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WISCONSIN

I-90 and MINNESOTA

• Worthington
• Albert Lea
• Austin
• Rochester

Worthington

Visitors' Center - The center of most cities is downtown. Worthington's center seems to be Okabena Lake. The Worthington Chamber of Commerce is about 6 blocks from the lake at 1121 Third Avenue.
  From I-90, take exit 43 and follow US-59 (south) into town to East Avenue (County Road 25). East Avenue is right after a grand, sweeping right turn of US-59 and crosses US-59 at a 45º angle. Turn right on East and follow it to the railroad tracks and 12th Street, Turn right, cross the tracks (there's a bunch of them) and go two more blocks to 3rd Avenue. Turn left and the Chamber's Visitors' Center is down at the end of the block to your right.
  For more information phone 1-800-279-2919 (toll free).

Pioneer Village - Restored to reflect Worthington's pioneer days, this village of 38 true-to-period buildings helps the visitor relate to life in the ca 1900 pioneer days. The site also includes an assortment of period farm equipment.
  From I-90, take exit 43 and follow US-59 south to the County Fairgrounds (watch for signs). The Pioneer Village is adjacent to the fair grounds.
  Open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend 10a to 5p daily except Sunday (noon-5p). Admission is $5.90 (kids 6-15 just $1).
  For more information, phone 1-507-376-3125.

King Turkey Days - Some claim that Worthington is the turkey capital of the world. Whatever! There are  a lot of turkey farms (ranches?) in Noble and surrounding counties and they do raise a lot of turkeys. They even have a special celebration - annually on the second Saturday after Labor Day - during which you can observe some hilarious activities - like a turkey race. Turkeys... race?
  Attendance is free though there are always a lot of ways to spend money. The celebration actually (informally) begins about a week before Turkey Day with dances, hot rod and antique car shows, flower shows and lots of specially prepared eats.
  For more information phone the Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-279-2919.

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Albert Lea

Visitors' Center - The Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau has its offices at 143 West Clark.
  From I-90 eastbound take exit 154 and drive south on MN-13 to Sunset Street. Turn left and follow Sunset (which changes its name to Lakeview Blvd to its end at Fountain Street. Turn left on Fountain, drive 5 blocks east to Washington Avenue, turn right and go 2 blocks to Clark Street. Turn left and the visitors' center is in mid block at 143 West Clark.
  From I-90 westbound take exit 159-B and follow I-35 southbound to exit 12. There you exit onto US-65. Follow US-65 to Clark Street. Turn right and the visitors' center is about 5½ blocks from US-65 at 143 West Clark.
  For more information, phone 1-800-345-8414.

Freeborn Historical Museum & Pioneer Village - A combination museum with 8,000 sqft of exhibits including musical instruments, toys, medical apparatus and other artifacts from the pioneer days - plus a restored pioneer village including a one-room school (even has an 'out-house' in the rear but no Sears Roebuck catalog), log cabin (built in 1853), general store completely stocked with merchandise, telephone office (with working phones you can try out), blacksmith shop, post office, etc.
  From I-90 take exit 157 and drive south on Bridge Avenue for about 1.5 miles to the museum at 1031 Bridge Avenue.
  For more information phone 1-507-373-8003 or visit their web site at FreebornMuseum.

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Austin

Visitors' Center - Austin had less than 25,000 residents at last count but, for its small size, it is certainly a 'going town'. The home of the Hormel Foods Corporation (you've undoubtedly enjoyed some of their products), Hormel has been a major benefactor to the community. And it is all here for you to enjoy.
  From I-90 exit 178 drive south on 4th Street to 12th Place NW which will be on your left (NOT 12th Ave which is on your right). Turn left and follow 12th Place as it circles around to 11th Avenue. Turn left on 11th Avenue and the visitors center is almost a couple hundred yards ahead on your left.
  For more information phone 1-800-444-5713.

