What to do and see in Austin, Minnesota (MN): The Best Things to do

September 10, 2021 Leonarda Pillsbury

Austin is a city in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 24,718 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Mower County. The town was originally settled along the Cedar River and it has two artificial lakes called East Side Lake and Mill Pond. The town was named for Austin R. Nichols, the first settler in the area.
Restaurants in Austin

1. Torge's Live Sports Pub & Grill

1701 4th St NW, Austin, MN 55912-1803 +1 507-433-9403 [email protected] https://torgeslive.com/
Excellent
86%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 7 reviews

Torge's Live Sports Pub & Grill

Torge's has the best in regional entertainment and the coldest beer in Austin, MN! For great food and drink specials, 22 flat screen HD TV's, a large outdoor patio with heaters and fire pit, and live music, Torge's Live Sports Bar and Grill is the choice for you. Stop in and see Austin's best nightclub!

2. Sweet Reads

406 N Main St, Austin, MN 55912-3310 +1 507-440-7046 https://www.facebook.com/Sweetreadsbooks/
Excellent
84%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 25 reviews

Sweet Reads

Reviewed By dailyvault - Gurnee, United States

After stopping at the Spam museum, I happened to notice there was a bookstore across the street, and even though other people in our group weren't immediately keen on going in, I insisted we at least give it a quick look. Are we glad we did! If you walk in thinking you're going to find a selection like what Borders used to have, you're going to be disappointed. But, if you go in just to see what kind of treasures will jump out at you that you forgot you ever wanted to own or read, then Sweet Reads is the perfect store for you. The woman who was behind the counter - who I'm guessing was the owner - was extremely friendly and helpful, describing everything we could find and how to determine the prices. She also pointed out the Berenstain Bears museum at the back of the store, which brought my fiancee and myself back to our childhoods with some of the items in the collection. The biggest selling point for Sweet Reads is that, when you buy a book from them, they don't simply put it in a plastic bag and hand it to you. No, the two books we purchased were individually wrapped in brown paper, sealed, and tied up with ribbon. It was like we were being handed gifts; these are the simple, unexpected touches which make a person want to continue to go back to a business. I don't know the next time we will be in the Minneapolis area, but I can guarantee that as long as Sweet Reads is open, it will be on our "must stop there" list of things to do!

3. Spam Museum and Visitor Center

101 3rd Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912-3442 +1 507-434-6401 [email protected] http://www.spam.com/museum
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 656 reviews

Spam Museum and Visitor Center

This 14,000 square foot museum features 9 SPAMtastic galleries with interactive games and photo opportunities. Admission is free to all visitors.

Reviewed By Y3191UJbks - Rochester, United States

While I boast that this was a free activity, I would pay to walk through this museum. My partner and I did our own self guided tour (they do offer free tours with SPAMbassadors) and learned a lot about the history of Hormel from the war to the different delicacies made in different countries with SPAM. The gift shop is really cool, we purchased the SPAM variety pack so we can try them all. Went on a weekday so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. They also have many kids activities if you need somewhere inside for the kiddos to play.

4. Greibroks Mini History Farm

Five miles South of Oakland, County Rd. 34, Austin, MN +1 507-433-4880
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Greibroks Mini History Farm

This 40-room farmhouse houses a collection of 700 mini tractors, trucks, trains, airplanes and other toys.

5. Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

1304 21st St NE, Austin, MN 55912-4104 +1 507-437-7519 [email protected] http://www.hormelnaturecenter.org/
Excellent
56%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 64 reviews

Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

Home to over 10 miles of hiking trails that take visitors through over 500 acres of prairies, wetlands and forests. An observation tower provides a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding preserve. The Interpretative Center offers a variety of displays, hands on exhibits and learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. Live educational animals allow visitors to get up close to some exciting native species. The Childhood Room features a library, puzzles, games and a great view of the bird feeders. The Jay C Hormel Nature Center offers ski and snow shoe rental in the winter, kayak and canoe rental in the summer and many special events year-round.

Reviewed By AquatenniiaT - Combined Locks, United States

This nature center had good trails, and we arrived at the height of butterfly season! We also saw a weasel as we hiked toward the observation tower.

6. YMCA of Austin, MN

704 1st Dr NW, Austin, MN 55912-3004 +1 507-433-1804 [email protected] http://ymca-austin.org/index.html
Excellent
75%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
25%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

YMCA of Austin, MN

7. Healing Palms Spa

313 N Main St, Austin, MN 55912-3407 +1 507-434-4046 [email protected] http://healingpalmsspa.com/index.html
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6 reviews

Healing Palms Spa

8. Hormel Historic Home

208 4th Ave NW, Austin, MN 55912-3036 +1 507-433-4243 [email protected] http://www.hormelhistorichome.org
Excellent
55%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 44 reviews

Hormel Historic Home

Built in 1871 The Hormel Historic Home strives to preserve the Home and History of the George A. and Lillian Hormel Family. Today, it serves as a house museum and Peace Garden along with a 240 seat Carriage Hall Event Center. Our house museum is open to the public Monday-Friday 10am-3pm. Adults are $5 per person and children are free. We feature a kid-friendly tour and scavenger hunt.

Reviewed By kdltmiller - Woodridge, United States

Self guided tour of the Hormel Mansion in lovely Austin, Minnesota. Helpful Host. Lovely rooms. Amazing Burled Birch woodwork.

9. St. Augustine's Catholic Church

405 4th St NW, Austin, MN 55912-3065 +1 507-437-4537 http://www.StAugustineStEdward.org
Excellent
68%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22 reviews

St. Augustine's Catholic Church

10. Historic Paramount Theatre

125 4th Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912-3305 +1 507-434-0934 http://www.austinareaarts.org/Paramount_Theatre.html
Excellent
43%
Good
57%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Historic Paramount Theatre

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