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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.

Apollo Music Festival

Business
Apollo Music Festival
City
Houston
State
MN
Website
apollomusicfestival.org
Category
Attractions, Houston, Minnesota
Tags
Arts
Description

Based in Houston, Minnesota, The Apollo Music Festival (AMF) is a classical music festival focusing mostly on chamber music. It was founded in 2013 by pianist Garret Ross, a native of Houston.The Apollo Music Festival offers all of its concert and educational programming free to the community. As such, it is mightily supported by the Southeastern Minnesota community. Each year, individual donors give generously to AMF to help off-set the significant costs of producing concerts of such high caliber.

Barista’s Coffee House

Business
Barista’s Coffee House
Street
110 N. Grant Street
City
Houston
State
MN
Phone
507-896-5282
Category
2021-2022, 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.

Bluff Country Properties Real Estate – Jeff Brogle

Business
Bluff Country Properties Real Estate – Jeff Brogle
City
Peterson
State
MN
Phone
507-577-1121
Website
bluffcountryproperties.com
Category
2021-2022, Caledonia, Canton, Chatfield, Fountain, Harmony, Houston, Lanesboro, LeRoy, Mabel, Minneiska, Minnesota, Peterson, Preston, Recreational, Rushford, Services, Spring Grove, Spring Valley, Whalan, Winona, Wykoff
Tags
Agriculture, Biking, Fishing, Hiking, Horses, Hunting, Realtor
Description

My name is Jeff Brogle. My family and I live on a farm near Peterson within Fillmore County, MN. I am the Founder and Owner of Bluff Country Properties Real Estate. I’m a trusted land specialist with a focus on hunting, farm, recreational, hobby farm, and rural home properties.

Houston BP

Business
Houston BP
Street
Hwy 16 East
City
Houston
State
MN
Phone
507-896-3000
Category
2021-2022, 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

Business
International Owl Center
Street
126 E Cedar St
City
Houston
State
MN
Phone
507-896-6957
Website
InternationalOwlCenter.org
Category
2021-2022, 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

Outback Ranch

Business
Outback Ranch
City
Houston
State
MN
Phone
507-896-5550
Website
www.outbackranch.net
Category
2021-2022, Cabins, Camping, Houston, Lodging, Minnesota, Recreational, Services
Tags
Event Center, 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.

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Minnesota Towns

  • Caledonia
  • Canton
  • Chatfield
  • Fountain
  • Harmony
  • Hokah
  • Houston
  • Kellogg
  • La Crescent
  • Lake City
  • Lanesboro
  • LeRoy
  • Mabel
  • Millville
  • Nodine
  • Peterson
  • Plainview
  • Preston
  • Reads Landing
  • Rushford
  • Spring Grove
  • Spring Valley
  • Wabasha
  • Whalan
  • Winona
  • Wykoff

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Minnesota Towns

  • Caledonia
  • Canton
  • Chatfield
  • Fountain
  • Harmony
  • Hokah
  • Houston
  • Kellogg
  • La Crescent
  • Lake City
  • Lanesboro
  • LeRoy
  • Mabel
  • Millville
  • Nodine
  • Peterson
  • Plainview
  • Preston
  • Reads Landing
  • Rushford
  • Spring Grove
  • Spring Valley
  • Wabasha
  • Whalan
  • Winona
  • Wykoff

Iowa Towns

  • Bluffton
  • Burr Oak
  • Calmar
  • Charles City
  • Clermont
  • Cresco
  • Decorah
  • Dyersville
  • Elkader
  • Fort Atkinson
  • Hawkeye
  • Highlandville
  • Kendallville
  • Lansing
  • Lime Springs
  • New Hampton
  • Marquette-McGregor
  • Protivin
  • Riceville
  • Waukon

Wisconsin Towns

  • Alma
  • Galesville
  • La Crosse
  • Onalaska
  • Prairie du Chien
  • Warrens

Winery Brewery Distillery Tour Map in Bluff Country Minnesota Iowa and Wisconsin

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