Itineraries

Mower County Historical Society:

Mower County and Austin’s history is preserved in more than 20 individual facilities located on the Historical Society Fgrounds. Artifacts and other historical items are displayed in the Hormel Museum, which is an original building constructed in the 1890's by Geo. A. Hormel & Co. Enjoy apple cider and cookies while taking in this amazing step back in time.

 Farmer John’s Pumpkin Patch:

At Farmer John’s, you can pick a pumpkin out of 30 varieties, as well as pick fresh fall raspberries!  Farmer John also has a large selection of squash and fall decorating supplies. Enjoy the quiet fall beauty at this magnificent farm.

 Hormel Historic Home:

After a tour of the home of George and Lillian Hormel, participate in making a fall decoration that you can bring home, while enjoying a hot cup of coffee!

 Jay C. Hormel Nature Center:

Take in the beauty of the outdoors in the crisp autumn air. Don’t forget your camera, while you explore the 500 acres featuring the fall foliage. Enjoy a customized program put on by the humorous and informative Nature Center Staff.

Ring in the Holiday Season with a day in Austin, MN

 Hormel Historic Home

The home of George and Lillian is decorated for the holidays. Enjoy a special Christmas treat and coffee before you tour this beautiful home restored to its early 1900’s grandeur.

 Teddy Bear Home 

Visit the home of Sue and Chuck and their collection of Teddy Bears. You will see bears hard at work in Santa’s Toy Shop, Mama Bear Christmas shopping, even a Nutcracker Suite depicted with bears! This truly magical collection will get you in the holiday spirit.

 Lunch at The Old Mill

You will enjoy a scrumptious lunch at this local, family owned restaurant as you dine overlooking the banks of the Cedar River.

 Nativity Home

Tour the home of Bill and Helen Holder and see their collection of over 500 crèches from around the world.

 Deck the Halls

Create a piece of seasonal décor to deck your home for the holidays with the floral designers of the Hardy Geranium.

 Dinner

Your tasty evening meal will be served at the Hormel Historic Home, prepared by one of the local caterers.

 Historic Paramount Theatre

Enjoy a festive holiday concert under the stars. This unique theatre is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the four atmospheric theatres left in Minnesota.

 

Day 2

 Spam Museum

The Museum is decorated is decorated for the holiday season with several trees that you will enjoy as you explore the history of the Hormel Family, Hormel Foods, and Spam.

 Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

Established in 1971, these 507 acres, covered in a blanket of snow, feature everything that we love about Southern Minnesota. You will benefit from the information and be entertained with the humor of the Nature Center staff.

 Lunch at The Old Mill Restaurant

Enjoy a delicious, homemade meal, as you overlook the Ramsey Dam on the banks of the Cedar River, inside this 1850’s flour mill that is beautifully decorated for the holiday season.

 Johnson Floral

View thousands of beautiful poinsettia plants at one of Austin’s local greenhouses.

A perfect day for a student group or family reunion adventure!

 Jay C. Hormel Nature Center:

Start the Scavenger hunt at the Nature Center. As you search through the Interpretive Center and explore the 500 acres, see how many items you can check off on your list! Enjoy a program by the

Nature Center staff that will have you laughing and learning!

 Hormel Historic Home:

Go back in time as you search through the home of George and Lillian Hormel. Keep your list in hand as your tour guide brings you through the rooms so you can keep checking off the fun items you find! After your tour, take a break and have a snack while you cheer your classmates on during a round of Wii Sports!

 Todd Park:

Enjoy your sack lunch before running around Todd Park to complete your scavenger hunt! Whoever finds the most items at all of the stops will get a special surprise at the end of the tour. But be on the lookout for Spammy the can of Spam! Finding Spammy will earn you bonus points to help you reach your goal of King (or Queen) of Spam!

 SPAM Museum:

End the day at the Famous Spam Museum! Learn the entire history of this small but incredible “miracle meat.” Your tour of 16,500 square feet of Spam will start with “Spam a Love Story” in the theatre.

 

 

 

Austin City Tour

Your Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau tour guide will show you the sites in this beautiful Southern Minnesota Community.

