Visitor Information

Owatonna offers over 530 lodging rooms, a variety of restaurants, unique shopping areas, annual festivals, sports events and activities for everyone. Visitors can tour the city or visit the many attractions. Enjoy our 20 parks, hiking trails, golf, tennis, public beach, cross country and snowmobile trails. Tour groups are welcome. For a free Visitor's Guide with lodging and tourist information and a schedule of events, contact the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce and Tourism at 320 Hoffman Drive, Owatonna, MN 55060; 1-800-423-6466 or 507-451-7970.

Owatonna is located at the crossroads of Highways U.S. 14, U.S. 218 and Interstate 35. At this location, according to the legend, Chief Wabena heard of the curing waters called minnewaucan. His daughter, Princess Owatonna, was very frail so he moved his tribe to the site of the natural springs. Princess Owatonna drank from the springs daily and she recovered her health. Her statue stands in Mineral Springs Park today, overlooking the bubbling water. Weary travelers, parents and children often stop to drink from the fountains.

The Wells Fargo Bank, formerly the National Farmers Bank is located at 101 North Cedar. Started in 1906 and completed in 1908 by architect Louis Sullivan. The building highlights are the gold leaf arches, huge stained glass windows, terra cotta tiles, murals by Oskar Gross and the massive 2 1/4 ton light fixtures. The building is on the National Register of Historic Buildings and was featured on a United States postage stamp in 1981 as one of four unique architectural buildings. For more information, or to book a group visit, please contact the Owatonna Chamber of Commerce and Tourism at 800-423-6466.

The Owatonna Arts Center is located at 435 Garden View Lane in the West Hills Complex. This beautiful Romanesque style building was built in 1886 and was the Minnesota State Orphanage for many years. The Arts Center hosts numerous local, regional, and national artists in the main gallery and performing arts hall. The changing exhibits create an interest for everyone, and the Christmas display is a highlight of the holiday season. Open Tuesday-Friday, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. Sat & Sun 1:00 - 5:00 Closed holidays and Mondays. Free admission. 507-451-0533.

The Village of Yesteryear is located at 1448 Austin Road on the Steele County Fairgrounds. The setting features eleven buildings and a caboose from Steele County dating back to the 1850's. There are two log cabins, railroad station, general store/post office, fire station, farm machinery building, blacksmith shop, country school, Dunnell mansion built in 1868, and the St. Wenceslaus of Moravia Church built in 1891. The buildings, furnished according to the time they were built, are connected by a boardwalk. The Village is open Tues-Sun from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. from May 1 - September 30. Guided tours are available calling 507-451-1420.

Minnesota's only State Orphanage Museum is located at 540 West Hills Circle. "The Orphanage Story" is told through history photos, plaques, and an exhibit of items from the orphanage time of 1886 through 1945. In front of the main building stands a memorial to the "State School Kids". On the west edge of West Hills is the Children's Cemetery, where each is remembered with a wooden cross bearing their name. Museum hours are 8-5:00, M-F (front door of Main bldg.) and 1-5:00 weekends (through the Art Center entrance SW corner of bldg.) Guided tours with full presentation are available for groups with advance reservation. Admission prices to the museum: Individual Touring - free; Group Tours - $4.00/person.

Cottage 11 Open House - Saturday, May 16, 2009 - Poster 1 - Poster 2

Cabela's, the World's Foremost Outfitter is located in northwest Owatonna, just of I-35 at exit #45. This 150,000 square foot mega-store is the largest fishing, hunting and outdoor gear store in the Midwest. The store also offers an educational center and other features that celebrate the outdoors and the men and women who enjoy it. Visit the Northwoods' Cache, on the second floor. It's a 150 seat restaurant overlooking the entire store - what a view! The store is open Monday through Saturday 8:00 am - 9:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. Closed on Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Guided tours are available.

The Four Seasons Centre, located on the Steele County Fairgrounds, was built in 1972 for use by all residents of Steele County. An expansion of the facility was completed in the spring of 2000, providing users with expanded opportunities for ice related activities and dry floor events. The multi-purpose complex consists of two connected buildings with 30,000 and 20,000 square feet of floor space that also serve as ice rinks. A hospitality area, usable also as a meeting space, overlooks both exhibit floors. An additional meeting room is available for your convenience.

For more information, call (507) 444-4300.