Top 17 Things To Do In Austin, Minnesota

things to do in austin mn
Ibrahim
Ibrahim 
Updated
| 7 min read

Austin, a small city in Minnesota, is rich in culture and history. With a population of just about 25,000 people, this town is home to several unique and exciting attractions. Also referred to as SPAM town, this city boasts of being host to the fantastic SPAM Museum, as well as other exciting places - including artwork centers, historic homes, beautiful city parks, lush golf courses, historic theaters, learning institutes, exquisite restaurants, and great apartments to stay. The people of this city are friendly and welcoming, making you feel at home, throughout your visit. Enjoy your vacation and leave feeling satisfied with these top things to do in Austin, Minnesota.

1. Go on a hike at Jay C. Hormel Nature Center


This beautiful center was established in 1927. Since then, it has grown into the sprawling, beautiful Nature Center that it is today. A visit to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center offers you the chance to go on any one of its several exciting trails and watch rare and local birds in their natural habitat. Get immersed in interactive and educative sessions about wildlife, conservation, and the surrounding environment. It’s a great place to relax or take an exciting hike and enjoy the beauty of nature in the city.

Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

Address: 1304 21st St NE, Austin, MN 55912, USA

Website: Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)

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2. Attend a concert at Bandshell Community Park

Bandshell in Austin MN
Source: Photo by user Darb02 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Austin’s most famous park is Bandshell Community Park. Sitting on a vast, lush expanse of land, this park features a single stage and is regularly used to host events, shows, concerts, and festivals in the city. The park is also fitted with upscale amenities like pavilion bathrooms, exciting hiking trails, a dog park, electricity, and playground equipment. You can enjoy many exciting activities including catching a great show, taking part in a festival, or going hiking within the tranquil site.

Bandshell Community Park

Address: 4th Street and 9th Place SW, Austin, MN 55912, United States

Website: Bandshell Community Park

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3. See the fantastic can exhibits at SPAM Museum


SPAM, the best-known name in canned meat in the country, has its headquarters in the city of Austin, Minnesota. And to satisfy its numerous fans, the creators of this product built a fantastic museum in downtown Austin. Here, you can take a tour of the grounds and get treated to exciting exhibits, a theater, and of course, a gift shop. Learn the fascinating history of SPAM, its recipes and even check out the “How many Spam Cans Tall Are You?” stand.

SPAM Museum

Address: 101 3rd Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912, USA

Website: SPAM Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 6pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm

Price: Free admission

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4. Check out the historical buildings of Mower County Historical Society


If you love history, then you should not miss checking out Mower County Historical Society during your stay in Austin. This place preserves many of the town’s most treasured historical structures. The original buildings of this society were constructed in honor of the farmers and workers that first dwelt in the city. Several other themed buildings and outdoor exhibits have been added to the place ever since. Take your time to walk through its structures including railroad cars, a log cabin, and a WWII memorial building.

Mower County Historical Society

Address: 1303 6th Ave SW, Austin, MN 55912, USA

Website: Mower County Historical Society

Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 4pm (closed from Sat - Mon)

Price: 3 - 5 USD

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5. Say a prayer at Saint Augustine's Church

St. Augustine Church east exterior (Austin, Minnesota)
Source: Photo by user Darb02 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Saint Augustine’s Church is a landmark catholic church in the city. This church has an attractive structure and has been recently restored, giving it a heavenly look. Still used for mass today, visitors in Austin can stop by at this church to get a real feel of the religious heritage of the community. So if you are the religious type and you want a quiet place to pray, give thanks, or meditate, then Saint Augustine’s Church should be part of your bucket list.

Saint Augustine's Church

Address: Austin, MN 55912, USA

Website: Saint Augustine’s Church

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6. Watch a classic movie at Paramount Theatre


The first cinema in Austin, Paramount Theater, is an ideal venue to catch trending movies. This theater has now been renovated into an upscale viewing center with over 600 stadium-style seats, a lobby, and a concession stand. The building also houses a night club for those who love to party, and stages for shows and concerts. You should catch one of the classic movies showing on its screens and give your trip to Austin that special magical touch.

