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Visit Bluff Country

A guide to Historic Bluff Country

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Houston

Amid the valleys in Bluff Country lies Houston, the eastern trailhead of the Root River State Trail. Whether biking, in-line skating, or cross-country skiing on the trail, or canoeing, tubing, or swimming in the river, the area is teeming with adventure.

Houston is also home to the International Owl Center, featuring live owls and educational programming. Held the first full weekend of March each year is the International Festival of Owls, an impressive celebration that includes live owl presentations, birding trips, contests, activities, and classes.

At Trailhead Park, a wetland and levee planted in nature grasses and flowers invites visitors to explore the beauty of nature. The park also offers a picnic shelter, primitive campsites, public restrooms and showers, a band shell, and a creative and inspiring playground featuring a sand play area with buried fossils, hand water pump and log sluice, and stone tunnels and caves. The park is also home to the Houston Nature Center, where you’ll find a wide array of nature exhibits and educational programming for all ages.

Houston boasts two ball fields, a public archery range, and full 18-hole courses surrounded by scenic bluffs.

The Oak Ridge/Wet Bark DNR Recreation Area encompasses miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, mountain biking trails, and camping. Trails transform in winter for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.

Just south of town, you can take in a stone church built in 1855 by natural stone quarried off nearby hills. Further down Highway 76, visitors can marvel at Schech’s Mill, a working three-story mill of native stone, built in 1876. It is the only original water-powered mill in Minnesota and still boasts original equipment.

North of town, visitors can tour two impressive big game farms by appointment; an elk farm and the ranch home of Cody the Buffalo II, where visitors can purchase bison, Scottish Highlander, and wild boar meat, and one-of-a-kind collectibles. Houston boasts several other distinctive shops, including a beautiful wheel-thrown and hand-created functional stoneware and porcelain pottery shop.

Houston hosts several festivals: the Root River Triathlon, two Southeast Minnesota Bluegrass Association Festivals, the Apollo Music Festival, outdoor summer concerts, and on the last full weekend of July, Houston Hoedown Days transforms the town into a celebration filled with trail rides, tractor pulls, the Minnesota State Horse Pull, nightly dances, and more!

Dining opportunities include a charming coffee house, pizza and ice cream, a bar and grill, and a food co-op.

Staying in Houston? Lodging is available, ranging from spirited and western to scenic and secluded to a more traditional inn.

Barista’s Coffee House
Address: 110 N. Grant Street
City:
Houston
State:
MN
Phone:
507-896-5282
Category:
Eating & Drinking, Houston, Minnesota
Tags:
Coffee, Gifts
Description:

Coffee & espresso, drinks, baked goods, sandwiches, wraps & salads, fruit smoothies, gifts, CD's, Wifi & used books. Private garden.

Houston BP
Address: Hwy 16 East
City:
Houston
State:
MN
Phone:
507-896-3000
Category:
Houston, Minnesota, Recreational, Services, Shopping
Tags:
Auto, Convenience Store, Fishing, Hunting
Description:

Locally owned and operated by S&A Petroleum. Hot foods & deli. Convenience store. Movie rentals, lottery tickets. Pay-at-Pump 24/7. Diesel fuel, LP exchange, hunting & fishing license & game registration.

International Owl Center
Address: 126 E Cedar St
City:
Houston
State:
MN
Phone:
507-896-6957
Website:
InternationalOwlCenter.org
Category:
Attractions, Houston, Minnesota
Description:

Experience Owls UP CLOSE and Personal

Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday - 10am-4pm

Call or check our website for extended summer hours and live owl programs

JT’s Corner Bar & Grill
Address: 125 E. Cedar Street
55943
City:
Houston
State:
MN
Phone:
507-896-3232
Category:
Eating & Drinking, Houston, Minnesota
Tags:
Bar
Description:

Daily Food Specials & Salad Bar Monday-Friday. Award Winning Burgers. On & Off Sale Selections. Open 7-Days a week 10am-1am. Food served until 10pm.

