Preston is settled in the heart of the driftless area of southeastern Minnesota. The topography sets the stage for astounding vistas and the winding river valley. As Minnesota’s Trout Capital, Preston offers an abundance of waterways, wildlife, farm land and forests. The Root River watershed, dubbed “arguably the best” by fly fishing lovers, is part of one of the largest collections of freshwater springs in the world, easily luring the angler.
Downtown Preston boasts its own historical pride with the 1902 Milwaukee Elevator, a towering site. Also on the site are a restored 1939 Milwaukee Road boxcar, a restored motor car, and a 1951 caboose. The trailhead is nearby and beckons visitors to hike, bike, skate, and ski the paved Root River Trail system or the 18-mile Harmony-Preston Valley State Trail.
Several unique businesses dot the city and surrounding area, including apple orchards offering the best apple varieties around. Several culinary options are available in Preston: fine dining, quick and delicious made-to-order sandwiches, and the best breakfasts and burgers in the area.
The city features two golf courses; one nine holes and the other, 18 holes. The latter is part of a resort, rated as one of the 24 Best Midwest Campgrounds by Midwest Living. The resort sits atop a sloping ridge and offers amenities such as a camping, a hostel, restaurant, and pool. Another campground sits nestled along Forestville Creek and is on a century-old farm, while a second campground is nearer to town at the county fairgrounds. Downtown offers more traditional lodging options. For those looking for an off-beat lodging experience, with all the comforts, the former Fillmore County Jail and carriage house has been completely renovated to a 12 room bed and breakfast.
A State Veterans Cemetery sits on the edge of town and is a must-see for those looking to honor our fallen heroes. Veterans from the tri-state area are buried there. With over 169 acres of rolling hills and trees, this cemetery has been recognized as the most scenic in the nation. It is an honorable place to honor those who have served.
Preston has prided itself in becoming a Veteran-Friendly Community. The Preston Servicemen’s Club helped create a Community Flag Program where hundreds of flags are displayed on flag holidays. It’s a truly beautiful site. Preston also became a Purple Heart City in 2019. Our State Veteran Home can house 54 residents who require skilled nursing. Preston is the only city in the entire state to have a veterans cemetery and a veterans home.
Nearby, you’ll be able to check out one of the most beautiful State Parks in Minnesota, Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park!
Mystery Cave, the longest cave in the upper Midwest, owes its beginnings to the waterways. The 13-mile cave system (with potentially miles more of undiscovered caverns) is a subterranean marvel, at a constant 48º, that includes stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, fossils, and underground pools. Park naturalists lead a variety of tours, including an easy walk along lighted walkways to sites such as Turquoise Lake, a 12-foot deep pond colored a breathtaking blue by calcite; and physically challenging passes past the Garden of the Gods formation and Blue Lake, the largest pool in the cave system. For a more adventurous outing, the Wild Caving Tour will see visitors crawling and squeezing through undeveloped portions of the cave.
The cave is part of the Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park, listed as one of the Best Midwest State Parks by Midwest Living. The 3,000-acre paradise is perfect for picnicking, watching wildlife, hiking, horseback riding, skiing, or snowmobiling and home to dramatic Big Spring and The Zumbro Hill Cemetery, reflecting early life and death in the boomtown of Forestville.
Historic Forestville, also part of the park, begins with a walk across the Carnegie Steel Bridge. Visitors will step into 1899 along with costumed guides depicting the people and life in the village businesses, homes, and gardens. The village includes five original structures; the Meighen store and home, granary, carriage barn, and barn. In a reconstructed barn, a gift shop offers 19th century replicas such as kitchen gadgets and supplies, bonnets and hats, books, toys, games, and custom glazed pottery. Several signature events are held at the site each year!
Throughout the year, Preston is bustling with activity, including Trout Days festivities the third weekend in May, the Fillmore County Fair the third week of July, the Root River Trail Towns 60-Mile Garage Sale, and monthly summer nights of music at Rhythm by the River. The autumn and winter season offer an Autmn Trail event, a fall tractor ride with 100 tractors, and a Turkey Day Run held Thanksgiving Day. In the winter, guests are welcome to try out Cross-Country skiing on the trail, check out Forestville State Park for snowshoeing, eat at our unique restaurants and shop our unique stores.
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