MINNESOTA: Forgotten Small Towns Far Off The Interstate

I visited these Minnesota towns: Blooming Prairie, Dodge Center & West Concord. Later in the video, Nicole & I visit the Cathedral of Saint Paul, the Minnesota Capitol Building then have an early dinner at a local restaurant in St Paul.
Joe's Instagram: / joeysroadtrip
Nic's Instagram: / nicole_from_philly
Travel Vlog 324

[@coolmanfoo2407]

While I enjoy all your content I have to say the "Forgotten towns off the interstate" is by far my favorite series. Small towns, a fresh cup of coffee. Perfect morning!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

My favorites to video as well.

[@gatorgogo2742]

The house on 2nd Av. in Blooming Prairie is a 2 unit rental at present, $244,900. 1,635 sq.ft. Thanks a bunch for this tour. Sheriff Bob Fletcher in St Paul has a live show in yt and fb called Live On Patrol. You should try to catch it some Friday night. I've watched since the first show. He shows us the town, but not inside the beautiful buildings and churches. The low crime in the small towns is amazing! The cleanliness and character of the towns is very appealing. Both of your meals looked yummy! Safe, happy traveling!

[@throne1797]

These small towns were built on the backs of solid Northern European stock.

[@christinacutter6032]

Live on patrol is super great! I also watch as much as I can 😊

[@user-fm2ib8wz8b]

That's not what zillow said. They called it a single family home.

[@Dancinbear1995]

The best thing about Blooming Prairie is the natural springs swimming hole. It's a pond surrounded by a sand beach with various platforms in the middle for diving and resting; Pine Springs Pool. There's 3 major employers in Dodge Center, the one you showed is McNeilus Steel which produces steel plates, bars, etc. for metal shops in a 5 state region, I worked there 30+ years ago. Then there's McNeilus Truck owned by Oshkosh out of Wisconsin, known for their cement mixers which they no longer make, though we produced over 1200 in one summer; it's all refuse trucks now. And finally Con-Tech Mfg south of town owned by the former McNeilus Truck family and they produce cement mixers.

[@Christina-ge3xr]

Love the way Blooming Prairie has utility lines under ground.

[@Ruben-xh5vs]

Nic is so kind and sweet woman, Joe you got you a great partner and thanks 👍 to the two of you for sharing your trips with us.😃☮️💙

[@WhittyPics]

I think she does the books and Joey does the videos. It is a team effort

[@bennfisherr6317]

A lot of small towns in my neck of the woods are like that, roads that abruptly end and then nothing but farmland. Blooming Prarie is a peaceful town, although the main road through there(highway 218) is horrible. I've been down those roads many times. I live fifteen minutes south of there in a town called Austin, near the Iowa border. My grandfather had a red and white 1957 Oldsmobile classic car that he used to drive in the Blooming Prarie parade on July 4th every year. I vividly remember riding in the back seat as a young boy in the mid 1990s, nearly thirty years ago, seeing all the people in the town waving, whistling and cheering as we passed through. It was a happier time, a happier America for sure. Thanks for sharing!

[@BrianMurfitt]

The cathedral and state capitol building in St Paul are both beautiful. Thanks Joe & Nic for your wonderful tours around the lesser known parts of the United States. 🎦🇬🇧🤗

[@davidcustard9311]

Thanks Joe for visiting Minnesota.

[@zerog5041]

I live in a small town/community called London in the United Kingdom, funnily enough we have a church here called St Paul's which was designed by Sir Christopher Wren in1668 and consecrated in 1697, it was finally completed in 1711 in the English Baroque style. Capital building definitely the finest yet!

[@silvanski]

Your visits to small towns - off the beaten path - are my favorites. Keep em coming.

[@endurancegoliath4569]

mine too...don't care much about the big cities, but I love these small towns

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Mine as well. :)

[@chiPersei]

I agree

[@dalejensen5828]

Across the street from the Cathedral is the James J. Hill Mansion. Hill, known as the Empire Builder, which is the name of the Amtrak train from Chicago to Seattle. James Hill owned and built the Northern Pacific Railroad.

[@dalejensen5828]

Correction, the Great Northern Railroad.

[@greatgable1]

I'm from North England and i enjoyed this,..

[@peggyhawkestamburello1651]

Just loved the beautiful Catholic Church! It was amazingly beautiful! Nicole looked so pretty in her spring dress. Thanks you guys we love all your fun adventures!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Peggy!

