- Drive up or hike up to Garvin Heights Lookout for a breath-taking view of Winona and the river valley – you can see 20-30 miles up and down the river on a clear day.
- Stop and smell the roses at the Rose Gardens along Lake Park Drive.
- The Veterans Memorial Park is a great place to learn about the wars our veterans fought in.
- Concerts at the band shell on Wednesday nights in the summer at 8pm.
- Admire the classic cars that gather at Lakeview Drive-in on summer Wednesday nights during Cruise Nights.
- Walk/run/bicycle/rollerblade/skate on the paths around the lakes and various trails. West Lake path is 1.3 miles, East Lake path is 4.0 miles.
- Canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and a few bicycles are available for free at Lake Park Lodge, courtesy of Winona Park and Recreation.
- Learn more about local products at the farmers market on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
- Walk Winona’s historic downtown and admire the outstanding and diverse architectural styles and stained glass windows.
- Walk along the Levee and watch the boats and dredges go by.
- Stop at Windom Park and admire the Princess Wenonah statue, fountain, gazebo and garden.
- Fish the lakes or the Mississippi River and streams in our area.
- Learn about Watkins Inc. at the Watkins Museum.
- Test your skills (skate boards, rollerblades, BMX bikes) at the 4.8 Skate Park (5th & St. Charles Streets).
- Hike the Prairie Island Nature Trail, or Holzinger Lodge Trail (biking too). Visit Winona has brochures on walking/hiking, bicycling trails.
- Play tennis at the free municipal tennis courts north of the band shell by Lake Winona and Hamilton Street.
- The Willows Disc Golf Course is located around east Lake Winona. Get a map/scorecard for the course at the Visitors’ Center.
- Surprise the kids with a visit to the Safari Museum on the third floor of Winona National Bank. Also has a gun collection.
- Check out some books or movies from the Winona Public Library. Kids activities and programs available in the summer.
- Winona is on the Mississippi Birding Flyway so if you’re a bird-watcher, bring your binoculars.
- If you’re an art enthusiast, you can view the wonderful art collection in the Winona State University library as well as changing exhibits at the Watkins Gallery. The university also has a “Garden & Monument Tour” that you can experience. Tour brochures available at the Visitors’ Center. Saint Mary’s University also has the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries at the Toner Student Center and the Winona Arts Center exhibits local and regional artists.
- Use your smart phone to take “Stories in Structure” walking tour of historic landmarks downtown Winona.
- Cross the Interstate bridge and visit Latsch Island Park and beach, and take a stroll over the wagon bridge.
- Note: Brochures and/or maps for many of the suggestions can be found at the Winona Visitors’ Center, 924 Huff St., or Visit Winona, 160 Johnson St. (in the Winona County History Center building)
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