It’s a calm and peaceful area with the best views of nature. A perfect spot for camping ⛺️, hiking, or just a relaxing walk. I went with my friends, and we really enjoyed the sounds of nature — it felt so refreshing

We recently went on a bike ride around Afton State Park, and overall it was a mix of beautiful scenery with some frustrating challenges. The natural beauty of the area is undeniable—the rolling landscape, peaceful setting, and wide-open views make it a wonderful place to spend time outdoors. We were especially surprised that there weren’t any bugs during our visit, which made the ride much more enjoyable. The highlight of the evening was definitely the sunset—it was absolutely spectacular and made for a perfect backdrop to end the day. Unfortunately, the trails and parking lot left a lot to be desired. The paved trails are in very poor condition. In fact, they were some of the most uneven, cracked, and bumpy trails I’ve ever ridden on. It was difficult to relax and enjoy the ride because we had to constantly watch for rough patches and broken pavement. The parking lot wasn’t in great shape either, which added to the overall impression that the infrastructure here has been neglected. My biggest complaint is the lack of upkeep on the paved trails. Considering visitors pay for passes, it feels like some of that money could and should be reinvested into making the park more accessible and enjoyable for everyone. A fresh paving job would go a long way in improving the biking experience and encouraging people to keep coming back. In short, Afton State Park has incredible natural beauty, but the poor condition of the paved trails really takes away from the experience. If the park could put some resources into repairing and maintaining them, it would easily become one of the best biking spots in the area.

Afton State Park is absolutely beautiful, especially during the fall season! The colors of the trees are stunning vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows everywhere you look. The trails are peaceful and well maintained, making it the perfect spot for hiking, taking photos, or just enjoying nature. There are plenty of lookout points where you can see the river and the colorful forest views. It’s such a relaxing and refreshing place to visit, especially in autumn. Highly recommend for anyone who loves nature and fall scenery! 🍁🍂

I have been here so many times but usually hiked the same trail and just went down by the water with the kids. But now I’ve gone a handful of times to really explore hiking other trails and WOW there is so much to offer at this park. Serene. Scenic. Nice trails. So many opportunities to just be at peace and enjoy time in nature.

Enjoyed being able to stay in a camper cabin close to home. We got very lucky reserving on short notice in the fall. It was serene at night. Very busy park during the day. Lots of people on the trails and along the river. There's so much to see and explore at Afton. The paved bike trails were really nice - smooth, great scenery, and wide enough for bikes and peds. Next time I hope to stay at a Yurt!

Nice variety of trails, ample parking. Trails signs are a bit confusing, didn't find the Hiking Club secret word because we took the wrong path but found our way back eventually. Good excuse to go back and try the trails again, theyre beautiful. Riverfront paths, picnic areas, scheduled events and a visitor center with a bathroom. Pokémon stops too. I recommend.

I loved hiking here. I wanted some place to clear my mind and enjoy the quiet - this was totally it! One thing I noticed doing the North Trail was that I really experienced lots of different environments like shoreline, prairie, wooded areas, and more. Nature is so beautiful and this place is a new favorite- I’ll be back!

This is a beautiful, historic little area with some adventurous, unmarked trails below the falls...be careful, they are unmarked trails, and very difficult terrain (generally speaking). There is also a paved trail that are falls level. There was a port-a-potty which was unkept and not handicapped accessible. Handicapped accessibility is limited to the top of the falls and the paved trail. Parking is plentiful and a medium lot which is easy to access.

This area is so unbelievably beautiful, you'll have to keep shutting your gaping mouth. You can hike down to the water or hear it melodically from an upper trail. My favorite was the multi-level waterfall from the bridge.

Beautiful park with paved paths and great signage. Easy to walk from the falls across the bridge to the old mill ruins - took about 35 minutes total to go there and back. (2km) The gorge is very pretty, and the falls are absolutely breathtaking!

Beautiful place, well kept. There is a trail down to the falls, but be physically able to manage rough dirt paths, steep hills and slippery rocks.

