General Attractions
1101 Main Street North (Exit 178B)
507-537-5100 or 800-LUV-SPAM
The 16,500 square-foot facility features sophisticated exhibits and displays pertaining to the history of Hormel foods since its founding in 1891 and its various products, including the world famous SPAM® family of products. Another area of the Museum houses The SPAM® Shop, where a wide variety of 400 apparel and merchandise items with the SPAM® and Hormel logos can be purchased.
208 4th Avenue NW (Exit 178A)
507-433-4243
http://www.hormelhistorichome.org
The Hormel Historic Home tells the story of the Hormel family, founders of Hormel Foods, Inc. Come tour the home, restored to turn-of-the-century charm, to learn about George and Lillian Hormel and their son, Jay. Discover the details of life for the Hormel family in the early 1900s through the late 1920s. Also available to rent for events.
125 4th Avenue NE
507-434-0934
The Paramount Theatre originally opened September 14, 1929, designed for stage theatre and first-run movies. It is one of four atmospheric theaters in Minnesota. The theatre showed its last movie in 1975, and after operating as a comedy club/bar, closed in 1987. In 1992, the Austin Area Commission for the Arts (AACA) completed acquisition of the theatre and completed the process of restoring the theatre as an art and film center, and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It serves as home to the Matchbox Children's Theatre, as well as a place to host concerts, films, festivals, recitals and other events. Tours are available.
Five miles South of Oakland, County Rd. 34
(800)-444-5713
Greibrok's is an extensive collection of more than 700 model tractors, trucks, cars, farm machinery, steam engines, airplanes and other toys assembled in various theme areas throughout the unique 40-room farmhouse, owned by Dorothy Greibrok. Group Tours are available.
1303 6th Avenue SW
507-437-6082
http://www.mowercountyhistory.org
The history of Mower County and Austin is preserved in more than 20 individual facilities located on the Historical Society grounds. 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. Additional attractions include the Native American Museum with hundreds of tools, clothing and additional items. Fireman's Museum with vintage firefighting equipment, Pioneer Museum, and Arts Museum. The Rahilly Museum, which features various horse-drawn carriages, Headquarters building, Rural School Museum and Communications Museum. The Milwaukee Junction Museum and depot depict early railroading with a steam locomotive, caboose and various other railroad cars. Also on display are the Kehret Wayside Chapel, M-4 Sherman tank and a replica of the Six-Mile Grove Lutheran Church. An administration building houses an extensive research library and the William Tyler Circus which is a miniature hand made three ring circus.
800-444-5713
Visit the home of Helen and Bill Holder and see over 540 Nativity scenes. Learn about the precious pieces that have been collected from all over the world, 42 different countries to be exact! Including Venezuela, India, Germany and Mexico. Learn the history of the crèche and be inspired by the beautiful Christmas tradition.
57489 220th Avenue
507-433-3341
Tour the home of Chuck and Sue Lennberg and see their collection of hundreds of teddy bears. The Lennberg’s collection features teddy bears of every size and shape arranged in charming vignettes.
801 16th Avenue NE
800-444-5713
Originally established in 1942, in a corner of the stable, at the Hormel family estate, on the east edge of Austin, the institute has become one of the nation's leading lipid research centers. Lipids, including fatty acids and the complex lipids that comprise biological membranes, play important roles in health and disease, including heart disease and cancer. The work of the institute faculty and staff, who are experts in biological chemistry, biophysics, cellular and molecular biology and nutrition, is of medical importance.
800-444-5713
You provide the bus; we'll provide the tour guide! Your Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau tour guide will show you the sites in this beautiful Southern Minnesota Community. You'll get a "behind-the-scenes" look at Austin, and hear little-known facts about its early beginnings. We can customize the tour to your groups interests, and each traveler will receive a free SPAM™ cookbook!
219 Main Street North
507-433-7371
The past is alive at Rydjor Bike Shop. View the history of bicycles displayed on the 16-foot walls inside the shop. The original tin ceilings and maple floors make for a great setting to find the bicycle of your childhood, or to go back in time to the turn of the century when bicycles were big business and at the forefront of technology. Each of the more than 50 bicycles has its own story, beginning in 1868 with the "Boneshaker." View the progress through the evolution of bicycles up to the most current cutting edge styles.
800-444-5713
Visit the Pajolo Alpaca Farm and Country Store which is located just outside of Austin. The Alpaca's origin is South American but United States importation began in 1984, with Pajolo Alpaca Farm established in 1996. The Alpaca is an interesting breed that has a life expectancy of 20-25 years. They make excellent companions and have lovable dispositions, easily trained to lead and are gentle with children. Visit the Country Store and see the precious fiber procured by the Alpaca. See the beautifully hand knitted sweaters, hats, mittens and scarves, or purchase yarn so that you can create your own beautiful pieces.
Austin Public Library
323 4th Avenue NE
507-433-2391
http://www.austinpubliclibrary.org
The Don and Dorothy Hodapp family donated a Heritage Edition of The Saint John's Bible to the library. “This unusual gift is our thanks to Austin for the many wonderful years our family enjoyed living there. It is our hope that this Bible will be appreciated and enjoyed by all,” said Mr. Hodapp. In 1998, the Saint John’s Benedictine monastery in Collegeville, Minnesota, commissioned Donald Jackson, scribe and calligrapher to the Crown Office of Great Britain, to produce the first handwritten and illuminated Bible since the invention of the printing press. The Heritage Edition is a full-size fine art reproduction of the original masterpiece. Each of the seven volumes that make up The Saint John’s Bible is approximately two feet tall by three feet wide when open, and weighs between 13 and 20 pounds.
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1302 18th Avenue NW
11331 620th Avenue
Adams, Minnesota 55909
507-582-3351
Experience a dairy farm first hand. Roger, the owner, will step on your bus and give you an educational, guided tour around his 1,600 head operation. You will visit the milking parlor, where you will witness the milking of the cows and computer tracking of the cows and their milk production. You will also view over 500 cattle in one barn! Jax Farm started operation in 1940, with 23 cows, and has now grown to over 1,600 head, with 900 cows milked daily. Rogers' family runs the entire daily operation of the farm; it is truly a sight to see!
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Austin’s Annual Merry Tuba Christmas concert at the Oak Park Mall is a free performance for the community and visitors. You will be treated to the sounds of excellent musicians as they play tubas, sousaphones, euphoniums and baritones. Tuba Christmas was started in 1974 in New York’s Rockefeller Plaza. Tuba Christmas concerts happen in hundreds of cities around the US and many foreign countries, as well. If you would like your very own copy of the 2012 Tuba Christmas Concert, please contact Davin Alan @ davinalan@charter.net