The I-35 corridor, leading to Iowa, includes the communities of Albert Lea, Owatonna, and Faribault, areas that were once the domain of Native Americans. This area has seen considerable agricultural growth and, in the case of Faribault, had a happier experience than that of the Dakota Conflict (see “The Dakota Conflict of 1862” on page 288); founder Alexander Faribault learned the Dakota language and helped the tribe resettle in an effort to protect the trading fort Faribault established with them.
To See and Do
MUSEUMS AND HISTORIC SITES
ALBERT LEA
Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library & Village (507-373-8003; freeborncountyhistory.org), 1031 Bridge Avenue. Open Wed.–Fri. each week and the second Sat. of each month; village open daily May–Sept. Admission $7.50 adults; $3 ages 12–18; under 12 free. An extensive and eclectic collection of memorabilia and historical exhibits make this a worthwhile visit. Pop culture icons Eddie Cochran (early rock ‘n’ roll singer) and Marion Ross (of TV’s Happy Days) both spent part of their childhoods here, and accordingly earned exhibits. But beyond celebrities, the museum has artifacts and displays from the Civil War and World Wars I and II; stagecoaches and railroads; farm implements; formal clothing; and antique appliances, to name a few. The adjacent village has several buildings, including a furnished parsonage, barber shop, and general store.
FARIBAULT
Alexander Faribault House (507-332-2121; rchistory.org/alexander-faribault-house), 1814 NW 2nd Avenue. Open Mon.–Fri., weekends by appointment. Admission $3 adults; $2 seniors; $1 ages 12 and under. Built in 1853 by town founding father Alexander Faribault, this Greek Revival home is one of Minnesota’s oldest surviving buildings. The Rice County Historical Society took over the daunting task of restoration in 1945, with the end result a beautifully preserved piece of Minnesota history. Furnishings aren’t original, but they accurately reflect the period.
OWATONNA
Village of Yesteryear (507-451-1420; schsmn.org/village-of-yesteryear), 1700 Austin Road. Tours available Tues.–Sun. from May–Sept. Admission $5 adults; $3 ages 7–6; free 6 and under. Group rates are available. A collection of 20 pioneer buildings, many with original or period-appropriate furnishings.
State School Orphanage Museum (507-774-7369; orphanagemuseum.com), 540 W. Hills Circle. Open Tues.–Sun. from Mar.–Dec. Admission free, but $2 donation requested. The former home of more than 10,000 Minnesota orphans between 1886 and 1945, State School’s large main building is impressive, but it must have been imposing for the children being sent here. There’s video footage of the orphans from the 1930s, and visitors are welcome to explore the building and grounds, right down to the underground root cellar. Most poignant is the Children’s Cemetery.
Green Space and Outdoor Activities
Myre-Big Island State Park (507-668-7060; dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks), 19499 780th Avenue, Albert Lea. Open daily. $7 day pass ($35 for an annual state parks pass). Migrating waterfowl, evidence of possibly permanent Native American settlements that date back 9,000 years, 16 miles of hiking trails through oak savanna and prairie (several of which are groomed for winter sports), and campsites make this park a favorite of locals and visitors alike.
Rice Lake State Park (507-414-6190; dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks), 8485 Rose Street, Owatonna. Open daily. $7 day pass ($35 for an annual state parks pass). Native Americans used this area long ago to harvest wild rice. Today it’s a rich tapestry of habitats, from wetlands to hardwoods, that makes a home for a wide variety of birds, including black terns, whistling swans, diving ducks, and pied-billed grebes. There are 5 miles of easy hiking trails; in winter, there are ungroomed cross country ski and snowshoe trails, as well as snowmobile trails.
Lodging
BED-AND-BREAKFASTS
ALBERT LEA
1858 Log Cabin Bed & Breakfast (507-448-0089), 11859 755th Avenue, Glenville. South of Albert Lea, this pre-Civil War log cabin has been retrofitted for today’s travelers (electricity and indoor plumbing) but still offers a glimpse into living quarters of days past. Kids are welcome. Antique furniture with hand-painted Norwegian rosemaling and patchwork quilts enhance the pioneer experience. Daily breakfast included. Rates start at $89.
