Bring Ya A** to Little Falls, MN

Bring Ya A** to Little Falls, MN

You may have heard by now about the Minnesota Timberwolves player, Anthony Edwards, and his call for Charles Barkley to come to Minnesota, but we’d like to extend the invitation to everyone! Minnesota has so much to offer, and so do its cities. Little Falls, MN is an incredible place to work, play, and live! Check out our 10 reasons why.

Museums

Little Falls has a wide variety of museums for history buffs to explore. A popular tourist destination is the Charles Lindbergh House and Museum where visitors can tour the boyhood home of famed aviator, Charles Lindbergh. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh changed aviation history when he became the first person to fly a nonstop transatlantic flight. Learn about Lindbergh’s complex character and legacy by taking a tour of his childhood home and the museum. See for yourself where a dream took flight!

Another popular stop in Little Falls are the Linden Hill mansions. This 9-acre historic estate situated on the Mississippi River is beautifully preserved and shares the lives of the families that lived there. Built in 1898 for the Weyerhaeuser and Musser families, the homes are now available for tours and use throughout the year. Immerse yourself in the rich history by taking a guided tour of the Weyerhaeuser (green) mansion during the summer or rent the Musser (white) home for any special occasions. Linden Hill also hosts several public events throughout the year that you won’t want to miss!

For those who would like to learn more about Little Falls and Morrison County, we recommend that you stop in at the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum. Dedicated in 1975, the museum became the home to the Morrison County Historical Society. Also located along the banks of the Mississippi River, visitors, researchers, and students can delve into the county’s past by viewing exhibits or studying the many resources and documents within.

If you’re in Minnesota to take in the Land of 10,000 lakes, you might want to stop in to the Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame. In March of 2023, it was designated as the state’s official fishing museum and hall of fame and it has been a staple of Little Falls for years. With a collection of over 15,000 artifacts of fishing-related antiques and memorabilia tracing the heritage of freshwater angling in Minnesota, make sure you add this stop to your list!

Also in Little Falls is the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum located at Camp Ripley. This is the only military museum in the state representing all of the branches of the military. Indoor and outdoor exhibits depict the stories and contributions of Minnesotans who served in all the branches of service in times of peace and war, from Minnesota’s early years, through the World Wars, leading up to current conflicts. A new facility is under construction and is expected to open in the spring of 2026.

Mississippi River

Little Falls is a true Mississippi River town. The Mighty Mississippi has played a large role in Little Falls’ history. The Ojibwe were the first to call Little Falls their home and they referred to the area as “Kakabikans” which means “the place of the little-squarely-cut-off-rock.” This feature can still be seen at Linden Hill Historic Estate. When settlers came, the Mississippi River was used for trade routes by missionaries, fur traders, settlers, and lumberman. A couple years after Little Falls became an official city in 1889, a massive lumbering operation took off and the Pine Tree Lumber Company was established. After the Pine Tree Lumber Company closed, the Larson Boat factory took its place. Paul Larson founded the building in 1925 and produced thousands of boats up until it closed in 2017.

The Mississippi River is still an important part of every day life in Little Falls, and it serves as a stunning scenic attraction. People can follow along its path as they travel the Great River Road and stop at our 1848 Dam located at James Green Park. You can cast a line and catch a wide variety of fish including walleye, pike, muskie, perch, crappie, sunfish, and catfish. You can also put in your canoe or kayak and float down this incredible natural wonder.

State Park

Minnesota has 65 state parks and Little Falls is home to one of them. Located directly across from Charles Lindbergh’s boyhood home was the Lindbergh’s 110-acre farmland which would later become the Charles A. Lindbergh State Park. It may surprise you to discover that the state park was actually named after Lindbergh’s father known as C. A. Lindbergh. The land was donated in 1931 in Congressman C. A. Lindbergh’s honor and was developed by the Works Progress Administration in the following years.

