Discover 10 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Red Wing (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Red Wing Pottery, Barn Bluff, and Sheldon Theatre. Also, be sure to include Christ Episcopal Church in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Red Wing (Minnesota).
Table of Contents
Red Wing Pottery
Red Wing pottery refers to American stoneware, pottery, or dinnerware items made by a company initially set up in Red Wing, Minnesota, in 1861 by German immigrant John Paul, which changed its names several times until finally settling on Red Wing Potteries, Inc. in 1936. The pottery factory that started in 1861 continues to the present day under the names of Red Wing Pottery and Red Wing Stoneware. There was a respite in production when Red Wing Pottery Sales, Inc. had a strike in 1967 causing them to temporarily cease trading. The company still makes both zinc/Bristol glazed products as well as salt-glazed, hand-thrown, kiln fired items.[1]
Address: 1920 Old West Main St, 55066-2071 Red Wing
Barn Bluff
Mound in Minnesota. Barn Bluff is a bluff along the Mississippi River in Red Wing, Minnesota, United States. The bluff is considered sacred by the Dakota people because it is the site of many burial mounds. During the 19th century, the bluff functioned as a visual reference for explorers and travelers and later served as a limestone quarry.
The bluff overlooks the downtown area and towers about 400 feet (120 m) above the Mississippi River with an extensive view of Lake Pepin to the south. It is one of hundreds of bluffs in the Driftless Area, which covers parts of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois, in addition to the southeastern toe of Minnesota.[2]
Sheldon Theatre
Auditorium in Red Wing, Minnesota. The Sheldon Theatre is a historic performance venue in Red Wing, Minnesota, United States, built in 1904. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 as the T.B. Sheldon Memorial Auditorium for having local significance in the theme of performing arts. It was nominated for being the first municipally owned theatre in the United States and a long-standing cultural venue in Red Wing. It later became a contributing property to the Red Wing Mall Historic District as well.[3]
Address: 443 W 3rd St, 55066-2310 Red Wing
Christ Episcopal Church
Building in Red Wing, Minnesota. The parish of Christ Episcopal Church in Red Wing, Minnesota, United States, was founded in 1858. A wooden building was erected that served the early parish well, but by 1868 it was felt that the growth of the parish made the building of a larger church a necessity.
In the autumn of that year work began on the new building, constructed in Gothic Revival style following plans furnished by New York architect Henry C. Dudley.
- D.C. Hill was contracted to do the basic carpentry work; George H. Davis provided the finished carpentry (seats, columns, tracery, wainscoting; all of butternut finished in oil).
- G.A. Carlson carried out the stonework with magnesian limestone from his quarries.
- The windows were furnished by a ”Mr. Sharpe from New York.”
The cornerstone was laid June 24, 1869 and the new church was consecrated by Bishop Henry Benjamin Whipple on December 19, 1871. (Due to concerns about the foundations, the steeple was not added until 1897.)
The church is now a contributing property to the Red Wing Mall Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4]
Red Wing Bridge
Cantilever bridge in the Goodhue County, Minnesota. The Red Wing Bridge was a cantilever bridge which carries U.S. Route 63 across the Mississippi River from Wisconsin to Red Wing, Minnesota. It is officially named the Eisenhower Bridge for Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, who opened the bridge in November 1960. After the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis, the State of Minnesota conducted a thorough investigation of the state's road infrastructure, especially its bridges. The Red Wing Bridge was identified as in need of replacement; construction on the replacement span began in 2017 and the original bridge was demolished in February 2020[5]
Aliveo Military Museum
Specialty museum, Museum
Address: 321 Bush St, 55066-2527 Red Wing
Red Wing Water Park
Water park, Amusement park, Relax in park, Park
Address: 480 Nymphara Lane, 55066 Red Wing
James L. Lawther House
Building in Red Wing. The James L. Lawther House is an octagon house in Red Wing, Minnesota, United States. The owner, James Lawther, built it after he visited Dubuque, Iowa and toured the Langworthy House there. At the time, the Langworthy House was the grandest house of its type on the upper Mississippi River. The Lawther House was built in 1857, with an addition in 1870. Its location, at the corner of Third and Hill Streets, has been termed "one of the most architecturally significant intersections in Minnesota" and is part of the Red Wing Residential Historic District. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
James Lawther was a successful businessman and merchant in Red Wing. Besides the house, he built the Gladstone Building in downtown. He also contributed to civic causes such as the Carnegie-Lawther Library, the YMCA, and the park on Barn Bluff. The Gladstone Building is listed on the National Register, and the library is a contributing property to the Red Wing Mall Historic District.
Now serving as a bed and breakfast, the all-brick home features an ornate cupola and central chimney.[6]
The Anderson Center at Tower View
Art gallery, Specialty museum, Museum, Shopping, Tower
Address: 163 Tower View Dr, 55066-1108 Red Wing
E. S. Hoyt House
Historical landmark in Red Wing, Minnesota. The E.S. Hoyt House is a historic house in Red Wing, Minnesota, United States, designed by the firm of Purcell & Elmslie and built in 1913. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a contributing property to the Red Wing Residential Historic District.[7]