Recreation, respected schools and relaxed living in Milaca
Milaca is a small city of about 3,000 people along the banks of the Rum River. “We have a small-town feel and a proud community,” says Milaca city manager Tammy Pfaff. Residents choose the community for its school system and abundant outdoor recreation along the river and at city parks. Two major thoroughfares, U.S. Highway 169 and Minnesota Highway 23, meet in Milaca, which makes the area attractive to commuters and business owners looking for a central location in the region.
Concurrent enrollment options at Milaca High School
The Milaca Public School District serves roughly 1,600 students at its single campus. Milaca Elementary School receives a B-minus grade from Niche, while Milaca High School receives a B. High schoolers have the opportunity to earn college credit and career experience through dual enrollment at Pine Technical and Community College, where students can take classes in fields like nursing, early childhood education and business.
Most homes range from $200,000 to $400,000
Milaca has a median price of $300,000, lower than the Princeton median of about $350,000. Home styles range from original early 20th-century farmhouses to New Traditional builds in new subdivisions. “We have several new housing developments in the works and homes sell fast,” Pfaff says. Homes tend to be older in the center of town, often on compact lots with mature trees and sidewalks. Buyers can also find larger homes on multiple acres outside of town.
Rec Park is a community cornerstone
The Rum River provides year-round recreation, including snowmobiling in winter. “We have over 12 miles of trails that are used for hiking, running, mountain biking and cross-country skiing,” Pfaff says. “We also have a golf course on the edge of town that borders the Rum River with scenic views.” Stones Throw Golf Course offers 18 holes open to the public. Families flock to Rec Park, a buzzing community hub with a splash pad, ball fields, hockey and skating rinks, and an amphitheater for events. Reineke Park has ample green space, shelters and picnic tables. The city is also about 30 minutes away from Mille Lacs Lake and State Park.
Highways 169 and 23 are convenient for commuters
U.S. Highway 169 and Minnesota Highway 23 intersect in town. The Twin Cities and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are all reachable within an hour and a half. The city has two medical centers for primary and urgent care, but the closest emergency room is at M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center in Princeton.
Locally owned restaurants in Milaca
Mornings might start with a latte and a breakfast burrito from Coffee Corner or waffles from The Bee Caffe. Pizza Central is a mainstay for pizza and hot hoagies, but residents also appreciate Heggie’s Pizza, a frozen pizza manufacturer and distributor that sells pre-made pies in grocery stores. Rough-Cut Grill and Bar is a few miles outside town but a local favorite for hearty sandwiches and prime rib. Further north, Hairy Mosquito Trading Company has a unique mix of antiques, art and oddities. Milaca Meats is a local butcher and processor that offers homemade sausage and jerky, fresh cuts of meat and custom processing. For everyday groceries, shoppers can head to Teal’s Market.
Residents look forward to Milaca Rhythm on the Rum Parade
Summer is packed with events at Rec Park, including movies in the park and a summer concert series. One of the biggest events of the year is Milaca Rhythm on the Rum Parade, an annual celebration with what Pfaff says is the largest marching band competition in the state. In September, residents can participate in Runnin’ in the Ruff, an annual 2-mile or 10K run on Milaca’s scenic trails.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
