• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Visit Bluff Country

A guide to Historic Bluff Country

  • Home
  • Historic Bluff Country
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Events
  • News
  • Minnesota
  • Iowa
  • Wisconsin
  • Directory
  • Visitor Guide

Peterson

Founded in 1867 amid a winding National Scenic Byway, the community of Peterson has a proud legacy and a bright future as a bicycling and fishing hub in the Rushford Peterson Valley. Situated on the number one ranked trail in Minnesota, The Root River Valley State Bike Trail, the town was one of two Fillmore County towns chosen for the popular 2014 Bicycle Around Minnesota tour for its rolling bluffs, serene valleys, and breath-taking prairies.

For anglers, the watershed is prime trout water, with 12 designated area trout streams, as well as high-quality smallmouth bass streams. A contributing factor to the preservation of these waters is the private organizations and the Department of Natural Resources Peterson Fish Hatchery. The hatchery relies on the crisp, clear water to produce 100,000 to 130,000 trout annually for Minnesota. Self-guided and educational tours of the hatchery are available. A Natural Resources boat landing and launch sits tucked near the base of the bridge crossing into Peterson.

Crossing the bridge from the byway, the quaint town opens up before you, tree-lined and like days gone by. The town has a rich history, including as the former site of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad Depot, built in 1877. It has since been restored and converted to the Peterson Station Museum & Tourist Center. Inside, visitors will discover interesting local memorabilia, art, artifacts, and photographs of events and points of interest. For those of Norwegian decent, the museum also has a comprehensive genealogy center, as part of their new annex.

During June’s Gammel Dag celebration, the town offers everyone the chance to be Norwegian for a day. Norwegian artisans demonstrate their talents, as visitors enjoy folk dancing and authentic Scandinavian foods, a 25-mile tractor ride, storytelling, music and dancing, and a grand parade. In September, a Taste of the Trail presents a taste of farm life and wildlife, including live animal displays, artisan vendors, and a scrumptious taste of foods from the community. Welcoming the holiday season, Christmas in Peterson, a festival of seasonal displays, art, music, and food, is held the second Saturday of December.

The town’s city park is home to a restored bandstand that hosts a summer concert series. Down the street, another park rests atop a sloping hillside and offers softball fields, a playground, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, and large pavilion. In the heart of downtown, Veterans Park is less than a block from the trail, tucked in a grassy setting along with east side of the former 1875 and 1901 historic Quickstad Farm Implement Company buildings.Down the block, visitors will find artisan works of turned wood pens, and bowls, a place where you’ll also find art and craft items made by other local artisans.

To quench your thirst or appetite, Peterson offers ice cream, cold drinks, and snacks. Also you will find the Peterson American Legion, which is also an off-sale liquor store. A local café is famous for their homemade pies and creative and delicious menu options, at small town prices.

For unique lodging, across from Bandstand Park lies an historic inn, built in 1904 along the tracks of the Southern Minnesota Railroad and a B&B, located at the original site of the 1877 Peterson Train Depot. A hotel near the museum offers units with fully stocked kitchens, and large living rooms. In additon to these lodging options, camping is available at the city RV park and includes full water, sewer, and electrical hook-ups at each site, as well as public restrooms.

Bluff Country Properties – 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.

City of Peterson
City:
Peterson
State:
MN
Phone:
507-875-2222
Website:
petersonmn.com
Category:
Attractions, Minnesota, Peterson
Description:

Experience Root River Bluff Country by trail or by water.

Peterson American Legion
Address: 410 Mill Street
City:
Peterson
State:
MN
Phone:
507-875-2235
Website:
www.americanlegion526.org
Category:
Eating & Drinking, Minnesota, Peterson
Tags:
Bar, Event Center, Off Sale
Description:

Gilbertson-Rude Post 526. Visit and enjoy our Veterans Memorial Park just off the Root River bike trail in scenic Peterson. Pool & darts, pull tabs, pizza & hot sandwiches plus your favorite cold beverages. Planning a party? Our facilities are free.

Rushford Peterson Valley Chamber of Commerce
City:
Rushford
State:
MN
Phone:
507-864-3338
Website:
www.rushfordpetersonvalley.com
Category:
Attractions, Eating & Drinking, Lodging, Minnesota, Peterson, Recreational, Rushford
Description:

Experience the Root River by trail or water. So much to do and see. Excellent variety of restaurants, motels & inns, and campgrounds.

Primary Sidebar

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

Before Footer

Footer

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

Receive News & Information

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Plan Your Visit

  • Historic Bluff Country
  • Plan Your Visit
  • Visitor Centers
  • State Parks
  • Scenic Byways
  • Trails
  • Waterways
  • Farmers Markets
  • Eat & Drink
  • Recreation
  • Attractions
  • Shopping
  • Lodging
  • Services

Information

  • Events
  • Directory
  • Bluff Country News
  • The Best – Voting
  • The Best 2020 Winners
  • Minnesota
  • Iowa
  • Wisconsin
  • Visitor Guide
  • Submit Your Photos
  • Advertise
  • Visit Bluff Country Distribution
  • Home

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

© 2021 · Website Design and Hosting by SMG Web Design of Preston, MN.