Canoeing the Cannon River and Red Barn Pizza Farm — A Minnesota Day Trip
This Minnesota day trip is one of my favorite outings to write about — an easy, restorative escape just south of the Twin Cities. We planned a surprise birthday experience for our friend Linley, blocked off a Sunday in July, and created a simple, fun itinerary: breakfast, canoeing, a brewery stop, and wood-fired pizza in a beautiful farm setting. The result was relaxed, joyful, and exactly the kind of memory-making day worth recommending.
- Nick’s Downtown Diner, Cannon Falls, MN
- Cannon River Canoe and Bike Rentals, Cannon Falls, MN
- Tanzenwald Brewery, Northfield, MN
- Red Barn Pizza Farm, Northfield, MN
Spending a day with close friends is hard to beat, and giving an experience instead of a physical gift made this birthday celebration feel extra special. We left early on Sunday and drove roughly an hour south to Cannon Falls for our first stop: Nick’s Downtown Diner. If you’re launching a Cannon River trip, this charming diner is a perfect breakfast choice — welcoming atmosphere, delicious food (the spicy meatloaf Benedict is a standout), and it’s just minutes from the river. We lingered over bloodies and conversation before heading to the outfitter for an 11:00 AM canoe launch.
When Linley learned stop number two was canoeing, she was ecstatic — the perfect reaction for a surprise day. The Cannon River is ideal for a relaxed paddling trip: the current is steady enough that you can float most of the way, with a few fun faster sections that feel like mini-rapids. We used Cannon River Canoe and Bike Rentals, which makes logistics easy: you rent a canoe, launch at the outfitter, and after your float the outfit picks you up at your take-out point. For our trip we chose the popular eight-mile stretch to Welch, which took us just under three hours at a very leisurely pace.
The river was busy in the best way — fishermen, kayakers, and families enjoying the water made for a lively, friendly atmosphere. Our group floated more than we paddled: we sang, snacked on candy (Linley’s favorite Sour Patch Kids), and shared canned rosé while watching the scenery drift by. It was slow, social, and exactly the kind of relaxed activity that anchors a day trip.
After the canoe drop-off we drove into Northfield for the afternoon portion of our route. Our brief stop at Tanzenwald Brewery was a lovely surprise — a brewery with a full menu and a broad selection of house beers on tap. We decided to share a flight and sampled ten beers between us, which allowed us to taste a wide variety; I was especially taken with a funky sour they had on tap. If you enjoy craft beer, Tanzenwald is worth the stop for both the beer selection and the relaxed taproom vibe.
From the brewery it was an eleven-minute drive to our final destination: The Red Barn Pizza Farm. This place is a Minnesota gem — a farm-based pizzeria that makes dough by hand and sources most toppings from gardens on the property. The setup is intentionally laid-back: it’s BYO-everything except the pizza, so guests bring drinks, snacks, blankets or chairs, and settle in on the lawn. The pizzas are baked in a large wood-fired oven and are a flat rate (priced per pizza), so they’re easy to order and share. We brought a growler from the brewery and some s’mores equipment for dessert, which made the evening feel like a mini-retreat.
The pizzas change with the seasons to reflect what’s fresh from the garden, and the wood-fired oven gives the crust a blistered, slightly charred finish that I love. Each pizza is packed with flavor and worth the cost — the combination of farm-fresh ingredients and a communal outdoor setting makes it one of the most memorable meal experiences around Northfield.
What made this day perfect wasn’t any single stop but the flow of the day: a cozy breakfast, a relaxed float on the Cannon River, a fun brewery visit, and a wood-fired pizza dinner on a farm. It’s a simple formula that works well for groups, couples, or anyone looking for an active but low-stress day trip out of the Twin Cities.
Practical tips: reserve canoe rentals or check outfitter hours in advance, bring sun protection and water for the river, consider sharing a flight at the brewery to sample more beers, and bring a blanket or chairs for the pizza farm. Above all, consider gifting an experience — it creates lasting memories far more than a typical present.
We’ll remember this surprise birthday for a long time. If you’re looking for a full-day Minnesota itinerary that blends outdoor adventure, craft beer, and outstanding wood-fired pizza, this Cannon River + Red Barn Pizza Farm route is hard to beat.
