Luverne, Minnesota is a beautiful city in Rock County, Minnesota. The city is home to a population of 4,946. It was featured in Ken Burns’ documentary The War, and was the setting for the second season of the HBO hit Fargo.
LUVERNE MINNESOTA
Luverne, Minnesota, is a small city with a population of 4,946 as of the 2020 census. The city was profiled in Ken Burns’ The War, and it also served as the setting for the second season of the hit television series Fargo.
Luverne is home to several attractions. Luverne Falls is one such attraction, which features a beautiful waterfall surrounded by prairie landscape. The falls are particularly beautiful during sunset. Another place to visit in Luverne is the Luverne Burger Café, which has been serving burgers since 1977 and has become an iconic landmark in the town. The city is also home to Skydive Adventures, which is located one mile south of Luverne on Highway 75.
Jim Brandenburg Gallery – The Brandenburg Gallery is owned by the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce and features the work of the internationally renowned nature photographer Jim Brandenburg. The gallery’s theme focuses on the prairie and wildlife, and all proceeds from the sale of his works benefit his nonprofit Brandenburg Prairie Foundation.
Historic Palace Theatre – Located in downtown Luverne, MN, the historic palace theatre is a local landmark. It features live events, movies, and performances by the local Green Earth Players. It is a historic landmark with great acoustics and comfortable seating. Throughout the year, multiple venues host a variety of events.
Blue Mound Biking and Hiking Trail – Located about six miles from downtown Luverne, the Blue Mound Biking and Hiking Trail is a scenic route through the surrounding landscape. The trail winds through rural countryside, passing through open fields, agricultural fields, and the Blue Mound cliff line. It also branches off to provide panoramic views.
Blue Mounds State Park
Visitors to Blue Mounds State Park can enjoy the abundance of wildlife that calls the area home. From deer to coyotes to nesting grosbeaks, you can see them all here. You may even spot a bison or two if you get lucky. Since the bison herd is relatively small, it is best to see them in the early morning hours. If you want to learn more about them, you can take a guided tour of their habitat.
Blue Mounds State Park features 13 miles of hiking trails. Hikers can enjoy easy to moderate trails that wind around the mounds. In addition, there are additional three miles of paved trails for bikers. Once you reach the end of the trails, you can explore the town of Luverne on a bike.
Another great place to visit in Lincoln is the cave of the Mounds. The cave is a natural limestone formation. Tours are offered to see its historic stalagmites. Also, take a trip to the Niagara Escarpment, which is an arc-shaped rock ridge formation that spans nearly 1,000 miles. This feature is a popular destination among visitors to the area.
If you love the outdoors, you will love the park. It features a guest lodge, camping, and a camp store. There are also picnic areas for day visitors. The park is also a migratory center for bald eagles, which flock to this park each December. There is also the Shawnee National Forest, located in southern Illinois. It features beautiful rock formations, thriving wetlands, and a unique landscape.
Another place to visit in Lincoln, Minnesota is the state capitol. The state capitol was built in 1868 in the French Renaissance Revival style. Its ornate dome rises 361 feet above the ground. It is open to the public and offers guided tours. It is even taller than the US Capitol in Washington, DC!
Touch the Sky Prairie
If you’re in the area, make time to visit the Touch the Sky Prairie and Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge. These two areas offer great views of the surrounding area and are within 30 miles of each other. The park has more than 15 miles of groomed trails, and you can even try ice fishing when the weather allows. There are also limestone caves and wooded ravines, along with Twin Sister and Indian Head rock climbing formations.
Visitors to Touch the Sky Prairie can also learn more about the area’s natural history. The area is home to the last remnants of tallgrass prairies, which once covered nearly a third of the great plains. The national wildlife refuge has several different units to explore, and all of them offer self-guided tours. Both the Touch the Sky Prairie and Gislason Lake units have interpretive panels and kiosks to help visitors learn about the area.
Brandenburg Gallery
Brandenburg Gallery opened its doors in May 1999 and is owned by the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce. It features work from internationally known nature photographer Jim Brandenburg, a native of Luverne. The theme of the gallery is the prairie, with a focus on landscapes and wildlife. Visitors can purchase books and materials created by Brandenburg and watch videos about his work.
Palisades State Park
If you’re looking for some amazing views, then you should visit Palisades State Park in northwestern Illinois. The park is home to steep cliffs and scenic overlooks. It is also popular with hikers and rock climbers. You can spend your day exploring the area and checking out wildlife. The park has fifteen miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, and water.
If you’re looking for a place to stay while visiting Lincoln, there are several options. The Graduate Lincoln Hotel is a stylish hotel that has a great restaurant on site. This hotel is also convenient to the city center and main restaurants.
A short distance away, you can take in scenic trails and explore the park’s many wildlife species. Hiking enthusiasts can also explore the park’s six miles of cross-country ski trails. The park also offers a radio-controlled model airplane field.
Visiting the Lincoln Tomb is another exciting activity in Lincoln. The tomb is the final resting place of Abraham Lincoln, Mary Lincoln, and three of his sons. Built in 1874, the tomb is the second-most-visited cemetery in the country. While you’re there, take time to rub the bronze bust. The tomb was refurbished in the 1900s and again in the 1930s after structural flaws were discovered.