Faribault offers a variety of reasons to visit: culture, nature and a specific manufacturing process. The activities also vary in form, from arts education and performances to outdoor recreation and tours focused on a clearly defined topic.
Art and Performances Downtown
The Paradise Center for the Arts is located in downtown Faribault and offers arts education as well as music, theater and comedy performances. Arts education and live performances provide two distinct cultural points of interest. If you’re looking for a cultural focus for your trip, you can decide whether you’re more interested in an educational activity or a performance. The range of options lets you focus on a particular type of performance or consider the educational offerings.
Outdoor Activities and Wildlife
The River Bend Nature Center in Faribault offers year-round opportunities for running, hiking, biking and skiing. The range of activities makes your preferred type of outdoor recreation a clear point to consider. Its year-round schedule means you don’t have to limit your nature experience to a single season.
Turtle Pond is one of the attractions for visitors to the River Bend Nature Center. The pond is home to turtles, frogs and other small animals. This wildlife adds another nature-focused option alongside the outdoor activities. If you’re more interested in animals than outdoor recreation at the Nature Center, Turtle Pond is a specific attraction to consider.
Wool Production and Historical Context
Tour The Mill takes visitors through the entire wool-making process, from raw wool to the finished product. If you’re interested in how a material is processed, the tour offers insight into a complete manufacturing process. It takes place every Friday and Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. As the schedule may change, check the times before your visit.
The Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour in Faribault is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Tours can be arranged Monday through Thursday during office hours, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The listing provides historical context; an arranged tour is another reason to include the site in your plans. As tour arrangements and office hours may change, confirm the details before making firm plans for a tour.
Different Scheduling Options
The two tours have different scheduling options: Tour The Mill takes place on Fridays and Saturdays at set times, while tours of the Cathedral can be arranged Monday through Thursday during office hours. If you want to plan your visit around either one, take these different scheduling arrangements into account and check the details in advance.
Discover more destinations: Northfield, Lonsdale.
Return to the regional travel guide: Rice County.
