Have you followed the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway's route along the river? It's beautiful in all seasons but summer is the best time to wander down these roads, stop into the many historic sites along the way and dip your feet or fishing pole into the Minnesota River. Follow the magenta and blue signs that mark the route whether it's a slower paced gravel section (my favorite ) or a major highway. The byway consists of routes on both sides of the river from Brown's Valley to Belle Plaine.
The byway goes through downtown Granite Falls and north on County Rd 5 to Palmer Creek Rd, a second section continues on Hwy 67 past Memorial Park, a third towards Montevideo on Hwy 212 and the fourth east on 212 on to Pete's Point Rd.
I first started attending Scenic Byway Alliance meetings more than 10 years ago when I had a part time antique shop in my home. Any interested persons or organizations can be a member and I joined because I love the idea of promoting the river valley as a tourism destination. Now that I'm the Chamber and CVB director I appreciate the marketing and connections of the byway alliance even more! I manage the byway's facebook page where I share events, businesses and destinations along the route. A new byway website was created last year that makes it easy for visitors to plan their trips. Stop into the chamber office and pick up one of the printed guides for a one or two day trip. The Minnesota Historical Society created a mobile tour of Dakota War Sites which is also mapped out in the printed guide or the number to call is 888-601-3010.
Granite Falls has 6 discovery sites in the guide - the Yellow Medicine County Museum, Granite Falls Footbridge, Andrew Volstead House Museum, Fagen Fighters WWII Museum, Wood Lake Battlefield and Upper Sioux Agency State Park. Partial funding for our footbridge repairs came from the last grant program from the National Scenic Byway program. That national funding is gone and the alliance is now supported by community and business memberships as well as grants. We have chamber and CVB representatives, county officials, photographers, state park managers and business owners at our monthly meetings usually held in Redwood Falls. The next meeting is scheduled for August 20, 9:30am at the Redwood Falls Pizza Ranch, anyone interested in promoting the river valley is welcome to join us and vote on our plans and projects.
The byway goes through downtown Granite Falls and north on County Rd 5 to Palmer Creek Rd, a second section continues on Hwy 67 past Memorial Park, a third towards Montevideo on Hwy 212 and the fourth east on 212 on to Pete's Point Rd.
I first started attending Scenic Byway Alliance meetings more than 10 years ago when I had a part time antique shop in my home. Any interested persons or organizations can be a member and I joined because I love the idea of promoting the river valley as a tourism destination. Now that I'm the Chamber and CVB director I appreciate the marketing and connections of the byway alliance even more! I manage the byway's facebook page where I share events, businesses and destinations along the route. A new byway website was created last year that makes it easy for visitors to plan their trips. Stop into the chamber office and pick up one of the printed guides for a one or two day trip. The Minnesota Historical Society created a mobile tour of Dakota War Sites which is also mapped out in the printed guide or the number to call is 888-601-3010.
Granite Falls has 6 discovery sites in the guide - the Yellow Medicine County Museum, Granite Falls Footbridge, Andrew Volstead House Museum, Fagen Fighters WWII Museum, Wood Lake Battlefield and Upper Sioux Agency State Park. Partial funding for our footbridge repairs came from the last grant program from the National Scenic Byway program. That national funding is gone and the alliance is now supported by community and business memberships as well as grants. We have chamber and CVB representatives, county officials, photographers, state park managers and business owners at our monthly meetings usually held in Redwood Falls. The next meeting is scheduled for August 20, 9:30am at the Redwood Falls Pizza Ranch, anyone interested in promoting the river valley is welcome to join us and vote on our plans and projects.
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