About this city
Also known as: Minnesota's Oldest City
Wabasha is an exceptionally historic, scenic river city serving as the proud county seat of Wabasha County, southeastern Minnesota, nestled beautifully along the grand western banks of the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin. Officially incorporated in 1858, it ranks proudly as the oldest continuous municipal settlement in the entire state of Minnesota. Wabasha features a spectacular structural heritage characterized by over fifty National Historic Register commercial brick buildings packing its walkable old downtown riverfront district. Globally celebrated as the home of the National Eagle Center and the legendary setting for the 'Grumpy Old Men' movies, it perfectly pairs its aristocratic pioneer prestige with majestic river bluff eco-tourism.
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Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 1–2 days
Stand inches away from rescued live bald eagles and view active nesting grounds through high-power spotting scopes at the National Eagle Center. Stroll past fifty beautifully preserved 19th-century storefronts and cafes along the Historic Riverfront District. Photograph the iconic retro buildings featured in the famous Grumpy Old Men films. Hike up the towering bluffs at nearby state sanctuaries.
