Overview
Fairmont, also known as "the City of Lakes", is a small city in Martin County, Southern Minnesota. Fairmont is the county seat and there were about 10,000 people residing in the city in 2019.
7 sights · 16 things to do · 11 places to eat · 8 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Fairmont
Fairmont Opera House
Built in 1901, the Opera House has been completely restored. Listed in the National Registry of Historic Sites.
Red Rock Center for the Arts
It was built as the First Church of Christ Scientist which was founded in Fairmont on October 1, 1891. Finished in 1898, the building was designed by prominent Minnesota architect Harry W. Jones and is an excellent examp…
Martin County Courthouse
Open to the public. Construction started in April, 1906, with the dedication held on December 16, 1907. The first story is built of Marquette raindrop sandstone from Michigan. Second and third stories are built of Buff-B…
Chubb House
In 1866 Dr. Orville Chubb came to Martin County and built this, the oldest house in Fairmont. He is credited with founding the village of Fairmont.
Martin County Historical Society & Pioneer Museum
Heritage Acres
Agriculture Interpretive Center, along the west shore of Lake Sisseton. A walk through, participatory experience of the heritage of the Midwest.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 9°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Aug. (climate data from nearby Minneapolis)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MCW Mason City Municipal Airport, Mason City — 66 mi away. Directions
- FOD Fort Dodge Regional Airport, Fort Dodge — 77 mi away. Directions
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 105 mi away (major hub). Directions
Fairmont is on I-90, about halfway between Chicago and the Black Hills. Take Interstate Exit 99 or Interstate Exit 102 which exits to Minnesota Highway 15.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Fairmont Opera House, Martin County Historical Society & Pioneer Museum, Martin County Library
- Lunch Channel Inn
- Afternoon I-90 Motocross, Fox Lake Golf Club
- Dinner China Buffet
Day 2
- Morning Red Rock Center for the Arts, Heritage Acres, Fairmont Archery Club
- Lunch Edie's Restaurant
- Afternoon Fairmont Martins, Interlaken Golf Club
- Dinner El Agave Mexican Restaurant
Day 3
- Morning Martin County Courthouse, Chubb House, Fairmont Raceway
- Lunch Green Mill Pizza
- Afternoon Bowlmor Lanes, Rose Lake Golf Club
- Dinner Jake's Pizza
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Fairmont is on I-90, about halfway between Chicago and the Black Hills. Take Interstate Exit 99 or Interstate Exit 102 which exits to Minnesota Highway 15.
By plane
- The Fairmont Municipal Airport is 2 miles east of the city on County Road 26.
- Sioux Falls Regional Airport (Joe Foss Field) is about 120 miles west on I-90, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is about 120 miles northeast. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport is major airport that has flights from most major cities.
Get around
The only form of public transportation is the Prairie Lakes Transit.
See
See Red Rock Center for the Arts
It was built as the First Church of Christ Scientist which was founded in Fairmont on October 1, 1891. Finished in 1898, the building was designed by prominent Minnesota architect Harry W. Jones and is an excellent example of Richardson Romanesque style of architecture. The building was constructed of massive Sioux quartzite (red rock) blocks which were quarried in southwest Minnesota. The red stone was combined with contrasting buff colored limestone for a polychromatic effect. The three gables at the top of the building each showcase three small arched stained glass windows while the main level of the building features 19 restored stained glass windows. The cornerstone came from Concord, New Hampshire, and contains many artifacts of Christian Science teaching and the local church history. The Red Rock Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been recognized by the Minnesota Preservation Alliance for saving and restoring this historic architectural treasure.
See Martin County Courthouse
Open to the public. Construction started in April, 1906, with the dedication held on December 16, 1907. The first story is built of Marquette raindrop sandstone from Michigan. Second and third stories are built of Buff-Bedford limestone from Indiana. The building is classical in architecture. It is fireproof throughout. The dome extends 58 feet above the roof, making it 108 feet from the ground. The courthouse is located on the site of Old Fort Fairmount, built in 1862 at the time of the Dakota (Sioux) Uprising. Listed in the National Registry.
- Singing Oak Indian Legend marker at Sylvania Park, Lake Avenue.
Parks
- Amber Lake Park: north side of Amber Lake. Picnic tables, shelter house, barbecue grates, playground, flush toilets, fishing, boat access, dock, handicapped accessible.