Hormel Foods Corporation - from a one-man butcher shop in 1887 to one of the largest food production companies in the world? Yes, that is the Hormel Foods Corporation. George Hormel started it all. As a true Minnesotan, he worked hard and wisely but even he couldn't have foreseen the success the company he founded would achieve.
  "Like father like son." as the saying goes. J. C. Hormel carried on the effort and the company and, in 1937, he has a true brainstorm; why not package ham in a tin and 'SPAM' was born. And what a success it was. That little 12-ounce can became famous world wide and his company was hard pressed to keep up with demand. Today there is the original SPAM*, Oven-roasted turkey SPAM, Smoke-flavored SPAM, SPAM Lite... Will it never end.
  But the story doesn't end with the creation of another giant company and a wealthy CEO. J.C.Hormel believed in giving back to his community. He didn't achieve this alone but with the help of hundreds of workers in the Austin area. Much of what you can enjoy in Austin is here because of the generosity of the  Hormel Foods Corporation.

Jay C Hormel Nature Center - This 278 piece of well-preserved prairie features a variety of prairie grasses, a hardwood forest and some well populated wetlands. Almost 10 miles of nicely maintained trails provides a hard-t0-beat platform for observing a full spectrum of wildlife. Also on the property is the Interpretive Building. The building is open from 9a-5p (closed for lunch noon-1p) Monday through Saturday and noon to 5p Sundays. The trails, however, are open 6a to 10p daily.
  For more information, phone 1-507-437-7519.
  From I-90 take exit 180-B and drive northbound on 21st Street about 0.2 miles.

Hormel Institute - Originally utilizing a corner of the family stable, this research institute has become one of the more prominent lipid research laboratories. No longer in a stable, it now has its own building at 801 16th Avenue NE housing a knowledgeable staff of biochemistry, biophysics, cellular, molecular biology and nutrition scientists.
  For more information phone 1-507-433-8804.

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SPAM^® Museum - Newly opened in late 2001, the SPAM Museum traces the history of this product that "...fed the troops (American and Allied) during World War II and feeds the world, today."
  Open from 1 May through Labor Day from 10a to 5p Monday through Saturday; noon to 5p Sundays. The remainder of the year it is open from 10a to 5p Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4p Sundays.
  From I-90 eastbound take exit 154 and drive south on MN-13 to Sunset Street. Turn left and follow Sunset (which changes its name to Lakeview Blvd to its end at Fountain Street. Turn left on Fountain, drive 5 blocks east to Washington Avenue, turn right and go 2 blocks to Clark Street. Turn left and the visitors' center is in mid block at 143 West Clark.
  From I-90 exit 178 drive south on 4th Street to 12th Place NW which will be on your left (NOT 12th Ave which is on your right). Turn left and follow 12th Place as it circles around to 11th Avenue. Turn left on 11th Avenue and follow it to Main Street. Turn right on Main and the museum is a little more than a hundred yards ahead.
  For more information phone 1-507-437-5100. We couldn't find a web site specifically for the museum but here's one for the product: SPAM.

SPAM^®TOWN Belle - How about a ride on a miniature stern paddlewheeler. Built in Minnesota and donated to Austin by Bill and Betty Regner, of Austin, this little 36 footer is powered by a 4-cylinder, 40 Hp Red Wing engine (also built in Minnesota) and is available for rides during the summer months (up to 1 Sept) Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5-8p. Tickets $2; $1 for children under age 13.
  For more information, phone the Austin Parks Dept at 1-507-433-1881 during normal business hours.

There's more! Contact the Visitors' Center for a full menu with all the particulars.

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Rochester

Probably more famous for its world-renown Mayo Clinic, Rochester does have a few other notable attractions. There's the Chateau Theatre with its beautifully restored French Village decor - now occupied by a B & N Bookstore and a Starbucks coffee bar.  There's the Assisi Heights, almost a carbon copy of the Basilica of St Francis of Assisi in Italy. And there's our favorite: the Rochester Carillon at the Mayo Clinic which rings out melodious tunes 7p Mondays and at noon Wednesdays and Fridays. But, first of all, there is the visitors' center.

