Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
Traveling the Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
| Departure: | Grand Meadow, Minnesota |
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| Destination: | Mound Prairie Scientific and Natural Area, Minnesota |
| Time to allow: | 2 days |
This is a point by point itinerary for the points of interest along the Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway.
Day 1
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Start: Grand Meadow
The city of Grand Meadow offers several different historic sites, including an old stone quarry.
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Stop 1: Spring Valley Historic Sites
Directions from previous place: Continue eastward along the byway for 12 miles until you enter the community of Spring Valley
Distance from Previous Site: 12 miles / 19.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours The community of Springville is the home of several historic sites, including a Methodist Church that Laura Ingalls Wilder attended and a Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum.
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Stop 2: Forestville and Mystery Cave
Directions from previous place: Continue eastward on Highway 16 for 6.7 miles until you reach the junction of Highway Turn right onto Township Road 3491 and continue 1.5 miles Turn left onto Township RD 347 and continue for 2.3 miles. Turn right onto CR-12 / CR-118 and continue for 1.3 miles.
Distance from Previous Site: 12 miles / 19.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours 30 minutes The historic community of Forestville died when the railroad bypassed the town, but it lives on today as a complete historic village. Beneath Forestville are the Mystery Caves, with one or two hour tours available.
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Overnight Point: Preston
Directions from previous place: Start out going east on CR-12 / CR-118 toward Township Road 347 and continue for 3.6 miles. Turn left onto CR-11 and continue for 1.2 miles. Turn right onto MN-16 and continue for 3.9 miles into Preston.
Distance from Previous Site: 8.7 miles / 13.9 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 20 minutes The community of Preston has several bed and breakfast locations, as well as local dining clubs and restaurants.
Total Distance Traveled in Day 1: 32.7 miles / 52.3 km
Day 2
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Stop 1: Historic Lanesboro
Directions from previous place: Turn onto MN-16 (the Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway) and continue for 5.2 miles.
Distance from Previous Site: 5.2 miles / 8.3 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour 30 minutes The community of Lanesboro offers many shops, restaurants, a winery, a professional theatre and Victorian homes to view.
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Stop 2: Rushford and Magelssen State Park
Directions from previous place: Head east on the byway from Lanesboro and continue for 17 miles.
Distance from Previous Site: 17 miles / 27.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 25 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour 30 minutes Rushford welcomes visitors, spelling out the name of the town with white rocks on the side of a large bluff. The town itself offers many shops and eateries, along with an art gallery. Up on the bluff, Magelssen Park features the 5th oldest oak in Minnesota and other natural wonders.
When your bus rolls into Rushford you will notice the large bluff with the name “Rushford” in white rocks on the side of the hill. It is on the top of this hill that Magellsson Park and the 5th oldest Oak tree in Minnesota reside. Once again, there is much to see with an art gallery, ice cream/pizza parlor, the Creamery and various shops.
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Stop 3: Houston
Directions from previous place: Follow MN-16 east from Rushford for 11 miles.
Distance from Previous Site: 11 miles / 17.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 15 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour 30 minutes Houston features the Houston Nature Center, featuring several programs detailing the secret lives of the wildlife of the area. Along with this, Houston is the home of Cody the Buffalo from the movie Dances With Wolves.
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End: Mound Prairie Scientific and Natural Area
Directions from previous place: Continue along the byway (MN-16) from Houston to Hokah, the terminus of the byway.
Distance from Previous Site: 11 miles / 17.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 15 minutes The Mound Prairie Scientific and Natural Area offers a nature trail that winds through the rare plant and animal species found on the Minnesota Prairie.
