Pierce Far Eastern Suburbs River Falls, WI

French explorers began arriving in the area in the mid-to-late 1600s, but it took 200 years for other settlers and farmers to arrive. In 1854, Joel Foster built a sawmill; the following year, a flour mill opened, and three other flour mills quickly followed.

When Pierce County was established, Prescott and River Falls claimed the honor of being the largest communities in the area, but eventually, Ellsworth became the county seat. By 1860, the village sported a post office, a store and a hotel. Still home to mostly farmers and a handful of commuters, the area continues to grow and change as urban sprawl slowly creeps east.

When you want to explore the history of the area, visit the Goodhue County Historical Society in Red Wing or the Laura Ingalls Wilder Wayside & Cabin in Pepin. Alternatively, check out the science, art, history and children's museums in downtown St. Paul.

Most of the evening action in the far eastern suburbs takes place in Ellsworth. A village of less than 900 residents as of the 2010 census, Ellsworth attracts residents from around the county to the restaurants in its historic downtown.

King House allows you to order online for an eat-in or to-go order. Start with Chinese donuts, a pork egg roll or chicken rice soup before going to a main course, such as the happy family dish with a little bit of everything in it. Try the tung ting shrimp, a dish that has hearty portions of shrimp, mushrooms, water chestnuts, pea pods and broccoli in a brown sauce.

Angel's Highway 63 Diner, also in Ellsworth, attracts customers who enjoy tasty food and chewing the fat for the afternoon. Try the homemade burger patties topped with crisp lettuce and fresh tomato at this classic diner.

The area offers a handful of watering holes for residents who want to drink in the evenings or wile away a Sunday afternoon with a pint. Almost every small town and village in the region has a bar for locals. In Ellsworth, grab a drink and a snack at Bendilly's, or head to Hager City, home of the Bluffs Bar and Grill.

For great deals, stunning views of the river and a selection of bearded old biker dudes, head to the Nauti Hawg in Dayton's Bluff. This pub sits on a bluff overlooking the scenic Mississippi River, and it draws people from Pierce County as well as the entire metro area. Bikers, as well as families in cars, take drives along River Road Highway 35, and they often end up at the Nauti Hawg. Owners pronounce the name similar to "naughty hog," a place that specializes in killer deals, such as burgers for a buck and cans of beer for two dollars. Revel in homemade pizzas, tacos and margaritas in this lively establishment.

If you live in Pierce County, you have access to free parking everywhere and wide-open country roads without a lot of traffic. Residents from the south part of the county can easily follow Highway-10 into St. Paul, while those from the middle or north of the county can jump straight on I-94 for a fast and straight drive into either city center.

If you live in one of the area's small towns, you will find walking to be safe and convenient. In these communities, you even see children running or bicycling to the local parks on their own. However, owning a car is almost essential as public transit does not link this area to the Twin Cities, and the distance makes a commute by bicycle impossible.

You won't be able to hail a cab in the area, but a cab company out of Red Wing often helps residents get around. In some cases, you can even book a cab to take you into the Twin Cities for an extra fee. Uber has not yet expanded into the area.

In addition to the great neighborhood parks available in the villages of Pierce County, the area also houses several large state parks and natural areas. Water lovers head to Kinnickinnic State Park. Located near Prescott on the banks of the St. Croix, this fabulous park features boating, kayaking and tubing opportunities. Visitors must pay a small admission fee or buy an annual state parks pass. Carpenter Nature Center near Hastings, MN, has educational activities for kids and adults, scenic walks along the river and maple syrup during the spring.

Pierce County inhabitants have easy access to the cities for a range of summer and winter festivals, but you don't have to wander far from home to find a fun fest. During the summer, check out the Cannon Valley Fair. Located in Cannon Falls, this county fair has been taking place for over 100 years, and it offers families with small children a fun way to spend the Fourth of July weekend. In Stockholm and Pepin, WI, fall brings an annual independent film festival called the Flyway Film Festival to the area.

In addition to the natural beauty of the area, its low prices draw people as well. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in Pierce County costs an average of $489, just over half of the average rents of $962 in Minneapolis and $839 in St. Paul.

Public transit into the city isn't readily available, but you don't worry about overspending on your commute either, as local gas prices tend to match national averages. You can grab a happy hour beer for as little as $2, and even outside of happy hour, Pierce County brews carry a pretty low price tag.

In the villages of Pierce County, shops offer everything from the basics to hard-to-find gifts. If you need a bouquet of flowers or a gourmet wedding cake, BoJo's Creations in Ellsworth should be your next stop. At this locally owned shop, you can find anything from spring tulips to holiday wreaths, and BoJo's even delivers fresh flowers to homes in the area. Little New York, also in Ellsworth's historic downtown area, features diamonds and other bling.

The relatively sparse population of Pierce County means that residents often have to drive to reach a large grocery store, and the majority of large chain and organic shops in the area sit in Red Wing, a Minnesotan town on the west side of the Mississippi. You can also drive into St. Paul for a farmers' market. Although the villages do not advertise their own farmers' markets, you can usually find a couple of sweet old ladies selling homemade salsa or other treats from a folding table in Ellsworth's downtown area.