Paramount Theatre

Address: 713 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701, USA

Website: Paramount Theatre

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 12pm - 5:30pm (closed on Sun)

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7. Take pictures with Buffy the Cow

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

No, Buffy The Cow isn’t the cool name of a grill restaurant in Austin. It is a statue of a cow named Buffy sitting in front of the fairgrounds in the city. For more than 40 years, Buffy has played an essential role in the ever-changing view of the town. Located right on the edge of the Mower County Fairgrounds, the gigantic cow’s statue has become a part of the city’s history and offers you an excellent background for photos and snapshots.

Buffy the Cow

Address: 700 12th St SW, Austin, MN 55912, USA

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8. Check out the collectibles at Greibroks Farm

On and on.

Posted by Ron Ramseyer on Sunday, 7 October 2012

Greiboks Farm is a fantastic place to explore. Its name is a bit deceiving as this is not a farm. Instead, it is a private home with 40 rooms filled with the most impressive collection of toys, collectibles, and even dolls. Check out the array of miniature objects including miniature bicycles and even a model of the county set in a room of its own. These toys have been gathered over the years, and Mrs. Greibroks is available to give you a full tour of the house.

Greibroks Farm

Address: County Rd. 34, Austin, MN

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9. Grab a beer at Gravity Storm Brewery


If you love beer, this place is made for you. Gravity Storm Brewery offers you a place to taste the best beers brewed right in Austin. Visit this microbrewery, tour their facilities, and try out the beers they produce. They produce several kinds of beers, from flavored ones to nitrogenated sweet stout and highly hopped IPAs. With a clean environment and friendly staff, you’d have a wonderful time at Gravity Storm Brewery.

Gravity Storm Brewery

Address: 309 Main St N, Austin, MN 55912, USA

Website: [Gravity Storm Brewery)(http://gravitystormbrewery.com/)

Opening hours: Sat: 12pm - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm; Mon, Thu: 4pm - 9pm; Fri: 3pm - 11pm (closed on Tue & Wed)

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10. Attend an event at Hormel Historic Home


A historic building in the middle of the city, this house was once home to the iconic Hormel Family. Now, this beautiful house is a museum and an event center. A visit to this restored house offers you the opportunity to enjoy a tour of its rooms as well as its stunning peace garden. The atmosphere around this house makes it a great place to hold an event or wedding too.

Hormel Historic Home

Address: 208 4th Ave NW, Austin, MN 55912, USA

Website: Hormel Historic Home

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 4:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

Price: From 5 USD

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11. Take your dog for a dip at Austin Dog Park

Posted by Austin Dog Park on Friday, 1 March 2013

Are you visiting this city with your dog? Austin is a city that is conscious of the needs of its people and visitors. This concern has made the town establish a dog park for all dog owners and lovers. The park is clean and features a fenced area where dogs can roam freely and play while closely supervised by their owners. The park has a lot of amenities including the occasional pool for “doggie dips.”

Austin Dog Park

Address: 1900 2nd Ave SE, Austin, MN 55912, USA

Website: Austin Dog Park

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12. Play a round of golf at Austin Country Club


If you love golf or would like to visit a beautiful natural place to relax and unwind, then this place is just right for you. Austin Country Club is a remarkable golf course in the city. This beautiful site has a standard 18-hole, and its beauty is second to none. The verdant undulating greens and deep pot bunkers at this club are more than enough to challenge any avid golfer and offer a pleasant viewing experience for the non-golf-playing visitors.

