, and valleys of the county! You'll be glad you did!
www.exploreswmn.com

15/01/2025

Next Saturday night is a great night for a walk outside! Blue Mounds State Park will be lit by candlelight for their ANNUAL CANDLELIGHT HIKE! January 25, 2025 from 5:30 to 8 pm. Nature doesn't get more beautiful than this in the winter!

14/01/2025

Looking for a winter adventure? Why not try out winter camping! Lake Shetek State Park is one of many parks with heated cabins to enjoy all year round. While camping, make sure to stop by some of our other nearby parks with day-trip options, including cross-country skiing and snowshoe rentals.

16/12/2024

𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆

Visit the Walnut Grove Mercantile for delicious homemade fudge! From Sea Salt Caramel to Candy Cane Swirl Fudge, the Walnut Grove Mercantile has it all. Satisfy your chocolate cravings at the Mercantile.

16/12/2024

𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒉𝒐𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑨𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑫𝒂𝒚, 𝑫𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 16

Simply Sweet Cheesecake

206 S Hwy 86, Lakefield, MN
612-232-2605
Drive-Thru Tuesday-Friday 8am-2pm

Chocolate has been a beloved treat for over 3,000 years—can you believe it? It's hard to imagine life without it! People often say that almost anything is made even better by dipping it in chocolate. Think about it: cookies, cakes, ice cream, bananas, potato chips, and even cheesecake! If you're craving some delicious Chocolate Ganache, just hop in your car and head over to Simply Sweet. You won't regret it!

15/12/2024

𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒖𝒑𝒄𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝑫𝒂𝒚!

Kiehl's Bakery in Lakefield is the perfect place to pick up delicious cupcakes for National Cupcake Day on December 15! While treating yourself, consider buying a few extra cupcakes this holiday season to share with your coworkers or your Secret Santa. Everyone loves a sweet surprise, and delicious cupcakes make a wonderful gift! You can even personalize them with fun icing and decorations to make them extra special.

Open:
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday - Saturday

📍332 Main St, Lakefield, MN 56150-1200
📱(507) 662-4827

13/12/2024

Mark Brim of DAKOTA NEWS NOW reported this story of the largest nutcracker in the world coming to Luverne in late spring/early summer 2025. The 14 foot tall boots are ready and the remaining 51 feet will soon be here. The excitement is building for Luverne to become the NUTCRACKER CAPITOL OF THE WORLD!
https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2024/12/11/luverne-soon-be-home-worlds-largest-nutcracker-statue/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHIAKtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHS-AnXZ2YmXTjvasBVrwENtCVEnPQg0nqikZ2SHkbqLW7qri15sKFBP5Og_aem_dSp3xub6AeGyCgBhMyMClw

In early 2025 installation of a 65-foot nutcracker statue is projected to be complete at the Luverne gift store off of I-90.