Lowry Nature Center

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Two girls standing by Lowry Nature Center sign in the winter

Address: 7025 Victoria Drive, Victoria, MN , 55386
Upcoming Events: Jump to Lowry Nature Center Events

Website Lowry Nature Center
Phone 763-694-7650
Hours Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm & Sun: 12-5pm
Admission FREE

Lowry Nature Center was the first public nature center built in the Twin Cities. The building’s architecture is prairie-style to match the landscape of Carver Park Reserve where it is located. Families can check out seasonal interpretive displays, visit live animals and observe birds through the viewing windows.

Father and two girls visiting the live animals at Lowry Nature Center in Victoria, Minnesota
Indoors find tanks of live animals kids can view up close.

Family programming at Lowry Nature Center

Lowry offers free and inexpensive family programs throughout the year, mostly on weekends. During the week it hosts both preschool drop-off programs and those a caregiver attends with the child. Outdoors, there is a free nature exploration area kids will enjoy in the temperate months.

Bird Banding and Raptors Up Close

Lowry regularly offers FREE programs where the public can see Minnesota raptors up close or learn how wild songbirds are trapped, studied and banded. Both programs include an educational component, where a naturalist will teach a little about these birds. These programs are appropriate for families with kids of all ages.

Girl helping to band and release a songbird during a Lowry Nature Center bird banding event.
Bird Banding at Lowry Nature Center. Courtesy of Three Rivers.

Sensory friendly Sundays at Lowry Nature Center

In an effort to reduce stress that can be caused by new experiences at the park, Three Rivers has created “Sensory-Friendly Sundays” to include support from trained staff and volunteers and a comfortable, welcoming environment for everyone. Noise-reducing headphones, ear plugs, nose plugs, sunglasses, variety of fidgets, weighted blankets, and other sensory supports will be available to borrow on these days as will a space to take a break. This program is free and open to all ages. Find the next Sensory-Friendly Sunday on our special needs calendar.

Lowry Nature Center sledding

Some Three Rivers parks, including Lowry Nature Center, rent out sleds to use on their sledding hills, which they claim are among the best hills in the Twin Cities. The hill is close enough to Lowry Nature Center, that sledders can use the restrooms and purchase refreshments when needed. Bring your own sled or tube or rent one from the nature center. Sledding is free and unsupervised. As with any Three Rivers programs, adult supervision is required. Three Rivers closes sledding hills when the conditions and weather are uncooperative. Find the current condition of sledding hills here.

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Please Note: FamilyFunTwinCities.com is an independent website run by Twin Cities families for Twin Cities families. We attempt to include the information we find most essential as parents. We make every effort to keep up with changes. However, we are not employed by or connected to this venue, and information sometimes changes without our knowledge. We recommend calling or checking the venue’s website for up-to-date information.

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