Minnesota might be known for its cold winter, but the natural beauty of the state, the welcoming attitude of its people, and the incredible towns and cities within it are the more defining attributes. Known as the land of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota is chock-full of gorgeous natural scenery, with sparklingly blue lakes and deep green forests.
From Woodbury and Andover to Rochester and Plymouth, countless small towns and mid-sized cities make Minnesota a great place to live. With urban areas like Minneapolis and Saint Paul well-known and recognized, let’s explore some of Minnesota’s lesser-known towns, villages, and cities.
For starters, let’s look at Ely, Edina, and Chanhassen. Ely is a small little city on the Virmillon Iron Range in Northern Minnesota. Home to a permanent population of just under 3,500, this small city is the gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, with millions of acres of protected forest and countless lakes, streams, and rivers. It is a nature lovers’ paradise.
Edina is a suburb of Minneapolis home to just over 50,000. It is known as a family-oriented suburb with one of the best school districts in America and has top-notch shopping and dining facilities. Chanhassen is also a suburb of Minneapolis but further outside. It was recently ranked #1 on Money.com’s top places to live in America due to the great community, affordable homes, and economic opportunity.
Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, and Prior Lake are other appealing towns in Minnesota. Eden Prairie is another Minneapolis suburb constantly rating in Money.com’s best places to live. It is home to just over 60,000 and is a comfortable, vibrant community with a lot to offer. There are museums, top-notch restaurants, brewing companies, and more.
Minnetonka is a suburb home to over 50,000 on Lake Minnetonka. Lake Minnetonka is the biggest lake in the Minneapolis area and one of the biggest in Minnesota. Living in Minnetonka gives you access to some of the best natural environments in the state. Prior Lake is similarly an outer suburb of Minneapolis situated around a lake of the same name. Prior Lake is smaller than Minnetonka but is still a well-known tourism destination due to the fishing, skiing, and boating that Prior Lake offers.
Lakeville, Maple Grove, and Alexandria are three more towns that offer a tranquil Minnesota lifestyle. Lakeville is located 20 miles south of Minneapolis and Saint Paul and is home to over 60,000 residents. It is known as a safe city with a low unemployment rate, great schools, and an affordable cost of living. It also has spacious parks, trails, and walking paths and is close to the famed Mall of America.
Maple Grove is another city not far removed from Minneapolis, which, as you’ve probably inferred, is where the primary concentration of towns is in the state. Maple Grove is home to over 70,000, a bustling city that, in true Minnesota fashion, has great access to nature with the nearby Elm Creek Park Reserve and Medicine Lake Regional Trail. Alexandria is a city in Northwest Minnesota in the heart of lake country. The smaller town of under 15,000 has a thriving arts scene, a whiskey distillery, nearby wineries, and lakehouses galore, so water access won’t be a problem.
Lastly, there is Forest Lake, Cross Lake, and St Cloud. Forest Lake is located roughly 30 miles from Saint Paul, with a growing population of over 20,000. It is a small town situated next to several different bodies of water that makes it a great place to enjoy summer. There is a lot to do in this town, including a beach, golf course, and the nearby Running Aces Casino and Racetrack.
Cross Lake is a tiny community of just over 2,000 in the state’s North-Central region. While it may not be a busy metropolis like other areas of the state, it has some incredible natural scenery. It has many of the best fishing areas in the state, with great bass fishing and quiet lodge-style homes. St Cloud is a city to the Northwest of Minneapolis, home to just under 70,000. It is a busy community in the center of one of Minnesota’s most important agricultural areas. It has great parks, museums, and entertainment options and is a great little city to raise a family.