[@jimh598]

244900. for the two story house in Blooming Prairie. There are so many pretty towns in Minnesota but those long winters would be tough.

[@JuggoJuggo]

After a while winter isn't so bad, you eventually become Lieutenant Dan tied to the mast, makes a big difference to be in the southern part of the state to.

[@zoidmo3388]

My introduction to Minneopolis Minnesota was in the deep cold snowy winter, minus 40degrees. The only autos on the street were battery boosting/tow trucks lol. No one was going anywhere that day. I agree with you though, Minnesota is a beautiful State.

[@jburnett8152]

Thank you.

[@davesbainrps6909]

Keeps the weaklings away

[@adinamedrea5303]

​@@davesbainrps6909 😂😂😂 good point

[@glennbourque111]

Your video tours rarely cease to amaze. St. Paul Cathedral and capitol were utterly, amazingly beautiful. Would have never thought them of Minnesota. Mary Tyler Moore was all I had previously known about Minnesota.

[@HunkumSpunkum]

Hello from the UK-so interesting. It's the sheer scale of everything over there that blows my mind-that road between the towns with nothing for miles and miles....this is the America i'd like to visit.

[@Ruben-xh5vs]

You really should visit before it is gone you will enjoy it for sure 😃.

[@fjb4932]

@HunkumSpunkum, By all means, come for a visit ! But you know not to go to NYC, L.A., Houston, etcetera thinking you've seen the U.S. Like an American going to London, seeing all the immigrants while sightseeing, then coming home thing we've seen England. Au contraire, mon ami. Stay far away from the big cities, off the interstates, on rural roads and thru the countryside. Mind you, the NorthEast is vastly different than the mid Atlantic States in food / accent / culture, which is different than the Deep South, midWest, SouthWest, California and the NorthWest ( haven't even touched on U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, etcetera ). As always, take twice as much money, plan twice as much time, bring half as much clothes. Enjoy ! ☆

[@joelfeiock4718]

as you were driving down the dirt roads brought back memories of when I visited my cousins in pine island minnesota. My uncle drove us o those roads on the farm tractors on those dirt roads and it was fun. This was back in 1976.

[@onrycodger]

Great video content. What a spectacular Cathedral. The only thing Minnesota doesn't have is kitties!🙀😿

[@bobfendrick7819]

If you are coming to Madison Wisconsin, I would recommend to eat at "The Old Fashioned" on the Capital Square.

[@jimjones2519]

I have followed you ever since you left Dallas. Thanks for showing the small towns. I grew up in a small town in the 50's and there is a lot to be said for raising a family in a small town. One thing that they all seem to have in common is that you don't see any new houses.

[@mariesheppard3750]

All the town s are really clean and yard are neat, Thanks for the ride again, so enjoy our travel with you They don t make building like the last 2 any more , so beautiful for sure

[@vampirecount3880]

American cities are so beautiful. Beautiful cities, beautiful people. I keep watching the videos on this channel and dreaming about how wonderful it would be to live in this country. I'm very jealous of you. Cheers from Brazil.

[@RandomDudeOne]

Yes, people here have no idea how good they have it, way too easy to complain.

[@EricT3769]

Obrigado!

[@cherylcordova8455]

I’ve wondered what Nicole does while your out showing us the small town life.

[@vampirecount3880]

@@RandomDudeOne Indeed. :(

[@vampirecount3880]

@@EricT3769 De nada! :D

[@dennishayes65]

I live in rural southwest Minnesota near a town of the same size. It’s farm country here too, but our side of the state is fairly flat prairie. I live near Tracy.

[@Jay-Leigh]

This was as always beautiful to watch. Thank you guys for sharing your travels with us all ❤

[@Victory1981]

That church and the capitol building were beautiful. Nice towns! I went to the very southwest part of Minnesota on that 2018 road trip near the Iowa and South Dakota borders. It was a town called Hills, and I played disc golf there. I just found the course…lol.

[@nancysimpson4246]

Absolutely gorgeous building lotta fine detail beautiful thank you for this video Joe never have I seen anything like it absolutely beautiful breathtaking❤ and the rotunda is absolutely beautiful too❤

[@brendad3570]

Fabulous Capitol Building!

[@edwardmacintosh9476]

That Cathedral in StPaul is beautiful. It's just (as you stated) incredible. Such ornate & detailed. Very unique indeed. An builders challenge but an architect 's dream. Tks Joe & Nic for the tour. Very interesting places in this video .

