Between Fargo And Minneapolis Is A Charming Midwest City With Lake Fun, A Museum, And Seasonal Festivals

Minnesota is one of the friendliest states in the U.S., and its nickname of the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" reflects the abundance of fishing opportunities and other water recreation. While Minneapolis and St. Paul pair access to lakes and rivers with museums, restaurants, and big-city living, the North Star State's appeal is also found in the culture and history of its smaller towns. Glenwood, Minnesota, perched on the eastern shore of Lake Minnewaska and roughly between the larger cities of Minneapolis and Fargo, North Dakota, is a charming Midwestern city centered around lakeside recreation, the Pope County Museum, and easy access to the surrounding countryside.

When planning a visit to Glenwood, first check the city's events calendar for any special celebrations. The city hosts community celebrations throughout the year, including the annual Waterama festival on Lake Minnewaska, and Glenwood is also home to the annual Pope County Fair. Once you've picked your dates, book a place to stay and make plans to reserve a boat and spend a day on the lake, before ending with an evening of waterfront dining at the popular local restaurant Lakeside. The next morning, grab a doughnut from Theresa's Turn Bakery, because every day should start with doughnuts for breakfast.

Much of the draw of Glenwood and the surrounding area centers on Lake Minnewaska. Local resorts like Peters Sunset Beach Resort offer easy access to private beaches and provide pontoon and boat rentals for visitors. While the city of Glenwood does offer a public swimming beach, reviews are mixed, with some reviewers on Google Maps complaining about sanitation issues, while others proclaim that the beach is clean. There are public boat ramps for visitors bringing their own boats, and adult kayak rentals are available roughly 15 minutes away at the beach in the town of Starbuck. Tourists wanting a special experience can book a brunch or dinner voyage on the Lady Lakeside, a 40-person boat that cruises around Lake Minnewaska.

While the water is Glenwood's most obvious attraction, an underrated museum on the shores of Lake Minnewaska adds value for visitors seeking a dose of history. The Pope County Museum has a surprising number of fascinating exhibits, including an antique car and a fire truck, Native American artifacts, and genealogical records for the surrounding area. The museum is open during the day from Tuesday through Saturday, and admission is free, although donations are welcome. Don't miss the 19th-century church building, antique train caboose, log cabin, and old schoolhouse located just behind the modern museum building.

Waterama, a multi-day lakeside festival that attracts thousands of attendees each July, is one of Glenwood's largest events. The city celebrates its lake culture vibrantly by hosting a Grand Day Parade, a lighted pontoon parade, a trap shoot, a Waterama royalty coronation, a 5K race, and tournaments in pickleball, volleyball, and beanbag tossing. Waterama is echoed during the colder months by its sister event, Winterama, a one-day celebration featuring a polar plunge, ice hockey, a chili cookoff, and a race. Other community events throughout the year add to the town's neighborly vibes, including Music in the Park during the summer, the Harvest Ball in October, and "Magical Christmas" in December.

While Glenwood is just two hours from Minneapolis by car, it's actually closer to the family-friendly destinations of Fargo, North Dakota, and Fargo's Hector International Airport (FAR) is the closest major airport to Glenwood. There are a handful of two- and three-star hotels in Glenwood, and camping with views of Lake Minnewaska is available at Barsness Park, a city-run tract of land with miles of hiking trails located just a short walk from the Glenwood Public Beach. Visiting Glenwood during the summer months allows tourists to enjoy warm weather while swimming and boating, but a winter trip to Glenwood presents opportunities for ice fishing at Lake Minnewaska and cross-country skiing at Barsness Park; winter travelers can also drive a couple of hours northeast to the cozy lake city of Nisswa to snowmobile on the Paul Bunyan Trail.