Visit Winona Group Tour Planner

Visit Winona
Group Tour Planner
160 Johnson St, Winona, MN 55987
(507) 452-0735
[email protected] or www.visitwinona.com
Dear Tour Planner,
Congratulations - you have found it: the Midwest’s most beloved and best kept secret. From
its sculpted bluffs to its mighty river and all the places in between, Winona has unparalleled beauty
mixed with a cool urbanity and old-world charm that proves that yes, you really can have it all in
one enchanting place. The gilded era of lumber barons and paddle-wheelers is immortalized here in
the lavish architecture that has become a hallmark of this picturesque river hamlet. Elaborate cornices, grand buildings, and vibrant stained glass beckon for a stroll through the historic downtown
today just as they did a century ago, and all who pass this way agree that Winona is truly a beautiful place.
Winona has many attractions that appeal to group tours. The Minnesota Marine Art Museum, the region’s access to Monet and Picasso, features four galleries of “art inspired by water”.
The Sugar Loaf Antique & Craft Mall located in the old Bub’s Brewery has over 100 vendors. The
Garvin Heights Vineyard opens each Spring with tours and wine tasting. Winona even has its own
Minnesota Beethoven Festival which enters its seventh season. The Great River Shakespeare Festival kicks off its tenth season, running for five weeks in June/July/August. The Trester Trolley offers a guided tour of Winona
By looking over this brochure you can plan your tour the way you want it. I am available to
assist you in planning the itinerary, booking, and confirming your plans.
Winona is a member of the Explore Mississippi Bluffs group that enables you to visit the
southeastern part of Minnesota for extended trips. Being a member of this group allows me to
work with Red Wing, Wabasha, and Lanesboro to plan your itinerary. Winona is uniquely positioned to be a perfect hub and spoke city for your trip. Indeed, this community has the best of all
worlds wrapped into one delightful destination, a city remarkably undiscovered and regarded as a
treasure by those who do. Whether for a day or a week, we invite you to visit and see for yourself
why, no matter where your interests lay, everyone loves Winona.
Mary Farrell
Visitor Services Coordinator
Winona Group Tour Attractions
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Stained Glass Studio Tour (1 hour) Location: Cathedral Crafts . Winona is known as the
“Stained Glass Capital” of the country. During this tour, you may observe craftspeople design, paint, restore, refurbish and/or assemble stained glass windows.
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Watkins Headquarters and Museum and Company Store (45 minutes) Famous for its
award-winning vanilla and spices, this company dates back to 1868 when it purveyed the
only health “remedies” that came with a money-back guarantee. Watkins products are
available for purchase.
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Winona County History Center (45 minutes) WCHS is one of the lar gest county historical society museums in Minnesota. Showcased are artifacts of Winona and Winona
County’s history including a stained-glass window exhibit, county timeline, and an awardwinning children’s exhibit. The new Laird/Norton addition houses exhibits and The Museum Shop .
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Winona National Bank and Merchants Bank (30 minutes each) The banks are listed
on the National Register of Historic Places and offer amazing architecture, collectibles, and
stained-glass windows. Winona National’s African Safari museum is not to be missed.
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Step-on Guide Tour (2 to 4 hour s) You will receive a histor y lesson about Winona on
this tour as you drive by Levee Park and the Mississippi River, Winona County Court
House, historic downtown area, east end shotgun houses, Windom Park, mansions from the
lumber baron days, Winona State University, Lake Park (which includes Veteran’s Memorial, Rose Garden, Bandshell), Sugar Loaf Bluff, Basilica St .Stanislaus Kostka, Princess
Wenonah statue, Lakeview Drive Inn (the oldest drive inn in Minnesota), Port of Winona,
Garvin Heights Overlook that boasts of a magnificent view of the Mississippi Valley.
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Minnesota Marine Art Museum (1 hour ) Winona’s newest museum! Located on acres
of riverfront gardens, the museum exhibits a significant collection of 19th and 20th century
marine and landscape paintings and features artist from the region.
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Garvin Heights Vineyards (1 hour ) You can tour Winona’s first vineyard with taste testing and learn “Why no White Zin in Minnesota?” Along with the scenic view , enjoy different types of wine made with University of MN grapes.
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Sugar Loaf Antiques and Crafts Mall (1 or more hour s) While you roam around all
35,000 square feet of antiques and crafts to see what treasures you can find, look for the
caves that use to keep the brew cool. This mall is located in the old Bub’s brewery below
Sugar Loaf bluff.
