I don’t know about you, but when I hear of Austin, Minnesota, I can’t help but think of SPAM! It makes complete sense since Austin is the home to Hormel, the maker of SPAM. But, after a recent weekend getaway in Austin, we know that there are so many more reasons to visit Austin. In fact, there are 9 reasons to visit Austin, MN. Whether you love spending time outdoors, history, or art, Austin offers it all! Time to plan a trip to visit Austin, Minnesota.
Thank you to Discover Austin, MN for hosting our visit to Austin! All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic and my own. For full details, please see the disclosure tab.
Hormel Historic Home
We’ve grown to love visiting different historic homes around the Midwest like the Ringland-Smelzer House in Fort Dodge, IA and the Bothwell Lodge and Heard House in Sedalia,MO
The Hormel Historic Home located near downtown Austin has been a part of their landscape since 1871! Even though the house wasn’t originally built for the Hormel’s, it was after they purchased it and remodeled it that it became the magnificent home that it still is. Since the 1990’s, the home has been painstakingly restored to it’s glory and opened up to the public to share it and its history with the public! Whether you love history, architecture, or just learning about families like the Hormels, this needs to be a stop on your trip!
Paramount Theatre
I had never heard of an atmospheric theatre until our stop to tour the historic Paramount Theatre! Atmospheric theatres were designed to make its attendees feel as though they were transported to a different place and time and were popular in the 1920’s. The Paramount Theatre was built in 1929 and showed both movies and live productions until 1975 when it closed. It then was vacant, a night club, a teen dance club, an after-school child care site, and a comedy club. Early in the 2000’s, renovation and restoration began. Now, it is rented out by different organizations for concerts, theatre performances, and showing older movies for the community! It’s a stunning theatre and worth a quick stop or even catch a show when you’re in the area if you can!
Austin Arts Center
Art lovers will enjoy a stop at the Austin Arts Center. It offers a retail shop where you can purchase a large variety of locally crafted gifts like pottery, glassware, jewelry, and more. Local artists are featured upstairs in the gallery or you can create fused glass or pottery in their basement. I can’t wait to wear my upcycled earrings I picked up that are made from tires!
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Local Breweries
Austin has two great local breweries for you to enjoy! We love visiting microbreweries and splitting flights of brews to try a variety of tastes! We recommend it as a way to unwind and enjoy the locals.
Gravity Storm Brewing
Gravity Storm Brewery is a unique co-op style brewery with a Jimmy Buffet feel. This brewery has a very relaxed feel and the people are super warm and welcoming! We loved trying one of their several brews and enjoying the complimentary popcorn! If you like it so much, you can take home Crowlers or customized Growlers!
Angry Hog Brewery & Taproom
Located on the outskirts of town, in an unassuming building, you’ll find a super laid back brewery by the name of Angry Hog Brewery & Tap Room! Enjoy their large taproom or their outdoor patio while you enjoy their local brews! One unique feature they offer is that you can add fruit puree to any of their brews to customize your drink! I loved sitting on their patio enjoying our flight on a Saturday night!
Jay C Hormel Nature Center
The Jay C Hormel Nature Center was started by Jay Hormel to give others the great experience of the Minnesota outdoors that he did as a child. The center and preserve spans over hundreds of acres for the public to enjoy for free. Hike trails, play in a creek, kayak, bird watch, and more throughout these acres, then head indoors to enjoy their beautiful educational center where you can learn about the animals that inhabit the land, the history of them in the area, and more! Plus, they offer some live ones to enjoy! I personally fell in love with the owl & turtle!
Great Shops
Downtown Austin is thriving with a variety of locally owned shops like Twice is Nice, Real Deals, Sweet Reads, and Daisy Blue Naturals. The shops are well kept, the proprietors are friendly, and downtown Austin is very clean! It’s a great spot to spend a couple hours browsing and supporting the local economy! If that’s not enough, head to the North side of Austin and visit Super Fresh Bakery & Garden Center. Here you’ll find a sprawling green house, nursery, bakery, specialty grocery store, meat shop, and more! It’s definitely worth a stop!
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Austin Greyhound Baseball
Ever heard of Town Team baseball?! Me either until we got to take in an Austin Greyhound Baseball game! The Greyhounds are part of an amateur baseball league called the Minnesota Baseball Association. They play a full season with the historic Marcusen Park being their home field. Minnesota Twins greats like Kent Hrbeck & Joe Mauer have played on this field. These baseball games are a great stop for anyone as it’s FREE entertainment and good clean family fun! The game we saw was great and it was a neat historic atmosphere that reminded me of the “good old fashioned” baseball games!
