Winona, Minnesota
Winona is a city of 26,009 people in Winona County, Minnesota, founded in 1805.
Why visit Winona
Townapedia lists 41 museums and landmarks, 27 parks and trails, 68 places to eat, 9 places to stay and 7 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Winona State University, Minnesota Marine Art Museum and Jefferson Elementary School.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 85°F; January lows average 11°F, and about 38 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Winona
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Winona
Winona is a city in and the county seat of Winona County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 25,948 at the 2020 census. Located in bluff country, otherwise known as the Driftless Area on the Mississippi River, its most noticeable physical landmark is Sugar Loaf. Winona is the home of Winona State University, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.
From the Wikipedia article Winona, Minnesota (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do7
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
School · 1.5 mi
University in the United States
Winona State University
School · 1.2 mi
University in Minnesota, United States
North Channel Bridge
Bridge · 1.7 mi
Bridge crossing the north channel of the Mississippi River between Winona County, Minnesota and Buffalo County, Wisconsin
Winona 7
Cinema and theater · 1.6 mi
Tu,Fr,Sa 11:30-21:45; Su,Mo,We,Th 11:30-19:30
Winona Rail Bridge
Bridge · 3.3 mi
Swing railway bridge that spanned the Mississippi River between Winona, Minnesota, and Winona Junction in Buffalo, Buffalo County, Wisconsin
Museums and landmarks41
Minnesota Marine Art Museum
Museum · 0.8 mi
Art museum in Winona, Minnesota
800 Riverview Drive, Winona
Tu-Su 10:00-17:00
Jefferson Elementary School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places
School in Winona, Minnesota, United States
Sugar Loaf
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.6 mi
Bluff in Winona, Minnesota, United States
Washington–Kosciusko Elementary School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.5 mi
School in Winona, Minnesota, United States
365
Winona City Hall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Government building in Winona, Minnesota, United States
Winona Public Library
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.4 mi
Public library in Winona, Minnesota, United States
151 West 5th Street, Winona
Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 09:00-14:00
Abner F. Hodgins House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
House in Winona, Minnesota, United States
Anger's Block
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
Building in Winona, Minnesota, United States
Bridge No. L1409
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 4.0 mi
Former bridge in Winona County, Minnesota, United States
Central Grade School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
School building in Winona, Minnesota, United States
Choate Department Store
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Historic commercial building in Winona, Minnesota, USA
Dr. J. W. S. Gallagher House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.9 mi
Historic house in Winona, Minnesota, United States
29 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds27
Bluffside Park
Park · 1.0 mi
The ancient Dakota name for the bluffs overlooking modern-day Winona translates to "Prairie of the Wings". In the early 19th century,...
15 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes68
Bloedow's Bakery
Bakery · 2.1 mi
Winona's Hometown Bakery Since 1924
451 East Broadway Street, Winona
Mo-Fr 07:00-15:00; Sa 08:00-14:00
Blue Heron Coffee House
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.5 mi
162 West 2nd Street, Winona
Mo-Fr 07:00-18:00; Th 07:00-20:00; Sa-Su 08:00-17:00
Ocean Sushi
Restaurant · Sushi
1213 Gilmore Avenue, Winona
Mo-Th 10:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 20:00-23:00; Su 12:00-17:00
Sapori di Sicilia
Cafe · Italian, Coffee Shop, Pasta, Pastry, Sandwich · 1.5 mi
211 Main Street, Winona
Tu-Su 07:30-20:00
The Oaks Wine Bar
Bar and pub · 1.5 mi
75 West 3rd Street, Winona
Tu-Th 16:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 16:00-23:00
Acoustic Cafe
Restaurant · Coffee Shop, Sandwich, Ice Cream · 1.5 mi
77 Lafayette Street, Winona
Mo-Th 07:30-22:00; Fr 07:30-23:00; Sa 09:30-23:00; Su 09:30-21:00
Blooming Grounds
Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.6 mi
Sa 07:00-20:00; Su 08:00-18:00; Mo,Tu,Th 06:30-20:00; We,Fr 06:30-21:00
56 more on the map.
History
The site was of the village of Keoxa of Dakota people. But the name "Keoxa" is known only from one non-contemporary source, Edward Duffield Neill's The history of Minnesota—from the earliest French explorations to the present times. According to Neill, "Keoxa" best translated to "Homestead", and the name comes from annual ceremonial gatherings held there to honor the dead. The French knew the areas as La Prairie Aux-Ailes. The first American visitors called it Wahpasha's Prairie. The modern city is named after Winona, a figure in a Dakota legend.