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Polish Cultural Institute (45 minutes) Founded to preser ve the r ich Polish histor y of
Winona, it houses Kashubian artifacts, family heirlooms, religious articles, folk art and
more. A gift shop sells Polish items.
Three day sample itinerary:
Day 1:
10:30am-11:30 am – Minnesota Marine Art Museum
11:45 am-12:45 pm – Lunch at one of our local restaurants
1:00-4:15 pm – City Tour with Step-on Guide with a stop at the Watkins Museum
4:30-5:00 pm – Check into your hotel & get ready for the evening
5:15-6:30 pm – Dinner at Signatures Restaurant
7:00-10 pm – Attend a play at the Great River Shakespeare Festival or a concert at the MN
Beethoven Festival
10:15pm – Return back to your hotel for a good nights rest
Day 2:
10:00 am-10:45am – Sugar Loaf Antique & Craft Mall
11:00-12:00 pm – Trester Trolley guided tour
12:15-1:15pm – Lunch at local restaurant in Historic Downtown Winona
1:30-2:30pm – Stroll Historic Downtown and shop at the local gift shops.
2:45-3:30 pm: --Winona County History Center
3:45-4:45pm – Garvin Heights Vineyard tour and tasting
5:00pm - Relax at your hotel. Prepare for dinner out, a walk around the lakes, or
another play or concert.
Day 3:
9:00-10:00am – Stained Glass Studio Tour
10:30-11:30am – Polish Museum
11:45am - Lunch at another one of our local restaurants
One day sample itinerary:
10:00-11:00am - Minnesota Marine Art Museum
11:15am-12:30pm – Stroll through downtown Winona and see more than 100 historic sites
named on the National Historic Register
12:45-1:45pm - Lunch at one of the restaurants in Historic Downtown
2:00-4:00pm – Watkins Heritage Museum
Unique tours
Stain Glass Studio
(1 hour)
Cathedral Crafts : Winona is
known as the “Stained Glass Capital” of the country. At this studio,
observe craftspeople fabricating
leaded stained glass windows using many of the same techniques
of the past. Artists may demonstrate how they design, paint, restore, and/or
assemble these fine windows.
Cost: $3/person Min: 15 Max: 30
Groups by appointment only.
Limited number of tours.
Unique tours (continued)
City Tour with step-on guide
Tour guides will provide a history lesson while visiting all the wonders of Winona. You might start at
Garvin Heights Overlook with a magnificent view of
Winona “the island city” and the Mississippi River
Valley. On a clear day you can see 20 to 30 miles up
and down the valley. There is also Lake Park with
Veteran’s Memorial Park, a Rose Garden, a bandshell (Winona Municipal Band plays during the
summer) and a fantastic view of Sugar Loaf Bluff.
On the east end of town, learn about shotgun houses, Basilica of St Stanislaus Kostka, and Winona’s
polish heritage. Downtown has two large historic
district plus unique restaurants & stores. While
downtown drive by Levee Park and see where the
Majestic America Line steamboat, the American
Queen docks . Historic Victorian built by the early
lumber & wheat barons surround the beautiful Windom Park where the Princess Wenonah
statue now resides. Learn about the river port and the many unique businesses that make
Winona home. Winona has a diversified base of businesses including: Wenonah Canoe,
Fastenal, Technigraph, Knitcraft, United Building Center and many others.
Step-on guide:
Cost: $4.00/person
(2 to 4 hours)
Guided walking tours:
Take a walk downtown which boasts over 100
buildings on the National Register of Historic
Places and learn about the history of a river
city that was once one of the richest cities in
America.
Cost: $4.00/person
Approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours
Unique tours (continued)
Garvin Heights Vineyard
(45 minutes)
Tour Winona’s family owned vineyard
and learn why White Zinfandel is not
made in Minnesota and how to make cold
climate wines. Enjoy tasting the different
wines and be amazed at the gorgeous
view from 600 feet above the Mississippi
River.
Cost: $3/person Min: 15 Max: 30
Groups by appointment only.
Sugar Loaf Antique & Craft Mall
(Variable, 1-3 hours)
This mall is located below Sugar Loaf Bluff
with 35,000 square feet of vendor space and
well over 100 vendors. Roam around the old
“Bubs” brewery building to find treasures
you won’t find anywhere else. Vendor treasures are displaced in the caves where brew
was cooled.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday 10 a.m5p.m.
