Outdoor activities in and around Rushford
While visiting the Meadows Inn, you can enjoy biking on the asphalt-paved Root River State Bike Trail, or the Root River while canoeing, tubing or kayaking on the generally placid, shallow river.
You can go to Kyle Colbenson's Wind Turbine Orchard, just north of town, to pick apples in the fall.
Pay a visit to Norseland Lefse in Rushford, a wonderful shop that produces great lefse on-site. You can watch them make lefse, eat lunch, even buy a souvenir.
Enjoy golfing at Ferndale Country Club, a beautiful, mature 9-hole golf course just 3 miles from our inn.

Bird-Watching at The Meadows
Birding-watching has exploded into the No. 1 sport in North America, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. At "The Meadows", we have an abundance of birds and other widlife including songbirds, whitetail deer and wild turkeys to name a few. Early May is the most colorful time of the year for bird watching as most of the songbirds are returning from their winter migration.
For more information, and to see pictures of some of the colorful birds we see, click on this link.

Other Activities at The Meadows
- Enjoy our gardens and see the variety of plants and trees we have added
- Check out our fish pond where we have goldfish who board year-round
- Relaxation on the patio with a soothing chiminea fire
- Enjoy a book from our library; make an exchange or a small donation if you would like to take one
- Play croquet on our spacious lawn during your stay
- We have a variety of games for you to enjoy when you stay with us
- We have a hammock for you to relax and let time slip away

Activities in the Area
- Bluff Country Artists Gallery is organized to enrich the lives of the community of Spring Grove and surrounding environs by making available quality original art for consumers to view and purchase; to provide a venue for gifted artists of Bluff Country to display and sell their art, and to provide educational opportunities for persons of all ages. If you plan to visit the gallery, they recommend you call ahead and make an appointment.
- Caledonia area barns are sporting new 8 x 8 squares of plywood painted with lively colors in a variety of quilt patterns. The Caledonia Area Chamber of Commerce is welcoming tourists to the area by "Quilting the Countryside" with these beautiful barn paintings while promoting their valued agricultural heritage.
- Enjoy golfing at Valley High Golf Club, an 18-hole course about 18 miles from our Inn
- Spelunking at Niagara Cave, in Harmony, or Mystery Cave, near Preston, both fascinating and unique geological attractions
- Amish Tours of Harmony provides a unique view of the local Amish culture
- Commonweal Theatre Company; live theatre in Lanesboro
- Avian Acres in Lanesboro, where Bob can help you make the most out of your own bird-watching activities.
- Canoe, tube, kayak and/or bike rentals and transportation are available from Geneva's Hideaway and Just Around the Bend, both in Peterson and Little River General Store and Root River Outfitters both in Lanesboro, amongst others.

Root River
Minnesota DNR says the following about the river: "The water flow on the Root River ranges from gentle to moderate. From Chatfield to the Mississippi River the river falls 310 feet for an average drop of 3.4 feet per mile. River levels peak in mid-March and once again in June. Though the watershed has many spring-fed clear water tributaries including the South Branch, the Root River is somewhat cloudy due to erosive soil types in the watershed."

Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway
U.S. Highway 16 was once part of a nationwide network of highways from New York to California, connecting large and small cities in the northern tier of the country from east to west. Today the Historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway is a long way from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The highway runs through Historic Bluff Country all the way from La Crescent to Preston, a distance of just over 60 miles.
Along Highway 16, most towns presently have populations less than 1,000 and none have a population over 3,000. Rushford fits right in the middle with approximately 2,000 residents. Today, a trip down “16” will provide you with a great opportunity to see what this area has to offer. Enjoy homemade pie and a cup of coffee at a local cafe, stroll down local main streets exploring the shops, bike the Root River Trail, canoe or kayak the winding Root River. Or just relax listening to the sounds of the many songbirds, away from the noise and congestion of the city.
Towns along “16” have plenty of small shops with unique gifts from local craftsman. This area has a lot of history recorded at the museums located in almost every community. Most offer a self-guided walking tour so you can explore the area at your pace. Or you can take countryside tours, some of which include the Amish Colonies and other sites of historic interest. Whatever you chose to do, you will have a great time. Come see for yourself! Wisit our Bed & Breakfast for your weekend getaway.

Root River State Bike Trail
The Root River State Trail is a great, paved trail used for biking, in-line skating, and hiking. We invite you to enjoy the trail yourself. Come and stay with us while in the area!
Minnesota DNR says the following: "The Root River State Trail is a 42 mile long multiple use trail through the quaint and picturesque rural communities of Fountain, Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford and Houston. This asphalt trail was mainly constructed upon an abandoned railroad grade which is generally level and wheelchair accessible. Newly paved in 1999, the eastern segment between Money Creek Woods and Houston is relatively more challenging than the western segment with a rather steep, half-mile segment that may not be suitable for all users.
Bicycling, in-line skating, and hiking are the main summer uses of the trail. Cross country skiing is popular in the winter. The Fillmore and Houston county Grants-in-Aid (GIA) trail system, which provides many miles of groomed snowmobile trails in the area, intersects briefly with the Root River State Trail.
The Root River State Trail provides outstanding views of the soaring limestone bluffs of the Root River Valley. Wildlife is abundant and sightings of wild turkey, deer, hawks and turkey vultures are common. Rattlesnakes, a state threatened and protected species, are occasionally found on rock outcrops, along the river bottoms, or sunning themselves on the trail. They should be left alone.
Historical buildings and rural communities along the trail provide sites of interest to trail users. They also provide many services. Campgrounds, bed and breakfast inns, restaurants, museums, outfitters and unique stores are found in many of the trail towns."