Winona: Climbing, Water and Art

Winona combines views of the Mississippi River Valley with climbing, water activities, and art. If you’re looking for a hotel in Winona, you can get a sense of the destination by considering its different highlights: Sugar Loaf is all about rock, views, and climbing, while Lake Winona offers lakeside trails and fishing piers. Water sports are among the activities available at East Lake Winona. There’s also an art museum with a connection to water and a historic commercial district. The range of options spans everything from outdoor activities to art and local history.

Views and two types of climbing

At Sugar Loaf Park, a multi-use trail leads to the top of the bluff, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the Mississippi River Valley. The trail and views offer a different way to experience Sugar Loaf than its climbing routes. Sugar Loaf has 38 lead-climbing routes. Sugar Loaf Park is also home to Winona Ice Park, a man-made ice-climbing park. This gives you two types of climbing to choose from: lead climbing at Sugar Loaf and man-made ice climbing at Winona Ice Park. If climbing is part of your travel plans, this distinction can help you choose between rock and ice climbing.

Water sports, a loop trail, and fishing

At East Lake Winona, Lake Lodge rents canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards daily. Seasonal and annual memberships are also available. These options include daily rentals and memberships with seasonal or annual terms.

For biking and walking, Lake Park is another option: its paved trail circles both parts of Lake Winona. The full loop is 5.3 miles long and is suitable for biking and walking. Several fishing piers at Lake Winona also make it possible to fish without a boat. Rentals at East Lake Winona, the trail at Lake Park, and the fishing piers at Lake Winona therefore offer different ways to enjoy the water.

Art, a connection to water, and local history

The Minnesota Marine Art Museum adds an artistic perspective to Winona’s connection to water. This nonprofit art museum sits on the banks of the Mississippi in Winona and creates art experiences exploring the relationship between people and water. Its facilities include six galleries, an education and event space, and a museum shop; the riverside campus covers seven acres. Here, the relationship with water is at the heart of art experiences and educational programs.

The Winona Downtown Commercial Historic District offers a different cultural focus. It includes more than 100 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While the museum focuses on art and the relationship between people and water, the historic commercial district offers a connection to local history.

Another trail connection

The Flyway Trail Winona Connector is also relevant for trail connections: it uses the Highway 54 Interstate Bridge. Along with the Lake Park trail, it offers a comparison of different types of routes in Winona: a paved loop suitable for walking and biking, and a trail connector that uses the Interstate Bridge.

For an overview of the wider area: Winona County.