If you’re looking for Minnesota quintessential summer fun, you will find it in Hinckley!

Summer in Minnesota means days and nights filled with extra sunshine and fun! The warmth of summer is fleeting, so we take advantage and go all in with picnics, parades, fireworks, river and lake life days, camping, biking, hiking, golfing, and outdoor concerts. One of Hinckley’s mottos is Your First Stop into the Great Outdoors making it the perfect spot to experience everything that makes Minnesota summers special. 

Get ready for a fun-filled, adventurous, and relaxing weekend! This itinerary includes exploring vibrant summer landscapes, feeling the rush of the Kettle River, nostalgic and exciting small-town carnival fun, poignant historic stories, and so much more. 

2-Day Summer Itinerary Celebrating the Best of Summer in Hinckley, Minnesota

One of Hinckley’s top summer events kicks off in July. 

The Corn and Clover Carnival celebrates community, tradition, and life’s simple joys. Enjoy the highlights and make sure to plan one of your summertime getaways to Hinckley during the carnival. You will want to make it a family tradition! 

Day 1 Saturday Summer Fun in Hinckley, Minnesota 

First things first, pancakes. 

Hinckley Fire Department 

102 1st St SE, Hinckley, Minnesota

Don’t miss the Hinckley Fire Department Pancake Breakfast! Kick off the Corn and Clover Carnival with a hearty breakfast made by the Hinckley Fire Department. Enjoy pancakes, sausage, juice, coffee, and community. You can meet the Hinckley Fire and Rescue Team, see the Fire Station and Trucks, and maybe even have a chance to pet an adorable mascot. 

*Corn and Clover Carnival starts on Friday, so if you’re making a full weekend trip, make sure to check the Chamber of Commerce website at hinckleychamber.com for all the details. 

After breakfast, find a front row seat to the Biggest Small Town Parade and make yourself comfortable because this parade is jam-packed. It will make you smile, laugh, and feel a heart-warming sense of community spirit. Here are just a few of the parade highlights: Local Marching Bands, Tractors, Magical Moments Characters, Osman Shrine Dragon Patrol, River City Rhythm Street Club, Miss Minnesota, and the Zuhrah Horsemen. 

Pro tip: Sit close to the DJ tent because the announcers are fantastic AND you won’t have to cross the street to get to the Midway and food stands. ;-) 

After the parade, it’s time for mouth-watering fair food! Trust me that you will be hungry again, especially with all the wonderful sugary and deep-fried scents floating in the air. Make your way over to the Midway for multiple yummy food stand options, including Funnel Cakes, French Fries, Corn on the Cob, Pork Chops, Mini Donuts, and Cheese Curds.  

There are many places to relax and enjoy your food. Take a break in the Beer Garden or make a picnic under the shade of the trees while listening to Karaoke (maybe even step up to the open mic!). This is such a nice time to hang out with family, see long-time friends, and connect with new ones. 

Once rested up, head back to the Midway for Carnival Rides and Games! There are a variety of options offering fun for the whole family. You also won’t want to miss the Fire Department Demonstration in the afternoon or stopping by the American Legion to play Bingo. The Corn and Clover Carnival offers a wide range of activities throughout the day and night. There is something for every age! Make sure to continue to check the hinckleychamber.com for all the details because they continue to add new events every year. 

A day at the carnival is a treat not to miss. It’s a day to escape and get back to simple moments of joy, connecting, and reminding us of the importance of coming together for a common goal. 

Willard Munger State Trail 

2nd Street NW, Hinckley, Minnesota

Ready to stretch your legs after the fair food? The beautiful Willard Munger State Trail (southern trailhead) is located one block north of the fire museum at the intersection of Hwy 61 and Co. Rd. 18 on 2nd Street NW, just over the railroad tracks. The trail offers a spacious paved path with lush forested landscapes, including tall pine and spruce trees. This 70-mile segment of the state trail takes you all the way to Duluth! It consists of interconnecting trails that you can walk, bike, or even horseback ride (which requires a permit). 

Not far down the trail, you will have incredible views of the Hinckley Dam and Lower Grindstone Lake. This is a great spot to take photos on the bridge. 

If you’re a history buff, you will love how part of the trail follows the railroad. The railroad offers a rich history, especially in how it saved many lives during the historic Hinckley fire. See more below under the Hinckley Fire Museum section. 

Watch for wildlife; if you’re lucky, you will see a deer, red fox, or beaver. 

*There is parking at the trailhead. 

Pro tip: Stop at Daggett’s Fresh Foods (104 1st St NE, Hinckley, MN 55037) or the Farmer’s Market Food Stand in Tobie’s Restaurant and Bakery parking lot for snacks to bring back to the hotel. 

Family-owned Daggett’s Fresh Foods is the local grocery store offering freshly-made options, including homemade salads, box lunches, rotisserie chicken, and other lunch items every day. They have an on-site bakery for fresh-baked donuts and cookies! They have Midwest local choices too, including Iowa Smokehouse beef sticks and Eichten’s cheese. 

Days Inn by Wyndham Hinckley

104 Grindstone Ct, Hinckley, Minnesota

Before heading back to the Corn and Clover Carnival, check in and get settled at Days Inn by Wyndham Hinckley. Days Inn is an ideal location easily accessed off I-35 and across from Minnesota’s famous Tobie’s Restaurant and Bakery. It’s also conveniently located close to everything on the itinerary. 

