Along the Mississippi River, the charming, historic town of Red Wing, MN is about an hour drive from the Twin Cities, making it a great day trip adventure. I have a perfect 1 day in Red Wing itinerary!
Tip: Check the operation hours of the places in Red Wing as some are closed on Sundays or Mondays.
Stop 1: Hanisch Bakery & Coffee
Start your 1 day in Red Wing with a cup of coffee and a bakery item. Go to downtown Red Wing to Hanisch Bakery & Coffee, known for its variety of donuts… good luck making a decision about what to get! If you decide to do this trip on a Sunday or Monday as they are closed, other places to kick off your day include Mandy’s Coffee & Cafe (also closed on Sunday) or Caribou Coffee.
Stop 2: Barn Bluff Hike
This next stop is the highlight of the trip: Barn Bluff. This is the most famous landmark in Red Wing, with a beautiful view overlooking the town and river.
When you arrive at the Barn Bluff Trailhead on 5th Street, you will immediately see a large staircase to begin the hike. There is a North and South trail option that both take you to the peak. The South Trail is the easiest and most efficient way to reach the top and the North Trail is more difficult as it is steeper and narrower. The total hike is about 3 miles.
My Recommendation: Take the North Trail up to get more of a challenge up front. This portion has ropes in certain places to hold onto when the trail gets narrow. When you arrive at the top, enjoy the views of the river and town. Once you have caught your breath and are ready to continue on, take the South Trail back to the trailhead. In this portion of the hike, the trail will be wider and paved in some areas, but it will still be steep. There will be slight detours to go to the East and West Overlooks which give more beautiful views. Make sure to stop and read the historic signs as well as look for wildlife, such as Bald Eagles.
Stop 3: Scarlet Kitchen and Bar
After you worked up an appetite on the hike, it is time to grab lunch. Find parking anywhere downtown. You will be able to walk to all other stops from here. Once parked, walk over to Scarlet Kitchen and Bar, which is attached to the St. James Hotel and has a wonderful rooftop. Located along the river, it is a great spot to relax and continue to soak up the outdoors. From here, you can walk to all other stops.
Stop 4: Downtown Shops
There are many shops along the downtown streets. I recommend walking down the streets and popping into any store that catches your eye. But, a must-see is the World’s Biggest Boot inside the Red Wing Shoe Store. I won’t spoil it for you…. But wow is that boot big! Take some pictures with it, and walk around the rest of the store, going upstairs to read interesting history about the store itself.
Stop 5: Red Wing Confectionery
The last stop of course is to get ice cream; It would not be my itinerary without it! Grab some ice cream from Red Wing Confectionery and then take the ice cream to go and walk across the street to sit on some benches by the fountain or go for a stroll along the river.
Follow for more on social media and email me with any questions! If you use this itinerary, I would love to hear about your experience!