We got married here on 10-4-25. We had never been to Vermillion Falls previously, only found out it existed a few months ago. As crazy as it sounds we climbed down to the top of the 1st waterfall with my 86 year old mother. She had plenty of help from her 2 eldest and strongest grandson's. It's a beautiful place to make beautiful memories.

Beautiful waterfall! The lock bridge is also pretty cool. Lovey place for a an afternoon date.

Beautiful falls, need to ignore the industrial setting. Easy to view, though, and they are pretty. Park seemed more walk through except for the shelter with picnic tables.

It was such a great time! It was my first time here and I took a friend skiing for the first time who has never seen snow like this before. It was a bit pricey compared to other skiing resorts I've visited before in several other states that have just as many paths or more. They did not have all the lifts running. The staff who was working there was very friendly and would always encourage or compliment my friend on improving each time she came down the path. (Even though she fell almost every time) Overall, it was a great experience but may consider going somewhere else that isn't so expensive.

Love coming here from the cities just 30 min down the road. Facilities have def gotten nicer since I’ve been here last (2018?). All the staff were super friendly and helpful and made our day better. Just be aware that not all the dining is open during the week! Had a great time tho!

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at Afton Alps, I witness an incident that occurred on the chairlift at The Highlands, that raised serious safety concerns. A group of teenage boys were on the lift, and one of them dropped a large clump of snow from above the trail where riders were below. Fortunately, it missed the rider, but the situation could have ended dangerously. When I confronted him, he mocked me and even challenged me to go to the terrain park. Then I went to report the incident to the staffs. Despite alerting a ski patrol member, the response was dismissive. When I provided detailed information, including a video of the event, the staff seemed indifferent and questioned what action was needed from me. I expressed my frustration, questioning Afton’s commitment to safety, and implying that the resort is more focused on profit than customer care. Just unbelievable! When safety is compromised, especially in such a dangerous situation, it’s concerning when an organization fails to take action. Accountability is key, and it’s troubling when there’s a lack of response, especially when I had went out of my way to provide evidence. It’s tough to support an organization that doesn’t seem to prioritize the well-being of its customers. I hope that my experience can bring attention to the issue, and others can take notice as well. And parents, if these were your children, do better!

I just want to say everyone was great. We had a great experience, all the staff is wonderful! The instructors were outstanding, specially the instructor that helped my brother-in-law, Juan. I didn’t catch her name, but she was so kind and patient with him. It was truly an unforgettable experience! Thank you!

Not as crowded as the other resort in town. Great snow making and park set. Wish they have more terrain variety.

For Midwest skiing it is pretty good. The staff was very helpful and friendly. Everyone from the rental shop to the restaurant staff were great. Great way to spend a day.

I'd probably give Afton a 3.75. Skied with my daughters the other day. Dare I say our home hill Snowcreek has better vertical? It's close. Anyways, there are a good amount of runs here but they are all pretty easy. The blacks didn't offer much challenge but offered some good cruising. There was a nice route that goes through a pipe with a nice jump at the end. We did that over and over. The terrain park was a bit too ambitious for us, they could use some smaller stuff varied in. Pretty much everything was expensive. I did appreciate being able to park at less crowded chalets and ski right down with the epic pass. The runs were groomed and in good shape after raining a couple days earlier. The merch store is strong. Good stuff in there. Solid resort just expensive without too much variety in terrain. Welch Village is a better value and better skiing, especially when the back bowl is open.