Today, visitors explore the park year round. In the summer, the park is great for camping, canoeing Pike Creek, hiking the 7 miles of trails, enjoying a picnic in the shelter, birding, and having fun on the playground. In the winter, bring your skis or snowshoes and take in the stunning views.

Outdoor Recreation

Here in Little Falls, we love outdoor recreation. We have twenty parks with amenities for anything you could need. Looking for a park with a boat landing? One that has disc golf? A spot for grilling? Bathrooms on site? Shelters for events? We’ve got you covered!

We also have bike trails. The Mississippi River Trail is nearly 500 miles long and Little Falls is one of the scenic segments. Another great trail just south of Little Falls is the Soo Line Trail where bikers can pass over the Blanchard Dam. Little Falls also has the Camp Ripley Veterans State Trail that, when completed, will connect the Crow Wing State Park, the Paul Bunyan Trail, and the Soo Line Trail. Segments of this trail are complete and can be biked. And be sure to check out our annual Charmed Ride where kids 18 years and younger can go around Little Falls, collect free charms, and enter to win a bike from Touright Bicycle Shop.

Little Falls also has an incredible golf course located along the Mississippi River. The land was donated by the Musser family for the community to enjoy. In the past year, the course has received lots of upgrades. Although renovations aren’t yet complete, the course is open for the year. Be sure to gather your friends and family to enjoy the beauty of the course!

In the winter, Little Falls has a wide variety of scenic parks and groomed paths for visitors and residents to ski and snowshoe. Our parks are also great for sledding and some even have skating rinks.

Zoo

The 2nd oldest zoo in Minnesota was founded in Little Falls. The Pine Grove Zoo houses a wide variety of animals including tigers, otters, zebras, kangaroos, monkeys, and lots of other incredible creatures. The park is open daily in the summer and offers several educational opportunities for not only kids, but adults too! The zoo also has a playground for kids to enjoy and a shelter that can be rented for events.

This year, the zoo underwent lots of changes. A new shelter known as the Lions Den was built for events and a new exhibit was created for the zoo’s ambassadors which include a snake, spider, hedgehog, and more! The zoo also welcomed several new animals including two coatimundis and three wolf pups.

Art

Art lovers can find a vast selection of art in Little Falls from our public art murals and frescoes to our local art gallery.

The public art murals in Little Falls were completed by Frank Gosiak and volunteers over several years. Each mural is unique and depicts a piece of Little Falls history. The piece shown above encapsulates the logging era in Little Falls. The picture on the adjacent side features Main Street in Little Falls in the 1900s. On the west side of town, you’ll find a mural on the MN Fishing Museum showcasing the seasons in Minnesota and further down at the Boys and Girls Club is a colorful tree mural with falling leaves. In downtown Little Falls, there is a painting alongside the Little Falls Bakery and Deli known as “Days From the Past” and another mural showing the harmful effects of tobacco. There are also murals within A. T. The Black and White and Pine Grove Zoo in their education building.

Along with murals, there are several frescoes in Little Falls which were completed by artist, Charles Kapsner. Two frescoes can be found at the Little Falls Lindbergh Elementary school. Others can be found at the Minnesota State Cemetery as well as the MN Military Museum.

Art can also be found on the windows and on the sidewalks in downtown Little Falls. Window clings reside on buildings representing Little Falls’ history and icons that share the town’s industry and success. And keep an eye out for painted garbage cans and bike racks with fun, unique designs and themes.

Another amazing addition to Little Falls is our local art gallery, Great River Arts, which is free and open to the public. Every couple of months, the art in the front and main gallery is switched out so there’s always something new to see. While you’re there, be sure to sign up for some art classes or catch a live performance. Want to take the art home with you? Shop their retail space for local, handmade art.

