Art & Entertainment
Print this itinerary, click here
Day # 1. 
Theme: Art, Culture and a little bit of history
Arrive by rail: The Amtrak service offers 2 services to Red Wing. Check the schedules for the Borealis Service or Empire Builder. The 1-year new Borealis service is direct service from St Paul, MN to Chicago, IL. This quick and easy mode of transportation adds to your travel experience.
Whether you arrive by rail or by car: First stop the Red Wing Train Depot. Historic artifacts welcome you into the lobby. The Red Wing Arts Historic Depot Gallery is a must see. It features rotating exhibits of local and regional artists, as well as an excellent shop for fine art and contemporary crafts.
Hands-On Pottery: Head to the Red Wing Arts Clay & Creative Center (436 W 3rd St). Check their website for scheduled classes open to the public, join in on a beginner workshop, or partake in a “Paint Your Own Pottery” session. This is your chance to create a unique piece among other artists and create memories of a lifetime! (Pre-registration is highly recommended.)
Lunch & Downtown Art Stroll Grab lunch at a local cafe and explore the downtown area. Look for public art installations (murals, sculptures) and browse small, independent galleries and shops. Red Wing Arts provides a map here:
The Pottery Legacy: Immerse yourself in the city’s unique history at the Pottery Museum of Red Wing (240 Harrison Street). View thousands of pieces, from stoneware and dinnerware to art pottery, and learn about the manufacturing process.
Architectural & Shoe Art Take a quick stop at the Red Wing Shoes Museum. The historic footwear and leather crafting represent a different kind of artistry and manufacturing design. Explore all 3 levels to appreciate the craftsmanship and don’t forget to pop in to the Norman Rockwell Gallery.
Evening Performance: Attend a show at the historic Sheldon Theatre (443 W 3rd St). As one of the oldest operating municipal theaters in the U.S., the building itself is a beautiful work of Renaissance Revival art. Check their schedule for a concert, play, or film screening. (Book tickets in advance!)
Day # 2
Theme: Outdoor Sculptures, textiles and custom orders
The Anderson Center at Tower View: Drive to the Anderson Center at Tower View (163 Tower View Drive). This incredible artist retreat and multidisciplinary arts center is located on the former estate of Red Wing native, woodworker, and inventor A.P. Anderson. Tour the historic buildings, walk the beautiful grounds, and view their current art exhibitions.
Outdoor Art Lunch: Pack a picnic or grab takeout and enjoy lunch on the scenic grounds of the Anderson Center.
Studio Deep Dive: Visit Featherstone Pottery (31998 210th Ave), the studio of local potter Richard Bresnahan (or other local studios that are open to the public). This is a chance to see a working clay studio and purchase handcrafted pieces directly from the artist. (Check open hours before visiting.)
Antiques & Artifacts: Explore Pottery Place Antiques(2000 Old W Main St). While not purely an art gallery, this mall occupies the historic former Red Wing pottery factory. Hunt for authentic Red Wing pottery, vintage art, and unique artifacts—a scavenger hunt for art history.
Not just Jugs: Discover a collection of crocks, pottery and antiques at Larry’s Jugs (Old West Main St, in the West End District).
A Hidden Gem: Pottery Pond is a great location to reflect on the day’s discoveries. If you are able to walk the perimeter of the pond, on the back side you will stumble upon the remaining remnants of yester-year. The broken or factory seconds would be tossed out of the factory and down the embankment making this a pottery grave yard. Enter at your own risk and respectfully leave it untouched.
Final Artistic Reflection: Find a spot along the Mississippi River or drive up to Memorial Park to reflect on the art you’ve seen and created while enjoying the natural “art” of the river valley landscape.