Owatonna, MN – old-fashioned fall 2-day travel itinerary
Visit Owatonna this October for some old-fashioned fall fun on this 2-day itinerary for October 14 & 15, 2011 in Owatonna, MN.
Friday, October 14 – Day 1
10:00am – Noon
Shop ‘til you drop at the Preferred Outlets at Medford! Over 32 stores with discounted outlet pricing! Tour operators and tour attendees can stop in the Mall Office for coupon books and additional goodies!
Noon – 1:00pm
Grab lunch at the Northwoods Cache in Cabela’s World’s Foremost Outfitters store! Take a little time to shop for all your hunting, fishing, outdoor gear or home décor! Take a guided tour through the store to see the animal dioramas, fresh water aquarium, and fudge shoppe!
1:00 – 3:00pm
Tour the State School Orphanage Museum and learn the story ofMinnesota’s orphans. Between 1886-1945, 10,635 orphans passed through the only State School Orphanage in the country. Take a guided tour, watch videos and hear stories as told by those who lived at the orphanage.
3:00 – 4:00pm
Take some time to wander the grounds of the State School Orphange Museum to see the newly restored boys Cottage 11, Audio Stations, Root Cellar, and Children’s Cemetery. You can see and feel the history and story of the Orphange throughout the grounds of this wonderful campus!
4:00 – 5:00pm
Freshen up at your hotel and get ready to hit a night on the town in Owatonna!
5:00 – 7:00pm
Enjoy a tasty supper atOwatonna’s Family Restaurant or a specialty martini with appetizers and a meal at Torey’s restaurant. Or choose from any number ofOwatonna dining options for your favorite meal!
7:00 - 9:00pm
Enjoy a Concert at the beautiful Owatonna Arts Center with the fun and friendly band Hot & Bothered!
Saturday, October 15 – Day 2
9:00am – 11:00am
Make your way to Owatonnain time to shop the Farmers’ Market inCentral Park. Vendors line the ‘town square’ displaying beautiful hand-made items, homemade foods & fresh produce.
11:00 – Noon
Cross the street and discover historic downtown in the National Farmer’s Bank, designed by world-renowned architect Louis Sullivan. The bank building is famous for its Prairie School architecture. Take a closer look at the historic downtown, homes, churches and schools with a self-guided walking tour. Pick-up your guide book at the Bank.
12:00 – 1:00pm
Relax and enjoy the historic buildings, coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants downtown. For treats of the chocolate sort stop by Costa’s Café & Chocolate Shop featuring delicious hand-made/hand-dipped candies. Discover a variety of perfect lunch spots to choose from downtown.
1:00 – 3:00pm
Stop by and get your pumpkins and gourds at the Oak View Nursery Pumpkin Patch inOwatonna! With over 25 activities and attractions you are sure to have a great old-fashioned fall afternoon at the Pumpkin Patch!
3:00 – 4:00pm
Stop by the former home of Daniel C. Gainey – founder of the Jostens Ring Company in Owatonna. This French-Normandy home and former Arabian horse farm has beautiful grounds and offers pre-arranged tours. Or see the Winton Guesthouse located on the University of St. Thomas Gainey Conference Center grounds. The Winton Guesthouse was designed byMinnesota architect Frank Gehry, as a playhouse for his grandchildren and was recently moved to this property in 2010!
4:00 – 10:00pm
Come on down for a Hoedown at the NEW Steele County History Center! Admission is only $15 and includes your country style chicken dinner and musical entertainment by the Dick Kimmel band for the evening along with other great barn-dance/hoedown activities! Check-out the Steele County Historical Society Website for more information on this fun-filled event www.steelecohistoricalsociety.org
For more itineraries and activities in Owatonna, contact the Tourism Department 800-423-6466 or go to www.visitowatonna.org
