Luverne makes a great base for exploring the scenic Southwest corner of Minnesota. The city is ideal for anyone who loves the outdoors; you will find miles of cycling and biking trails, taking you through a variety of beautiful landscapes. Blue Mounds State Park is well-known for its spectacular quartzite cliffs and wild bison herd, and miles of prairie let you walk among native grasses and flowers.

The city is also home to the Brandenburg Gallery featuring work from world-renowned, National Geographic photographer and Luverne native, Jim Brandenburg.  Just a little bit farther afield you'll find many more impressive sights; Sioux Falls in South Dakota is only 30 miles away.

 

(0.4 miles) Blue Mound Ice Arena

The Luverne Hockey Club completed an ice arena in fall of 1991. The $800,000 project was partially funded by donations and fund-raisers sponsored by the Luverne Hockey Club. Throughout the winter months the ice arena is used for Luverne Cardinal hockey games, open skating, ice skating lessons, and other special activities. In the summer the building is used for in-line skating league and open in-line skating. The building can also be rented for a variety of activities. 507.449.9138

(0.8 miles) Verne Drive-In Theater

The Verne Drive-In Theater was built in the 1950's by Kenneth and Maude Sargent, but closed in 1988. The buildings were originally constructed of atop and underground circuits systems of 8,000 feet of wires that were stretched throughout the theater to link autos with sound and picture. The first movies had an admission price of 60 cents with children under age 12 admitted free. The Verne Drive-In has since reopened, marking the rebirth of the only drive-in facility within 900 miles of the community, until one opened in Mitchell, SD. The drive-in was purchased and is operated by the Glenn Burmeister family. The family removed the old buildings and replaced them with a new two-story concession stand along with a party room available for rental, and a new ticket building as well. The screen was repainted and trees were planted to surround the theater - which holds 300 to 350 vehicles. The new theater broadcasts it sound through regular car radios via an antenna located on top of the concession stand; therefore, there are no speakers necessary anymore. The drive-in is open for business from May until October (weather permitting) and admission is $5.00, with children 11 and under admitted free. Movie listings can be found by calling, checking out the sign, or at the website. 507.283.0007

(0.9 miles) Palace Theatre

Historic theatre built in 1915 now hosts live theatre, musical events, movies and host to private events. 888.283.4061

(1.0 miles) Carnegie Cultural Center

Community cultural center where artwork, artifacts and local culture are on display. 507.283.8294

(1.0 miles) Hinkly House

In 1892 Mr. R.B Hinkly, then the Mayor of Luverne, build a beautiful home for himself and his family. The house was constructed of Sioux Quartzite quarried and hauled on horse-drawn boats from the Blue Mound Quarry north of Luverne. In April of 1959, the home was donated to the Rock County Historical Society and opened as a museum in August of the same year. The Hinkly House was placed on the Register of the National Historic Sites on June 10, 1975. Within the last ten years, great efforts have been made towards the restoration of the museum. The museum is open from June 1st to August 30th with tours given from 2 p.m. through 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, or by an appointment throughout the off season. 888.283.4061

(1.1 miles) Blue Mound Biking and Hiking Trail

Rock County has completed the construction of a paved bike trail. The trail starts on Blue Mound Avenue and continues north going out of town, wrapping around the Blue Mounds State Park and the Quarry. This very scenic trail has a distance of approximately 6 miles and is a great spot for biking, skating, jogging or walking.

(1.1 miles) Bradenburg Gallery

Noted wildlife photographer and native son of Luverne, Jim Bradenburg has a gallery with more than 100 photos. 507.283.1884

(1.8 miles) Luverne Area Aquatic and Fitness Center

The City of Luverne provides the community with this state-of-the-art recreation facility. The pool and fitness center is open seven days a week and can be rented for special events by reservations. The center contains an Olympic size pool, large wading pool, and hot tub. The fitness area has the latest in exercise equipment and a complete weight room. There are annual membership fees as well as monthly fees for the pool, fitness center or both. There are also daily fees for usage. Swimming lessons are available along with water aerobic sessions throughout the year and lap swimming during the day. The facility also has three tanning beds for your enjoyment. Tanning sessions may be purchased as part of a membership, as a package or as an individual session. 507.449.5036

(2.4 miles) City Park

Playground, shelters, diamonds, volleyball courts, basketball court, horseshoe pits and more.

(2.4 miles) Schoneman Park

In addition to the beautiful parks within the city, just south of Luverne on Highway 75 you will find Schoneman County Park. There are picnic areas, fishing, and nature walks around this area. Recently the park has become home to a large flock of Canadian geese that return annually to the area to nest. Skydive Adventures - There is nothing that compares to the world's most exciting sport, skydiving. Advances in equipment and training have made it safer and easier for more people than ever to enjoy the incredible experience of falling from an airplane or surfing the clouds under a modern sport parachute. The airport is located one mile South of Luverne on Highway 75. 605.274.9970

(3.2 miles) Touch the Sky Prairie

Touch the Sky Prairie - 800 acres of untilled prairie land being restored with the hopes of seeing bison roaming it again. 507.283.4061

(5.4 miles) Luverne Country Club

Semi-private course located two miles east and one mile south of Luverne. LCC is a Par 36 course with green fairways, abundant trees, a driving range, and water hazards all set in a beautiful location overlooking Luverne. Come for a round or join a league! 507.283.4383

(5.6 miles) Blue Mound State Park

One of the largest prairie parks in MN with 1,500 acres of prairie and grassland preserves with a wide array of rare and common plants and wildlife. 507.283.1307

(14.8 miles) Holy Trinity Church

The Holy Trinity Church was built in 1891 of Sioux Quartzite, quarried locally and carted to the site. The projecting bell tower, Gothic arch windows, and the stained glass are some of the outstanding features of the exterior of this building. It was placed on the National Register of Historical Buildings in 1975.

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Hotel Info

GrandStay® Luverne
908 South Kniss Avenue
Luverne, MN 56156 Map it
Reservations: 855.455.7829
Front Desk: 507.449.4949
Check In:
3:00 pm
Check Out:
11:00 am
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