Downtown Cannon Falls, Minn.

"It was like looking at a Norman Rockwell painting," says Bateson, now co-owner of The Stone Mill Marketplace and Coffeehouse, a popular local restaurant. "The valley, the church steeple in the middle of town, kids swinging off a rope into the river...it was perfect. That was it for me. I moved here immediately and made this my home."

Cannon Falls has a population of 4,600 and is located in a scenic valley on the Cannon River surrounded by rolling hills. It lies at the junction of two rivers, Big Cannon and Little Cannon.

As one drives north from Rochester, the terrain dramatically changes from flat plains to the bluff country's gently sloping hills and valleys.

For visitors, Cannon Falls offers options to suit many tastes.

Biking enthusiasts delight in the renowned Cannon Valley Trail, which extends all the way to Red Wing, and treasure hunters enjoy seeking finds in the town's many antique shops. For shoppers, diners and sightseers, there is much to enjoy.

Instead of finding the same strip malls and fast food places that dominate most communities, Cannon Falls has preserved "one of a kind" shops, restaurants and stores. This is a town where shopkeepers know their customers by name, where an incredible bakery is still on its main street, and where the town butcher is known for miles for his delicious meats and sausages.

Entertainment beyond the wide array of outdoor recreation includes a continuing performance at The Stone Mill of "An Evening With Mark Twain." Guests are entertained by the wit and humor of Mark Twain and a meal for $22.

Whether your visit is to shop and dine amidst quaint shops, stepped waterfalls and beautiful valley views, or to more vigorously bike the scenic Cannon Valley Trail, the charms of Cannon Falls are sure to satisfy.

The historically preserved town remains untarnished and its friendly residents are eager to share its bounty with visitors.

Cannon Falls is a treasure where the good feel of yesterday can still be enjoyed today.

For more information, contact the Cannon Falls Chamber of Commerce at (507) 263-2289 or visit www.cannonfalls.org.

Lodging

Country Quiet Inn Bed & Breakfast, 37295 112th Ave. Way, (651) 258-4406 (800) 258-1843. This country home located eight miles south of Cannon Falls was built in 1894 and offers a blend of yesteryear's charms with today's comforts. Quill & Quilt Bed and Breakfast, 615 West Hoffman St., (507) 263-5507 (800) 488-3849. A Victorian elegance abounds at this five-guestroom, 1897 Colonial Revival home. The spacious common areas include large porches, a deck, a parlor and a library and a full breakfast is included in the home that is centrally located a block from the bike trail and downtown Cannon Falls. Caravan Motel, 31913 64th Ave. (507) 263-4777. Conveniently located on Hwy. 52 just south of Cannon Falls. Best Western Saratoga Inn, Jct. Hwy. 52 and County 24 (1 mile south of Cannon Falls), (888) 867-7829. Cannon Fall's largest hotel has 43 units and boasts a beautiful lobby, indoor pool and hot tub.

