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Take A Family Friendly Road Trip to Harmony, MN

May 30, 2025 by Harmony Area Chamber

Take A Family Friendly Road Trip to Harmony, MN

Looking for a memorable, family-friendly adventure? Look no further than Harmony, Minnesota!
Tucked away in southeastern Minnesota, Harmony is a charming small town that’s just a short drive from several metro hubs: 2 hours from the Twin Cities, 1 hour from La Crosse, WI, and 3 hours from Madison, WI. It’s the perfect weekend destination for families looking to unplug, explore, and make memories.


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One of the top-rated caves in the country, Niagara Cave is a must-visit for families. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through stunning underground chambers featuring waterfalls, fossils, and impressive rock formations. After the tour, stick around to play mini golf, mine for gemstones and fossils, or enjoy a picnic on the grounds. Pro tip: stop by Harmony Foods—the local grocery store—for everything you need for a delicious picnic lunch.


📚 Step Back in Time with Laura Ingalls Wilder

Just a short drive away in Burr Oak, Iowa, fans of Little House on the Prairie will love the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and Park. This is the only childhood home of Laura still standing on its original site. It’s also where her little sister Grace was born. A visit here feels like stepping straight into the pages of a beloved book.


🐴 Discover the Amish Way of Life

Older kids and curious minds will enjoy a tour of Harmony’s Old Order Amish community. Learn about Amish culture and craftsmanship with a guided experience from Amish Tours of Harmony, or explore at your own pace with a self-guided map available at the Harmony Visitor Center. Visit local farms, shop handmade goods, and take in a slower pace of life.


🚴‍♀️ Bike, Splash, and Play at Trailhead Park

Harmony sits right on the Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley State Bike Trails, which are ideal for walking or biking. Start your day at Trailhead Park, where families can enjoy a playground, picnic shelter, and a free Splash Pad (open daily 11 a.m.–7 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day). You’ll also find a 9-hole disc golf course—borrow discs for free at the Visitor Center!


🍽 Where to Eat in Harmony

Whether you’re grabbing a hearty breakfast or winding down after a busy day, Harmony has a variety of delicious dining options:

  • Gabby Lou’s Kitchen – Don’t miss their famous homemade caramel and cinnamon rolls!

  • On The Crunchy Side, Estelle’s Eatery & Bar, and The Bite – All great choices for lunch and dinner.
    Find full details on these and more by visiting our Dining Page.


🛌 Where to Stay

Harmony offers several cozy options for overnight stays.

  • The Country Lodge Inn – A clean, comfortable local motel.

  • Harmony Municipal Campground – Conveniently located in town with electric and water hookups.

  • Area campgrounds and Airbnb’s also offer a wide range of settings, from rustic to luxurious. Click here to explore lodging options.


🎬 Catch a Movie at The JEM

Cap off your day with a visit to The JEM Movie Theatre, Harmony’s historic one-screen cinema showing new releases at budget-friendly prices. Open Friday through Sunday, this gem of a theater also hosts a free summer outdoor movie series. Check their Facebook Page for showtimes and event updates.


🚗 Ready to Hit the Road?

From underground adventures to splash pad fun, from historical stops to handmade Amish treasures, Harmony has something for every family member. It’s an easy and affordable road trip that will leave your crew with lifelong memories—and maybe even a few souvenirs.

Filed Under: News & Information

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Harmony Area Chamber of Commerce

Harmony Visitor Center
15 2nd Street NW
Harmony, MN 55939
507-886-2469

Harmony, Minnesota, Bluff Country, Amish, Niagara Cave,

Harmony, Minnesota, Bluff Country, Amish, Niagara Cave,

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