Little Falls Arts & Crafts Fair

The Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair is celebrating its 51st year on September 7th – 8th, 2024. It is the largest event in the city. Held annually the weekend following Labor Day in Little Falls’ historic downtown, the Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair features over 600 vendors and draws over 125,000 people to the area. Here, you can find any number of handcrafted items from pottery and jewelry to home decor and clothing. There also a number of food vendors to curb your hunger while you browse. You can get an early jump on your holiday gifts or treat yourself to something nice. There’s something for everyone!

Just across the bridge, visitors can also check out the Marketplace Fair and the Antique Sale at Le Bourget Park.

This year, we launched the Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair website so vendors can easily submit their applications online and visitors can find answers to their questions.

Shopping

A fan of shopping? Little Falls has a great selection of shops for all your needs! The Shoppes of Little Falls located in historic downtown Little Falls has over 100 artisan and vendors featuring handmade crafts such as home decor, clothing, snacks, toys, jewelry, and so much more! You can also stock up on Little Falls merch for residents to showoff their city or for visitors to take home a wonderful souvenir.

Also downtown is Melgram Jewelers where you can stop in and peruse their many displays of stunning jewelry. Pick out a special piece for a loved one or stop in and get permanent jewelry with friends! And don’t forget to check out their selection of beautiful pieces of artwork from Great River Arts.

Just next door to Melgram Jewelers is Bon Jos which has a great selection of women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories. They also have tanning beds, just call to make an appointment.

Down the block, you’ll find Baby’s on Broadway which has everything parents and kids need. Find furniture to put in your little one’s room, gifts for expecting moms, toys for kids, and more! If you’re not sure what you’re looking for or need some help picking things out, just consult their friendly and knowledgeable staff.

If you enjoy thrifting, be sure to make your way to New 2 You! They have everything your looking for from clothing and furniture to kids’ toys and books. You’re sure to find a treasure when you stop in.

Some of Little Falls’ newest additions include Pretty Kinz Boutique, which has women’s and girl’s clothing and accessories, and Dandelion Lane Home, which has home decor, clothing, accessories, and more!

Dining & Spirits

Visit our incredible city and find a vast selection of dining and spirits whether you’re looking to enjoy a drink at a local bar, savor a sweet treat at an ice cream shop, or dine with friends and family. Some of our incredible dining and spirit locations include the first and only brewing company in Morrison County, Starry Eyed Brewing Company. They have over 40 brewed-in house beers, ciders, and hard seltzers. They also have non-alcoholic options, great outdoor seating, and it’s pet and family-friendly!

If you’re looking for fine dining, you’ll want to check out A. T. The Black & White. A tourist favorite, A. T. The Black & White is owned and operated by two Le Cordon Bleu chefs and offers a great variety of delicious, fresh meals. The dining room, featuring a lovely mural as well as vintage signage, is the perfect setting for an evening meal.

If you’re familiar with the restaurants in Little Falls and are for something new to try, then you have to stop in at the most recent addition to Little Falls, Ciao Thyme. Complete with a wood-fire oven and a full bar, Ciao Thyme serves incredible meals that you can enjoy in the restaurant, order for takeout, or bring into the newly renovated theatre, The Falls Theatre, next door!

And have you heard about our famous donuts? Stop on over at the Little Falls Bakery and Deli to get yours! Previously known as Pete & Joy’s Bakery, the owners sold the bakery and shared the original recipes with the new owners so that the community can continue to enjoy their delicious donuts. You can browse their displays of sweets or sit down for breakfast or lunch.

Cross Rocks

Cross Rocks, also known as “fairy stones,” can be found at Blanchard Dam just south of Little Falls. The stones are about an inch in length and are a dark brown color. These highly sought after stones come in three different types. The Prismatic Cross is perhaps the easiest of the three to find as it is in a less-than-perfect shape, but crossed none the less. The Saint Andrew’s Cross is more difficult to find with an angled line through the cross instead of a horizontal line. And there is the rarest and most sought after type, the Maltese Cross. It is a well-formed, perfectly even cross. Bike or walk the Soo Line Trail and try your hand at finding some Cross Rocks!

Exploring Little Falls

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