Closed Wednesdays
Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday 11a.m.-4 p.m.
Groups: Call ahead of time
Unique tours (continued)
Trester Trolley Tours
(45 minutes to 1 Hour)
Trester Trolley LLC offers charter services within a fifty-mile radius of Winona.
Guided Tours of Winona will go past many points of interest including museums,
historic homes, Winona’s historic downtown district, Veterans Memorial Park,
Levee Park, Garvin Heights Scenic Park, Woodlawn Cemetery and many other
historic places. Trolley holds 27 adults. A second trolley is also available.
Cost: (Based on at least 10 passengers)
$10.00 per adult
Museums
Watkins Museum and Company Store
(45 minutes)
Famous for its award-winning vanilla and spices, this company dates back to 1868 when it was
the purveyor of the only health “remedies” that
came with a money-back guarantee. This museum opened in 1993 to celebrate Watkins’s 125th
anniversary. Located in the space formerly occupied by the Watkins’ print shop, the museum displays a large collection of memorabilia, and a
self -guided pictorial tour. The store is where
Winonans go for their Watkins pepper, vanilla,
and Petro Carbo salts.
Cost: Free
Min: 15 Max: 30
Groups by appointment only.
Polish Cultural Institute
(45 minutes)
The Polish Cultural Institute known as the Polish
Museum was founded in 1976.The museum preserves the rich Polish history of Winona and it
houses Kashubian artifacts, family heirlooms,
religious articles, folk art, parish records, photographs and other treasures that have been lovingly donated, a legacy from these hardworking
people. The gift shop sells Polish items.
Cost: Free
Groups by appointment only.
Museums (continued)
Winona National Bank and Merchants Bank
(30 Minutes each)
The buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offer amazing architecture, history, and lovely stained glass windows.
Winona National Bank was designed by prominent
architect George Maher of Chicago, in the Egyptian Revival style. The building’s face has a formidable look
highlighted by the two grand granite columns. A secret
lies under the south column, a copper time capsule buried there in 1915. The lovely interior, a Prairie School
“look”, has many stained glass windows. A decorative
cove above the mammoth vault were created by the Tiffany Studios of New York. The second floor houses a
small safari museum and antique gun collection. This
building was completed in 1916 and is replete with hidden architectural gems.
Merchants Bank founder s chose to make the or iginal building a reflection of strong Midwestern values.
The Minneapolis firm of Purcell, Feick and Elmslie
designed the bank to be dignified, yet functional and
economical. Founded in 1875, the glass walls which
dominate the interior beauty of the building are original, produced by Mosaics Art Shops of Minneapolis.
The mural that remains on the north wall is the original by Albert Fleury and is a depiction of West Burns
Valley area that lies behind Sugar Loaf Bluff. The
original bank cash vault which was used until 1927 is displayed in the lobby. Additions have
been made but discreetly so as to keep its original design.
Cost: Free, Groups by appointment only
Museums (continued)
Winona County History Center
(45 minutes)
Professionally constructed exhibits examine life in Winona as lived by both lumber barons and
laborers. The encircling balcony gallery (once an exercise track) houses the “County Timeline” exhibit, which begins with the area’s unique geologic formation and a superb collection
of Native Americana. The exhibit surprises visitors with the
unexpected: Winona’s rowdy past, a brief history of our sewers, and the Cold War parking
plans to be used during a nuclear war .Our hands-on children’s exhibit, “Walking through
Time,” received an award from the American Association of
State and Local History;
children are invited to explore a cave, teepee, and river steamboat. Other main floor displays include vehicles, period rooms
and thematic exhibits on industry, commerce and transportation.
The new Laird/Norton addition has changing exhibits and a museum gift shop.
Cost: $4.00/per son
Customized tours available for groups
Minnesota Marine Art Museum
(1 hour)
The collections of the Minnesota Marine Art Museum are
becoming recognized as one of the finest and most
unique collections of art in Middle America. The collections are vast—containing works within the marine art
tradition, Hudson River School, Impressionism, and
more. Highlights include masterpieces by Van Gogh,
Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Cassat, Picasso, O’Keefe and
Homer.
Cost: $5/per son (10 or more people)
Docent-led tours by appointment
Museums continued
Bunnell House
(45 minutes)
In 1849, Chief Wapasha granted permission to his friend, fur-trader Willard Bunnell, to build a
cabin on Dakota land in what is now Homer, Minnesota. Within a decade, Bunnell had built
another, much finer, home nearby to house his wife and family –the present day Bunnell
House.
