Overview
Owatonna is a city in Southern Minnesota.
2 sights · 1 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Owatonna
National Farmer's Bank of Owatonna
Built in 1908 and designed by Louis Sullivan, this bank is a premier piece of the Prairie School of architecture. It is now operated as a branch of Wells Fargo.
Minnesota State Public School Orphanage Museum
Steele County Free Fair
The largest county fair in Minnesota, and also the second largest fair in the state just behind the Minnesota State Fair.
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 Saint Paul)
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.
- RST Rochester International Airport, Rochester — 38 mi away. Directions
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 55 mi away (major hub). Directions
Owatonna is located on Intersate 35, U.S. Highways 14 and 218. Along Interstate 35 is the Owatonna Denger Regional Airport.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning National Farmer's Bank of Owatonna, Minnesota State Public School Orphanage Museum
- Afternoon Steele County Free Fair
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Owatonna has many great restaurants available ranging from wings to ribs, to pizza and bagels.
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.
Understand
Owatonna is the cultural, educational and commercial center for south central Minnesota and has many large businesses including Jostens, SPX, Truth Hardware, Cybex, Federated Insurance, Viracon and more. The city of just under 26,000 residents has a metro population of over 36,000. Owatonna's suburbs include Blooming Prairie, Medford and Ellendale.
Get in
Owatonna is located on Intersate 35, U.S. Highways 14 and 218. Along Interstate 35 is the Owatonna Denger Regional Airport.
Get around
Owatonna has the Smart bus available for personal pick up, bike and walking trails and easy to navigate roads available for tourists and its people.
See
The Reptile Amphibian and Discovery (RAD) Zoo is also in Owatonna. It is one of the largest reptile zoos in the world and is home to one of the largest alligators in the world.
See National Farmer's Bank of Owatonna
Built in 1908 and designed by Louis Sullivan, this bank is a premier piece of the Prairie School of architecture. It is now operated as a branch of Wells Fargo.
Do
Owatonna has many good parks to visit and holds softball and baseball tournaments during the summer and spring.
Buy
Shop at the Medford Outlet Mall or one of the many shops and department stores in town.
Eat
Owatonna has many great restaurants available ranging from wings to ribs, to pizza and bagels.
Drink
Owatonna has bars downtown and other restaurants in the area serve beer as well.
Sleep
The city has hotels located along I-35.
Nearby
Faribault
City / town · 6 listings · 14 mi away
Northfield
City / town · 18 listings · 26 mi away
Byron
City / town · 29 mi away
Albert Lea
City / town · 4 listings · 31 mi away
Zumbrota
City / town · 1 listings · 31 mi away
Austin
City / town · 1 listings · 31 mi away
Cannon Falls
City / town · 14 listings · 33 mi away
Rochester
City / town · 93 listings · 38 mi away
My experience
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