I am not claiming to be a cool country gal. While I love the outdoors, I definitely enjoy it with modern-day amenities. But when my daughter started showing an interest in The Little House picture book series, well …I hitched up the covered wagon (fueled up the car) and took her to Southwest Minnesota’s Prairielands region, where Laura lived. Our mission? To see the annual Wilder Pageant in Walnut Grove.
Laura Ingalls Wilder may have only lived in Walnut Grove, Minnesota from 1874 to 1876 and again from 1877 to 1879, but with her book series still in print, the cult-like following of the 1970s TV series, and now Netflix’s new reimagining (anyone else bingeing it?), her legacy is alive and thriving.
So pack your bonnets, your outdoor boots, and whatever mosquito remedy your family lives by (for me, it’s calamine lotion; for my little, it’s Band-Aids) and let’s travel back to the 1870s.
— B Schneider
DAY ONE
11:00 A.M.
Jump right into the time period with authentic sod houses
Although the Ingalls family did not actually live in Sanborn, Minnesota, this site was built to recreate the living conditions Laura described in her books. In 1987, the current owner’s father built a wealthy family’s and a poor family’s sod house with only tools, materials and furnishings from the time. I’m glad this was our first intro to “pioneer living,” as most of the sod houses in the surrounding area are in museums and not actually functional.
The “rich” house had wooden floor planks, multiple beds, and designated areas for play, work, and food. Drastically different, the “poor” sod house was incredibly small (dare I say claustrophobically so?), with dirt floors and a low loft for extra sleeping space and storage. On the property, there is also a small hunting lodge with a challenging scavenger hunt that kept my little one engaged.
A family visiting at the same time wheeled out a cooler and enjoyed a picnic in the middle of the prairie, and I wish I had thought of that. Instead, we grabbed a dipped ice cream cone from the Dairy Queen on the corner before getting back on the road.
Sod House on the Prairie
Address: 12598 Magnolia Ave. Sanborn, MN 56083
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Spring, Summer, Fall)
Admission: $5 Cash or Venmo
Good to know: The website is a tad outdated: no one currently lives in the house (in fact, you can rent it over at Airbnb), and there weren’t any bonnets/dresses to dress up in. You can now also experience an overnight in “Soddy” via Airbnb, but visitors begin at 10 a.m., so there’s a hard out every day.
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1:00 P.M.
Enjoy the party at Pelican Cove
Pelican Cove restaurant on Lake Shetek is actually on a peninsula, and it was enjoyable being surrounded by water on both sides of the road leading to it. The restaurant felt like our own little Margaritaville with kitschy beach decor, a stellar drink menu, and laid-back atmosphere. The massive patio with a beautiful view of the lake really caught my eye, but unfortunately, it was lightly raining.
While we waited for our food, we counted how many pelicans were in the restaurant (my daughter challenges you to do the same, we found 26). I ordered the fish tacos with their Golden Cove sauce (their take on Chick-fil-A sauce) — a new twist on tacos that left me wanting another round.
Pelican Cove on Lake Shetek
Address: 21 Valhalla Dr, Slayton, MN 56172
Hours: Daily 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.
Good to know: Motel and RV campsites are available if you’d like to keep the good times rolling.
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2:00 P.M.
Put on your conductor hat for the End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum
As we drove into Currie, Mo’ than Antiques looked like a promising stop, but my kid had trains on the brain. The guided tours at End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum run on the half hour, so we spent time in the old schoolhouse beforehand.
Chalk slates, pull-down maps, and 3D globes were fascinating to my 4-year-old, which immediately made this “wait time” fly by. I also personally learned that most schools were required to hang portraits of George Washington and Abe Lincoln in their classroom during that time. Who knew?
While the guided tour is optional, it felt worth it to me as you’re given unique access to some features - our favorite was having the guide turn us around on the turntable as they would do for a train. Yes, we made chuga-chuga sound effects as we rotated.