Visitors' Center - Located in downtown Rochester at 111 South Broadway...
  From I-90 eastbound take exit 209-B and drive north on US-63 into Rochester. The Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau is at the end of the block following 2nd Street SE.
  From I-90 westbound take exit 218 and drive west on the US-52 freeway to the US-63 exit. Exit onto US-63 northbound and drive north on US-63 into Rochester. The Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau is at the end of the block following 2nd Street SE.
  For more information, phone 1-800-634-8277 (toll free).

Mayo Clinic - Nearly everyone in the western industrial countries has heard of the Mayo Clinic. Now, at 10a Monday through Friday you can see a short film about the Clinic followed by a conducted tour. At 1:30p Tuesdays and Thursdays only, they have a special tour taking in some of the art work and architecture.
  For more information, phone 1-507- 282-9447.

Chateau Theatre - You don't have to buy a book to view the historic Chateau Theatre downtown. Now occupied by a Barn & Noble Bookstore (with a co-resident Starbucks coffee bar) this ornate theatre with its exterior illuminated sunburst.
  Barns & Noble is at 15 1st Street SW, just around the corner from the Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau (see above).

Assisi Heights - This Italian Romanesque structure is the residence of the Sisters of St. Francis . It also functions as the Assisi Community Center. One-hour Tours of the ornate lobby with its beautiful Romanesque ceiling and German hand-blown stained glass windows are conducted Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and  Saturdays at 2p. It is located at 1001 14th St. NW. From the Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau, drive north on Broadway (US-63) to 14th Street. Turn left and drive out 14th Street to 10th Avenue and the very recognizable convent is on the corner. For more information, phone 1-507-280-2180.

Rochester Carillon - Housed in the Plummer Building at the Mayo Clinic, this 56 bell carillon is played by a special keyboard and the bells do not move (they are struck by electrically-driven pistons). Every Monday evening at 7p and at noon Wednesdays and Fridays they ring out 20 to 25 minute concerts of familiar tunes. Tours of the facility can be arranged by making an appointment (phone 1-507-284-8294 or 1-507-282-3730).
  CDs are available at the Mayo Clinic gift shop. The last we heard, they were priced at $10 each.
  From the Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau at 111 S. Broadway, go two blocks west. The Plummer Building is on 2nd Avenue SW midway between  1st and 2nd Streets.

Olmsted County Museum - This history center and museum chronicle the progress of Rochester and its people from pioneer days to the present.. On the premises is the 1862 William Dee Log Cabin, completely restored, plus the Hadley Valley School House, an old-timey one-room school furnished with all the artifacts of ca 1900s education.
  Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9a to 5p except major holidays.
  For more information, phone the Historical Society at 1-507-282-9447 or visit their web site at OlmstedHistory.
  From the Rochester Convention & Visitors Bureau at 111 S. Broadway, go south on Broadway (US-64) to 12th Street SW. Turn right and go west on 12th Street, past the US-52 freeway to the end of 12th Street. Turn left and follow Salem Road (CR-25) southbound, around the wide curve next to Bamber Lake, to West Circle Drive (CR-22). Turn right on Circle Drive. The museum and its adjacent farm, is about 500 yards up the street at 1195 West Circle Drive.
  From I-90 eastbound, take exit 209-B and follow US-63 to the US-52 freeway. Exit to US-52 westbound and follow US-52 to the first exit which is 16th Street SW. Turn left onto 16th Street, go to the end and turn left and follow Salem Road (CR-25) southbound, around the wide curve next to Bamber Lake, to West Circle Drive (CR-22). Turn right on Circle Drive. The museum and its adjacent farm, is about 500 yards up the street at 1195 West Circle Drive.
  From I-90 westbound, take exit 218 and drive west on the US-52 freeway to the 16th Street SW exit. Turn left onto 16th Street, go to the end and turn left and follow Salem Road (CR-25) southbound, around the wide curve next to Bamber Lake, to West Circle Drive (CR-22). Turn right on Circle Drive. The museum and its adjacent farm, is about 500 yards up the street at 1195 West Circle Drive.

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*Important Note: 'SPAM' is a registered trademark of the Hormel Foods Corporation. All rights reserved. Misuse of registered trademarks can bring severe and expensive penalties.