Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce

The Best of Bluff Country


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Welcome to Lanesboro & Whalan, MN

Set against the dramatic limestone bluffs of southeast Minnesota’s Driftless region, Lanesboro and nearby Whalan blend outdoor adventure, vibrant arts, and welcoming small-town hospitality. Bike the Root River State Trail, explore charming downtown shops and galleries, paddle the Root River, or settle into a cozy inn after a day outdoors. Experience The Best of Bluff Country.

Explore Things to Do →

A vertical vintage-style event flyer for the 22nd Annual Rhubarb Festival in Lanesboro, Minnesota. The flyer has a cream-colored background with green and red accents, decorative borders, and illustrated rhubarb stalks and leaves in the corners. Large bold lettering at the top reads “Rhubarb Festival,” with “Lanesboro, MN” on a green ribbon beneath it. The date and time are listed as Saturday, June 6, 10 AM–2 PM. A red banner below the title says the festival is hosted in beautiful Sylvan Park, is free to attend, and offers fun for the whole family. The flyer includes a short welcome message inviting people to Lanesboro for the 22nd annual Rhubarb Festival. The main body is divided into several organized sections. A Festival Schedule section lists activities throughout the day, including the Festival Kickoff and First Stalk Ceremony at 10:00, live music, Goat Chill Out, Story Tree, Rhu-Art, Balloon Art, History Spotlight, Rhu-Lympics games, Largest Leaf and Heaviest Stalk submissions, Rhubarb Run and Rhubarb Style Show prizes, Bake Off free tastings, Cornhole Tournament, and festival-ending activities at 2:00. A Festival Eats & Treats section lists food and drink offerings including Rhu-Dogs with Rhubarb Salsa from Bethlehem Church, gyros from L&L Kebab House, homemade rhubarb desserts from residents of Lanesboro, rhubarb kettle corn from Jem Movie Theater, coffee and treats from Paddle On Coffee and Maker Emporium, Bake-Off tastings from regional bakers, and Farmers Market. A Live Music Line-Up section shows performance times for Rhubarb Sisters, Matt & Brenda Stier, Two Harbors Ukulele Group, and Clay Fulton, with the phrase “Rhubarb Jam with us!” below. A large bottom section titled Downtown Rhubarb Specials lists rhubarb-themed specials from downtown Lanesboro businesses, including Junipers Restaurant, High Court Pub, Clara’s Eatery, Granny’s Liquor, Paddle On Coffee and Maker Emporium, The Scoop, and Sylvan Brewing. The flyer uses small themed icons for food, drinks, music, and festival activities throughout.

It's Rhubarb Fest weekend in Lanesboro!

Celebrate one of Lanesboro’s sweetest traditions during Rhubarb Fest! The 22nd Annual Rhubarb Festival takes place Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in beautiful Sylvan Park, with free family-friendly fun, live music, festival food, rhubarb treats, contests, kids’ activities, and plenty of small-town charm.

Come for the rhubarb, stay for the full weekend! Explore local shops and restaurants, enjoy downtown rhubarb-themed specials, catch live music or theatre, take a tour, hit the trail, float the river, and make the most of a festive weekend in Lanesboro.

Download flyer ↓ | View event page

🎬 Check us out on John McGivern's Main Streets!

Stay. Dine. Shop. Unwind.

Stay in cozy inns, boutique hotels, charming cabins, and welcoming B&Bs. Savor locally owned cafés and restaurants, browse distinctive boutiques and galleries, and toast the day at craft breweries and scenic vineyards. Enjoy award-winning live theater, connect with local guides and outfitters, or tee off against a backdrop of rolling bluffs. From riverside dining and homemade pie to bike rentals, fly fishing and coffee shops, the independent businesses of the Lanesboro area make every visit memorable.

Lodging

Spacious hotel room in Lanesboro featuring a king bed with warm-toned bedding, hardwood floors, a lofted sleeping area accessed by ladder, exposed brick accents, and a sitting area with chairs and artwork.


Places to Stay

Dining

A fresh salad topped with vegetables sits on a table alongside craft beer, bread, and plated meals, highlighting a casual dining experience in Lanesboro.


Dining & Spirits

Shopping

Visitors walk along Lanesboro’s bustling downtown sidewalk in summer, passing local shops, restaurants, bicycles, and parked cars with Bluff Country hills in the background.


Shopping & Retail


Fair question, Guy — and we appreciate you riding the trail! A lot of people first discover Lanesboro through the Root River Trail, but what keeps many visitors coming back is everything they find once they step off the bike for a bit: live professional theater, art galleries, great local restaurants and craft beverages, local shops, historic inns and B&Bs, and the bluff country scenery all around town. If it’s been a few years since your visit, you might find a few new surprises these days. If you’re curious, the free Visitor Guide in the post above is a great way to see what all there is to explore.


Attractions & Entertainment


Kayakers and tubers float down the Root River through a tree-lined stretch near Lanesboro, enjoying a sunny day of summer recreation in southeastern Minnesota.


Recreation & Adventure

Two copies of the Lanesboro & Whalan visitor guide laying on top one another

Get Our Free Visitor Guide

Plan your perfect Bluff Country getaway with local business listings, events, and can’t-miss experiences from Lanesboro, Whalan, and beyond.

Grab your guide →

Culture, Adventure & Local Energy

From historic landmarks and local galleries to the 60-mile Root River State Trail, the Lanesboro area blends creativity and outdoor adventure in one remarkable setting. Bike, hike, ski, or paddle through scenic bluffs and winding river valleys. Experience live performances, explore Amish heritage and rural traditions, or cast a line in cold, clear trout streams. Located in Minnesota’s Driftless Area, this landscape delivers something unforgettable at every turn.

Biking
Biking on the Root River Trail in Lanesboro, Minnesota
Root River Trail
Bike • Walk • Views
Landmarks
Historic Dam
Falls • Photos • Downtown
Creative
Arts & Culture
Galleries • Theatre • Events
Traditions
Amish heritage experience in southeast Minnesota near Lanesboro
Amish Heritage
Tours • Shops • Crafts
Nightlife
Live show at a pub with guests enjoying nightlife and evening entertainment in Lanesboro, Minnesota
Lively Evenings
Shows • Entertainment • Social
Local
Downtown shopping and dining scene in Lanesboro, Minnesota
Shopping & Dining
Eat • Browse • Discover
River
River Recreation
Canoe • Kayak • Float
Scenery
Scenic Byway
Bluffs • Curves • Stops
Landscape
Driftless Wonders
Caves • Cliffs • Geology
Beauty
Hiking & Nature
Hike • Birds • Quiet
Angling
Trout Fishing
Streams • Trout • Guides
Legacy
History & Heritage
Stories • Museums • Roots

🎉 Can’t-Miss Signature Events in Lanesboro & Whalan

From beloved annual traditions to iconic seasonal celebrations, Lanesboro and Whalan’s Signature Events bring the community and visitors together all year long. Make your visit even more memorable with a calendar full of art, music, food, lights, and small-town magic.

Explore our Signature Events →

Livin' That #LanesboroLife

Follow @lanesboromn for the latest from Lanesboro & Whalan — from trails and arts to events and everyday small-town life.

Three models wearing Lanesboro & Whalan, Minnesota apparel: two adults in rust-colored T-shirts with a bicycle graphic and one person in a green sweatshirt with a fish graphic.

Grab Your Lanesboro & Whalan Merch

Show off your love for Lanesboro & Whalan by scoring some sweet merch! 

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Partnerships & Associations