On Sunday, June 29th, my best friend surprised me with a picnic lunch date at Alexis Bailly Winery in Hastings, MN. My friend, Joelle lives in Stacy and I in Hugo. I mention this only because the drive was not only pleasant, but WELL WORTH IT!! OMG! Let me tell you: The grounds, main building and the "Yert" (tent like shelter) she rented for the afternoon were absolutely lovely, tranquil, bucolic, and immaculate. In the back of the main building where the live Salsa band was playing that afternoon could only be described as pastoral! Then add to that having the wonderful music filling the air, and looking out from wherever one is sitting and seeing the vineyards - well, it was the BEST AFTERNOON BIRTHDAY GIFT I could have ever received!!! Aside from the venue itself, let me tell you about the proprietors of this extraordinary piece of heaven here in little ol' Minnesota . . . Chet, and his wife Andrea own the vineyard. They were the fantastic!! So genuinely interested in accommodating us - making sure we had anything and everything we needed for our special day. The bartender, "Tamru" (I think I got that right) was so engaging, cheerful and pleasant. Really, it was probably the BEST BIRTHDAY I've ever experienced. My best friend who is an amazing chef, brought "French themed food", which we shared with the owners. We tasted their great wine, and bought some to take home. If you really, really want to make someone feel really special, or have a special occasion to celebrate, I highly recommend you do it at the Alexis Bailly Winery! I intend to go back on the Sundays they have live jazz music. Lastly, I want to personally THANK Joelle (my Bestie) and Chet, Andrea (owners) and Tamru (bartender) for taking part in making my birthday such an incredibly joyful and memorable experience!! Most Appreciatively! jeanne chacon** Hugo, MN

This place is gorgeous, is so much fun and has amazing wine. They have a bourbon infused wine that is absolutely delicious that I recommend trying. I will be coming back. I highly recommend visiting this vineyard, it does not disappoint. We had our work holiday party here so they do corporate events! Everyone there is so nice and makes it easy to have a great time!

It was a beautiful winery/space. We brought some picnic snacks and I love that they allowed that. I enjoyed most of the wines. However, I bought a bottle of the Seyval Blanc. The vintage I bought was not the same as what I tasted. In fact the bottle I bought was bad. And then I saw it was from 2023, which is 2 years old and most white wines can’t last that long…so not sure if it was the vintage or just one bad bottle but it was not good. It’s unfortunate because I paid $30 for it and it was not good. I’m surprised that they would first have the wine we tasted be different than the vintage that we buy and second, that they’d keep that vintage on the floor. It was not good…I dumped over half the bottle. It’s hard to tell from the picture but it was a color yellow that a white wine shouldn’t be

We had such a great experience even before we arrived! A week or so prior to our visit, we asked for information on how to plan our time there, what to expect, etc. Alexis Bailey wrote right back with exactly what I was looking for! As well as a great way to proudly explain this amazing winery to our California guests (who really know their wine!). Once we arrived, we had a great time. The owner even came out to say hello. We had been to the winery years ago with my parents and loved it. It was fun to meet the new owners who have a great energy. We look forward to coming back soon!

Always a great venue for a variety of music. Drink wine inside or venture into the vineyard or the many picnic areas.

This is a very quaint beautiful winery. You see when you enter the grapes they use to make the wine. There are plenty of lovely scenic places to sit outside and it is just as elegantly rustic and roomy inside. The wine is varied and delicious and they know how to introduce you to something you'll enjoy! Must try.

Love this hidden gem of a winery here in Hastings!! The wine is great, the employees are knowledgeable, there is plenty of outdoor and indoor seating and lots of grass to run and play!! They have special events and bring in special musoc-

I'm giving this 4 stars just because it seems like a work in progress, BUT I would highly recommend it. I've seen some other historic homes in the area and this one is good but not as good as some of the others --- still VERY cool and very much worth the 10 dollars!! Plus the chickens are just so cute. Tour guide Connor was awesome and they also do tea here occasionally year-round.

Love this historic estate. One of the best in the state. The tour guides are always amazing and I always learn something new each visit.

Wonderfully preserved mansion in the heart of Hastings. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Highly recommend visiting in mid Sept. for the civil war reenactment weekend event.

Toured some historic places around the country so this was a spot we really wanted to see while in Hastings. This is a house built in the 1800s not long before the Civil War. It's a great expierence for some history and the tour guide was awesome.

I went with a church group and greatly enjoyed the experience. The grounds and buildings are beautiful and well maintained. Kara the tour guide was engaging and knowledgeable and accommodating of members with mobility issues. I hope to get back soon for their other events!

We attended a fun bluegrass concert on the grounds. It was fun! I enjoyed the pie too. There was quite a selection of pieces of pie. The concert was the perfect length. I really enjoyed the music! (Sorry! I can't remember the Band Name.)

Fun Sunday evening Double Down Daredevils music concert.

