In 1819 soldiers arrived at the junction of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers to build the northwest link in the US chain of forts and agencies. As they built they forged relationships with the native peoples that preceded them. It was nearly 40 years later that Minnesota became a state, and during that time thousands of pioneers, came to make their home in this new land.

Day One

  • This morning, travel south to the Traverse des Sioux treaty site along the Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway. The treaty signed here in 1850 promised American Indians food and supplies in return for the land given to settlers. Stop in nearby in St. Peter for lunch and shopping along their charming Main Street, and stroll the beautiful grounds of Gustavus Adolphus College.
  • Continue down the scenic byway to Mankato and drive through the neighborhood that inspired Maud Hart Lovelace to write the Betsy-Tacy children’s books.
  • End the day in New Ulm where German heritage is evident in the downtown glockenspiel, and in the local brewery. The brewery tour is not only interesting and tasty, but surprising with its extensive garden, deer park and resident peacocks! Stay in a German-style hotel or Bed and Breakfast.

Day Two

  • Those who have read or watched “Little House on the Prairie” will recognize New Ulm as one of the places mentioned in the series and in fact, the town is located on the “Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Highway.” Travel through other familiar towns like Sleepy Eye to get to Walnut Grove where you can visit the Wilder Museum. For a true “immersion” experience travel to Sanborn where you can stay in, or at least tour, a real sod house.
  • Museums highlighting different aspects of pioneer and prairie history are found in every direction - railroad and transportation history at the End O Line Railroad Park in Currie, Dakota Indian history at Lower Sioux Agency near Redwood Falls, and prairie history at The Hole-in-the-Mountain Prairie near Lake Benton are just a few.

For the adventuresome - stay in the Sodhouse B&B, for others, there are many motels and inns that offer a more “comfortable” stay!

Day Three

  • Take some time this morning to browse the wide variety of antique stores in Lake Benton and other towns in Lincoln County.
  • Travel on to Pipestone, where the red-quartzite you see in the buildings has been used for hundreds of years as the ceremonial stone for the plains Indians. The name Pipestone came from this use, the making of the peace pipe or calumet. Today, the quarries are protected as part of the Pipestone National Monument and only Native Americans can remove the stone. Native artisans are at work at the Pipestone National Monument carving pipestone in to pipes and other ceremonial objects while you watch.
  • To get a feel for the life of early settlers and native people visit Blue Mounds State Park near Luverne where one of the last remnants of prairie are preserved, complete with a small buffalo herd. Stay in one of many historic inns or motels