Luverne, Minnesota is a vibrant small town of just around 5,000 people located in south west Minnesota. With so many things to do it will be hard to fit everything into a day so plan to be there for a full weekend if possible to really take everything in! However, if you only have a day, this Luverne Minnesota day trip itinerary is sure to give you a taste of this incredible community!
Start the day at Wildflowers
Start your day at Wildflowers with a great breakfast sandwich and the best coffee in town to kick start the busy day. This coffee shop has lots of space but definitely gets busy. Get there early to avoid a wait and even bring your laptop to get a little work done if you need to!
Get Outdoors at Blue Mounds State Park
Next, get outside at Blue Mounds State Park! Grab a Minnesota state park pass for only $7 for one day or $35 for the entire year. Blue Mounds State Park has many areas to explore and is great for hiking, biking, and even rock climbing. Even if you aren’t a rock climber, head to the cliff line area and check out the beautiful Sioux Quartzite. If you plan ahead, sign up for the Prairie and Bison Tour online. The tour is 90 minutes and only $10. You could be within a few feet of bison all while safely in the tour bus. The tour is definitely a can’t miss experience!
Grab a classic lunch at JJ’s Drive In
Grab lunch at a local classic, JJ’s Drive In. This small, family owned drive in has been around for over 30 years and has the best burgers in town. Order a burger, fries, and a milkshake for all the drive in nostalgia. You’ll need the sustenance after hiking and exploring the state park anyway!
Explore Rock County History Center
Learn the history of Rock County and check out a hidden gem this town is known for! The Rock County History Center has many pieces of history in here including an old Luverne vehicle that is proudly displayed in the showroom. However, one of the most fun hidden gems in Luverne is the world’s 3rd largest nutcracker museum! If you end up there at the right time, the woman who started the entire collection might even be working and talk about how it all started. Fun fact: There are more nutcrackers in that museum then people in the town of Luverne!
Ride around Luverne Loop
Bring your own bike or take advantage of the e-bikes available to rent! The Luverne Loop stretches 7.4 miles around the outside of the city giving you the best views of things available in the area. If you didn’t bring your own bike, e-bike rentals are available at the Luverne Aquatics and Fitness Center for only $10 and hour. The e-bikes are peddle assist so peddling is still required but they are much easier to use then a normal bike making them great for all fitness levels!
Dine at Sterling’s
Finish off your full day in Luverne with a nice dinner at Sterling’s. Enjoy the great atmosphere inside the restaurant or sit on the patio and watch the cars go by. Sterling’s provides a more elevated dining experience and has some very unique offerings for the area. Portions are large and could be easily split especially if you want to save room for dessert!
Luverne Minnesota Day Trip Itinerary
This Luverne Minnesota day trip itinerary is just a glimpse into everything this south western Minnesota town has to offer. Luverne has a vibrant arts community, rich history to explore, and great annual events that you won’t want to miss. Save the date for their annual Buffalo Days event which takes place the first Saturday in June every year!
