Northfield is a small college town on the Cannon River, about 40 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul. It is best known for two things: Carleton College and St. Olaf College, and the 1876 bank raid where townspeople fought off the James-Younger Gang.
That mix gives Northfield more character than its size suggests. Downtown is walkable, with old brick storefronts, coffee shops, and river views. The colleges bring concerts, lectures, gardens, trails, and a steady student energy that keeps the town from feeling sleepy.
The bank raid story is still central to Northfield's identity, especially during Defeat of Jesse James Days in September. The rest of the year, it is a pleasant southern Minnesota stop with enough history and campus life to fill an afternoon or a quiet weekend.