Major city · United States
Red Wing
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Red Wing: explore the bluffs, riverfront and historic pottery district, then head back to the Twin Cities.
Red Wing, Minnesota, sits on the Mississippi River about 50 mi southeast of Minneapolis‑St Paul. Its steep bluffs, historic Red Wing Shoes and pottery heritage, and river parks make it a pleasant day‑trip destination. Reachable by car on US 61 or by Amtrak’s Empire Builder/Borealis, it offers easy walking and biking routes.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Jan–Feb
- Airport
- RST
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide8 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Red Wing911 ▾
- Police/Fire/Medical911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Red Wing, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyRed Wing is a low‑crime small town; typical US caution applies – keep valuables secure and watch traffic on the riverfront.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police/fire/medical
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportRST Rochester International Airport (about 30 km (19 mi) south, shuttle or car 30 min).RST Rochester International Airport (about 19 mi (30 km) south, shuttle or car 30 min).
- Getting aroundCar via US 61 south from the Twin Cities; Amtrak Empire Builder or Borealis stops at Red Wing station; bike the 19.7‑mile Cannon Valley Trail…
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RST Rochester International Airport (about 30 km (19 mi) south, shuttle or car 30 min)RST Rochester International Airport (about 19 mi (30 km) south, shuttle or car 30 min)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Mar
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Dec
not flagged
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C) low), wettest Jun (12 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Red Wing: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
8 rd
Feb
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
7 rd
Mar
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Nov
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
8 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car via US 61 south from the Twin Cities; Amtrak Empire Builder or Borealis stops at Red Wing station; bike the 19.7‑mile Cannon Valley Trail; walk the riverfront parks.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Rochester, MN
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
US 61 south, about 30 km (19 mi), 30 min by carUS 61 south, about 19 mi (30 km), 30 min by car
Medical hub, good restaurants, Mayo Clinic campus.
Northfield, MN
goDoor to door: ≈40 min
US 61 north, 25 km (16 mi), 25 min by carUS 61 north, 16 mi (25 km), 25 min by car
Historic downtown, Carleton College campus.
Cannon Falls, MN
goDoor to door: ≈35 min
US 61 north, 20 km (12 mi), 20 min by carUS 61 north, 12 mi (20 km), 20 min by car
Access to the Cannon Valley Trailhead.
Zumbrota, MN
cautionDoor to door: ≈50 min
US 61 north, 35 km (22 mi), 35 min by carUS 61 north, 22 mi (35 km), 35 min by car
Small town, limited services; consider only if time permits.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Moondance Inn
Within walking distance of downtown.
St. James Hotel
Oldest hotel, operating since 1875.
Round Barn Farm Bed and Breakfast
Country inn near Pepin Lake.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $50–$80 excl. bed
- Mid
- $80–$130 excl. bed
- High
- $130+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- Train schedules can vary; check Amtrak times before travel.
- Winter road conditions on US 61 may cause delays; allow extra time.
Emergency numbers
- Police/Fire/Medical
- 911
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Red Wing. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Jan–Feb · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Red Wing
- secondaryWikivoyage: Red Wing, revision 5211894 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Red Wing
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