- Cedar Creek Park: west side of Amber Lake. Picnic tables, shelter house, flush toilets, nature hiking trails, fishing, dock, 36-hole disc golf, biking, hiking, walking, and cross-country skiing
- Gomsrud Park: Between Budd and Hall Lake. Picnic tables, shelter house, barbecue grates, playground, flush toilets, fishing, boat access, dock, swimming beach, volleyball, bath house, and is handicapped accessible.
- Lincoln Park: west side of Lake George. Picnic tables, shelter house, playground, flush toilets, fishing, boat access, dock, holiday lights, and is handicapped accessible. Within the park is the Livingston Log Cabin. Built by William Robert Livingston who came, with his wife, to Martin County in 1866. They settle in Silver Lake Township and named their homestead "Tall Oak." In 1953 the cabin was moved to Lincoln Park.
- Sylvania Park: east side of Lake Sisseton. Picnic tables, shelter house, playground, flush toilets, fishing, dock, handicapped accessible, and band shell.
- Veterans Park: east of Downtown. Picnic tables, playground, tennis courts, and basketball courts.
- Ward Park: east side of Lake Sisseton. Picnic tables, shelter house, playground, flush toilets, fishing, boat access, dock, swimming beach, handicapped accessible, and holiday lights.
Do
Do Fairmont Archery Club
- Sisseton Lake Walking/Biking Trail Begins North end of Sisseton Lake on Lake Avenue
- Fishing Pier and Boat Ramp locations
- Amber Lake - Amber Lake Park
- Budd Lake - Gomsrud Park
- Hall Lake - Gomsrud Park
- Lake George - Ida Street
- Sisseton Lake - Ward Park
- Skate Park Margaret Street
- Snowmobiling Trails. Over 100 miles of groomed trails in the Fairmont area. Maps available at the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce, Fairmont Convention and Visitors Bureau, local convenience stores, and motels.
- Swimming beaches Gomsrud and Ward Parks.
Do Cedar Creek Disc Golf
Cedar Creek West - Lots of elevation change. Large variety of foliage ranging from wooded corridors and alleys to large open meadows and doglegs. Water comes into play on several holes for added difficulty. Cedar Creek East - A variety of tight and technical holes offer challenges for pros, while the relatively short course length makes it great for beginners.
Events
- 4th of July Music Festival July 4th, Heritage Acres, 507 Lake Avenue. Bluegrass music, demonstrations, antique displays, and food at Heritage Acres.
- 4th of July Spectacular Fireworks July 4th. These spectacular fireworks are held over beautiful Lake Sisseton at 10PM.
Do Borderline Cruisers Car Club Shows
- Community Band Concerts Sylvania Park Band Shell. Tuesday Evenings June - July 8PM
- Fairmont Glows. From the Mid November to January 1st. Visit Ward or Lincoln Park to view the "GLOWS" lighting during the holiday season.
- Fridays in the Park Citizen's Park, Downtown Fairmont. Every Friday June - August. 11:45AM - 1PM
Do Fairmont Raceway
Stock cars, modifieds, hobby stocks, hornets. Every Friday night April - August. Hot Laps begin at 7PM Martin County Fairgrounds, 1300 Bixby Road.
Buy
- Sovell Jewelry, 113 Downtown Plaza. Sale and repair of jewelry and watches.
Shop Farmers Market
Eat
Eat Graffiti Corner
Frozen treat & coffee lounge.
Eat Dairy Freeze
A summer icon where the community gathers for great ice cream and lunch specials.
Sleep
Campgrounds
Go next
- Sioux Falls, SD is a 2-hour drive west on I-90.
- Mankato, MN is less than one hour northeast.
- Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN is two hours northeast.
- Rochester, MN is a two-hour drive east on I-90.
- Iowa Great Lakes/Lake Okoboji, IA is 1½ hours southwest.
Nearby
Truman
City / town · 5 listings · 12 mi away
Sherburn
City / town · 7 listings · 13 mi away
Trimont
City / town · 2 listings · 14 mi away
Armstrong
City / town · 3 listings · 18 mi away
Blue Earth
City / town · 3 listings · 18 mi away
St. James
City / town · 8 listings · 24 mi away
Jackson
City / town · 1 listings · 26 mi away
Okoboji
City / town · 3 listings · 39 mi away
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