Best Things to See and Do in Wabasha, Minnesota
History About Wabasha, Minnesota
First platted in 1854, Wabasha is one of the oldest cities on the upper Mississippi in Minnesota.
Whether you want to enjoy Wabasha’s yearly festivals or visit the bridge that is the perfect spot for a picture, this city has a lot to offer for such a small size! It makes for an excellent day trip from Minneapolis.
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Fans of the cult classics Grumpy Old Men and Grumpier Old Men will recognize Wabasha as the setting for both movies, and the city bears signposted dedications at the city limits.
The town covers an area of 23.96 square kilometers and has a rich history. Nestled amongst small, thick forests and meandering lakes, Wabasha is known for its pleasant summers, and it’s icy cold winters.
Located in the heart of Wabasha county, it welcomes thousands of tourists every year. The city conveniently lies in an ideal spot near the Mississippi River that allows locals and visitors alike to enjoy kayaking, fishing, and other riverside activities.
This city is home to some of the prettiest bridges in North America, one of which is the Wabasha-Nelson bridge that connects Wabasha in Minnesota, to Nelson in Wisconsin providing access across state lines over the US’s second-longest river.
Constructed in 1988, the bridge’s architecture is simply remarkable. The bridge, is what is known as, a truss bridge, and has a unique architecture, featuring a polygonal warren design with sub-ties.
The current bridge crosses the smoothly coursing Mississippi, and it is about 64 feet above the water, and has a length of about 2,462 feet, having replaced a similar steel bridge that was built in the 1930s.
The bridge has two lanes, one for each direction and is well regulated for smooth flowing traffic. You can also park your car here to take pictures on the bridge.
The Wabasha-Nelson bridge is perfectly safe, and visitors frequently stop by to capture the beautiful scenery surrounding the bridge.
The side view from the bridge offers glimpses of Wabasha, Nelson and the Mighty Mississippi, pocked with vast patches of greenery.
Best Things to do in Wabasha
If you wish to explore Wabasha, a self-guided tour via car is a suitable option. Crossing the bridge will take you from Minnesota Highway 60 in Wabasha to Wisconsin Highway 25 in Nelson or vice-versa.
It’s a short drive, to cross the river and state lines. Crossing from Wisconsin, you’ll soon find yourself making turns to enter the city. It’s worth making several stops in Wabasha to appreciate the scenery and admire the architecture, or to grab a cold beer from Hoppy Girl Brewing.
The bridge also crosses several streets before descending to ground level. Consequently, Wabasha developed its shoreline, which is now home to several public parks for recreational activities.
As one of the oldest cities in this region, the buildings surrounding the bridge are mostly Victorian in terms of age and architecture, the neighborhoods presenting a scene straight out of old westerns or civil war dramas with streets lined with charming 19th-century buildings.
The most popular pastimes for locals and tourists alike are fishing and boating. There’s plenty of scope in terms of smaller watercraft around Wabasha, but there are always the ferries for those who aren’t ready to be captain just yet.
Wabasha has first-class fishing spots that can’t be ignored. The city features prime fishing season all year round, so keen anglers will have plenty to do at any time of year! Check out these other top things to do in Wabasha.
Aerial View and Landscape of Wabasha
The aerial view of Wabasha presents us with glimpses of dense flooded forests. While this city has a small human population, it is home to abundant wildlife, so if you’re lucky, you may spot some bald eagles among the many beasts big and small that call this place home.
Any American patriots and ornithologists visiting Wabasha should certainly visit the National Eagle Center.
Wabasha’s landscape is dominated by clumps of lush green and lime forests with roads and bridges carving their way through these verdant patches. The Mississippi river helps to naturally irrigates the surrounding forests throughout the year.
If you visit during early autumn, you’ll see Wabasha’s leaves transform into a firework display of burnt gold, bright orange, and stunning reds, as the maple and walnut trees shed their summer green. The name Wabasha actually comes from the Dakota phrase for Red Leaf.
The landscape covers many interesting geological features, including low-lying valleys and tree-covered mountains. During the winters, these mountains gather snow to present remarkable, almost alpine scenery.
Although Wabasha is a small city, it has many convenient routes that enable you to visit the city’s hot spots, on land and on water.
If you wish to take a closer look at the river, you can always take a guided kayak tour that will explore the flooded forests, affording views of the dense canopy and natural wilderness that surrounds this stretch of Mississippi.
Again if you’re a fan of wildlife, kayaking will give you the best chance of spotting otters and beavers.
Overall, this tiny town is a microcosm of what makes Minnesota special. Wabasha’s landscape and outdoor activities will sate the adventurer in you, but also win your heart and freshen your mind.