An outstanding example of Rural (or Steamboat) Gothic Architecture, the home is built of northern white pine and furnished with
items appropriate to the mid-to-late 1800s. Knowledgeable guides
walk visitors through three floors of pioneer life,
encompassing the historical period during which Native American
canoes gave way to steamboats and game trails became roads and
highways for Euro-Americans.
Listed on the National Register, the home was acquired by the
Winona County Historical Society in 1954.
Cost: $4 per son Groups by appointment only
Parks
Lake Park
The park has picnic and play areas, tennis courts,
softball fields, a rose garden and free open-air concerts at the bandshell during the summer. Lake
Winona is divided into east and west lake by Huff
Street. There is a path around each lake for walking, running or biking and it is 5.5 miles around
both lakes. Canoeing and Kayaking on Lake
Winona during the summer. A beautiful view of
the soaring bluffs in a quiet, natural setting is a
treat.
Windom Park
Surrounded by lovely Victorian-era homes, many of which
are on the National Register of Historic Places, this city block
is the “home” of a beautifully restored fountain. The fountain's center is a turn-of-the century bronze statue of Princess
Wenonah (“first born daughter”) circled by water- spraying
pelicans and turtles. A wooden gazebo and the unique landscaping complete this Victorian-era square.
Veterans Memorial Park
The park was built with pride to honor our
veterans from the Civil War through the Vietnam War. Veterans Park provides a quiet
and beautiful spot to remember veterans
from conflicts, past and present. Coming
soon are memorials for the Gulf War and
the Iraq War. The walk is paved with names
of veterans that have served our great country.
Unique Adventures
Big Valley Ranch
A ranch in the city? Yes! Enjoy the beautiful
weather by taking a tour of the ranch. You may
also choose a horse ride on the great trails If you
Join us in September or October, you can make a
bittersweet swag.
1/2 hour ranch tour: $2/per son
1 hour ranch tour: $5/per son
1 hour trail ride: $35/per son
Hotels
AmericInn of Winona
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Number of rooms: 46
Baggage handling: $2 per room
Deposit policy: Yes, credit card required
Motor coach parking: Yes
Electrical hook-up: Yes
Meeting space: Yes
Restaurant: Nearby
Bar: Nearby
Breakfast: Complimentary
Indoor Pool: Yes
Whirlpool/Sauna: Yes
Fitness Center: No
Wireless Internet: Yes
Days Inn
Express Suites Riverport Inn
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Number of rooms: 106
Complimentary room per coach
Baggage handling fee: $2 per room
Deposit policy: Yes, ½ needed 2 weeks before
stay
Motor coach parking: Yes
Electrical hook-up: Yes
Meeting space: Yes
Restaurant: Yes, Brewski’s
Bar: Yes, Brewski’s
Breakfast: Complimentary
Indoor Pool: Yes
Whirlpool/Sauna: Yes
Fitness Center: Yes
Wireless Internet: Yes
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Number of rooms: 58
Complimentary room 1 per 20 rooms
Baggage handling: No
Deposit policy: Yes, $25 deposit
and 1 week cancellation notice
Motor coach parking: Yes
Electrical hook-up: Yes
Meeting space: Yes
Restaurant: Nearby
Bar: Nearby
Breakfast: Complimentary
Indoor Pool: No
Whirlpool/Sauna: No
Fitness Center: Yes
Wireless Internet: Yes
Hotels (continued)