We could have spent another hour playing on the playground and touring the remaining buildings on the property, but the little one was losing some steam, to which she replied grouchily, “I’M NOT A TRAIN, MOM.” Hey, at least she learned the trains ran on steam. Guess she did listen during the tour :)
End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum
Address: 440 North Mill Street, Currie, MN 56123
Hours: Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for kids 6-17. Kids 5 and under are free.
Good to know: Be sure to use “North Mill Street” in your GPS to avoid incorrect directions. Guided tours start on the half hour, but are subject to staff availability, so call ahead to request a tour.
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5:00 P.M.
Go off-grid in a real settler’s cabin
Have you ever experienced a host who immediately welcomed you like family? Sunny at Merryweather Farm is that kind of person. As we pulled in from a long day of driving, Sunny met us with a warm smile, four happy dogs, and freshly baked zucchini bread.
I think she could tell I was a little out of my element (again — city girl) and helped us acclimate to the farm. She even took my kid on a walk around the grounds to introduce her to the chickens, turkeys, ducks and let her pick eggs for the piggies.
In addition to tending to the animals and running an Airbnb, Sunny also grows an impressive amount of vegetables. We were about three weeks too early to enjoy her barn becoming a shelter for a wide variety of drying garlic, but will I be finding a way to buy them once they’re ready? Yes, yes I will.
Sunny’s place is a true pioneer experience. She found the structure on her property, rolled it to where it is now, gave it a proper foundation and began fixing it up. While she was repairing the rotted wood walls, she found a paper used as insulation dated 1880!
I did temporarily panic when my kiddo had a meltdown over the lack of plumbing in the cabin. But we turned everything into a game — washing her feet with the bucket outside ended up being her favorite part of the evening.
To be clear: there is a fully functional bathroom attached to the main house with a decadent tub and rainfall showerhead. And if you wanted to go “full pioneer” for your trip, the outhouse was the cleanest outhouse I have ever been in.
Historic 1880 Settler Cabin
Address: Merryweather Farm in Walnut Grove
Good to know: It was actually quite comfortable at night, even without any A/C, but if you plan to spend more time on the property during the day, handheld fans would be wise items to pack. Also, this is about 10 minutes north of the town and on a dirt road. If your GPS tells you to go down a road with a sign reading, “THIS ROAD IS NOT REGULARLY MAINTAINED,” do not continue to listen to your GPS in your small car unless you enjoy the thrill of pushing it out of mud. Actual footage of me.
DAY TWO
8:00 A.M.
Stay awhile at Main Stay Cafe
After waking up early to a delightfully boisterous rooster, we made our way to the town of Marshall and popped into Main Stay Café. This place had it all: small town banter, a wide variety of pastries, calming morning music, and chatty customers riding up on bikes to get their morning brew. We made ourselves at home at the circular table in front and played a few board games before hitting the ground running.
Main Stay Cafe & Coffee Co.
Address: 316 West Main St, Marshall, MN 56258
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sun. Closed
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10:00 A.M.
Go on an adventure at Camden State Park
We chose to hike the Dakota Valley Trail in an attempt to find the Hiking Club password1 and I was pleasantly surprised that my kiddo made it 80% of the way. The beginning of the path is fairly wooded with mini waterfalls, but as we got closer to the prairie, the trees became less clustered and seemed to grow in almost arched-like formations.
Soon we “I Spyed” butterflies flying around us, bees buzzing in the milkweed, and birds perched on the thick grasses. The prairie portion of the hike is the star of the show. Every few feet, we were stopping to point out new flowers, a new animal or a new sound.
After piggybacking my little for a quarter mile, there was nothing more refreshing than taking a dip in the spring-fed pond and relaxing on the sandy beach. We happened to be there while a larger group was also present and they welcomed us into their fun of finding tadpoles between rocks and weeds.
Camden State Park
Address: 1897 Camden Park Road, Lynd, MN 56157
Hours: Daily 8 a.m. - 10 p.m., Ranger Station Mon.-Thurs. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Admission: $7 parking / $35 for a year (valid for all State Parks)
Good to know: Minnesota State Parks offers a Passport Club and a Hiking Club, which are nice bonus activities at each new park visit.
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2:30 P.M.
