Skip to content

Come Experience

HISTORICAL SITES, THE ARTS & MUSEUMS

Discover a vibrant blend of arts and history that tells the story of this unique northern community. From locally crafted artwork to exhibits that celebrate the region’s heritage, there’s something here to spark every curiosity. To make the most of your time, follow our thoughtfully planned itineraries, designed to guide you through must-see cultural spots, hidden gems, and meaningful experiences. Whether you’re here for a day or a weekend, these routes ensure you won’t miss a moment of what makes Roseau truly special.

 

FOR THE ART

Lover

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
– Thomas Merton
  • day1icon 1

    ARRIVAL

    Check into your hotel then head out for a local dinner. Roseau has many restaurants to choose from Chinese cuisine to a classic 50s-style drive in (seasonal) to award-winning burgers.

  • day2icon

    EXPLORE

    Begin your day in Roseau with a warm drink or fresh baked treat from Reed River Coffee Company, housed in the historic former Land O’Lakes Creamery building. Afterward, stroll over to the town’s iconic moose sculpture and see if you can spot the hidden Bigfoot cleverly incorporated into the locally forged metal artwork. By mid morning, as local shops and galleries open around 10:00 AM, spend time browsing unique boutiques and exploring regional art. Around midday, enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch at the Roseau Gazebo, a charming structure inspired by Scandinavian design. If you’re visiting on a summer Thursday, return in the evening to catch live music performances beginning at 6:30 PM. Free to attend. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in local culture with a visit to the Roseau Public Library, where you can view a collection of artwork by local artist Maggie Adams. Continue your exploration at the Roseau County Museum to learn about the areas history through old photography and historical artwork. Don't miss a stop by the Polaris Experience Center to discover the region’s powersports heritage. Wrap up your day with a scenic 20 minute drive to Warroad. There, enjoy an evening at Riverview Place, a vibrant hub for arts, culture, and community events. See their featured exhibits. If available, attend a performance by the Warroad Summer Theatre or participate in a hands on class through the Folk School in Warroad to round out your cultural experience.

  • day3icon

    DEPARTURE

    Depart the hotel for your full day exploring that art scene in Roseau, MN. Be sure to do a drive by some of the old brick buildings on Main Street and the Old Courthouse on Center Street to see the architecture of the early late 1800's to early 1900s. Many of these establishments were built when the railroad industry started transporting in the area and several are still home to small moms and pops/family owned businesses.

STEP BACK

In Time

As David McCullough said: “History is who we are and why we are the way we are”.

Historic Site Penturen Church
experience center
Roseau County Historical Society Museum
Roseau County Historical Society
pioneer farm
  • day1icon 1

    ONE OF A KIND HISTORY

    Begin your day deep in the wilderness of Beltrami Island Forrest at the Historic Penturen Church, also known as the “Cathedral in the Pines”. After a picnic lunch and listing to the melancholy tunes of the wind chimes hanging in the steeple you'll make your way to Roseau Pioneer Farm & Village where a summer guide will walk you through the history of pioneers.

  • day2icon

    NEWLEY REMODELED HISTORICAL MUSEUM

    A Roseau history experience would not be complete without a visit to the museum where guests will see hockey history, learn about Roseau County’s rich history and the people that settled here, along with viewing some unique pieces from the past.

  • day3icon

    EXPLORE ROSEAU'S DEEP POLARIS HISTORY

    Take a self-guided wander through 5,600 sq. ft Polaris Experience Center and step back in time to see the second snowmobile ever made in 1956, to later innovations such as ATV’s, Side by Side vehicles and motorcycles, & more. Don't forget to make a reservation before arriving to Roseau for a tour of the Polaris Plant.

  • day4icon

    VISIT THE NEIGHBORS

    The town of Warroad (only 20 miles away) has several interesting places to discover. Be sure to make visits to the Warroad Historical Museum, and Canadian National Depot and the Marvin Visitor’s Center to learn about the many years of Warroad’s history. Also make time to visit The Shed, a fabulous collection of cars. If the traffic light outside of The Shed is green, it is open and ready for visitors!

  • day5icon

    OLD TIME FARMING

    If you visit us in the early fall, plan on attending an old fashioned threshing bee in Strathcona or maybe you want to wander through the Country Corn Maze near Warroad? Maybe you want to take an afternoon drive to watch the farmer’s harvesting their crops?

View more information below on historical locations & museums to visit throughout our County.

LEARN OUR

History

memorial
Screenshot 2025 03 13 064837
hockey
Historical Hockey Arenas

  • Memorial Arena

    Step into a true piece of Minnesota heritage at the Roseau Memorial Arena, a beloved landmark that has been at the heart of this “hockey town” since it was first built in 1949, with expansions following in 1955. In November 2024, this iconic arena earned national recognition when it was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places, honoring decades of community pride, unforgettable games, and generations of players who have taken to its ice. More than just a rink, Memorial Arena offers visitors a chance to experience the spirit of Roseau—where the roar of the crowd, the historic wooden arches overhead, and the stories embedded in its walls create an atmosphere you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you catch a game or simply step inside, it’s like walking into a living museum of Minnesota hockey history.

  • COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

    The County Historical Museum provides many excellent exhibits to interpret the cultural and natural history of Roseau County and Northwest Minnesota. As an area resource center, the museum seeks to produce educational exhibits, present informative public programs, and provide classroom supplemental experiences to area schools. The museum also provides extensive genealogy resources and knowledge for family research. The Roseau County Museum hosts various traveling Smithsonian and other regional exhibits. The Roseau County Museum is located at 121 Center Street E, Suite 101 in the Roseau City Center.

museum
museum
museum
museum
museum
museum

  • PIONEER FARM AND VILLAGE

    History buffs will enjoy the Roseau Pioneer Farm and Village that showcases various buildings that have been moved in from across the area and restored. Visit an actual one room school house, a print shop, mercantile, and church among other buildings. Each fall a Pioneer Farm festival is held showing many old time demonstrations along with music and other activities for the whole family.

pioneer5
pioneer7
Pioneer Farm Fall
Fall Pioneer Farm
Fall
pioneer farm buildings

  • PENTUREN CHURCH

    Historic Site Penturen Church was started in 1926 and has since been restored. It now stands alone deep in the wilderness of the Beltrami Island Forest. It is also known as the “Cathedral in the Pines”. Please feel free to step inside and enter the past. A guest book is available for you to sign, along with some history about the church. If a gentle breeze is blowing, you will be able to hear the melancholy tune of the windchimes hanging in the steeple.

Historic Site Penturen Church
8092006326 7ffa485ef6 b
Penturen Church
Penturen Church
Penturen Church
Penturen Church

  • ST. NICHOLAS UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

    Historic Site, Caribou, MN St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church The church was built in 1905 just one mile below the Canadian border in this tiny village. Most of the parishioners lived in Manitoba on the Canadian side of the border. After boundary laws were enforced in 1930 anyone crossing had to go through customs, causing the church to decline. Restored in 1974, the church is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is now used for special services and funerals. The church is sometimes known as St. Michael’s. This is just under an hour drive from Roseau.

strand township church feature
St. Nicholas Church
St. Nicholas