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Edward!

[@rosechambers1844]

Love your food segments as well as the travel segments

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks!

[@64hunt]

Joe thanks for showing us places we will never see I really appreciate your way of explaining the stats and showing us the unique side of things I wish you and your wife safe travels I hope you both are enjoying the adventures and good food all over America and beyond

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!!

[@DavidHarrington-df2cc]

As a 67 year long resident of St.Paul glad you enjoyed our low crime and beautiful capital and cathederal.

[@mplslawnguy3389]

Low crime and the metro don’t go hand in hand. It used to, but it ain’t the 1960’s anymore, that’s for sure.

[@katsiduzynski488]

Loved this, am from the capital city. Have been away almost 15 years. Was in capitol as a child. The cathedral is indeed magnificent. Was there for a 1975 graduation class sang in the choir. Was quite the deal. My class the following year was not able to use the structure for its graduation. What a bummer! I was not able to see those towns you were at in southern part of the state, so appreciated your tours of them. Thank you! Nicole looked wonderful, as well! You both are good folks.

[@patm5594]

I live about 35 to 40 miles west of Blooming Prarie. They also have a Dollar General. The roads are so bad because most of the state resources are kept for the Twin Cities. The Big plant in Dodge Center make cement trucks and other work type trucks

[@lindadavis1631]

Nice ride through small town USA . The last CHURCH was absolutely beautiful. See you next week.👍❤️❤️

[@markh1142]

Thanks for posting, Joe. I'm from Minnesota. Havent been back in 20 years. Hope you enjoyed your trip!

[@tomduley6357]

I enjoyed your video. Minnesota is one of six states that I have not been to yet. I hope to visit someday!

[@user-vs3ms3iw1b]

Wow - beautiful places and buildings, especially the cathedral, the Capital building and the abandoned white church you called a work of art (agree).

[@sandyg9228]

My son and daughter-in-law were married in the Cathedral. Very beautiful building. A bit of movie trivia. In the 1980 movie Foolin’ Around, Gary Bussey flies a hang glider through the huge rose window in the front of the church or at least it appears that way courtesy of Hollywood special effects.

[@lilysaenz59]

205 2nd St SW Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 $244,900 4 beds • 2 baths • 1,635 sq ft

[@ByDesign333]

How's the agri-chem pollution btw. Some of the pretty farm retirement towns are cancer riddled. I was in one up in Oregon till I found out the sad reality, took my family out of there right after a agri-chemical spill forced us to evacuate one day. Wheat country...planes spraying. Good videos though.👍

[@redshorse]

Excellent.

[@donaldziemer1919]

Born and raised in Hutchinson, MN, less than an hours drive west of Minneapolis. When I left there the population was about 5,000 in the late 60's. Today I believe it's double, around 10.000. It too was a farming community. During that time 3M company moved one of their plants to Hutch and they helped expand the community. and added more plants and products over the years. I worked at 3M for a few years, got married and moved on. I still have family and friends in the area though. Nice presentation, I'm glad I stumbled upon it.

[@johngmcd3]

Joe if you are heading east you might enjoy Beaver Island, you can take your car by ferry to the island. It has a small town on the North end and some interting history. Chack it out, I've been there a couple of times. Love your videos.

[@davidrussell8795]

Up at this latitude, spring has just started to really bloom this past week! Mid May. And it rolls into summer and its gone in 4 months! But if your from the Detroit,Chicano Windsor latitude, springs starts in late March or early April,with tulips and daffodils ! If you missed those ,just drive north in May,and its like getting spring tulips and daffodils and spring all over again ! Further north of North Dakota into Regina,Saskatchewan spring started in June ,when I was there 2015! The trees just started to bloom! Growing up in Windsor, Ontario, winter was pretty much done by end of February! Its definitely a lot warmer these last few years,as I returned home,after 17 years away and we had no snow in march,and the flowers were popping! Just thought I'd mention this,because since you're from Texas, spring would be a lot earlier based on latitude and not many people would know that!

[@SajjadKhan-jn7cw]

Another beautiful video thanks for sharing joe and Nic regards from London England 👍

[@chrismconnochie1279]

Every video has been a pleasure. Great commentary and information for each place. Love seeing how diverse each state is, great work again!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

[@609lawson]

Wow! Nicole your looking good.

[@robertschuler850]

Really love the flags at the school!! They would be a good example from all the other schools in the country!!

[@RobinGerhart]

Loved this, thank you!