Dining

Brewster's Bar & Grill, 115 S. 4th St. (507) 263-5020. Brewster's grills it all, from hamburgers to steaks. Cannonball Auto and Truck Plaza, Hwy. 52 (just south of Cannon Falls), (507) 263-3396. This 24-hour family dining restaurant is famous for its salad bar (built right into the back of a 1906 Ford truck!), homemade soups and pastries. China City, Cannon Mall, (507) 263-8818. All-you-can-eat buffets for lunch and dinner, plus full menu selections. Country Crossroads, Hwy. 56 and Co. 88, (507) 263-5157. Over 14 appetizers are offered on the menu of this family diner that is best known for its great burgers. Country Kitchen, Hwy. 52 (south of downtown Cannon Falls at the Cannon Mall), (507) 263-2307. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available with all-you-can-eat specials every evening. Cuppa Caffe, 432 W. Mill St. (507) 263-2580. Specialty coffees, full breakfast menu, homemade soups and salads, custom deli sandwiches and freshly made desserts. Dairy Inn, Hwy. 20, (507) 263-4141. Visit the 1950s when you dine at the home of the "big kahuna" burger. Dan's Bar & Grill, Hwy. 50 (7 miles from Cannon Falls in New Trier), (651) 437-5844. Owned by the same family for two generations, Dan's has a full menu, salad bar and homemade daily lunch specials. Dudley's Pizza and Sandwich Shop, 320 West Mill St., (507) 263-4000. Freshly made hand-tossed pizza, Italian lasagna, sandwiches, soups and salads. Edgewood Restaurant, 7860 365th St. (7 miles so. of Cannon Falls-Hwy. 52), (507) 263-5700. A tradition of fine dining in a comfortable, scenic wooded setting. Also home to annual events such as the Brewmaster Dinner, Scandinavian Buffet, Wine Tasting, Sogn Valley Craft Fair and Old Fashioned Christmas. Visit www.edgewoodrestaurant.com. Mill Street Tavern, 410 West Mill St., (507) 263-9429. Enjoy burgers, appetizers and desserts in this quaintly restored 1903 building. The Stone Mill Coffeehouse & Eatery, 432 West Mill St., (507) 263-2580. Located in the heart of Cannon Falls, the Stone Mill Coffeehouse & Eatery is the place for gourmet food and drinks. Enjoy fresh daily selections like creamy roasted red pepper soup, a grilled roast beef sandwich with onions and peppers, antipasto salad and more. Dinner (or lunch) theater entertainment of "An Evening With Mark Twain" is also offered (call for reservations). Wiederholt's Supper Club Hwy. 61 (in Miesville, 10 miles from Cannon Falls) (507) 263-2264. Just miles from Cannon Falls is Wiederholt's Supper Club, a fine dining experience including a full bar.

Shopping

Anything Goes, 414 W. Mill St., (507) 263-8444. A wide variety of gifts for "all ages and any budget" located in the heart of downtown Cannon Falls. Country Side Antique Mall, 31752 65th Ave., (507) 263-0352. One of southern Minnesota's finest antique malls with over 50 area dealers represented. Lorentz Meats & Deli, 305 Cannon St., (507) 263-3617. Enjoy aromatic, homemade smoked meat products, fresh meats, cheeses and a complete line of hot and cold deli selections. Eat outdoors on the umbrellaed deck. Midwest of Cannon Falls Gift Outlet, Cannon Mall, (507) 263-4150. One of Cannon Falls' largest employers, Midwest of Cannon Falls is known for its great prices and broad line of gifts and holiday decor items. Pat Le Vesque, Cannon Mall, (507) 263-3303. Find unique fashions at this delightful store offering clothing and gifts, accessories and more. Quilts by the Falls, 402 W. Mill St., (507) 263-2528. Featured in the 1999 issue of Quilt Sampler Magazine, Quilts by the Falls offers a fine selection of quilting fabrics, patterns and books, supplies, unique gift bags, completed quilts for sale and craft and needlework supplies. Thora Mae's Antique Mall, Cannon Mall, (507) 263-2073. A multi-dealer antique group.

Recreation

Nearly 30 acres of parks, most of them along the Cannon River, can be found in the Cannon Falls area. The Cannon Valley Trail has been described as one of the ten most beautiful rail-to-trail projects in the United States and runs 20 miles along the Cannon River from Cannon Falls to Welsh to Red Wing. The entire trail is maintained for all seasons. For more information visit www.cannonvalleytrail.com or call (507) 263-0508.

Sights

Cannon Falls Historical Museum, 206 W. Mill St., (507) 263-4080. Located in the 1888 Fire Hall, the Italianate building is one of the nation's oldest surviving fire stations and is listed on the National Historic Register. A 1920 schoolroom and a variety of artifacts, antiques and memorabilia fill the museum for a journey to the past. Erected to honor a local Civil War hero, the Colonel William Colvill Statue and Monument are located in the Cannon Falls Cemetery. Vasa Museum, Hwy. 19, in Vasa (8 miles east of Cannon Falls). Located near the Vasa Lutheran Church (built in 1861), this museum celebrates one of Minnesota's first Swedish-American settlements. The building was a center for Swedish activities and has been restored to its 1901 appearance. The church was home to Eric Norelius, founder of Gustavus Adolphus College and was also the site of the state's first orphanage.

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