From cross country skiing, camping, and an abundance of parks to antiquing, festivals, and great restaurants, you will find a ton of fun things to do in Victoria MN. Victoria is known as “The City of Lakes and Parks,” so if you love the outdoors, Victoria may become your favorite getaway destination.
Come along and explore 19 of the best things to do in Victoria MN, and its surrounding area.
The Best Outdoor Recreational Activities in Victoria, Minnesota
Are you looking to get outside to enjoy outdoor activities in the gorgeous spring, summer, and fall weather in the delightful town of Victoria? This city has some excellent natural beauty for you.
1. Hike Victoria’s Trails
First, on our list of fun things to do in Victoria MN is to lace up those shoes and go hiking. When you want some fresh air, outdoor activities, and exercise, check out Victoria’s 32 miles of trails and sidewalks. You can take advantage of winding trails all around Victoria.
2. Carver Archery Range
Maybe you’ve wanted to learn archery, or perhaps you want to just keep your skills with a bow and arrow sharp. Either way, you can enjoy shooting at the Carver Archery Range.
There is an elevated platform and targets at multiple distances for you to enjoy. For more challenging outdoor activities, check out the range’s walk-through course.
3. Lake Auburn Campground
Next on our list of fun things to do in Victoria MN is to go camping. Many families love to go camping for outdoor activities, and you can enjoy rustic camping at the Lake Auburn Campground located in the Carver Park Reserve.
At the campground, campers have access to fifty-seven rustic sites, along with playground equipment, an unguarded beach, and miles of trails.
4. Lowry Nature Center
At the Lowry Nature Center, you can enjoy sledding, snowshoeing, and hiking. The Lowry Nature Center is the Win Cities’ first public nature center.
The beautiful building is located in the Carver Park Reserve, and when you visit, you can see interpretive displays.
The wildlife viewing area allows visitors to watch birds and visit live animals.
5. Cross Country Skiing
If you love cross country skiing, be sure to visit the Carver Winter Trailhead. You can bring your own skis or reserve and rent skis online to pick up later at the Carver trailhead building.
The Best Indoor Recreational Activities in Victoria, Minnesota
During the coldest season, you need some indoor activities, and there are still lots of fun ways to get exercise in Victoria.
6. Victoria Recreation Center
At the Victoria Recreation Center, there is an indoor walking track that is free for the public to use for indoor activities. An adult must accompany any user under the age of ten.
Other activities at the center include an outdoor recreation area, fitness classes, sports camps, art classes, dance classes, and more.
Note that when there are high school hockey activities such as tournaments and games, the track may close periodically. You can find scheduled closures on the Recreation Center’s website.
7. Indoor Ice Arena
Whether you’re eager to try ice skating for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, you can grab some skates and head to Victoria’s indoor ice arena.
Even though the arena is used by area hockey teams, it does offer open skate times and rink times for an hour every day except Sunday. Members of the Recreation Center can skate for free, and non-members pay a small fee to skate.
8. Grimm Farm Historic Site
Minnesota has a rich agricultural heritage, and a beautiful must-see attraction in Victoria is a restored farmhouse at the Grimm Farm Historic Site.
This site is the birthplace of the famous Dairy Belt because the Grimm family practiced successful seed saving that resulted in the first alfalfa in North America that was winter-hardy.
The Best Public Reserves and Parks in Victoria, Minnesota
In Victoria, there are more than 443 acres of reserved land, all within Victoria’s borders, too.
9. Carver Park Reserve
The gorgeous Carver Park Reserve sits near the Twin Cities on the western edge.
At the reserve, you can spot various wildlife, including mink, osprey, trumpeter swans, barred owls, white-tailed deer, and an amazing variety of other songbirds and waterfowl.
The interconnected marshes and lakes, rolling wooded terrain, and winding trails offer year-round activities for explorers of all ages.
10. Public Outdoor Parks
Next on our list of fun things to do in Victoria MN is to enjoy some time at the park. There are thirty-two active and passive outdoor parks to choose from in the city of Victoria, so you’re sure to find something for the entire family.
