EXPLORE
Found in the center of the state about an hour and a half from the Twin Cities, Sauk Centre, Minnesota, is a treasure trove of history that recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. One of the historic places to add to your itinerary is the Sinclair Lewis Boyhood Home, a National Historic Landmark where famed author Sinclair Lewis spent his childhood. As the first winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1930, visitors can participate in 25-minute narrated guided tours to see where the novel writer first sparked his creativity. To continue your tour of this charming small town, be sure to go shopping on Main Street. Clad in old-fashioned brick buildings, guests can get in some retail therapy at Restock New & Vintage, Sprinkle of Joy clothing boutique, and Heaven and Earth Essentials, where groups can stock up on oils and fragrances.
SEE
To add some visual appeal to your Sauk Centre trip, take your group in for a lesson at 510 Art Lab. They’ll get the chance to let their creative juices flow through classes that teach participants quilting, macrame, travel photography, and glass fusion, among others. For another way to get inspired, your group can take the “Mural Tour” of Sauk Centre. With several murals created by local artists, the murals, spotlighting anything from “The Wizard of Oz” scenery to town history, can be found on Main Street, the side of a thrift store, and the Bandshell in Sinclair Lewis Park.
SAVOR
The nearby Redhead Creamery, which specializes in artisan cheeses that can only be found in the Midwest, offers farm tours, a tasting room, and a cheese shop. Looking to sample local libations? Then head to Panther Distillery for a tour and to taste delicious spirits, including bourbon and whiskey in flavors like maple syrup, honey, and apple.
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Explore Minnesota
Main Image: Bandshell mural, Sinclair Lewis Park; Credit: Explore Minnesota/Waqar Ahmad