Czech Inn Bed & Breakfast and Retreat (507-373-2477; czechinnandretreat.com), 19158 800th Avenue, Hayward. Not far from Albert Lea is this bed-and-breakfast, simple but attractive. Five rooms, all with private bath, and there’s also a retreat room available for groups. Rates start at $110.
FARIBAULT
Historic Hutchinson House (507-384-3291; historichutchhouse.com), 305 NW 2nd Street. This colorful 1892 Queen Anne Victorian home has five lovingly restored rooms, all with private bath, that have been decorated with period furnishings as well as modern amenities. Rates start at $129.
OWATONNA
Northrop Oftedahl House Bed & Breakfast (507-451-4040; northrophouse.com), 358 E. Main Street. This 1898 Victorian mansion has four rooms on the second floor, furnished with family heirlooms, including chandeliers and a fireplace in one room. Rates start at $86.
CABINS
FARIBAULT
Winjum’s Shady Acres Resort (507-334-6661; winjumsshadyacres.com), 17759 W. 177th Street, Faribault. Winjum’s has several lakeside cabins, as well as a two-bedroom lake house on a private lot with a private dock. There’s also a restaurant and bar on-site. Weekly rates start at $590.
Roberds Lake Resort & Campground (507-332-8978; roberdslakeresort.com), 18197 Roberds Lake Boulevard. This lakeside resort is fourth-generation family-owned and has several cabins and campsites. There’s a nice sandy beach and large playground as well. Open May–Sept. Rates start at $75.
HOTELS
ALBERT LEA
AmericInn (507-373-4324; wyndhamhotels.com), 811 E. Plaza Street. Rooms and suites with breakfast included, and an indoor pool on-site. Rates start at $110.
FARIBAULT
The Inn at Shattuck–St. Mary’s (507-333-1900; theinnatssm.org), 1000 Shumway Avenue. Located on the Shattuck–St. Mary’s college campus, this newer lodging in a restored historic building has 12 rooms with conference and kitchen space for meetings. Rates start at $120.
Boarders Inn & Suites (507-334-9464; staycobblestone.com), 1801 Lavender Drive. This simple hotel is pleasantly furnished and offers a daily breakfast buffet. Rooms have microwaves, flat panel TVs, and refrigerators. Rates start at $95.
OWATONNA
Baymont by Wyndham (507-455-1142; baymontowatonna.com), 245 Florence Avenue. Several rooms and suites with flat-screen TVs, some with whirlpools, fireplaces, microwaves, and refrigerators. The hotel also has an indoor pool, as well as a pub with beer, wine, and pizza. Full breakfast is included. Rates start at $102.
Where to Eat
DINING OUT
ALBERT LEA
Crescendo (507-377-2425; crescendodining.com), 118 S. Broadway Avenue. Open Thurs.–Sat. for dinner. The frequently changing menu at Crescendo may offer sweet corn fritters, seared scallops with Mexican street corn, or filet mignon with brandy and shallot reduction. Chef/owner Robert Tewes may also supply dinner music on the house piano. Reservations recommended. Moderate/expensive.
OWATONNA
Torey’s Restaurant & Bar (507-455-9260; toreys.net), 208 N. Cedar Avenue. Open Mon.–Sat. for lunch and dinner. A supper club with an extensive steak menu, but also several pasta dishes and fish. Note that along with the steaks, there are several options for steak toppers, including jumbo shrimp. Moderate/expensive.
EATING OUT
ALBERT LEA
The Interchange Wine & Coffee Bistro (507-383-4070; theinterchangebistro.com), 211 S. Broadway. Open Mon.–Sat. for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. An attractive bistro in Albert Lea’s historic district, Interchange offers sandwiches and flatbreads earlier in the day, and tapas in the evening. Try the bleu cheese bacon bread or smoked salmon and dill flatbread. Inexpensive.