Austin Country Club

Address: 1202 28th St NE, Austin, MN 55912, USA

Website: Austin Country Club

Opening hours:Sat: 7am - 9pm; Tue: 8am - 9pm; Wed, Fri: 8am - 10pm; Thu: 8am - 12am (closed on Sun & Mon)

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13. Savor a delicious meal at Kenny's Oak Grill


Are you feeling like enjoying a great home-style meal in the heart of the city? Then you should head to Kenny’s Oak Grill. This restaurant has been serving delicious meals to the people of Austin and its visitors for 50 years, with no thoughts of backing up. With an extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, and exceptional customer service, you are sure to savor exquisitely prepared meals and a chance to interact with the locals at Kenny’s Oak Grill.

Kenny's Oak Grill

Address: 307 Oakland Ave W, Austin, MN 55912, USA

Website: Kenny’s Oak Grill

Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)

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14. Delight in great cocktails at Torge's Live Sports Pub & Grill


Torge’s Live Sports Pub & Grill is an excellent place in the city to dine, unwind, and get an authentic feel of the town. This restaurant and bar offer you sumptuous meal options for lunch, dinner, and late-night dining. The ambiance at Torge’s is welcoming, and they provide excellent customer service and live music entertainment. For sports fans, this eatery has a large TV where you can catch your favorite sports entertainment.

Torge's Live Sports Pub & Grill

Address: 1701 4th St NW, Austin, MN 55912, USA

Website: Torge’s Live Sports Pub & Grill

Opening hours: 11am -1am (daily)

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15. Enjoy a picnic at the picturesque Todd Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Sitting majestically on over 40 hectares (100 acres) of land is this beautiful park in Austin. Todd Park is blessed with scenic landscape, lush green grass and big tall trees–making it perfect for a day out in nature. With excellent walking and bike trails, swings, merry-go-rounds, impressive water fountains, sand volleyball courts, pavilions both with and without electricity supply, softball diamonds, and many places for picnics, this park is a beautiful place to visit.

Todd Park

Address: 11th Street and, 21st Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912, United States

Website: Todd Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: 2 - 4 USD

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16. Have fun indoors at Wescott Field/Packer Dome

Packer Dome in Austin, Minnesota
Source: Photo by user Darb02 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Is it snowing in Austin and you still want to have fun? Packer Dome is a remarkable climate-controlled indoor sports arena. This beautiful venue features the Art Hass Stadium, giving visitors a place to watch field games and enjoy upscale amenities - including an indoor walking area and batting cages. Don’t allow the snow stand in your way of having fun in Austin as Packer Dome is around the corner.

Wescott Field/Packer Dome

Address: 201-299 12th St NW, Austin, MN 55912, USA

Website: Wescott Field/Packer Dome

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17. Take a refreshing dip at Austin City Pool

Posted by Cedar River Watershed District - Austin, MN on Thursday, 15 June 2017

Is it a sunny day in the city? Austin City Poll is the perfect place to cool off. This municipal pool offers you clean, treated water to dive into and features two exciting water slides for those thrill lovers. Have fun swimming refreshing laps in the pool or enjoy chilling by the poolside. You can even get swimming lessons here for those who do not know how to swim. With other occasional fun events held regularly by the poolside, it’s a beautiful place for a refreshing experience in the city.

Austin City Pool

Address: 600 Main St N, Austin, MN 55912, USA

Website: Austin City Pool

Opening hours:Mon - Fri: 1pm - 4:30pm; Sat: 1pm - 6pm; Sun: 2pm - 7pm

Price: 2 - 4 USD

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Enjoy a rejuvenating trip in Austin

Sunset over downtown Austin, Minnesota
Source: Photo by user Darb02 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

The city of Austin is a great place to visit. Blessed with a lot of attractions to keep you entertained and refreshed, this small city offers you the perfect place to take some time off and enjoy the goodness of nature. With its excellent restaurants, there are a lot of rejuvenating things to do in Austin, Minnesota to help you have the most remarkable experience in the city.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Ibrahim is a passionate writer with a keen interest in traveling. He not only travels to discover the world but also himself. And when it comes to writing, Ibrahim loves to keep it simple with a...Read more

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