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The Latest from Lanesboro & Whalan

Fall colors overlooking Lanesboro from the Church Hill Overlook

How to Plan Your Fall Visit to the Lanesboro Area Around Fall Colors

September 2, 2025

Fall in the Lanesboro area isn’t just a week of peak color—it’s a whole season of beauty and small-town charm. From the first leaves turning in September to golden oaks in late October, discover the best ways to plan your trip around Bluff Country’s fall colors, with help from the MN DNR Fall Color Finder and festive local events.

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Aerial view of Big Springs Farm Pumpkins & Corn Maze

Fall Family Fun at Big Springs Farm Pumpkins & Corn Maze – Opening Sept. 13, 2025!

September 2, 2025

Get ready for fall 2025! Big Springs Farm near Lanesboro opens its gates on September 13, boasting a brand-new Paul Bunyan & Babe–themed corn maze, an expanded pumpkin patch with nearly 150 varieties, sunflower fields, and all the family fun—from hayrides and mini-ziplines to duck races and cozy fall treats.

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Smiling child wearing a helmet and harness at the Eagle Bluff high ropes course in Lanesboro, with other participants navigating rope bridges in the background.

Discover Fall at Eagle Bluff: Astronomy Hikes, Foraging Fun, and High Ropes Challenges

August 25, 2025

Autumn in Lanesboro is a magical time—crisp nights, colorful bluffs, and endless opportunities to get outside. This season, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center is offering a lineup of unique fall events designed for families, friends, and adventure-seekers alike. From stargazing to high ropes thrills, there’s something for everyone!

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Aerial view of the Old Barn Resort and Rivers Bend Golf Course near Lanesboro, Minnesota, surrounded by rolling green hills, tree-lined fairways, a winding river, and a small pond under clear blue skies.

From Floodwaters to Fairways: Rivers Bend Golf Course is Back!

August 22, 2025

There’s nothing quite like a round of golf at Rivers Bend, where the fairways wind along the Root River and the bluffs rise in the distance. After several days of heavy rain and high water, the course faced an unexpected challenge this week — but true to form, the crew and community rallied. Today, Rivers Bend is fully open again, ready to welcome golfers back to one of Bluff Country’s most scenic courses.

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Stairway inside Niagara Cave surrounded by rushing floodwater after heavy rainfall

Niagara Cave Reopens After Flooding – A Hidden Wonder Awaits!

August 20, 2025

Niagara Cave has reopened after historic flooding. Explore the underground waterfall, stunning formations, and family-friendly tours near Harmony, MN.

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Downtown Lanesboro, MN with historic buildings, American flags, and a truck hauling kayaks and tubes—set against lush green bluff country under a blue sky. Photo by Explore Minnesota / Ryan Taylor.

Make the Most of Summer in Lanesboro, MN—Before School Starts!

August 14, 2025

Summer isn’t over yet—there’s still time to sneak in one last adventure! Before the school bell rings, gather your family or friends and head to Lanesboro, Minnesota, the heart of Bluff Country, for unforgettable fun, food, and fresh-air experiences.

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Three people toast drinks in a small-town bar, with liquor bottles and neon signs in the background.

Why Opening Night at the Commonweal Theatre Is the Best Show in Town (And the Perfect Excuse for a Lanesboro Getaway)

July 15, 2025

There’s something undeniably electric about an opening night performance. The anticipation, the buzz, the first time the actors feel the energy of a live audience—it all combines to create a one-of-a-kind experience. At the Commonweal Theatre, located in the heart of downtown Lanesboro, that electricity doesn’t stop when the curtain falls. On opening nights, the celebration continues with a lively post-show reception, where audience members are invited to mingle with the cast and crew, enjoy wine and snacks (including a famously addicting punch), and toast the beginning of a new artistic journey. It’s immersive, joyous, and the best way to experience live theatre.

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Black and white vintage photo of four men from the late 1800s, all wearing wide-brimmed hats and suits. Two are seated and two are standing behind them. The man on the left is wearing a light-colored suit and cowboy hat; the others are in darker suits. They have mustaches and long hair, styled in the fashion of the Old West. The background features an arched doorway.

What’s the Connection Between William “Buffalo Bill” Cody and Lanesboro, MN?

July 1, 2025

If you’ve spent any time in Lanesboro, you’ve probably heard Buffalo Bill’s name come up once or twice (or a dozen times). From a bluff named in his honor to the town’s biggest summer celebration, Buffalo Bill Days, his legacy looms large here. But what exactly is the connection between this legendary Wild West showman and our scenic little town in bluff country? The answer is a fascinating mix of fact, folklore, and frontier-sized personality—and it all starts in the late 1870s.

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Live music with people on the patio of Sylvan Brewing

Small Towns, Big Sounds: Tuning into the Live Music Scene in Lanesboro and Whalan, MN

June 26, 2025

When you think of Lanesboro & Whalan, Minnesota, you might picture bikes on the trail, canoes on the river, or a fresh slice of world-famous pie. But there’s another layer to these scenic Driftless towns: a live music scene that punches well above its weight. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or you’re a regular down the trail, the music in Lanesboro and Whalan offers something for everyone—year-round, indoors and out.

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A smiling girl holding a large ice cream cone stands in front of a colorful storefront with pink, green, and blue trim. Two other children are near a walk-up service window in the background.

7 Ways to Satisfy Your Summer Sweet Tooth in Lanesboro and Whalan

June 17, 2025

Looking for a little post-pedal sugar? These seven stops in Lanesboro and Whalan deliver everything from pies to whoopie pies, fudge to floats, and ice cream cones to candy counters. Whether you’re here for the day or the week, there’s always something sweet waiting—no excuse necessary.

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