My husband and I stopped by after a Facebook marketplace purchase. We honestly pick this place because we thought the name was funny. We sat in the outdoor seating. Staff was friendly and attentive. The food was good. I went out of my comfort zone and ordered the Hulk burger. My husband got a patty melt. I ordered a side of mini donuts that were also good. We both enjoyed the food. We would go back if ever in the area.

Stopped in for a quick beverage 🍺😉. Enjoy the atmosphere and outdoor area. Tasty 🍺 and great service. Did not eat today but past visits confirm great tasting food!

Stopped in for some dinner on late Friday night. It was not very busy and plenty of spots to sit at. The service was fast and good. My wife ended up getting the California Burger with Cheese and Tator Tots. She said the burger itself was good, but the bun was a bit stale. I had the Buffalo Blue Chicken Wrap with Waffle Fries and Seasoned Sour Cream. Overall it was pretty good, but not a whole lot of chicken in my wrap compared to other places that I have had a similar wrap before. The waffle fries were awesome and were seasoned well enough that I probably did not need the seasoned sour cream. Overall, for a Bar & Grill spot it was a good experience with decent food choices. A bit pricey though for the spot and food, but worth a shot.

Went for happy hour 4:00 on Wednesday 10/1/25 sat outside sign said let someone inside know. We did bartender said waitress would be out in a few minutes. We waited more than 10 minutes nobody showed up so we left and went to The Quarry had a great experience and the food was great. I won’t go back to the Busted Nut. Gave 1 star because it wouldn’t allow 0

Amazing food! We tried the patty melt and chicken sandwich. Best patty melt I've ever had 👌🏽. The chicken sandwich was juicy and chared nice

Oh my goodness! Delicious lunch- BUT the cheese curds with the blackberry ketchup stole the show! They were amazing! Jade was our server and she was wonderful- we had a great lunch visit and will definitely be back

First time we've been there, we heard about it and thought we'd go check it out. We had the wings They were amazing. Our friend had a wrap and she loved it too.

Excellent food, very home style and tasty. The waitress checked on us continuously and provided excellent service. Staff was very friendly to me and my family. Kiddo got the kids 1/3lb cheeseburger and fries, which he still had fries for us parents to swipe a few in good fun. 😉 I got the pub steak with seasoned carrots, and country style au gratin potatoes. All in all, great experience!

While on a quick getaway we stopped in the area and came across the Onion Grille and I’m glad we did. Great service, clean bathrooms, close to the river walk and great food. I had the veggie fajita sandwich, it was full of flavor and tasted just like fajitas. There are several sandwiches, Salads and appetizers. The decor is quirky and quant After you eat you can take a walk along the river. It was a really nice break after being In the car.

Wonderful .... little gem....💛 great food. Nice atmosphere. Great specials unique items like brie cheese curds. Perfect French Onion Soup. It hasn't ever disappointed. Charming area even in the bitter cold.

This place was amazing! Food and drinks were so delicious. Our server, Molly, was an absolute delight! We will return often.

This is a good place for lunch. Varied menu. Waitress was friendly and gave us great service! Lobster Mac and cheese was good. French onion soup looked awesome! They have a nice little gift shop in the corner.

Had dinner at our favorite place in hastings! Of course we had to order the special, the chicken marsala and our normal favorite the Cajon chicken pasta! Can't go wrong with the Onion! Definitely worth stopping in, the chef's really know what they are doing! Peferct down to the last bite!

Four adults and one toddler had a very good dining experience. Pictured: Bucket of Sunnies and Fried Green Tomatoes. Companions enjoyed the mussels and a burger.

We had an amazing igloo dining experience. Our waitress Amanda was very attentive to us and gave good recommendations. We had the jumbo shrimp appetizer that was really good! Then we had the Marsala Chicken and Carne Asada Street Tacos. Both were amazing but I was huge fan of both the salsas that was served with the street tacos! After dinner we had their tiramisu which was perfect! My favorite drink of the night was the Almond Joy.

