Winona
Around Winona
Photo: Wikideas1 · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Minnesota · 49k people
Winona
“Island City”, “Bluff Country”
Where the bluffs meet the river
Winona State purpleMississippi blueBluff brown
Welcome to Winona, where the bluffs meet the river and every season brings its own flavor. Whether you're here for the trails, the festivals, or just a quiet morning on the lake, you'll find a friendly town that loves to share its views and stories.
Clubs for Winona
No clubs for Winona yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Winona. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Winona. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Sugar Loaf Bluff Iconic limestone pinnacle overlooking the river
- Levee Park Riverfront park with a stage and boat landing
- Winona State University Public university with a bluff-top campus
- Saint Mary's University Catholic university in the historic district
- Minnesota Marine Art Museum Art museum focused on water and the Mississippi
- Garvin Heights Park Scenic overlook with views of the city and river
- Outdoors Hike Sugar Loaf Bluff
- Outdoors Bike the riverfront trail
- With kids Walk the Lake Winona loop
- With kids Visit the Minnesota Marine Art Museum
- Evenings Summer concerts at Levee Park
- Evenings Live music at local breweries
- Locals love Bluff-top overlooks
- Locals love Riverfront parks
Through the year
- Great River Shakespeare Festival June–July Professional Shakespeare performances in summer
- Winona Steamboat Days June Riverfront festival with parades, music, and fireworks
- Winona County Fair July County fair with livestock, rides, and local food
- Levee Park Summer Concert Series June–August Free outdoor concerts by the river
- Frozen River Film Festival January Documentary films about adventure and the outdoors
Winona has a continental climate with cold winters, warm humid summers, and beautiful shoulder seasons. The bluffs and river moderate extremes, making spring and fall especially pleasant. Best: Late spring through early fall is ideal, with warm days and cool nights.
Talk like a local
- “The Bluff”
- The hills that surround the city
- “The Lake”
- Lake Winona, the city lake
- “WSU”
- Winona State University
- “Downtown”
- The historic downtown area
Getaways
- La Crosse, WI River city with Grandad Bluff and a lively downtown
- Rochester, MN Home of the Mayo Clinic and a growing food scene
- Sparta, WI Trail town with the Elroy-Sparta bike trail
- Eau Claire, WI Music and arts hub along the Chippewa River
Local flavour
Teams
- Winona State Warriors NCAA Division II
- Saint Mary's University Cardinals NCAA Division III
Also rooting for Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Minnesota Twins (MLB), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), Minnesota Wild (NHL), Minnesota Lynx (WNBA)
Eat and drink
- Walleye Freshwater fish from the Mississippi, often fried or grilled
- Bloedow's donuts Local bakery famous for long johns and bear claws
- Hotdish Minnesota casserole staple, common at potlucks
Where people go
- Bluffs Limestone bluffs along the Mississippi, with trails like Garvin Heights
- Riverfront Parks and walking paths along the Mississippi River
- Historic downtown Victorian architecture, local shops, and the Minnesota Marine Art Museum
- Lake Winona Urban lake with a small lighthouse and recreational areas
Heritage and traditions
Winona is proud of its dramatic bluffs, historic downtown, and a vibrant arts scene, including the Great River Shakespeare Festival, as well as its strong community spirit and Polish heritage.
This time of year in Winona
- Fall foliage drives Fall Scenic views of the bluffs.
Say it like a local: “Uff da” — Expression of surprise or exhaustion
Festivals
- Mid West Music Fest April Multi-venue music festival
- Polish Heritage Days July Celebrates Polish food, music, and traditions
- Winona Art Walk September Open studios and galleries
Landmarks with a story
- Polish Cultural Institute and Museum Dedicated to Polish American history
- St. Stanislaus Kostka Church Historic Polish Catholic church
- Julius C. Wilkie Steamboat Museum Replica steamboat
- Winona's historic mansions Victorian-era homes along the river
Food traditions
- Friday fish fries during Lent Common in Catholic communities, often featuring walleye or cod.
- Polish pierogi and kielbasa Served at heritage events and local delis.
- Wild rice soup A regional staple with Native American roots.
- Brats and beer at summer festivals A nod to German heritage, especially at outdoor gatherings.
Music and arts
- Winona Symphony Orchestra Local orchestra
- Winona Arts Center Hosts exhibitions and performances
- Mid West Music Fest Showcases local and national acts
A little history
- 1850s Founded as a lumber town
- 1851 Named after a Dakota legend
- 1858 Winona Normal School established
- 1880s Polish immigration
- 1995 Great River Shakespeare Festival founded
Rivalries
- Winona State vs. Saint Mary's Local college athletics rivalry
- Winona vs. La Crosse Friendly competition over river town pride
- Game day Winona State Warriors football games
- Game day Friday night lights for high school football
- Outdoors Birdwatching for bald eagles
- Outdoors Swimming at Lake Winona
- With kids See a play at the Great River Shakespeare Festival
- With kids Visit the Polish Museum
Winona residents speak with a classic Minnesota accent, featuring elongated vowels and phrases like 'you betcha' and 'uff da'. They also use 'pop' for soda and refer to Minneapolis-St. Paul as 'the Cities'.
Only here
- The Great River Shakespeare Festival is one of the few professional Shakespeare festivals in the country.
- The Polish Museum is one of the few dedicated to Polish American history.
- Sugar Loaf Bluff is a distinctive landmark.
- The Winona Bridge is a historic swing bridge.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce Winona as 'wih-NOH-nuh' (emphasis on the second syllable).
- Winter is cold and snowy; invest in warm gear.
- The bluffs are beautiful but can be slippery; wear sturdy shoes.
- Try the local donuts, a Winona tradition.
- Check out the farmers market on weekends.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Part of Rochester area
Nearby
Every areaArcadiaWisconsinWhere the Mississippi winds through bluffs and farms.La CrosseWisconsinWhere the bluffs meet the river.RochesterMinnesotaWhere healing and heartland meetSpartaWisconsinCranberry country, trail town, and the heart of the Coulee Region.Black River FallsWisconsinWhere the river runs through pine and bog.DecorahIowaWhere the bluffs meet the river and the prairie sings.Eau ClaireWisconsinWhere the rivers hum and the hops flow.Red WingMinnesotaRiver town pride, bluff country soul.
Winona, MN. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.