[@dianamarie5663]

Excellent quality videos and historic info. Love the restaurant reviews. I look forward to seeing Nic bopping around.

[@Kevron101]

Great show....especially Orygun and Minnesota 🙂

[@Lavender-doll]

Absolutely lovely cathedral!!!

[@LeonChaudhari]

You need to check out the towns in southern Minnesota like Frost, Elmore and Blue Earth on the Iowa border. They are very close to Blooming Prairie. They are all literally ghost towns with only a few elderly people remaining. All boarded up. Only Blue Earth is still hanging in there but also decaying rapidly.

[@karinlearned7150]

The church is awe inspiring... capitol building, a work of art ... ( my first thought when you visited St. Paul....the Mary Tyler Moore show) ... be safe...looking forward to your next post.

[@karinmurry90]

The Blooming Prairie school nickname is the "Awesome Blossoms". Dairy Queen serves an Awesome Blossom Blizzard.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I like that!

[@MimisJewelBox]

I love watching you guys on your adventures! Thank you for keeping me entertained and for all of the information you share. I’ve learned a lot!

[@user-ob8wn6yo7t]

OMG.. Thanks for sharing your experience.. Historical buildings are just magical... enjoy 🍻🇦🇺

[@debpraus8663]

The best thing about BP is the people. They always pull together for each other. They still have their own schools and fully support them. ❤️

[@mplslawnguy3389]

Definitely not Brooklyn Park lol.

[@trudylynch6750]

thanks joe and nicola from scotland

[@jburnett8152]

When you walked into the cathedral I could hear angels singing. Then when you walked into the capital building I could hear angels singing. 😇 Simply spectacular. Thanks so much.

[@user-sx9rx5of1c]

I didn't hear any singing. It's a beautiful church, though.

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

Interesting state. Little crime, clean streets. Nicole looks radiant!

[@briancisco1176]

Blooming Prairie police must stay about as busy as the Maytag repairman. 🤣

[@FranklinDelanoDonut]

Ah you were in my neck of the woods. Almost thought i saw my dads truck in the part of the video in west concord. Lol Thank you for visiting our lovely state.

[@chrisaufdermaur]

Great Video ....thank you very much from Switzerland ...keep on with the good work 👍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, will do!

[@darlenedarlene419]

These small beautiful towns, I love this! Nic's dress and Coach bag very pretty

[@user-ts3nu6jz9d]

Wow, that is one beautiful capitol building, awesome cathedral too. It's nice to know that there is not a lot of crime in those small towns. The police have more time to rescue cats out of trees. Thanks Joe and Nicole, much love as always.

[@johngravley2389]

I live about four miles from the St. Paul Cathedral but have never been inside it so thanks for giving me a look inside. I have been in the capital building, though, but that was many years ago.

[@rogerburn5132]

BRILLIANT PROGRAM VERY PROFESSIONALLY DONE FOR SURE - - LIKE 👍👍👍

[@cecoya]

Wow, almost time to pack up my belongings and move to Minnesota for those numbers. lol Thanks for sharing and have a great day and safe travels.

[@user-iamRobinV68]

Looks like Minnesota is the place to retire ! Peaceful and no crime. Love it. Great explore Joe! 😊😊😊

[@adrianelias2365]

But can you survive their brutal winters?

[@throne1797]

Just be prepared for months of brutally cold windy weather. It appears that Joe and Nic were there during a couple of their spring days.

[@horseman942]

​@@adrianelias2365Exactly, tell that to the seniors who've slipped and cracked their skulls on the ice.

[@juliogonzales5441]

THANKS JOE AND NIC ❤...NOW..LET'S EAT...😊

[@rajeevdeshpande7666]

Hi Joe Thanks for the video. The beginning and the end of video has a surprising contrast. Waiting for the next video. Good Luck!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thanks, Rajeev!

[@beckystone7994]

I really enjoy your videos and slam the info and looking around the towns and sometimes the restaurants with pricing if eating out in those areas!! I’m a native Floridians born snd lived there for 54 yrs with the exception of 9 months when my husband our son and myself lived in Black Duck Minn. pop. 600 , it is much farther north than you went, Black Duck is about 40-50 miles south of International falls up by Canada! We moved back to Florida after 9 months the snow started melting and we fled 🤣 to cold for a Florida family !! I now live in Ohio and have been here for the past 20 yrs. , I moved here to be near my son who moved to Ohio after college at Flagler college in St. Augustine Florida ! Happy travels guys and keep the videos coming ! God bless ❤️🙏🙏🙋🏻🌈🌈

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, thanks!

