Minnesota Itinerary: Discovering the Arts in Winona

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before meeting your step-on guide to begin a busy day. It’s a short drive to Garvin Heights for an early morning panoramic view of the Mississippi River Valley. Via a paved path the view is accessible for visitors with limited mobility. Wear comfortable shoes, or even hiking boots, if you want to do a little exploring off the path. The next stop is stained-glass manufacturer Willet Hauser Architectural Glass. You’ll experience first hand the masterful techniques that the company has used for more than 120 years. With your guide leading the way through Winona, you’ll see remarkable stained glass installations, including Tiffany Studios’ pieces and Prairie School-era architecture. A busy morning concludes with a tour of the spectacular Basilica of Saint Stanislaus Kostka and its stunning architecture and stained glass. It’s lunch on your own and some shopping time in beautiful downtown Winona. Browse unique gift shops, boutiques and galleries. Return to your hotel to relax before a memorable evening. An early dinner tonight is at Signatures Restaurant & Event Center. The setting, resting on limestone bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River Valley, is spectacular. A talented, accommodating staff will serve a fine dining experience from an exceptional group menu in your private dining room. Signatures has a well-deserved AAA Three Diamond rating. Following dinner, you’ll arrive at the beautiful Winona State University campus and its DuFresne Performing Arts Center, where Great River Shakespeare Festival (GRSF) is in residence throughout the summer. This Professional Equity Theatre attracts thousands of patrons each year. GRSF produces two Shakespeare plays and two modern plays. Past seasons of GRSF have featured The Taming of the Shrew and The Tempest by William Shakespeare, Great Expectations by Gale Childs Daly (adapted from the Charles Dickens novel),and Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe. The festival runs for six weeks, and includes many other programs to fill out your festival experience. Return to your hotel for a good night’s rest after a fun-filled day.