After check-in, take a nice Dip in the Pool before heading back to the Corn and Clover Carnival for Live Music and Fireworks. The Days Inn pool is very clean and cozy, with a feeling of being nestled in a cabin. There is plenty of seating around the pool to relax, and it is a great spot to refresh before heading back out on the town. 

Hinckley, Minnesota, offers a variety of lodging. If you’re looking for camping, RV sites, or something a little fancier, check out the Hinckley Convention and Visitors Bureau website. They have everything you need in one place to plan your next trip! 

Click here for more lodging options. 

*An alternate evening idea is to visit Grand Casino Hinckley! Grand Casino Hinckley offers a plethora of fun with multiple restaurants and entertainment. In the summer, it’s a blast to see a show at the Hinckley Amphitheater or see FREE live music at Rival House. Try your luck at the slots, bingo, pull tabs, table games, or electronic poker. You can also go bowling, play skee-ball, billiards, shuffleboard, or darts at Rival House! 

Pro tip: If you want something light after a day of fair food, go to The Grille House at Grand Casino Hinckley and get one of their Signature Salads. So fresh and delicious!

Day 2 Sunday Summer Fun in Hinckley, Minnesota 

Breakfast at Whistle Stop Cafe (305 Old Hwy 61 S, Hinckley, MN) or for something fast, grab freshly made donuts at Daggett’s Fresh Foods (104 1st St NE, Hinckley, MN).  

Whistle Stop Cafe offers scratch-cooked meals and is everything that you want in a small-town diner. It’s charming with great service and great food. If you arrive on Friday, make Whistle Stop Cafe your first stop to check out the Fish Fry. And for sure, don’t forget the pie! 

Hinckley Fire Museum 

106 Old Hwy 61 S, Hinckley, Minnesota

This is one of those stops that will have you wondering why you didn’t visit sooner! 

After breakfast, take a leisurely walk around the Hinckley Fire Museum. It’s an incredible experience to learn, see, and hear about Hinckley’s history and the devastating 1894 Great Hinckley Fire. The firestorm created a wall of fire that was a ½ mile high! There are many heroic and interesting stories, along with artifacts, to fully understand what happened and the resilience of the Hinckley community. The tour can be as interactive as you want it. You can call ahead for Guided Tours for large groups or take a Self-Guided Tour with detailed notes provided by the museum. There is also an opportunity to watch a short film. 

The museum is the original 1894 train station that was rebuilt in the exact spot after the fire. The building is so interesting and very well kept, it’s lovely to enjoy walking around the outside too. The renovated museum is on the National Register of Historic Places and is open May through October, Thursday – Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m..

Pro tip: If Carl is working, take a couple extra moments to talk with him; he is a vault of information! And don’t miss the gift shop with unique local gems. 

As a follow-up, after your museum tour, make sure to stop at The Great Hinckley Fire Monument (2460 Fire Monument Rd, Hinckley, MN). It’s a powerful monument standing at 52 feet, paying tribute to those who have passed and where many of them are laid to rest. 

Antiques America Mall 

327 Fire Monument Rd, Hinckley, Minnesota

One more stop before check-out, history but recycled. Antiques America Mall is a fantastic spot to find treasures with over 60 dealers covering 9,000 square feet. There is an excellent selection with many unique pieces, fair prices, and helpful service. Enjoy all the many nooks and crannies to explore! If you’re an antique person, this will become another tradition! 

Bear Creek Tavern  

39109 MN-48, Hinckley, Minnesota

Ready for a cozy lunch before hitting the road? Bear Creek Tavern is a little bit of a drive out of town, but it’s worth it! Bear Creek Tavern is a great spot to escape the crowds in town and enjoy a burger and fries or other comfort food. The atmosphere is welcoming with a Minnesota cabin feel. If you have more time before heading home and want to add in a hike or a pretty drive, the tavern is only 5 miles from St. Croix State Park. See more details below. 

More Sunday Funday ideas! 

Canoeing, Tubing, Rafting, Kayaking, and River Tours

It wouldn’t be a Minnesota summer without time on one of our incredible rivers! 

Did you know there is White Water Rafting in Minnesota?! Experience Minnesota’s State Wild and Scenic River by rafting or kayaking on the beautiful Kettle River. Hard Water Sports provides training and equipment to get you out on the river. 

Hard Water Sports – Rafting & Kayaking, River Tours 

(651) 302 1774
hardwatersports.com

Pardun’s – Canoe Rental & Tubing

Danbury (715) 656-7881 
St. Croix Park (320) 384-0508
pardunscanoerental.com

St. Croix State Park  

30065 St. Croix Park Rd, Hinckley, Minnesota

The St. Croix State Park is the largest in Minnesota, with over 34,000 acres. The park overlooks and follows parts of the nationally protected St. Croix River and the wild Kettle River. Even the drive into the park is fantastic, down a majestic tree-lined road to the Visitor Center. 

If you only have an hour or two, take a scenic drive, stop at the Visitor Center to get a self-guided brochure, which will tell you all about the flora and fauna, or ask a Ranger about short hikes. If you’re looking for a little more adventure in a short time, climb the fire tower! You can also jump in the lake and cool off at Lake Clayton. 

Click each link below to see additional blog posts for more things to do. 

2-Day Summer Itinerary in Hinckley with Kids: History, Hiking & Hidden Gems

Make Hinckley your next Minnesota Golf Destination

Visit and make lasting summer memories in Hinckley, Minnesota!