[@barblenzen2198]

Great video as usual you need to drive through Winona has some of the most beautiful homes and a beautiful drive following the great Mississippi safe travels God Bless

[@dazirb]

Great video. I couldnt help but notice that it may be time for a break job. :)

[@jesminkhatun1]

Very nice video

[@alisawooten6018]

Hi Joe and Nic, that Cathedral is beautiful. The Capitol is beautiful as well. Tyfs 🤍

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It really is!

[@davidcustard9311]

I was born in St.Paul and have lived here pretty much all my life and I've never seen the cathedral up close or inside. Very beautiful.

[@MrDavidknigge]

I was raised in the farming railroad town of Willmar, Minnesota. The railroad would set up water stops for the steam engines. Since the train was stopped, they would set up depots for loading and offloading freight. Therefore they established towns in those locations and named them.

[@randyhewett2292]

Really enjoy your videos😎👍❤️

[@Victory1981]

I liked the Chili & Cheese dog choice.

[@EnzoCicero]

Glad you showed the crime statistics screenshot on this video. I like seeing those. THX for the great videos. You make me want to get out and travel

[@lauriemogianesi3571]

Been to Minnie love it so clean .LOVE LOVE LOVE the pastries!

[@pstan5899]

another great tour, i was surprised you didn't hit Northfield..luv u guys

[@originaldcjensen]

Northfield is many things, but forgotten and far off the interstate aren't two of them.

[@davidcohn3347]

Blooming Prairie is one of the most beautiful towns you have visited. Simple, Quiet and peaceful town its the true definition of a perfect place to live 😊

[@doloressandovalmartinez9642]

Amazing craftsmanship 😳

[@kristaseyler654]

Was awesome to see you in my stomping grounds thank you for visiting the twin cities 😊

[@trevharpa9371]

I live in a small town in Minnesota …and I approve this message

[@ahmd5]

Thanks for another great video. I was hoping for a visit to Rochester MN

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It's in the pipeline. :)

[@1954crc]

Hi Joe and Nic! I live in Rochester and had friends and relatives in Blooming Prairie. I have a son and a cousin in the Twin Cities and there's a lot to do there. I believe the metro population is approaching 4 million( a little under that) and is about the 16th largest in the country. Now you're going to Green Bay,Wisconsin,another nice town. I also have cousins there. Gee,I should have gone with you and Nic. I could have seen half my family. Drive careful and stay safe you two.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Cool!

[@brianquilty687]

That Cathedral in St. Paul's is amazing !! As is the State Capital building.

[@Steve-ow4jt]

Another amazing video. Such beautiful small towns with such astonishing low crime rates. Sounds like some wonderful places to live and raise a family. The capital building was gorgeous and the cathedral was truly breath taking. Of course for me what truly makes a church house an amazing place isn't so much its outward appearance as much as it is the fact that is a blessed house of God. While the architecture of the building can be amazing, it is the people who make up God's church. We are the body of Christ here on Earth. Thank you for the invitation to this wonderful journey. Will be waiting to see Green Bay. Until then, stay safe and God bless. Steve in Oklahoma

[@alancraddock6836]

Love all your videos l live in Australia and appreciate all your very informative tours .best wishes from Australia

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, thank you!!

[@zoidmo3388]

Again Joe & Nic! Awesome travelling with you. I appreciate you both so very much.🥰 That was some Cathedral ! 😲 I'm a big fan of American/Canadian flags so that road along the school was a delightful sight. Cheers!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, thanks!!

[@Mariel_Moon]

What a beautiful city hall! It have to be the most beautiful in the world 😍😍😍😍😍❤❤❤

[@NativeNYer]

Very awesome road trip this was!! St. Paul cathedral was beautiful as well as the rotunda was in that beautiful blue. Ty guys again . $52 @ that restaurant was unexpected, that was great food ! U guys b safe.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!!!

[@1951Roy]

Beautiful public buildings

[@teresap268]

That church is amazing!

[@feliciagordon9232]

The House in Dodge Center, MN where you said the house looked abandoned but…all the trees and flowers, once you turned in the front of the house, in the upstairs window the right side one someone was in the curtains. Go back and look!!

[@Ruben-xh5vs]

Road salt and snow plows eats up those roads.😔

[@brianlee4654]

Welcome to Minnesota