Welcome to Hastings, Minnesota.
This riverside town in Minnesota is filled with history originating from it's agricultural
roots to it's current small town charm filled with activities up and down the Mississippi
River.
I've visited the staple small towns and day trips like Stillwater, Red Wing and Lanesboro,
but I never made it a point to visit Hastings. The city was a pleasant surprise as I never
took the time to look into it's cultural history and roots.
We decided to make a stop at Hastings, Minnesota when we embarked on our Great River Road scenic
drive through HasWisconsin and Minnesota. We've visited Red Wing in the past, so we
decided to swtich it up and make a stop in Hastings on the way back from Minneapolis.
Hastings is pretty fascinating, the city is actually in located in both the Washington
AND Dakota counties in Minnesota. Plus, the downtown resides on the confluence of the
St. Croix, Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers. The city is nestled right in a crevice of
Minnesota and Wisconsin and right nearby resides the quant town of Prescott.
Check out the map.
Things to do in Hastings
Hastings is home to the first vineyard in the state, the Alexis Bailly vineyard which
is located just about 5 miles south of downtown Hastings. Within downtown Hastings, there
are plenty of great shops, dive bars and tap rooms.
The quant, quiet main street has something to offer for everyone. We visited the Saturday
of Fourth of July weekend and it was refreshing to see the town wasn't overly crowded after
a long day of driving. Right downtown is Levee Park, which is an expansive park located along
the Mississippi River.
Hastings is an outdoor enthusiasts haven. The city has a several marinas located on
the river to launch or boat or go on a cruise. Plus, there are plenty of fishing, canoeing
and kayaking opportunities along the three rivers as well as Lake Isabelle and Lake Rebecca
located to the left and right of downtown.
In addition, Hastings is just a few miles south of Afton Alps, a ski and snowboard resort
located on the St. Croix River. Located adjacent to Afton Alps is Afton State Park, which is
a well-known state park located near the cities and featuring a variety of beaches and campsites
to enjoy.
If you're looking for a day trip from the Twin Cities or a stopover spot along Great
River Road, consider visiting Hastings to take in both classic Minnesota river and lakeside
culture.
If you enjoyed this video, give us a subscribe by hitting the button in the bottom right
corner or hit the button below the video. And be sure to check out our travel articles
at ViaTravelers.com