Hi, I used to live in Northfield, about a 3/4 hour's drive to the west. There's a nice restored hotel, the St. James, and a old restored theater, the Sheldon. It's a beautiful river town. Red Wing Pottery is long out of business, but the old pottery buildings have been turned into small shops, restaurants, etc. There's a very nice bike trail along the Cannon River that will take you to Cannon Falls. You might check out Northfield, a two-college town, for other cultural events. Across the Mississippi river and down the Wisconsin side in Pepin is one of the best restaurants in the area - the Harbor View. And before you get to Pepin you pass through the town of Stockholm where many artists and craftsmen work and sell their material. And it's one of the most scenic drives down the river. And in the winter you can probably walk across the river! I really don't miss the Minnesota winters!

Cheers, S. in Seattle