Zumbrota offers a small-town feel in Southeast Minnesota
Zumbrota is a small city along the Zumbro River in Goodhue County. The city’s historic downtown district has many buildings from the Victorian era, including the State Theater that houses the Zumbrota Area Arts Council. City parks, golf courses, trails and recreational amenities like swimming pools and athletic fields dot Zumbrota, and locals can also go fishing along the Zumbro River. Thanks to these amenities and proximity to larger cities in the region, Zumbrota is thriving. “Zumbrota has become more of a bedroom community that sits between the Twin Cities and Rochester,” says Kurt Mester, the city’s community development director. “It’s considered historic in the southeast region of Minnesota. The community continues to grow with new housing developments, and the downtown area offers various places to shop.”
From historic homes to new developments in Zumbrota
Zumbrota’s cityscape follows a grid pattern, with suburban homes sitting on linear, tree-lined neighborhood streets. Houses were mostly built from the 1900s to the 2000s, and common architectural styles include eclectic cottages, colonial-inspired homes, ranch-style homes and split-levels. Newer subdivision homes mainly feature New Traditional and Spanish Revival styles. Properties under 2,500 square feet typically fall between $180,000 and $350,000, while larger houses near Zumbrota Golf Club can reach over $650,000. Lot sizes can be between a quarter-acre and half an acre, and most residences have grassy lawns and small gardens. Contemporary townhouses built recently range from $250,000 to $330,000. "Home prices are very affordable compared to other areas around Rochester,” Meister says. Zumbrota's median sale price is around $320,000, whereas Pine Island, a town a few miles closer to Rochester, has a median of around $400,000.
Outdoor opportunities in Zumbrota
The 64-acre Covered Bridge Park has a public swimming pool, a frisbee golf course, an ice rink, soccer fields and courts for basketball, volleyball and pickleball. Home to the state’s only original covered bridge, the park also features nature trails and campsites, and locals can go trout fishing along the Zumbro River. Other fishing spots include Hay Creek, Mazeppa Creek and Cold Spring Brook. Zumbrota Golf Club has membership options and is open to the public, with an 18-hole course. In the summer, bikers can explore the southern portion of the 5-mile Goodhue Pioneer State Trail.
Prospective schools in Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District
Zumbrota-Mazeppa School District serves the city. Zumbrota Mazeppa Primary School serves students from prekindergarten to second grade, and Zumbrota Mazeppa Elementary School, which is located in Mazeppa, teaches grades three to six. The two schools rate a B-minus and a B-plus grade from Niche, respectively. Zumbrota-Mazeppa Middle & High School offers a variety of sports programs, including hockey, wrestling, gymnastics and golf. The middle school gets a B, and the high school has a B-minus. Christ Lutheran School is a private Christian school for students in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Shopping and dining options in historic downtown
The city’s historic downtown area has some unique stores, galleries, restaurants and historic buildings like the First Congregational United Church of Christ. Popular shops include Phenomenal Woman Consignment Shop and Dwell Local, a place that sells home goods. Local eateries include Coffee Mill Café and Bridget's Café. The city’s grocery store, Nilssen's Foods, is several blocks away. Big-box stores are in Red Wing and Rochester.
Distance to Rochester and Red Wing
U.S. Route 52 passes through the community, connecting 25 miles south to Rochester and about 65 miles north to the Twin Cities. Minnesota Highway 58 turns into Main Street in Zumbrota and provides a direct route to Red Wing, about 25 miles away. Rochester International Airport and Mayo Clinic Hospital, St Marys Campus, are about 30 miles and 20 miles south, respectively. Residents needing public transit can call Hiawathaland Transit, which services Goodhue and Wabasha Counties, to schedule a ride.
Festivals and fairs in Goodhue County
Zumbrota’s annual Covered Bridge Festival celebrates the community with a lively parade, a market with local pop-up shops, a car show, live entertainment and family-fun activities. Goodhue County Fair also takes place in the city on the second week of August, featuring livestock shows, carnival rides, tournaments and music. The nonprofit Zumbrota Area Arts Council organizes events like concerts, movies and live theater programs for the local community.
