In cold-weather states, March Madness is about a lot more than basketball — it’s about a state of mind, as it’s not quite winter and it’s not yet spring and that limbo-land causes cabin fever to surge. So here in Winona, we spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to entertain ourselves so we never feel the winter blues, and we think we have some pretty amazing March bounty to share. In no particular order, here are five reasons you need to put Winona on your calendar this March.
1. Live Music
The music scene is pretty great here all year, but March is especially good thanks, in part, to our abundance of evening spots and love for Saint Patrick’s Day. From restaurants to coffeehouses to the brewery – music of all sorts is sprinkled around the area this month, including, of course, some traditional Irish tunes over the Saint Patrick’s Day weekend. It will be hard to decide where to go and how to get it all in.
2. Sweet Hotel Deals
Spring break is over and hotels, motels, and B&Bs are looking to boost their occupancy during this “shoulder season” by offering some of the best lodging prices you’ll get all year in Winona. Whether a romantic Victorian mansion is your speed or a plush hotel with a big pool, it’s here waiting for you and it’s going to be a good deal.
3. New Stuff
Winona is like a constantly morphing butterfly (yeah, okay, that was corny) and we’ve got new shops, new art exhibits, new places to eat and drink, and even new hotels waiting to tickle your fancy. While you’re here, ogle the handmade jewelry and art at Jovy Rockey Jewelry on 3rd Street, sip some vino in the sumptuous surrounds of The Oaks Winebar, also on 3rd Street, and nosh on some sushi at Ocean Sushi just off of Highway 61. Also, check out the Minnesota Marine Art Museum where Picasso, Renoir, Monet, and the likes are surrounded by a constantly rotating display of some of the finest art in the United States – maybe even the world. It’s a treat and it will feel like one of your greatest Winona discoveries every time you go.
4. Biking Trails That Aren’t Covered in Mud
For those spring-like days when you need a little fresh air, Winona’s East and West Lake parks are rimmed by miles of paved biking trails, and another 100 miles of paved trails criss-cross the bluffs and valley surrounding our beautiful river city. Our city bike paths are tame enough for the littlest peddlers, and some of our paved bluff routes are so tough that three-time Tour de France winner Greg Lemond came here to train. For real.
5. We Are The Miami of Minnesota
Yeah, we know what you’re thinking. It’s not that warm here. But it IS the warmest spot in Minnesota (also for real) and March temps here are, on average, just a little bit better than anywhere else in the state. Also, if you look at a map of Florida and Minnesota, Winona is located roughly in the same area of the state as Miami is in Florida. And we have plenty of beaches seeing as we are on the Mississippi River. Yeah, it’s a reach, but we’re clinging to it. Haha. So anyway, if you are craving that extra few degrees, head to the southeast corner of the state – we are here waiting for you.