We have finally gotten to truly one of the best seasons in Minnesota! A typical Minnesota summer consists of family road trips, picnics, ice cream cones, county fairs, and ultimate water fun. Stop by on your way to the cabin or stay the weekend with us in Owatonna; we have plenty for your family to see and do during summer vacation!
Hit Up Downtown
Historic Downtown Owatonna is a prime location to find activities occupying your whole week! Spend the quiet and cool summer morning admiring the historic buildings on the Historic Walking Tour. You can buy fresh produce, flowers and craft products at the Owatonna Farmers Market in Downtown on Saturday mornings. Don’t forget to find all the Downtown Murals (can you find all the Downtown Owls?).
Music is in the air on Thursday’s during the summer! Enjoy the beautiful summer evening while you listen to live music at the 11@7 Concert Series in the Park every Thursday. Bring the whole gang for the next Downtown Thursday for 2 stages of live music, 2 blocks of craft vendors, food trucks in the park and local businesses!
Local Tip: During your summer extravagances in Downtown, drop by one of Owatonna’s local ice cream shops! Hang out under the giant twist ice cream cone with one of your own at The S’cream or enjoy the sound of the river flowing by at the Blast Softserve!
Find New Tradition at Owatonna’s long-
standing traditions
Experience history as it comes alive during the 33rd Annual Extravaganza at the Village of Yesteryear! With historic reenactments, demonstrations, hands-on activities, food music and more during this family fun-filled day! This year enjoy the Voyager Encampment, petting zoo, and old-time floats.
Did you know Minnesota’s largest free fair and a past site for the Minnesota State Fair is located in Owatonna? Great things are made to last and you can experience every one of them during the Steele County Free Fair! Eat a deep-fried s’more, take in the Lumberjack Show, twirl your insides on one of the exciting rides and see every kind of animal during one of the largest family-friendly events of the summer! Local tip: you may just see a group of well-dressed geese walking through the fairgrounds.
Just Float On Through
Have you ever noticed when your kayaking down the river and your compass points north? Well, that happens often when rowing down the Straight River in Owatonna. Enjoy a nice summer afternoon paddling through town and meeting up with your pick-up crew in Medford! If you like to remain in more idle waters, find all your aquatic rentals at the Lake Kohlmeier Rentals and Concessions beach house and cool off in the refreshing lake. Relax on the lazy river or have a family competition on the climbing wall, tube slides or sand volleyball court at River Springs Water Park.
Who says you must shell out a fortune for a family vacation? Check out these Free Fun ideas in Owatonna.
Ask A Local
“One thing I love about Owatonna? I can’t just choose one thing! I’ve been here over 40 years, and we kinda ended up living here by chance. But the one thing I can say about Owatonna… is it is full of diverse opportunities. Sports or music and the arts or outdoor activities. There’s a diverse amount of opportunities.”
-Jerry (Tone Music)
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See how others have spent their summer here in Owatonna!