DOWNTOWN ALBERT LEA
Albert Lea’s downtown area along Broadway and Main is a cozy stretch of lovely historic buildings, many of which hold shops and boutiques. Here’s a sampling of what to explore.
Between Friends Boutique (507-473-2111; facebook.com/Betweenfriends2. boutique), 144 S. Broadway Avenue. Open Mon.–Sat. Chic and casual women’s clothing and accessories. 
Midwest Antiques (507-210-5104; facebook.com/MidwestAntiquesofAlbertLea), 302 S. Broadway Avenue. Open Mon.–Sat. Vintage furniture, accessories, tools, farm equipment, kitchen items, and glassware. 
Adam’s Originals (507-369-0205), 238 S. Broadway Avenue. Open daily. Original pottery, vintage dolls, and flowers.
BG Brick Girls (507-373-2514; facebook.com/bgbrickgirls), 225 S. Broadway Avenue. Open Mon.–Sat. Fun, fashionable women’s clothing and accessories.
The Color Wheel Gifts & Décor (507-402-5650), 122 W. Main Street. Open Mon.–Sat. Repainted and repurposed furniture, new gifts, décor, and items from local artists.
FARIBAULT
Depot Bar & Grill (507-332-2825; depotbarandgrillfaribault.com), 311 Heritage Place. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Hearty burgers and sandwiches, flatbreads, steak and walleye. Inexpensive/moderate.
El Colibri Restaurante (507-384-3773; facebook.com/El-Colibri-Restaurante-1293733657371690), 508 N. Central Avenue. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Authentic Mexican food, served in large portions. Inexpensive.
Cheese Cave (507-334-3988; cheesecave.net), 318 N. Central Avenue. Open Tues.–Sat. for lunch and dinner. Besides retailing cheese from acclaimed Caves of Faribault and Prairie Farms cheesemakers, this eatery uses those high-quality products as stars of its menu, including pizzas, cheese plates, and, of course, grilled cheese sandwiches. Save room for the cheesecake. Inexpensive.
OWATONNA
Costas Candies & Restaurant (507-451-9050; costas-candies.com), 112 N. Cedar Avenue. Open Mon.–Sat. for breakfast and lunch. Does it get any better than having a good café combined with a candy store? Probably not. Start your meal with one of the grilled sandwiches (especially George’s Gyro), and end with some handmade candies and truffles. Or a malt. Or both. Inexpensive.
Lava Burgers and Wings (507-413-8444; lavaburgers.com), 369 SE 18th Street. Open Tues.–Sun. for lunch and dinner. You can build your own burger here, but the specialty burgers on the menu already give you plenty of choices: Mac Cheese Burger, Spinach and Artichoke Burger, or Peanut Butter and Havarti Burger, to name a few. There’s also a street taco menu (including a vegan option) and a long wing list. Inexpensive.
Selective Shopping
Cabela’s (507-451-4545; cabelas.com), 3900 Cabela Drive NW, Owatonna. Open daily. The 150,000-square-foot hunting and fishing giant has been elevated to a major tourist attraction, including the frequent appearance of tour buses. Hundreds of animal mounts are posted around the story, and not just of the Minnesota variety; African animals, including elephant and baboon, are represented. A 60,000-gallon freshwater aquarium has examples of Minnesota fish. You can shop, or you can sightsee, or you can do both. There’s also a restaurant.
Faribault Woolen Mill (507-412-5510; faribaultmill.com), 1500 NW 2nd Avenue, Faribault. Open Mon.–Sat. In business since 1865, Faribault Woolen Mill is the maker of heirloom-quality woolen blankets, throws, scarves, and accessories in one of the last vertical woolen mills still operating in the United States. Mill tours are also available.
Special Events
June: Heritage Days (faribaultheritagedays.com), Faribault. Held in June. Food, music, carnival rides, dances, and a parade celebrating Faribault’s rich history.
October: South Central Minnesota Studio Art Tour (studioartour.com), Faribault, Northfield, and Owatonna. Held in late October. These three communities join forces to sponsor this art tour, in which local artists open their galleries and studios to the public.