Hills MinnesotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hills, Minnesota.
1. Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort
GAMING AND GOLFING DESTINATION
Grand Falls Casino & Golf Resort offers visitors an exciting combination of gambling entertainment and pristine golfing facilities. The resort features a variety of slot machines, table games, and poker rooms for gaming enthusiasts seeking their lucky break. After trying their luck at the casino, guests can enjoy a round of golf on the beautifully maintained course with scenic views of the Minnesota landscape.
2. Skydive Adventures
THRILLING AERIAL EXPERIENCES
Skydive Adventures provides adrenaline-seeking visitors with unforgettable skydiving experiences above the picturesque Minnesota countryside. Professional instructors guide jumpers through every step of the process, from pre-jump training to the exhilarating free fall and peaceful parachute descent. The breathtaking aerial views of Hills and the surrounding landscape make this adventure a must-do for thrill-seekers visiting the area.
3. Those Blasted Things
UNIQUE LOCAL GIFT SHOP
Those Blasted Things is a charming specialty and gift shop offering a diverse selection of unique items and souvenirs to commemorate a visit to Hills. The shop features locally crafted goods, Minnesota-themed merchandise, and one-of-a-kind gifts that capture the spirit of the region. Visitors appreciate the friendly service and the opportunity to find something special to remember their time in this quaint Minnesota town.
4. Rotary Park & Dog Park
COMMUNITY RECREATION SPACE
Rotary Park & Dog Park serves as a central recreational area for both locals and visitors to Hills, Minnesota. The well-maintained park offers green spaces for picnics, walking paths, and a dedicated area where dogs can run off-leash and socialize. Families especially enjoy the playground equipment and open spaces that provide a perfect setting for outdoor activities throughout the warmer months.
5. Eagle Mountain
MINNESOTA'S HIGHEST PEAK
Eagle Mountain stands as Minnesota's highest point at 2,301 feet above sea level, offering hikers a rewarding challenge in Superior National Forest. The 3.5-mile trail guides visitors through dense forests and past tranquil Whale Lake before ascending to the summit with its spectacular panoramic views. From the top, hikers can appreciate the vastness of Minnesota's wilderness and the beauty of the surrounding Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
6. Split Rock Lighthouse
HISTORIC LAKE SUPERIOR BEACON
Split Rock Lighthouse stands as one of the most picturesque lighthouses on Lake Superior, perched dramatically on a 130-foot cliff overlooking the vast waters. Visitors can explore the restored lighthouse keeper's home, fog signal building, and climb to the top of the tower for breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Superior and the surrounding shoreline. The historic beacon, built in 1910 after a series of devastating shipwrecks, now serves as a museum that tells the fascinating story of shipping on the Great Lakes and the isolated lives of lighthouse keepers.
7. Oldenburg Point
SCENIC RIVER OVERLOOK
Oldenburg Point offers visitors an exceptional observation post overlooking the dramatic landscape where the St. Louis River cuts through layers of slate and greywacke. From this vantage point in Jay Cooke State Park, visitors can marvel at the jagged outcrops and rushing whitewater that characterize this unique river gorge. The nearby swinging bridge provides adventurous travelers with a closer perspective of the river's powerful flow as it makes its way to become Lake Superior's largest tributary.
8. St. Croix State Park Fire Tower
ELEVATED FOREST VIEWS
The St. Croix State Park Fire Tower invites visitors to climb 100 feet above the forest floor for an unparalleled view of Minnesota's woodland landscape. The ascent takes climbers through distinct ecological zones, from the forest understory to the canopy, with interpretive signs explaining the unique habitats and wildlife at each level. Upon reaching the top, visitors are rewarded with a spectacular birds-eye view above the treetops, offering a perspective that few get to experience in the North Woods.
9. U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum
AMERICAN HOCKEY HERITAGE
The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum celebrates America's hockey legacy in Eveleth, home to the world's largest free-standing hockey stick and puck. Visitors can explore exhibits honoring the legendary 'Miracle on Ice' 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team and countless national hockey stars who honed their skills on the Iron Range. The museum offers an immersive experience into the sport's history, with interactive displays, memorabilia, and tributes to the players, coaches, and teams that have shaped American hockey.
10. Greyhound Museum
TRANSPORTATION HISTORY COLLECTION
The Greyhound Museum in Hibbing chronicles the humble beginnings and remarkable growth of America's iconic bus industry pioneer. Visitors can climb aboard vintage buses and explore exhibits detailing how the company evolved from a single Hupmobile touring car serving mining towns to an essential nationwide transportation network by World War II. The museum preserves this important piece of American transportation history with photographs, uniforms, memorabilia, and the restored vehicles that helped connect the nation.
11. Redhead Mountain Bike Park
RECLAIMED MINE TRAIL SYSTEM
Redhead Mountain Bike Park at the Minnesota Discovery Center offers 25 miles of world-class mountain biking trails built on the dynamic landscape of a former iron mine. The peaks and valleys carved by mining operations have been transformed into thrilling trails suitable for riders of all skill levels. What once were ore pits are now beautiful clear lakes, creating a stunning backdrop for outdoor adventures in this innovative example of land reclamation.
12. Giants Ridge
FOUR-SEASON RECREATION DESTINATION
Giants Ridge, named after an Ojibwe legend about a sleeping giant, features hills rising 500 feet high that provide year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. In winter, visitors can enjoy 35 runs for skiing and snowboarding, 60 kilometers of Nordic ski trails, and family-friendly snow tubing adventures. During warmer months, the resort transforms into a mountain biking haven with trails that take advantage of the natural terrain, offering exhilarating rides for cyclists of all abilities.
13. Minnehaha Falls
URBAN NATURAL WONDER
Minnehaha Falls captivates visitors as it dramatically plunges 53 feet off a limestone ledge in the heart of Minneapolis' beloved 167-acre Minnehaha Park. The stunning waterfall can be viewed from an overlook at the top or by following a walking trail to its misty base, with spring visits offering the most impressive water flow. Beyond the falls, visitors can explore extensive walking trails, three ornamental gardens, a dog park, and enjoy seasonal dining at the Sea Salt restaurant while experiencing this natural oasis in the city.
14. Carlton Peak
SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL HIGHLIGHT
Carlton Peak rises prominently along the North Shore of Lake Superior, offering hikers a challenging ascent rewarded with spectacular views. The summit provides panoramic vistas of Lake Superior's vastness, the surrounding Sawtooth Mountains, and the lush forests of Minnesota's Arrowhead Region. Accessible via the Superior Hiking Trail, this geological feature composed of ancient anorthosite rock stands as a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts exploring Minnesota's natural wonders.
15. Sawtooth Mountains
NORTH SHORE SCENIC RANGE
The Sawtooth Mountains create a dramatic backdrop along Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior with their distinctive jagged profile resembling the teeth of a saw. These ancient peaks offer outdoor enthusiasts a network of hiking trails, including segments of the Superior Hiking Trail, that wind through forests of maple, birch, and pine while providing breathtaking overlooks of Lake Superior. During winter months, the range becomes home to Lutsen Mountains ski resort, the largest in the Midwest, where visitors can experience downhill skiing and snowboarding with lake views.