You can’t go wrong with bubble tea at Hunan Lion
After staying a bit longer at the beach than originally planned, we arrived at Hunan Lion during an odd hour. We chose to skip a full meal and enjoy potstickers, shrimp dumplings and bubble teas instead.
No regrets; the Thai Iced Tea bubble tea was the pick-me-up I didn’t know I needed. Future me dreamt about this drink for the remainder of the trip.
Hunan Lion
Address: 228 W Main St, Marshall, MN 56258
Hours: Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Mon. Closed
Good to know: Pay at the counter when you’re ready to go.
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3:30 P.M.
Get your learn on at Lyon County Museum
While Laura’s family never made it to this area, Almanzo (Laura’s husband) farmed in Ghent for a year before heading to South Dakota. On a mission, we went straight to the pioneer displays. We could interact with the items in the log cabin, and this was our first chance to witness how small those covered wagons really were.
There is a lot of historical information to read along the walls, which I read aloud to my kid as she asked question after question about the grasshoppers that devoured the pioneers’ crops for almost four years.
Lyon County Museum
Address: 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall, MN 56258
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sat. 12-4 p.m., Sun. Closed
Admission: Donation
Good to know: Pioneer displays and interactions are in the basement.
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4:00 P.M.
Pay your respects at Memorial Park
It’s only a quick walk to the beautifully landscaped and maintained 9/11 Memorial Park. If you think your child can handle a heavier topic, this is something to stroll through together. The statues, quotes and dedicated bricks helped steer our conversation around the tragedy and honor those who lost their lives and the people who sacrificed themselves to save others.
9/11 Memorial Park
Address: 101 E Main St, Marshall, MN 56258
Hours: 24/7
Admission: Free
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4:30 P.M.
Indulge your sweet tooth at Walnut Grove Mercantile
While known for its family’s gourmet honey cremes, the store itself is also chock-full of Minnesota giftables, decadent fudge, and old-timey stick candy. We spent a solid chunk of time combing for holiday and birthday gifts and, in the process, came home with a small package of irresistibly rich, melt-in-your-mouth, made-fresh-daily, chocolate fudge for ourselves. This was the first time my little tried fudge and I fear she may never again find fudge that will live up to this.
Also, how adorable is the outside of this store? Someone ride a horse up to that hitching post, stat.
Walnut Grove Mercantile
Address: 1501 East Lyon Street, Marshall, MN 56258
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. Closed
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6:00 P.M.
Become a regular at the Walnut Grove Bar & Grill
Most patrons were from the area, but they welcomed us with open arms and seemed genuinely thrilled when my kiddo decided to line dance in the walk space. The restaurant offers a typical bar menu. While I contemplated a wrap, I eventually spotted the “Ma Burger” and couldn’t say no. “Pa Burger” also available!
On our way out, we discovered the “Pioneer Game.” Some clever people have taken to hiding pioneer fact sheets around for a town-wide scavenger hunt. Name at least 15 when you enter the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum to get a prize!
Walnut Grove Bar & Grill
Address: 681 Main St, Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Hours: Daily 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.
DAY THREE
8:00 A.M.
Get a nickname at Half Pint Coffee
Named after one of Pa’s nicknames for Laura, Half Pint is the place to be in Walnut Grove. We received so many greetings from regulars: “Mornin!” and “hey there!” were delivered enthusiastically, which made us visitors feel quite special. In addition to the locals’ welcomes, the communal tables encouraged patrons to share stories with one another. As a bonus, their bagels were delightfully fresh, and we vowed to return for ice cream later.
Half Pint Coffee Co.
Address: 400 7th St, Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sun. Closed
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10:00 A.M.
Peek inside the Masters Store and Hall
Pa helped build the Masters Store and Hall and the real Laura lived upstairs in this building for a short time. Since this is directly across the road from the museum, we decided to stop here first. You aren’t able to enter this small store, but you can make your way to the balcony and get a decent view of the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum grounds.
The Masters Store and Hall
Address: 311 8th St, Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Hours: 24/7
Admission: Free
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10:10 A.M.
