Zumbrota: Covered Bridge, State Theatre, and Parks

Zumbrota offers several specific points of interest for a stay: a historic structure by the river, a theater with a cultural program, and parks with trails, play areas, and sports activities. For planning, it helps to decide whether you want to focus on architectural history, performing arts, outdoor activities, or an event date.

The Zumbrota Covered Bridge

The Zumbrota Covered Bridge was built in 1869 in Zumbrota, in Goodhue County, over the North Branch of the Zumbro River. It is the only surviving example of a covered wooden truss bridge in Minnesota. Today, it serves as a pedestrian crossing over the Zumbro River and is located 1,000 feet west of its original site. The name brings together two structural features: “wooden truss” describes the construction, while “covered” describes the bridge type. Its construction date, design, and present-day function offer different perspectives on the same structure.

Cultural History at the State Theatre

The Zumbrota State Theatre was built in 1921 as a vaudeville theater for radio broadcasts, stage plays, and silent films. Today, it welcomes audiences for live music, theater, films, special events, and local celebrations. The building’s history thus brings together its original use and several forms of programming today. If you are interested in stage and film culture, the theater offers a different focus from the bridge: here, the emphasis is on a cultural venue and its program.

When choosing between the two historic cultural sites, you can consider their roles today: the Covered Bridge serves as a pedestrian crossing, with the structure itself at the center of interest; at the State Theatre, several types of events shape its current profile. Together, a distinctive bridge type and a theater with audiences and cultural programming appeal to different interests.

Trails and Recreation at Covered Bridge Park

Covered Bridge Park is located on the Zumbro River, has a local trail network, and is the starting point of the Goodhue Pioneer State Trail. The park also has the Kids' Kingdom play area and a beginner disc golf course. For planning, the offerings can be grouped by type: the local trail network and the State Trail starting point provide two trail connections; Kids' Kingdom is for play, and the beginner course is for disc golf. This can help you decide whether to focus on trails or a specific recreational activity during your stay.

Summer Concerts and Annual Festival

Music in the Park is a series of free outdoor concerts in East Park throughout the summer, held on Tuesday evenings. The Zumbrota Covered Bridge Festival takes place annually in a park in Zumbrota. The concert series and the festival therefore offer different timing options: summer Tuesday evenings for one, an annual schedule for the other. If you are planning your trip around an event, check the dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Red Wing.

For the main travel overview: Goodhue.