SPAM Musem
Everyone knows that Austin is the home to Hormel and SPAM! Located downtown you’ll find the SPAM Museum. It’s another great FREE stop in Austin. Learn about the role that SPAM has played in history (Yes, even WWI), how it came to be, and how it’s evolved over the years to include several varieties in many countries. The museum offers quote a few interactive displays which makes it that much more fun!
Delicious Restaurants
Austin isn’t lacking on places to grab a delicious meal!
Piggy Blues Bar-B-Que
By the time you leave Piggy Blues Bar-B-Que, you’ll feel like a local and be stuffed to the gills. With it’s wide menu of sandwiches, barbecue, salads, burgers, and unique creations, you’ll be able to find something for everyone in your party! T opted for the Jackass Burger while I picked the Pork Tacos. He went with the beer battered fries while I picked their Pit Potatoes. Those potatoes….I’m still dreaming about them! I could eat several pounds of them in one sitting, they were so good. And before you leave, make sure to try their Gelato or one of their cheesecakes!
1910 Fresh Mexican Kitchen
We love Mexican food and I love rice bowls! So, 1910 Fresh Mexican Kitchen was perfect for us! We both picked rice bowls for lunch after a morning of hiking and they were the perfect balance of grilled chicken, rice, beans, lettuce, and more! I also opted to try their fresh made Pepino (Cucumber/Lime Juice) and it was amazing! I could have taken several bottles home and am kind of kicking myself that I didn’t!
Steve’s Pizza
Locals love Steve’s Pizza and with their extensive pizza, wings, sandwiches, and pasta menu it’s easy to see why. But, what stood out to us more than anything was the outstanding service by our waiter! Plus, you have to love a place that has windows where you can watch them make your pizza, right?! Throw in a gluten free crust option for me and you have a winner!
B&J Bar and Grill
Looking for that place where you can grab a drink, lunch, or gather with friends?! B&J Bar and Grill is that spot! It’s historic building and well decorated interior make it extra special plus there is outdoor patio seating! Their menu features a large variety of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and salads plus they offer an exclusive SPAM menu! My Hawaiian chicken sandwich (sans bun) and fresh made chips were both so good!
The Tendermaid
You know how much we love ice cream, so of course we had to find some on our visit to Austin, MN. A classic maidrite diner is what you get at the Tendermaid, but we went for the ice cream! The large, creamy malts did not disappoint. T picked chocolate, of course, while I went for Black Raspberry and it was mouthwatering delicious!
Where To Stay
After staying at the AmericInn of Austin, we know it’s the best place to stay when visiting town! Manager Larry and his staff are amazing and will go to no end to make sure their customers are comfortable and happy! They rolled out the red carpet for me and accommodated my gluten allergy, making sure that I had plenty to eat at breakfast each morning and I’m beyond grateful for their kindness!
Our room, complete with its king size bed, chair, desk, and jacuzzi tub were incredibly clean, spacious, and comfortable! If you’ve got young ones, the large indoor pool & hot-tub will be popular! Another feature that we love in hotels is endless coffee and ice water available all day!
You won’t be disappointed with your stay at the AmericInn during your visit to Austin
Getting There
Traveling to visit Austin, Minnesota, is super easy as it is located in Southeastern Minnesota along I-90! Jump in a car for a round-trip, but if you are traveling further, fly into Rochester International Airport, rent a car, and make the short 40 minute drive to Austin!
If you’re traveling by car…
- Des Moines, IA – 170 miles – 2hr 27 minute drive time
- Kansas City, MO – 363 miles – 5hr 9 minute drive time
- Chicago, IL – 378 miles – 5hr 20 minute drive time
- Minneapolis, MN – 100 miles – 1hr 37 minute drive time
Plan to Visit Austin, Minnesota
Are you ready to visit Austin, Minnesota?! I sure hope so!
Several times during our trip, I commented to T how low-key Austin felt to me, which makes it a great destination to visit! Big city options with a small town feel is what appeals to us! Spend time outdoors, catch the arts, and more is what makes Discover Austin, MN a great destination! It’s time to go plan your trip now!
