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Tourism

The city of Winona is filled with a variety of attractions, many displaying the area’s rich history, dining choices and places to stay at the end of the day.

Attractions

Winona cherishes its strong heritage, providing residents and visitors alike with several local historical museums, including the Watkins Heritage Museum, the Polish Cultural Institute of Winona, the historic Pickwick Mill and the Winona County Historical Museum, which also runs the Bunnell House and Arches Museum.

The Watkins Heritage Museum opened its doors in 1993, exhibiting the Watkins Company’s product lines, past to present, as well as memorabilia from the company’s dynamic past.

The Polish Cultural Institute dedicates its exhibits of artifacts, art and heirlooms to the Polish immigrants who settled in Winona and aided in its prosperity. Organized in 1976, the Institute is located in the vintage Laird, Norton Lumber Co. building.

The historic Pickwick Mill was in operation for more than 120 years. Hailed as one of southeast Minnesota’s oldest waterpower gristmills, the building was originally opened as a gristmill and sawmill combination. During the Civil War years, the mill produced flour for the Union army and remained a significant source of flourmilling for that section of Minnesota, along with parts of nearby Iowa and Wisconsin. Following World War I, the mill once again changed, becoming a feed mill until its production was ceased in the late 1970s. It is now a museum.

The Winona County Historical Museum in the historic downtown district of Winona is the most extensive county history museum in the entire region. Exhibits and hands-on children’s activities line the walls of the museum.

While taking a stroll through Winona’s Historic Downtown District, one will find more than 100 sites that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The downtown area is home to the state’s most comprehensive collection of Victorian commercial architecture, with sites dating from 1857 through 1916. Notable buildings include Winona National Bank, Merchants Bank, the Winona County Courthouse, Winona City Hall and the Armory, which is now the site of the Winona County Historical Society.

Dining

Eclectic dining spots span the city’s landscape, ranging from casual sandwich shops and pubs to fast-food eateries and quaint cafés.

Downtown Winona is lined with restaurants and cafés, offering an array of meal options. Betty Jo Byoloski’s is a popular sandwich and appetizer stop on Center Street, as is Erbert and Gerbert’s Subs and Clubs on Third Street. Other delectable restaurants in the downtown area are Bub’s Brewing Company, Charlie’s D&D Bar & Grill, Acoustic Cafe, Jefferson Pub and Grill, Jimmy John’s and Timbers.

Outside of the downtown area, diners can find more restaurants including, Cedar Valley Pub and Restaurant, Green Mill Restaurant, Signatures, and Ground Round.

Looking for a place to relax and have good conversation? Visit one of Winona’s coffee shops – such as, Blooming Grounds, or Acoustic Café in downtown Winona.

Lodging

After a long day of touring around Winona, finding comfortable accommodations is a cinch. The city and its surrounding areas provide hotels and motels, bed and breakfasts, as well as several campsites and locations offering cabin and loft accommodations.

For a full listing of attractions, dining spots and accommodations in and around Winona, please visit www.visitwinona.com.