Family Day Trip: 10 Things To Do in Albert Lea, Minnesota

Pelican flying over lake. Text: 10 Things for Kids in Albert Lea. The Land Between the Lakes.

Wondering what to do in Albert Lea Minnesota? Even though we live in an amazing metropolis, Greater Minnesota is bursting with places to explore and discover. FFTC was invited by Robin Russell of Russell’s Adventures and the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau to enjoy a day in their beautiful city. I packed my kids in the van, took a road trip, and had a low key, perfect summer day on the hunt for things to do in Albert Lea.

With a population of 17,871 and sporting two significant lakes, Albert Lea is the Land Between the Lakes. It is a beautiful city you can enjoy with your family and, for those of you with antsy little ones, only about an hour and a half’s drive from the Twin Cities.  Downtown Albert Lea is full of fun shops and the rest of the community has a deluge of other family fun ideas.

Here are 10 Things to Do in Albert Lea Minnesota:

1. Take a Pelican Breeze II Cruise

Frank Hall Park Boat Landing, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Enjoy affordable public Sunday cruises on Albert Lea Lake. Departing from the Frank Hall Park Boat Landing on Sunday afternoons. For slightly more, book a Friday night pizza cruise that includes dinner with admission.

Collage of visit to Pelican Breeze II in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
The collage shows all the fun we had with Captain Joel and his First Mate Lenore

2. Swim at the Albert Lea Aquatic Center

701 Lake Chapeau Drive, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Very affordable, splashy fun with zero-depth entry for the tots, interactive water features, and a slide for the big kids! Open daily, $1-$4/pp.


3. Explore Myre-Big Island State Park

19499 780th Avenue, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Bring a picnic, take a gentle, self-guided hike, or, if you’ve brought bikes, it’s possible to bike to the park from the city via the Blazing Star State Trail. If you would rather stay in town, Albert Lea itself has more than 40 parks and recreation areas to get outside and have fun in. Open daily, $7 daily pass per vehicle.


4. Visit Wind Down Wednesdays

132 N Broadway Albert Lea, MN 56007
Live music, food, craft vendors and a pop-up splash pad converge on downtown! Once again, I will let the pictures do the talking. It was a fun event with lots of different vendors (thanks to the CVB for providing us a $10 gift certificate to use!). Select dates during the summer months. FREE admission.

Collage of a visit to Winddown Wednesday in Albert Lea MN. Two boys walking through outdoor market, family looking at wares at outdoor market, family walking in downtown Albert Lea MN, girl spinning wheel for prize, Architectural History of Downtown Albert Lea sign, painted piano on sidewalk and view of outdoor market in downtown Albert Lea.


5. Watch Albert Lea Community Theatre

Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, 147 N. Broadway, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Check the link for the most up-to-date information on showtimes and ticket information. At least one performance will be appropriate for younger theater-goers.


6. View a FREE Bayside Water Ski Show Team

Edgewater Bay, Albert Lea, MN 56007
Grab a blanket or lawn chair and get ready for FREE public shows on Fountain Lake ongoing Thursdays, 7pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Special shows July 4 & Labor Day, 2pm.

Bayside Waterski Show - Albert Lea Minnesota


7. Celebrate During Albert Lea Summer Family Festivals

Family favorites include the mid-June Just Play Festival, 4th of July Parade & Fireworks in Downtown Albert Lea, and the Annual Big Island Rendezvous and Festival in October, an event locals take particular pride in and that features living history displays and reenactments.


8. Get Active at Rock Gym & Brookside Boathouse

211 W Richway Dr., Albert Lea, MN 56007
Got an active family with teens or tweens? Tackle open climbing at the  Rock Gym Fri & Sat, 6-9pm, $10/pp and the Boathouse offers archery, geocaching, canoes and kayaks for rent. Open seasonally.

9. Search for Pelicans!

Loads and loads of pelicans. We had just watched A Dolphin’s Tale and had a blast because an important character in that movie is Roofus, resident pelican. These birds are very large.  A lot bigger than I thought. Look for the males on Albert Lea Lake. Who knew a visit to Albert Lea would include this?!

Pelican swimming on albert lea lake


10. Check Out The Freeborn County Fair

1105 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea, MN 56007
If you’re hoping to include a visit to the county fair in your trip to Albert Lea, plan for the last week of July into early August. General admission includes the Kiddie Farm Yard, Kids Zone, a tractor pedal pull, and many more family-friendly exhibits. August 2-7, 2022; $10/ages 10+, under 10 FREE plus additional discounts.


Leave us a comment and let us know your favorite things to do in Albert Lea Minnesota. We’ll share your ideas with the community.

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