11. Carver Park Reserve Off-Leash Dog Area
When the weather is nice, our furry friends enjoy getting outside, too. At the 27-acre Carver Off-Leash Dog Area, your four-legged friend can roam off-leash to his heart’s content.
The perimeter of the off-leash dog area is completely fenced, and there is even a special section just for small or special-needs dogs.
The Best Annual Festivals and Entertainment in Victoria, Minnesota
With a rich heritage of farmers who immigrated from Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands, you’ll find lots of fun cultural activities and community events to do in Victoria.
12. Volksfest Festival
Every September, the city of Victoria is the home of the Volksfest Festival. At the annual festival, families can eat delicious food truck food, browse arts and crafts, listen to live music and shop at the festival’s Street Market.
If you love craft beer samples and custom craft beers, check out the beer tent from 4:00 p.m. through midnight.
13. Night to Unite
Every August, Victoria encourages residents to attend or host a Night to Unite block party on the first Tuesday of the month.
Victoria community members organize all types of activities:
- Yard games
- Chalk art competitions
- Food pantry collections
- Potluck dinners
- New neighbor welcomes
Night to Unite aims to promote neighborhood camaraderie and strong community-police partnerships.
14. Concerts in the Park
In the summer, the city of Victoria sponsors a summer concert series and provides entertainment by a variety of performers.
Concerts in the Park takes place at the Charlson Thun Community Bandstand.
You can also enjoy Lunch Time Tunes at the bandstand in June and July.
15. Classic Car Nights
During Classic Car Nights, classic car owners from all over the metro area bring their cars to display in downtown Victoria.
The Best Restaurants and Bars in Victoria, Minnesota
Are you ready to eat? Here is a shortlist of the best bars and restaurants in Victoria.
16. The Noble Lion
For upscale gastropub flavors, you can’t go wrong with the Noble Lion restaurant. The owners bill their establishment as a casual neighborhood eatery, and they deliver on that promise.
The Noble Lion has an extensive wine list, and they offer a wide variety of beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks.
The dinner menu features items such as East Coast Oysters, Lake Superior Whitefish Cakes, and vegan dishes such as the Wild Mushroom Filet.
17. Nautical Bowls
The Nautical Bowls chain has built its menu around ingredients that are gluten-free, plant-based, dairy-free, and organic.
Founded in Minnesota, the restaurant decorates its establishments with nautical decor, and the menu brings delicious sweet treats that include signature bowls with ingredients such as acai, fruit, mango, coconut, granola, berries of all types, peanut butter, cacao, almond butter, honey, and more.
The Best Shopping in Victoria, Minnesota
Do you enjoy shopping? Victoria has some great shopping opportunities.
18. Victoria Farmers Market
For great farm-fresh produce and fruit, you must visit the Victoria Farmers Market. You can also enjoy fun activities and sweet treats.
The farmer’s market is located on Stieger Lake Lane.
19. Antiques Worthwhile
Last but not least on our list of fun things to do in Victoria MN is a trip to Antiques Worthwhile. If you love antiquing, you can’t miss the huge inventory of antiques at Antiques Worthwhile.
This fun antique shop is open two weekends per month in historic downtown Victoria.
Wrapping Up Fun Things to Do in Victoria MN
Now that you know all of the fun things to do in Victoria MN, which ones will you do first? After you’ve explored the great town of Victoria, be sure to check out our Things To Do page to discover all you need to know about more amazing Minnesota towns and cities.
- About the Author
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Born in Madelia, MN, to a now 5-generation Minnesota family, Ryan’s MN roots go deep.
A painter by day, Ryan founded Life in Minnesota in 2013 with his wife Kelly to chronicle their musings on everything Minnesota. Ryan and Kelly are raising their 7 kiddos in Maple Grove, MN.
When he’s not shuttling his kids around to hockey practice, you might find him in the shop working on his leatherwork. Undoubtedly, there will be a family trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area every summer, and of course weekends at Grandpa’s cabin up north in the summer.