 SPAM Museum

Learn the entire history of this small but incredible “miracle meat”. Your tour of 16,500 square-feet of SPAM will start with “SPAM a Love Story” in the theatre.

 Lunch at Pizza Ranch

Fast in and out service for groups, with a delicious buffet daily. Ask about our many other fast or fine dining options!

 Hormel Historic Home

Visit the home of George A. and Lillian Hormel. Built in 1871, this elegant mansion has been completely restored to the grandeur of the early 1900’s when George and Lillian Hormel called it home.

 The Hormel Institute

The Hormel Institute was established in 1942 by Jay C. Hormel. In its almost 70 year history, it has evolved into one of the leading cancer research facilities in the country.

 Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

Established in 1971, these 507 acres feature everything that we love about Southern Minnesota. You will benefit from the information and be amused with the humor of the Nature Center Staff.

 

 

 

Hormel Historic Home

Your first stop will be at the home of George A. and Lillian Hormel. Start you day off right with a hot cup of coffee and a scrumptious pastry. After your refreshments you will be given a guided tour of this elegant 1871 mansion.

SPAM Museum

16,500 square feet of SPAM! The SPAM Museum features audio, video and hands-on displays that will take you through 119 years of Hormel Foods History.

Lunch at the Old Mill Restaurant

The Old Mill Restaurant is one of Austin's finest restaurants known for its scenic overlook, relaxing ambiance, friendly staff and rich history. The structure was originally built in the late 1850's. You will enjoy a delicious meal on the Cedar River overlooking the Ramsey Dam. (ask about our other dining options)

The Hormel Institute

The Hormel Institute, established in 1942 by Jay C. Hormel, is a research unit of the University of Minnesota and collaborative research partner with Mayo Clinic. The Hormel Institute conducts research and provides education in the biological sciences with applications in medicine and agriculture. Enjoy a guided tour of one of the leading cancer research facilities in the country.

 

 

 

Hormel Historic Home

To begin your day in Austin you will have coffee and a pastry at the home of George and Lillian Hormel. Enjoy the relaxing ambiance before your tour of this elegant mansion originally built in 1871.

 Lunch at the Brick House

Visit this quaint coffee shop and enjoy choosing from a selection of gourmet sandwiches.  Visiting the Brick House is a retreat in itself!

 Shopping at Sterling Main Street

The Sterling Shopping Center, one of the first strip malls in MN, is now home to Sterling Main Street, a unique store filled with home décor and gifts.

 Seasonal Décor Making

Create décor for your home with the floral designers of the Hardy Geranium.

 Arrive at your Hotel

Check-in to your hotel and get settled before the evening activities.

 Dinner at the Old Mill (ask about other dining options.)

 Spa Time

The spa will come to you and you will be pampered for the evening

 

Day Two

 Breakfast at Perkins

 The Hormel Institute

The Hormel Institute was established in 1942 by Jay C. Hormel and has evolved into one of the leading cancer research facilities in the country.

Food Lovers; meet Austin, MN

 Perkins

This day comes straight out of a foodie’s dream. Start your tour how any good tour should begin- dessert first! Strawberry pie and coffee will get you off on the right foot. Or, sit down to a traditional breakfast of eggs and bacon if you prefer.

Piggy Blues Bar-B-Q

Try Southern-fried Okra, Cajun Shrimp, and Sweet Corn Puffs. You just might not want to go to the next stop!

 Old Mill

At the historic Old Mill, enjoy the house specialty French Onion Soup and a salad and take in the beautiful water’s edge view.

 Gymocha

Enjoy a Black Bean, Balsamic Chicken, or Chicken Caesar wrap at this modern and chic restaurant and coffee shop.

 Farmer’s Market

Select fresh produce to make homemade salsa at your next stop! Don’t forget to grab other goodies such as fresh baked bread and jam to bring home.

 Hormel Historic Home

Take a guided tour of this elegant 1871 mansion that was George and Lillian Hormel’s. After the tour, head to the kitchen and whip up a batch of salsa using the fresh ingredients you picked up at the Farmer’s Market!