Outback Ranch
City:
Houston
State:
MN
Phone:
507-896-5550
Website:
www.outbackranch.net
Category:
Cabins, Camping, Houston, Lodging, Minnesota, Recreational, Services
Tags:
Horses
Description:

Cowboy Heaven on Earth. Trails & riding, equine lodging & boarding. Miles of well-groomed trails to ride or walk. Daily trail use available. Primitive camping, RV hookups, cabins, bunkhouses.

Timber Ghost Realty – Jeff Brogle
City:
Peterson
State:
MN
Phone:
507-577-1121
Website:
bluffcountryproperties.com
Category:
Alma, Dodge, Houston, La Crosse, Lanesboro, Minnesota, Peterson, Preston, Recreational, Rushford, Services, Trempealeau, Winona
Tags:
Agriculture, Biking, Fishing, Hiking, Horses, Hunting, Realtor
Description:

My name is Jeff Brogle. My family and I live on acreage between Lanesboro & Rushford. I am a proven Bluff Country Property specialist. I'm ready to put my local expertise to work for you! Focused on farms, recreation, hunting, rural homes and estates. We give back 10% to the local community.

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Minnesota Towns

  • Caledonia
  • Canton
  • Chatfield
  • Fountain
  • Harmony
  • Houston
  • Kellogg
  • Lake City
  • Lanesboro
  • LeRoy
  • Mabel
  • Millville
  • Minneiska
  • Peterson
  • Plainview
  • Preston
  • Reads Landing
  • Red Wing
  • Rushford
  • Spring Grove
  • Spring Valley
  • Wabasha
  • Whalan
  • Winona
  • Wykoff

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Visit Bluff Country

Historic Bluff Country, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Adams, Austin, Caledonia, Canton, Chatfield, Fountain, Harmony, Houston, Kellogg, Lanesboro, LeRoy, Mabel, Millville, Minneiska, Peterson, Plainview, Preston, Reads Landing, Red Wing, Rushford, Rushford Village, Spring Grove, Spring Valley, St. Charles, Wabasha, Whalan, Winona, Wykoff, Burr Oak, Charles City, Clermont, Cresco, Decorah, Dubuque, Dyersville, Elkader, Fort Atkinson, Froelich, Guttenberg, Hawkeye, Kendallville, Lansing, Lawler, Lime Springs, McGregor, Marquette, Osage, Protivin, Riceville, St. Ansgar, Spillville, Waukon, Alma, La Crosse, Platteville, Tomah, Viroqua, Warrens, Galena, Antiques, Apparel, Art Galleries, Financial, Banking, Craft Beer, Winery, Distillery, Brewery, Camping, B&B, Bread and Breakfast, Vacation Rentals, Amish, Scenic Byway, River, Fishing, Hunting, Canoe, Kayak, Tubing, Fly Fish, Golf, Recreation, Hiking, Theatre, Movies, Shopping, Gifts, Niagara Cave, Commonweal, Spam Museum, Root River State Trail, Beaver Creek Valley State Park, Horse Riding, Tours, Biking, Rentals, Skiing, Music, Stand Still Parade, Trout, Prairie Visions, Shooting Star, Lake Louise State Park, Steam Engines, Grumpy Old Men, Museums, Lakes, Upper Iowa River, Mississippi River, Laura Ingalss Wilder, Apple Blossom, Cranberry Festival, Veterans

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Minnesota Towns

  • Caledonia
  • Canton
  • Chatfield
  • Fountain
  • Harmony
  • Houston
  • Kellogg
  • Lake City
  • Lanesboro
  • LeRoy
  • Mabel
  • Millville
  • Minneiska
  • Peterson
  • Plainview
  • Preston
  • Reads Landing
  • Red Wing
  • Rushford
  • Spring Grove
  • Spring Valley
  • Wabasha
  • Whalan
  • Winona
  • Wykoff

Iowa Towns

  • Burr Oak
  • Calmar
  • Charles City
  • Clermont
  • Cresco
  • Decorah
  • Dyersville
  • Elkader
  • Fort Atkinson
  • Guttenberg
  • Hawkeye
  • Kendallville
  • Lansing
  • Lime Springs
  • Osage
  • Riceville
  • Spillville
  • Waukon

Wisconsin Towns

  • Alma
  • Dodge
  • La Crosse
  • Platteville
  • Trempealeau
  • Warrens
  • Westby

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