Decided to try this place while on our way thru town and they did not disappoint! First off, the service was TOP NOTCH. Some of the kindest and most helpful employees I have come across. Now the food, I mean, look at that adorable wagon with the cheese curds in it! So cute!! Delicious curds and dip choices too. We shared a plate of Alfredo with homemade sauce and garlic breadstick, both were phenomenal. We both wished we had room for more food!

My experience here was solidly "okay". They have a mix of American, Italian and Mexican food options, so it's a good something-for-everyone option. We tried the gringos nachos that come in a can, which grants it bonus points for unique presentation in my book. The flavor was good, but it would have been even better with shredded chicken and not cubed. I ordered the damn wrap, which was a bit basic and the chicken was overcooked and tough. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't something I'd likely order again. The inside of the building feels a little cramped, but thats pretty standard for older downtown buildings. The patio was nice, but with it being right next to the bridge, it could get noisy at times. Also, not all tables had umbrellas covering them--that or they only partially covered the table, which meant we had to move when it started sprinkling. The server was friendly, and they had a decent variety of drinks. I didn't have a bad enough experience to not want to go back, but it maybe wouldn't be my first choice.

The restaurant is pretty nice besides the bathroom being shut down and having to use a porta potty outside (there is water coming out under the bathroom door). We were sat down, waitress was nice. My 8 year old son and I ordered the "Bag of Seafood" to share. When we received the food it was so spicy it was inedible. So we just asked for a different entree (not to take it off our bill). The manager refused and gave us marinara sauce to tone it down instead.... She clearly hates her job. Not coming back sadly...

Planned an igloo dinner here and I 100% recommend it. The igloo had two heaters so we were warm the cozy! Our server was friendly and great! We had the steak, salmon, cracked shrimp and the Italian nachos. Every dish came out warm and delicious. We will be back!

Stopped by here after a long motorcycle ride. Unfortunately, we arrived after a large wedding party. So there was no room inside, but the patio was open, which was fine. Service was not great. Took over 10 min just to get some much needed waters on a hot day. The servers were friendly, just not speedy at all. The Bird's Nest was tasty, but 2 of the 4 shrimp were cold and felt not cooked. Another guy in our group didn't even get his order by the time the rest of us were done eating. At least they comped him the meal... Unfortunately, we won't be returning. Maybe go if you are in a party of 4 or less.

We had a great lunch at Lock & Dam Eatery- we started with delicious hot, gooey cheese curds and then our wonderful server Emma suggested the special chicken sandwich - so nummy! We sat outside and enjoyed the great food, great service, weather, river and the view- can't wait to go back

Not a bad spot at all. Fun menu and very helpful/attentive staff. Drinks are spot on. Go and give em a try if you haven't!!!

I was told this restaurant was very good. I ordered something that ll have had 100's of times at other restaurants, and this wasn't even close to a chimichanga. I also ordered chips and salsa, I received crumbs and salsa. I came with high hopes and left having to try a different restaurant. Don't worry I've tried 3 other restaurants in Hastings and not one would I return to eat at. Hastings sucks for food!

I've been there three times. The second time I was there our waitress was a bartender who was forced to waitress and she was so funny. I don't remember her name. You neither start with a K or an L or maybe it was a J. Doesn't really matter. I always get the kitchen scrambler and it is so good

It’s like they saw a picture of Mexican food and were like “I can do that” but have never actually eaten Mexican food. If “Minnesota Mexican” food was a style that would be this place. Unseasoned food. Salsa that’s just a garlic bomb. The farthest thing from “Mexican food” I’ve had in a long time. The bartender was good though and I do appreciate the lighting but calling this a Mexican restaurant is a disgrace to Mexican restaurants.

Came here as apart of a large group and the food was delicious and prepared well. The service was good especially considering how busy it was at the time and how large our group was. Only complaint would be the actual climate in regards to it being so cold inside the restaurant at the time. Otherwise it was great place to eat and will come back again.

Great place to meet up for a meal. Loved the patio. Happy hour has great deals. Chicken taquitos were delicious.