Take your time at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum
It felt as if our trip was at an all-time high and we were practically giddy as we paused to take photos in front of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. After a very informative chat with the staff in the Visitor Center, we made our way to the first building en route, The Depot. The first half of the building is centered on replicas of artifacts and events Laura references in the book, as well as a few actual items from her — the highlight being a written letter addressed to two people from Currie, dated 1951. The second half of the building is all things from the 1970s TV show, including signed photographs from the actors.
The building nicknamed “Grandma’s House” was actually built in 1890 and features a rare onion dome tower. My little one spent a significant amount of time in the attic, which isn’t surprising, since the whole floor is designed to encourage kids to play.
The sod house replica was a condensed version of what we witnessed in Sanborn, but impressive nonetheless. It features one bed, a small stove, a dirt floor and white-washed walls.
The schoolhouse is also smaller than the one at the End-O-Line Railroad museum. We still spotted good ol’ George and Abe on the wall and felt the furnace in the middle of the room was probably a more efficient way to keep school kids warm.
My kid blew through the Settler’s Cabin, but she found it more interesting when I told her that part of the home is from Eleck Nelson’s property (a pioneer neighbor and friend of the Ingalls family). The furnishings all represent an authentic pioneer dwelling described in On the Banks of Plum Creek.
Heritage Lane is another building with interactive elements geared towards kids — and kids at heart. My child spent the time shopping at the mercantile, reading a book (upside down) and counting money, while I let my Type-A side win as I tried to match the letters to the correct postal cubbies.
The gift shop has plenty of options to commemorate the trip, from books to prairie dresses to Christmas ornaments to candies. Before we knew it, we had blown through our lunch time, so we made a quick stop at the Bakker Farm House on the outside of the grounds before grabbing that ice cream from Half Pint we had promised ourselves.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum & Tourist Center
Address: 330 8th St, Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Hours: Change monthly. Refer to their hours of operation online.
Admission: $12 for 13 and older, $5 for kids 5-12, Free for preschoolers and members.
Good to know: Print out the Activity Guide filled with a scavenger hunt, trivia, I Spy, and coloring sheets, if you think your kids will need help staying entertained. Also, the website claims you only need 30 minutes if you want to take your time, but my kiddo wanted to stay here for over 3 hours, and we didn’t even crack open the Activity Guide.
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4:00 P.M.
Kick back with some pizza (and wine) at Painted Prairie Vineyard
My original plan was to unfold our picnic blanket on the grounds, relaxing as we read our books and played some small board games. The reality was: my kid took a long car nap and, upon waking, was ravenous.
We quickly ordered two brick-oven pizzas, an N/A Frosted Blackberry Mule and a cold milk and were not disappointed. The amount of cheese on those pies alone was enough to write home about; the drinks (complete with a cute cocktail garnish) immediately lifted our sleepy spirits. If you extend your trip, letting the evening music wash over you while enjoying a communal fire pit outside might be just what the doctor ordered.
Painted Prairie Vineyard
Address: 1575 250th Ave, Currie, MN 56123
Hours: Fri. 5 - 9 p.m., Sat. 12 - 9 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Good to know: There are adorable glamping options for those seeking more lodging options. The taproom hosts live music in the evenings.
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6:00 P.M.
Burn extra energy at Leo Thorsness Memorial Park
Smack dab in the middle of Walnut Grove, with a playground, gazebo, picnic shelter, tennis court, basketball court, and public restrooms, this park offers plenty for all ages. We met several families who were also attending the pageant that evening (and we later recognized each other there!). The absolute highlight, though, was getting invited to learn Hmong line dancing with a studio practicing in the park.
Leo Thorsness Memorial Park
Address: Main Street, Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Hours: 24/7
Admission: Free
Good to know: This is also the location of the Walnut Grove Village Fair on Saturdays during pageant season.
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7:00 P.M.
Tie your bonnets and adjust your suspenders for the main event
Let’s set the scene: a small town of about 1,000 people comes together year after year to plan, build, donate and volunteer for a month-long event focused on the Ingalls family. It’s a well-thought-out production with parking attendants, concessions, merch, talented singers and carriage rides — and that’s all before the play even begins.
