The historic St. James Hotel in Red Wing, Minnesota, was built in 1857 to give the bustling industrial town the first-class accommodations it deserved. When the St. James Hotel was built, Red Wing wasn’t known as the outdoor recreation mecca it is today. Instead, this quintessential town was widely recognized as the wheat trading capital of the world. Today, Red Wing, Minnesota, which sits on the banks of the Mississippi River, is known as a charming small town where getting outside and getting active is part of your everyday routine. For visitors and locals alike, Red Wing offers access to a handful of top-tier golf courses that each showcase the natural beauty of the surrounding area. If you’re a golf lover visiting the area, continue reading below for your guide to the best Minnesota golf courses near the historic St. James Hotel.
Mississippi National Golf Links
Mississippi National Golf Links is one of the premier public Minnesota golf courses—only a short, five-minute drive from our historic St. James Hotel and about an hour away from Minneapolis. The course is actually two separate 18-hole courses, the Highlands and the Lowlands. The Lowlands course is a challenging yet fair par 71 tucked into Hiawatha Valley. The Highlands stretches out across the banks of the Mississippi River and looks out over the water. This 18-hole Minnesota Golf Course offers a unique blend of stellar views and one-of-a-kind shots. The 17th hole is the signature hole of the Highlands course and features a 150-foot drop from tee to green.
Mount Frontenac
Mount Frontenac is often labeled as Minnesota’s most breathtaking golf course and for good reason. This stunning 18-hole Minnesota golf course overlooks the awe-inspiring Mississippi River bluffs near Lake Pepin. It’s also known just as much for its first-class service. Mount Frontenac boasts a gourmet chef, a charming clubhouse, and a full bar. Plus, Mount Frontenac is only a 15-minute drive from the historic St. James Hotel.
Red Wing Golf Course
Red Wing Golf Course is the number three-rated Minnesota Golf Course and has been played by Minnesota Golfers for over 100 years. This 6,200-yard course featured elevated tees and oak and pine tree-lined fairways. The Red Wing Golf Course rewards accuracy with its rolling fairways and speedy greens. This course winds through oak, pine, and sandstone bluffs for an enchanting golfing experience.
To find out more about our favorite Minnesota outdoor activities, head to our website, where you’ll find everything you need for your next Red Wing adventure. St. James has been welcoming guests to our lovely town for over 150 years, and we cannot wait to welcome you.