Audubon MinnesotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Audubon, Minnesota.
1. Bergen's Greenhouses, Inc.
LOCAL PLANT PARADISE
Bergen's Greenhouses is a highly-rated horticultural destination in Audubon with a 4.9/5 rating from visitors. Visitors can explore a variety of plants, flowers, and gardening supplies throughout the year. The greenhouse provides a wonderful opportunity for both casual plant enthusiasts and serious gardeners to find quality products for their homes and gardens.
2. Detroit Lake Public Beach
REFRESHING LAKESIDE RETREAT
Detroit Lake Public Beach offers visitors a beautiful lakefront experience near Audubon with a 4.3/5 visitor rating. The beach provides swimming, sunbathing, and picnicking opportunities during the warm summer months. Families particularly enjoy the clean shoreline and amenities available for a full day of water recreation.
3. Shady Hollow Flea Market
TREASURE HUNTER'S PARADISE
Shady Hollow Flea Market is a popular shopping destination near Audubon with an impressive 4.8/5 visitor rating. Treasure hunters can browse through countless vendor stalls offering antiques, collectibles, handmade crafts, and unique items. The market creates a festive atmosphere where visitors often spend hours searching for one-of-a-kind finds.
4. Timberline Ranch
RUSTIC OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
Timberline Ranch offers visitors an authentic outdoor experience near Audubon with a stellar 4.8/5 rating. Guests can enjoy horseback riding, farm animal interactions, and beautiful natural surroundings. The ranch provides a perfect escape from city life with its rustic charm and numerous recreational activities.
5. The Spa Within
RELAXATION AND RENEWAL
The Spa Within provides a tranquil retreat for visitors seeking relaxation near Audubon. Professional therapists offer a range of services including massages, facials, and body treatments in a serene environment. After a day of sightseeing, tourists can unwind and rejuvenate at this popular wellness destination.
6. Audubon Park
URBAN NATURAL OASIS
Audubon Park features interesting terrain with notable hills that make it one of the most distinctive neighborhood parks in Minneapolis. The park offers excellent recreational facilities including playground equipment, a wading pool, and ball fields for visitors of all ages. During winter, the steep slopes transform into a popular sledding hill, making it a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
7. Minnesota River Valley Birding Trail
PREMIER BIRD WATCHING ROUTE
The Minnesota River Valley Birding Trail offers bird enthusiasts access to some of the state's most diverse avian habitats. Visitors can explore multiple locations along the trail with interactive maps providing detailed information about each stopping point. The trail showcases Minnesota's unique position at the confluence of three major North American ecotypes, resulting in an exceptional variety of bird species.
8. Great River Birding Trail
MISSISSIPPI RIVER BIRD WATCHING
The Great River Birding Trail guides visitors from the Mississippi's headwaters to the Minnesota-Iowa border through prime bird-watching territory. Each location along the trail features detailed descriptions and information accessible via interactive maps. Bird enthusiasts can observe diverse species thanks to Minnesota's unique ecological positioning between forest and prairie habitats.
9. North Shore Birding Trail
LAKE SUPERIOR BIRD VIEWING
The North Shore Birding Trail takes nature lovers along Minnesota's spectacular Lake Superior coastline from Duluth to Grand Portage. The trail features numerous observation points with interactive maps providing location details and descriptions of what visitors might encounter. This scenic route combines breathtaking vistas with exceptional opportunities to spot both common and rare bird species in their natural habitats.
10. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
BIRD CONSERVATION HAVEN
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge provides critical habitat for countless bird species through meticulously restored and conserved forested areas. Visitors can explore various sections of this vast refuge that ensures the continued survival of diverse avian populations. Nature enthusiasts can witness the results of important conservation work while enjoying recreational activities like hiking, fishing, and wildlife photography.
11. Audubon Recreation Center
COMMUNITY ACTIVITY HUB
The Audubon Recreation Center serves as a vital community hub offering various programs and activities for visitors of all ages. The current center, dedicated in 1979, represents one of the final projects in Minneapolis parks' recreation-center building boom of the 1970s. Visitors can participate in organized sports, educational programs, and community events throughout the year.
12. Flowering Bee Lawns
URBAN POLLINATOR HABITAT
The Flowering Bee Lawns at Audubon Park represent an innovative approach to urban ecology and pollinator conservation. Visitors can observe the results of a four-year study conducted by park board and University of Minnesota staff focused on creating sustainable habitats for bees in urban settings. The project showcases how public spaces can be transformed to support biodiversity while maintaining their recreational value.
13. Native Plant Hillside
INDIGENOUS FLORA DISPLAY
The Native Plant Hillside at Audubon Park features carefully selected indigenous plants and shrubs that were planted in 2011. Visitors can observe how native flora contributes to both the aesthetic appeal and ecological health of urban green spaces. The hillside demonstrates sustainable landscaping practices while providing habitat for local wildlife and preventing erosion on the park's distinctive slopes.
14. Audubon Sledding Hill
WINTER RECREATION HOTSPOT
The Audubon Sledding Hill transforms the park's distinctive terrain into a winter wonderland when snow covers the ground. Visitors flock to this popular spot to enjoy exhilarating sled rides down what was once considered terrain too hilly for playground use. The sledding hill exemplifies how natural landscape features can provide recreational opportunities throughout all seasons.
15. Audubon Wading Pool
SUMMER COOLING SPOT
The Audubon Wading Pool offers a refreshing retreat for families during hot Minnesota summers in Minneapolis. Installed in 1959 as part of major park improvements, the pool continues to be a popular destination for neighborhood children. Visitors appreciate this simple yet essential amenity that provides accessible water recreation within the distinctive hilly landscape of Audubon Park.