Location: Luverne
Top Things to do in Luverne
10 Things to Do in Luverne That You Shouldn't Miss
Luverne (/ləˈvərn/) is a city in Rock County, Minnesota, United States, along the Rock River. The population was 4,745 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat. It is one of four towns profiled in the 2007 Ken Burns documentary The War. It is the main setting for the second season of the TV show Fargo.
Restaurants in Luverne
1. Blue Mounds State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
In addition to fishing, swimming, canoeing, hiking and camping, this park offers visitors the opportunity to view the only bison herd in Minnesota's State Parks.
Reviewed By EireMan66 - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Blue Mounds State Park was suprising and beautiful. After driving across the cropland of SW Minnesota, I got accustomed to the flat terrain. But where the Sioux Quartzite rock erupts at the ground surface, there are dramatic changes in topography. This rock was so hard that it withstood the power of the glaciers and wasn’t ground flat like the surrounding area. This is true at several local places like Jeffers Petroglyphs, Pipestone, and especially Blue Mounds State Park. While we were staying in Pipestone, MN, we made a side trip to Blue Mounds. We drove to the south end of the Park on US-75 and took a left at County 8; there is a parking area and Interpretive Center (not open). There is a nice hike on top of the ridge where you get long views to South Dakota, Iowa, and maybe see the herd of bison. A passing group of people pointed out a bunch of black dots far in the distance and said that was the bison herd. OK, maybe. We hiked a short loop from the Interpretive Center to Eagle Rock, to the Quarry, and back to the parking lot, but there are many other trails if you have a mind to hike further. A group of rock climbers had rappelled down the cliff face in the quarry, but we missed that excitement. There was also a mysterious man-made Rock Alignment that lines up with the Sun on spring and fall equinoxes. This was a good field trip and well worth the time.
2. Brandenburg Gallery - Luverne
Overall Ratings
5 based on 18 reviews
The Brandenburg Gallery is an art gallery featuring two floors of photographs from world-renowned photographer Jim Brandenburg. The Gallery is housed in the Rock County Veterans Memorial Building a century-old four story Sioux Quartzite building which stands adjacent to the Rock County Court House. The RCVMB is also home to the Luverne Area Chamber and the Herried Military Museum, which occupies the top two floors of the building.
Reviewed By jackfrost0904 - south dakota
Glad to see that the Brandenburg gallery has moved to the former historic county building in Luverne. The photos are beautifully displayed and there are docents who are very helpful. The county military museum is also located here and is well worth the stop.
3. Those Blasted things
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Steve H - Sugar Hill, Georgia, United States
Here you will find a large selection of the unique items in our store. Many of our items are one of a kind. Items such as Jewelry, Lamps, Carved Stone, Rocks, Bookends and Fossils
4. Palace Theatre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 6 reviews
The Historic Palace Theatre is located in downtown Luverne, MN. It is owned by the city of Luverne and operated by the Blue Mound Area Theatre Board of Directors. The Theatre offers live events, movies, and performances by the Green Earth Players.
Reviewed By djalk - minnesota
This theater is a beautifully restored historical landmark. It features comfortable seating and amazing acoustics. There is a balcony for nostalgia. Multiple please, movies and venues are featured throughout the year. I even went to a wedding that was held inside the theater. Amazing!
5. Verne Drive-In
Overall Ratings
5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Evan_Twin - Sioux Falls, South Dakota
The Verne-Drive in is only one of six Drive-in movie theaters in Minnesota, so if you're in the area absolutely stop by! Tickets are only $5.00 which is a crazy amazing price for two new movies! There is a large open-grass area in front that kids and teens go to throw frisbees, footballs, and play games etc before the movies, so don't worry about waiting for the movie to start. The snacks are a bit expensive but that's how they make their money, and with the cheap movie tickets it's absolutely worth it. Make sure you read the rules outside carefully before visiting, the owner can be harsh over the intercom if you park in the wrong spot, leave your lights on, or do anything not instructed. Snacks aren't allowed so make sure you don't have anything with you when you arrive. Otherwise absolutely come watch some movies here, there is nothing like a classic drive-in!!
6. Herried Military Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
HERREID MILITARY MUSEUM…honoring all who served. The HERREID MILITARY MUSEUM shares the personal stories of brave men and women from Rock County and the surrounding region as they responded to the nation’s call and entered the military to protect our freedoms. The museum opened its doors in July 2009 with the focus on the stories of WWII. The displays complimented the stories that were told 2007 Ken Burns’ documentary, “THE WAR.” This epic documentary took six years of research to tell the stories of citizens in military service and on the home front from four American cities (Mobile, Al; Sacramento, CA; Waterbury, CN; and Luverne, MN). The museum expands on the stories with exhibits featuring artifacts, photographs, videodocumentary, memorabilia and written testimonies. In addition to WWII, there are displays of Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, Korean War, Vietnam, Cold War and the War on Terror.
Reviewed By MARK W - Mesa, Arizona
Luverne was one of 4 cities featured in Ken Burns's PBS documentary "The War." This small museum is rich with the history of the "home front" in a small town during WW2. Coupled with the Brandenburg Gallery of photos by National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg it is a must see. Both adjoin the historic county courthouse and are free. Do not miss the solemn Veterans' Memorial on the south side of the courthouse. Definitely worth a brief stopover while traveling down Interstate-90.
7. Reborn Home Furnishings
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
We have antique, vintage, retro, and contemperory home furniture and home decor. We have custom painted trendy furniture using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint®.
Reviewed By Becky F
This place has a great selection of repurposed furniture and unique home decor. It is also the only place in the region that you can purchase Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan!
8. Rock County Historical Society
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
The Rock County Historical Society is located in downtown Luverne, MN. The newly remodeled facility houses historical artifacts, the history of the churches in Rock County, the schools in Rock County, a full mount Bison, a late 1800's covered wagon, the history of the Luverne Automobile Company, and the Midwest's largest collection of Nutcrackers. The Christmas Haus is a year-round store featuring holiday items. FREE ADMISSION!
Reviewed By djalk - minnesota
This History Center has something for everyone. Over 2500 nutcrackers tastefully displayed and categorized. Recreations of building interiors from the turn of the century. Many displays such as dolls and those of towns of the county. Educational and something for everyone. This is all housed in a century old building on Main Street Luverne.
9. Take 16 Brewing Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Take 16 Brewing Co. is located on Main Street in Luverne, MN. The company has a brand new tap room at this location. This is also the same location that they brew and package their beer. Take 16 beer is distributed throughout Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa. In addition to the tap room Take 16 host several Block Parties in the parking lot during the summer.
Reviewed By leroyv786 - Luverne, Minnesota
Just recently opened the taproom. Nice looking interior design and furniture for a taproom. Has TV's (half the taprooms don't in MN). Watched the Twins game. Had a couple beers, solid kolsh (Country Mile) and hefeweizen (Hayloft).Thanks for visiting Take 16! Glad you enjoyed our new taproom.
10. Luverne City Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
The Luverne City Park is located at the east end of Main Street. The beautiful wooded area boasts playground equipment, an enclosed shelter with water and electricity, 2 open picnic shelters, picnic tables, grills, a softball diamond, volleyball court, a full basketball court, horseshoe pits, and a full restroom facility.
Reviewed By Becky F
We have visited this park many times for family gatherings. It has beautiful trees and picnic areas. The kids had fun on the playground equipment and there was plenty of room for a friendly game of softball.
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