Roseau is a small manufacturing town with outdoorsy spirit
Roseau is a small industrial town in rural, northern Minnesota, about 30 miles south of the Canadian border. It's far from any major metro, but this is part of the appeal; it's well suited for those who love the outdoors. Miles of trails run throughout Roseau County, and fishing in the Roseau River and bird-watching at the nearby state parks are popular pastimes. Folks come together to be outside and to celebrate local events like the annual county fair.
Lots of spacious town parks, plus county trails and state parks
Roseau City Park is one of the largest parks in town, spanning over 40 acres on the banks of the Roseau River with a fishing pier, playgrounds and an 18-hole disc golf course. Oakcrest Golf Course has an 18-hole layout that’s open to the public. Snowmobiling and mountain biking are hugely popular hobbies in the area, with miles of marked and unmarked trails throughout the whole county. On the edge of town, Roseau Powersports Park is a hub for ATV riders. There are lots of state parks in the surrounding area as well. Hayes Lake State Park, about 25 miles away, is home to over 200 species of birds, making it a hotspot for birders.
Minimalist 20th-century homes on grid-lined streets
Cottages, ranch-style homes and split-levels throughout Roseau often feature minimalist vinyl siding and shingle roofs, and quarter-acre lots are common. Grid-style streets are lined with sidewalks and pine and maple trees, which create a suburban feel. Though development mostly slowed down in the 1990s, some new homes in similar styles have been added in the last few years. Prices range from $50,000 to $370,000.
Shops and restaurants found on Main Avenue
Roseau has a small downtown area on Main Avenue with clothing shops, a hardware store and the Roso Theatre, where locals can catch new releases. Legends Sports Pub & Grill is one of the main gathering spots in town, serving standard pub fare and drinks. Brickhouse Restaurant & Bar is another local favorite; housed in a former Land O'Lakes milk drying plant, the eatery offers upscale American fare. Nearby grocery options include Super One Foods.
The annual Roseau County Fair and other events
The annual Roseau County Fair takes place over five days in July at the local fairgrounds. In addition to carnival rides and games, fair events include a demolition derby, tractor pull and livestock showcases. The annual Roseau Fall Harvest Festival is a one-day event, held on the first weekend in October, with food trucks, vendor booths and live music. Though the festival spans much of the community, most of the celebration is based at Riverview Park.
Connected to nearby towns on highways 11 and 89
Highways 11 and 89 intersect at the center of town. Warroad, located on the banks of Muskeg Bay, is around 20 miles east, though Roseau is the largest town for miles. The Canadian border is about 30 miles north. LifeCare Medical Center is the area’s only hospital. Commercial airports are few and far between; Warroad Memorial International Airport has some commercial flight service. Roseau is the birthplace of Polaris Industries, which manufactures snowmobiles and ATVs; its buildings and warehouses are on the west side of town
Roseau schools earn B and B-minus ratings
Roseau Elementary School earns a B from Niche, serving kindergarten through sixth grade students. Starting in seventh grade, students attend the B-minus-rated Roseau High School, which offers various athletic programs like golf, volleyball and tennis. Polaris offers an internship program for high school graduates in northern Minnesota, allowing them to earn 30 college credits while working at the Roseau facility and taking online classes at Bemidji State University.