European immigrants settled the area in 1851 and laid out the town into lots in 1852 and 1853. The first were from New England. The population increased from 815 in December 1855 to 3,000 in December 1856. In 1856, German immigrants arrived. The Germans and the Yankees worked together planting trees and building businesses based on lumber, wheat, steamboating, and railroads. Between 1859 and 1900, some 5,000 Poles and closely related Kashubians emigrated to Winona, making up one quarter of the population. Since 80% of them were Kashubians, Winona became known as the "Kashubian Capital of America". As a result of the influx of Polish Catholic immigrants, the Basilica of Saint Stanislaus Kostka (now Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka) was built. For a time, Winona had more millionaires than any other city of its size in the United States.
From the History section of Winona, Minnesota on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay9
Churches and places of worship18
Basilica of Saint Stanislaus Kostka
Church · Roman Catholic · National Register of Historic Places · 2.3 mi
625 East 4th Street, Winona
Trinity Episcopal Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 5.1 mi
St Thomas Aquinas Seminary
Church · Roman Catholic · 3.2 mi
21077 Quarry Hill Rd, Winona
Shopping16
Gas and EV charging10
Schools, colleges and libraries23
Riverway Learning Community Charter
School · 3.2 mi
1200 Storrs Pond Road, Winona
Healthcare7
Gundersen Winona Clinic
Clinic and pharmacy · 0.4 mi
1122 West Highway 61, Winona
Map of Winona
226 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 11°F | 1.1 in | 9.8 in |
| Feb | 32°F | 15°F | 1.0 in | 9.3 in |
| Mar | 45°F | 26°F | 1.9 in | 5.7 in |
| Apr | 59°F | 39°F | 3.6 in | 1.6 in |
| May | 72°F | 51°F | 4.1 in | 0.2 in |
| Jun | 80°F | 61°F | 4.8 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 85°F | 65°F | 4.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 82°F | 63°F | 4.5 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 75°F | 55°F | 3.6 in | 0.0 in |
| Oct | 61°F | 42°F | 2.5 in | 0.1 in |
| Nov | 45°F | 30°F | 1.9 in | 1.4 in |
| Dec | 32°F | 18°F | 1.2 in | 9.5 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Winona (2 mi away), rain and snow from Winona Dam 5 A, NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Winona County has had 8 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2020-04-07: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2019-06-12: Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Flood)
- 2010-10-13: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2007-08-23: Severe Storms And Flooding (Severe Storm)
- 2005-09-13: Hurricane Katrina Evacuation (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Winona Municipal Airport (ONA) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 3 miles away.
- Goodview 3 mi northwest, about 4 min by car
- Fountain City 5 mi north, about 8 min by car
- Stockton 5 mi west, about 9 min by car
- Rollingstone 8 mi northwest, about 13 min by car
- Lewiston 11 mi southwest, about 18 min by car
- Trempealeau 12 mi east, about 20 min by car
- Altura 14 mi west, about 22 min by car
- Arcadia 16 mi northeast, about 26 min by car
- Galesville 16 mi east, about 25 min by car
- Rochester 40 mi west, about 1 h by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- 2015WinonaMN, Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
- CollegeSaintTeresaWinonaMN, Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Jefferson School Winona MN, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 75GouldWinonaMN, Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Winona & St Peter Engine House, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 451W6WinonaMN, Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
- HodginsHouseWinonaMN, Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Econofoods in Winona Minnesota, Samuel Abraham Steinberg, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Econofoods from Winona Minnesota, Samuel Abraham Steinberg, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Former Econo foods in Winona Minnesota, Samuel Abraham Steinberg, CC0
- Washington-Kosciusko Elementary School, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Basilica of St Stanislaus Kostka NW, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sugar Loaf Winona, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Winona City Hall, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Winona Public Library winter, Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Merchants National Bank Winona, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- WinonaSavingsBank, Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
- JeffersonPub, Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
- LairdNortonBldg, Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church (Stockton) 02, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Stone arch bridge No. L1409, Bucienator, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 2017AngersBlock, Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
- Winona Commercial HD 04, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2017Latsch&Son, Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
- Winona County Courthouse, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Grain & Lumber Exchange Building, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- East 2nd St Commercial HD 01, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- J.R. Watkins Headquarters 02, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Central Grade School Winona, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Winona Amtrak station, Charles Fulton, CC BY-SA 2.0
- GallagherHouseWinonaMN, Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
- Choate Department Store eve, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Schlitz Hotel, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- KensingtonWinonaMN, Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Bub's Brewery, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- MasonicCenterWinonaMN, Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
- Winona Junior High and High School, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Watkins Manor House 01, McGhiever, CC BY-SA 4.0
- CathedralOfTheSacredHeartWinonaMinnesota, Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 3.0
- ModelSchoolWinonaMN, Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2
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