Large families wander in to admire the expansive stage and settle into their spots on the grassy slope before the sun sets. And then the real magic begins. An actor playing Laura in her later years serves as a captivating narrator, leading us through a grasshopper invasion, two very different birthday parties, the birth of the Ingalls’ only son, and the difficult decision to leave Walnut Grove in search of the American Dream.
Beyond the excellent acting and creative scene changes, the production highlighted the connection of community, the ingenuity of outdoor theater, and the thriving art scene on the prairie.
2026 is part two of a three-part series in Walnut Grove. Never fear — you can jump right into the story, even if you missed part one. According to the press release, it seems they will continue to repeat the trilogy.
Wilder Pageant
Address: 11505 Crown Ave, Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Hours: Gates open 7 p.m., Singers 8 p.m, Pageant 9 p.m.
Admission: Varies, depending on seat location.
Good to know: They clearly spray for bugs, but I’d keep roll-on insect repellent (preferred by the pageant) handy just in case. I had pajamas ready to go in the car, knowing my kiddo would fall asleep on the ride home.
DAY FOUR
After returning to the cabin at midnight the night before, we didn’t even wake to our usual rooster alarm clock. The morning was spent packing, completing our Airbnb checkout list, chatting with Sunny, and returning to Half Pint for a bagel and coffee.
11:00 A.M.
Don’t skip a visit to the Village Fair
The park in the center of Main Street comes to life Saturday mornings, lining the pathway with pop-up tents full of antiques and handmade crafts, jewelry and clothing. Take your pick from rotating food trucks, musicians and performances. We had to leave beforehand, but we were told the weekly look-a-like Laura and Nellie contests bring in quite a crowd.
Walnut Grove Village Fair
Address: Leo Thorsness Memorial Park, Main Street, Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Hours: Sat. during pageant weekends, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Good to know: Some booths only accept cash.
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12:30 P.M.
Take it back to the OG dugout
About 1.5 miles north of Walnut Grove, along the banks of Plum Creek, the Ingalls settled on property with the intent to homestead. The location is now on private property, but the family allows people to come soak it all in. There are groomed grass pathways along the creek, and the owners have taken the time to rope off the exact spot where the dugout home was located.
Ingalls Dugout Site
Address: 13501 County Road 5, Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Hours: May-October, during daylight hours.
Admission: $10 per car, $50 per tour bus, cash or electronic payment via QR code.
Good to know: Nothing remains of the home but a small depression in the ground, overgrown by prairie grasses, but there are paths to stroll along on the property.
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2:00 P.M.
Celebrate the arts at the Lower Sioux Indian Community’s cultural incubator
Cansayapi Wicoicage Oti is one of the many ways all generations of the Lower Sioux gather to share and strengthen traditions through oral stories, appreciation of history and the revitalization of art forms. While no classes or events were taking place this afternoon, we were invited to tour the ceramic, sewing, and music studios, as well as the 5-and-under indoor play area. In the center of the building, many of the pieces created through the incubator program are on display.
Cansayapi Wicoicage Oti, Lower Sioux Cultural Incubator
Address: 39527 Reservation Hwy 1, Morton, MN 56270
Hours: Vary, call to confirm.
Admission: Free
Walnut Grove is located in Minnesota’s southwestern Prairielands region. See more things to do in Prairielands, including finding cacti blooms in a State Park and trying windsurfing in a town with “the nation’s fastest wind”.
If you have plans to visit northeast Minnesota, Explore Minnesota’s Travel Advisory page contains links to official sources and area tourism organizations with up-to-date information on wildfire activity, closures, and air quality. We strongly encourage visitors to review information provided by local tourism organizations so you can make informed choices regarding your upcoming visit.
The Hiking Club is a set list of trails (various lengths and difficulties) for you to explore at Minnesota’s state parks and recreation areas. Along the Hiking Club trails you’ll come across a sign that has a password on it. Where the passwords are specifically located will not be indicated on any map (nor will will anyone at the park tell you)—that’s part of the fun and adventure.