The Plaza Hotel and Suites
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Holiday Inn Express and
Suites
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Number of rooms: 96
Baggage handling fee: $3.00 per
bag
Deposit: policy: 1/2 down
Motorcoach parking: Yes
Electrical Hook-up: No
Meeting Space: Yes
Restaurant: Nearby
Bar: No
Breakfast:: Hot Breakfast Bar
Indoor Pool: Yes
Whirlpool & Sauna; Yes
Fitness Center: Yes
Wireless Internet: Yes
Number of rooms: 135
Baggage handling fee: $2.50 per
room
Deposit policy: None
Motor coach parking: Yes
Electrical hook-up: Yes
Meeting space: Yes
Restaurant: Yes, Green Mill
Bar: Yes, Green Mill
Breakfast: Yes, Green Mill
Indoor Pool: Yes
Whirlpool/Sauna: Yes
Fitness Center: Yes
Hotels Continued
Super 8
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Number of rooms: 60
Complimentary room: negotiable
Baggage handling fee: None
Deposit policy: None
Motor coach parking: Yes
Electrical hook-up: Yes
Meeting space: No
Restaurant: Nearby
Bar: Nearby
Breakfast: Complimentary
Indoor Pool: No
Whirlpool/Sauna: No
Fitness Center: No
Restaurants
Green Mill
1025 Hwy 61 E
 Capacity: 280
 Private dining: 50
 Meals priced: $9-$25
Brewski’s Bar & Grill
900 Bruski Dr
 Capacity: 40
 Private dining: yes
 Meals priced: $6-$17
Ground Round Restaurant
405 Hwy. 14
 Capacity: 50
 Private dining: Yes
 Meals priced: $6-17
Jefferson Pub and Grill and Riverside Event Center
58 Center St.
 Capacity: 100
 Private Dining: Yes
 Meals priced: $6-$20
Beno’s Deli
78 E. 4th St.
 Capacity: 50
 Private Dining: Yes
Signatures Restaurant
22852 County Rd 17
 Capacity: 100
 Private dining: 75
 Meals priced: $8-$30
Betty Jo Byoloski’s
66 Center St.
 Capacity: 40
 Private Dining: Yes
 Meal priced: $6-$20
Rubio’s Family Mexican Restaurant
1213 Gilmore Ave.
 Capacity: 30
 Private Dining: Yes
 Meal Priced: $6-$15
Bub’ Brewing Co.
65 East 4th St.
 Capacity: 30
 Meal Priced: $6-20
Annual Events
January
Frozen River Film Festival
April
Earth Day
Bluff Country Studio Art Tour
Mid West Music Fest
May
100 Mile Garage Sale
June
Chocolate, Shakespeare & Champagne
Municipal Band Concerts in the Park
Cruise Night
Steamboat Days
Great River Shakespeare Festival
July
Great River Shakespeare Festival
Municipal Band Concerts in the Park
Cruise Night
Winona County Fair
Minnesota Beethoven Festival
Upper Mississippi Dixieland Jazz Festival
Tour of Gardens
August
Municipal Band Concerts in the park
Cruise Night at Lakeview Drive-Inn
Goodview Days
September
Great Dakota Gathering
Pickwick Mill Days
Boats and Bluegrass Festival
October
Voices from the Past Cemetery Walk
Big Muddy River Rendezvous
November
Tundra Swan Watch
Winona Art Walk
December
Artist Holiday Sale
Christmas Candlelight House Tour
100 Miles of Christmas
September-May
Art exhibits, theatre, dance, concert
performances are available at Saint
Mary’s University Page Theatre,
Winona State University Performing Arts
Winona
A beautiful city nestled in the soaring bluffs along the mighty river that created
them. Winona (We-no-nah) is an American Indian name meaning 'first born' or 'eldest
daughter'.
Originally settled by a band of Mdewakanton Dakota in the early 1800’s, Winona
was later founded by steamboat Captain Orrin Smith in 1851. Winona stands on a giant
sandbar created by the meandering of the Mississippi. As the nation pushed its growth
west, explorers Father Louis Hennepin, Zebulon Pike, George Catlin, and the French fur
traders at one time or another came upon the area known today as Winona. The early
rivermen referred to this region as "Sand Prairie" or the more common name,
"Wapasha's Prairie," after the powerful Chief Wapasha of the Dakota Sioux Tribe. Early European settlers named the city Montezuma, which was later changed to Winona.
Mark Twain once called this area of the Mississippi River the "Thousand Islands."
Winona occupies a large one, which in time, attached to the Minnesota shore. Still nearly surrounded by water, life in this historic (1851) city centers on the river.
Winona became a full-fledged river town very soon after its founding. Many settlers and immigrants from the east traveled up the Mississippi River to Winona, which
was the last source of supplies before these groups were to head further west to establish
new homes and farms. Wheat was the first money crop of this area. By the 1860's the
nation's wheat belt was in the Upper Midwest.
Winona now has a very diverse economy. Unique products made in Winona include but are not limited to gummy bears, galvanized metal products, quarried stone
products, stained glass windows, printed music, graphite and fiberglass composite materials, canoes and kayaks, decorative commercial lighting, vanilla, spices and extracts,
emblematic items, and more.
And YES, the actress Winona Ryder was born in Winona, MN on 10-29-1971.
For more information, contact:
Visit Winona
160 Johnson Street
Winona, MN 55987
(507) 452-0735
(800) 657-4972
www.visitwinona.com
[email protected]