Unique things to do in Faribault MN

Who’s up for a Minnesota day trip? Or maybe even a weekend trip? Faribault MN has it all – food, drinks, unique MN history – and you’ll find all the best things to do in Faribault right in this post!

Updated: September 2020

Faribault MN is located about an hour south of the Twin Cities. Keep in mind that most of the small businesses in town tend to be closed on Sundays so Saturday would be the best day to visit!

Note: This post is sponsored by Visit Faribualt but all opinions and thoughts are my own.

Things to do in Faribault MN

Stay at The Inn at Shattuck St. Mary’s

We love a good unique place to stay in Minnesota, especially one that has history! The Inn at Shattuck St. Mary’s was constructed in 1871 and is the oldest building on campus at the Shattuck St. Mary’s private high school, whos campus is also a must-see spot on this list below – so beautiful! It’s a boutique hotel with original stonework and modern rooms. The staff were some of the nicest we’ve ever encountered at a hotel, and they have great COVID measures in place that made us feel safe. Make sure to try their homemade peanut butter for breakfast while staying there!

Grab breakfast at Crack of Dawn Bakehouse

Crack of Dawn Bakehouse and Market has some of the best caramel rolls you’ll ever have. And the town of Faribault agrees, we waited in line for 15 minutes on a Saturday morning to get our hands on some! They also have other yummy baked goods available like homemade oatmeal cream pies! The restaurant isn’t open during COVID but they have a great system for grab and go orders!

Take a nature walk at River Bend Nature Center

The River Bend Nature Center is a cool little escape right in the center of town. We walked around and explored the area but our favorite find was the little waterfall on site! And we love to find unique Minnesota waterfalls – see my full post on my favorites here! We had the place all to ourselves.

Bike the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail

Bring your own bikes or rent some at Faribault Rental and hop on the nearby Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail! This bike trail is paved and is in great condition. It’s technically 41 miles long and connects Faribault to Mankato! We obviously didn’t do the whole thing, but instead rode to the nearby lakes and parks. Next time we need to bring a picnic and our swim suits with us!

Try Vibration Sound Therapy at Zensational

The most unique thing to do in Faribault is hands down Vibration Sound Therapy at Zensational Wellness Spa. Only 4 other people are certified in the state of Minnesota to conduct this therapy and it’s so relaxing. Vibration Sound Therapy is basically the use of big bowls and energy to use vibrations to put you in a meditative state and reduce anxiety. The owner, Miki, was amazing at explaining everything she’s doing, and we loved the zen feel of the room and the goodies she has for sale at her shop up front. Make sure to call ahead for an appointment!

Shop Minnesota-made goods at Fleur De Lis Gallery

Fleur De Lis Gallery recently opened in Faribault and it’s RIGHT UP MY ALLEY! Everything you find in here is handmade by Minnesota creators and artists. A great place to find gifts, jewelry, and home decor to remember your trip to Faribault and support local makers at the same time.

Explore the retro tilt-a-whirls downtown

Did you know that Faribault is where the tilt-a-whirl was invented in the 1920s? Me either! Walk around downtown to see a few retro tilt-a-whirls, read about their origin, and take some fun photos!

Walk around the Shattuck-St. Mary’s Campus

Everyone we talked to in Faribault kept telling us to stop by the Shattuck-St. Mary’s boarding school campus to take a look at the architecture, so we decided to stop by and I’m so glad we did! Famous for its campus and athletics programs, it was a great place to walk around and take a few pics.

Tour the Faribault Mill

The Faribault Mill is one of the most iconic pieces of Minnesota’s history. Starting in 1892, it has been making wool blankets ever since and is one of the last vertical mills left in the country. Everything here is made under one roof, from dying the wool to hand-sewing the famous “Faribault Mill” tag on, and you can tour it all for only $6. It lasts 1.5 hours and I think every Minnesotan should do this tour – so much state pride!

Buy a Faribault Mill blanket at the Mill Store

If you don’t have time to do the tour, make sure to at least stop by the Faribualt Mill store. It’s open Monday – Saturday 10-5 and you can buy everything from blankets to scarves to backpacks. Faribault Mill stands by the quality of its product, so you’ll truly get the best of the best here. I’ve wanted a blanket for a long time and walked out with a new one for camping and all our outdoor adventures! So excited!

Relax with a glass of wine at Vintage Escapes Winery

Vintage Escapes Winery has one of the best glasses of Marquette I’ve had in Minnesota. Located about 15 minutes outside of Faribault, this winery offers wine by the glass, flights, and even some food. We enjoyed a few glasses on the outdoor patio on the most perfect fall day!

Grab a cocktail with local spirits from 10,000 Drops

10,000 Drops Craft Distillers was one of the most recommended things to do in Faribualt from all of you. I ordered the a drink with their gin and loved it. The vibe is awesome – casual and industrial. We sat out on the patio and ordered a few smoked sandwiches from a local food truck – It was so so good!

See local art at Paradise Center for the Arts

If you’re looking for a free activity, visiting Paradise Center for the Arts needs to be on your list! This historic downtown theater brings in music and comedy acts, but also features local art. It’s now open Thursday – Saturday 12-5 where you can walk around three different art exhibits. My favorite was the “I am Minnesota” exhibit which features the different faces of Minnesotans and tells their unique stories.

Get sushi from Mizuki Fusion

A few followers told us to try Mizuki Fusion Sushi in Faribault while we were there and it was amazing! We ordered it to-go and ate in our hotel room. Try a few rolls but also make sure to get the chicken fried rice! So yummy!

Eat dinner in an old train station at the Depot Bar and Grill

There’s not a huge food scene in Faribault, so we decided to also try the Depot Bar and Grill simply because it’s located in the old train depot in town and had good online reviews. We were pleasantly surprised at every part of our experience here from the service to the food. There’s TONS to choose from and they do the basics really well!

That’s a wrap on the most unique things to do in Faribault! It is truly a town with so much to offer – I wish I had visited sooner! Makes for a great day or weekend trip with family or friends.