I really want to like them, but they are not reliable when it comes to delivery. Ordered from DoorDash hoping that this time they wouldn’t mess up my order after a bad experience over 6 months ago. This time they forgot the ground beef, sour cream, and guac which is surprisingly less of a mess up than the previous time. Before, I was delivered cold nachos with just cheese, lettuce, olives and guac. I was really hoping this time would be a different experience…

I have been to Las Mas at least 100 times. My family has probably had 20 birthday dinners here, and we will always return. Las Mas has been a family tradition for at least a decade, the food is always amazing, the staff is always incredible, and the margaritas are always strong. ( Especially the large 😂 ) 5/5 stars all day long. Thank you Las Margaritas family! ❤️

Wonderful atmosphere and great decorations throughout the restaurant. **See my photos for the great table and chairs.** Food was delicious and arrived fast and hot. I had the Enchiladas Mexicanos, there were 4 of them: beef, chicken, bean, and cheese. They were all delicious. My hubby had the Taco Salad Fajitas, also very good. Bathroom was very clean also. All of the waitstaff were very friendly. Looking forward to eating here again.

Unfortunately I have to come back to this review and change it. Went from 4/5 stars to 2/5 stars. The food went WAY down hill and just tastes horrible!!! My dad couldn’t even finish his meal it was that bad. The food didn’t have much flavor and we were very disappointed because this Mexican restaurant used to be one of the bests! We definitely plan on NEVER returning and unfortunately would never recommend this restaurant to anyone. Which is such a bummer because if you read my old review I definitely would had recommend this place to someone looking for a place to eat at. Old review : Went here for my dads birthday last month! My dad absolutely loves this place! The food is pretty good! Would recommend coming here!!!

The place it self was BEAUTIFUL. However.. my friend and I along with our 2 children decided to eat there driving through Hastings to get home STARVING & even while hungry and would literally eat a horse THEIR FOOD WAS DISGUSTING! Their margaritas tasted like straight up margarita mix with ice… and nothing else.. the queso was probably THE ONLY GOOD THING ON THE TABLE.. even the chips were stale. I myself ordered the dinner special 2 enchiladas and 1 taco ( enchiladas beef, tacos chicken) THE TACO MEAT LEGIT LOOKED LIKE IT CAME FROM TACO BELLS DRIVE THRU, the chicken was dry & unseasoned yet was somehow drenched in some random sauce…yet it was still dry..HOW? We then ordered 2 kids meals ( one burger, one quesadilla) the burger WAS UNCOOKED.. the quesadilla had BARELY TO NONE cheese… We also ordered the steak, shrimp and chicken fajitas.. they decided to come out and bring a plate with 3 shrimp… 1 cut up chicken breast, and 2 strips of steak…. && then proceeded to tell us they measure their meat 3oz each -baby I work in the restaurant industry you’re getting 6-8 shrimp and that’s considered to be standard 3oz- Upon starting our complaints, the manager ( who looked like a security guard rather than a restaurant manager) decided to rudely tell my friend when she complained about portioning “you don’t want to pay for it I’ll just take it” when that wasn’t the problem & before even getting a proper answer he just snatched it off the table. To add to the insults once we noticed the burger and quesadilla mess & my taco..etc the man tells me that “nobody else has ever complained”. He was very disrespectful & had no type of customer service skills AT ALL… then to tip the icing on the cake the waiter had the nerve to be laughing like a kid couldn’t get sick off of consuming raw meat What a night !! Never again.. and I mean never.

Service was excellent and quick. Food was delicious and filling. The music and decor set the mood. We highly recommend!

My sister and I were there yesterday for the first time yesterday, celebrating my birthday! Our nephew, highly recommended your restaurant! We totally understand why! We were introduced to the owner, Juan, to let him hear it for himself! The atmosphere is AWESOME, the service was GOOD and the food was EXTREMELY GOOD! Very fresh tasting ingredients! Once you see their painted tables and painted chairs that were shipped here from Mexico, you might even feel like you're in Mexico! 😉 The bar was AWESOME too, along with their many light fixtures and their wall decor! My sister and I highly recommend this restaurant! I'm an hour away from there, but that won't stop me from going back there!

Great food at a good price. Service was super fast, friendly, and accurate. Portion sizes were just right. Good value for your money.