Find family-friendly activities to do in Buffalo this summer.

Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes, which was first stated by a professor during a speech in 1874 at the state fair when referencing all the natural wonders that Minnesota has to offer. As automobile ownership grew, leading people to take more road trips, resulting in more hotel stays and camping trips, over 50 towns in Minnesota pooled their money in a marketing move to fund the Ten Thousand Lakes of Minnesota Association.

That association created marketing material like ads, postcards, and films, featuring all Minnesota has to offer, and featured the tagline “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” Since 1917, the tagline has stuck, and Minnesota has been known as the land of lakes for over 100 years. (And in case you are wondering, the exact number of named lakes in Minnesota is 11,842.)

Outdoor Activities in Buffalo, Minnesota

The City of Buffalo, Minnesota has many outdoor offerings for families who are interested in getting outside and exploring this summer.

Buffalo Roam

One of the most interesting things about Buffalo is the Buffalo Roam! What is the Buffalo Roam? It is a scavenger hunt to find life-size buffalo statues located throughout Buffalo, Minnesota.

In 2004, the Buffalo Championship Rodeo Association had local businesses commission life-size buffalo statues. Each is uniquely decorated, and the herd now boasts 23 statues all over Buffalo and the surrounding parts of the city. 

Enjoy a scavenger hunt with the family around downtown Buffalo and see how many of the herd you can find. Take photos with each buffalo you find, and post on social media with the hashtags #ItsBetterInBuffalo and #BuffaloRoamMN. If you want a map of all the statue locations, stop in at the Buffalo Chamber’s office at 205 Central Avenue.

Buffalo’s Parks

The City of Buffalo has many parks for families to enjoy. Which one are you most excited to visit?

City Center Park: Located at 211 1st Ave. NE by the Buffalo Police Department and Buffalo City Hall, this small park is shady and a great place to relax and enjoy a book. There are also picnic tables, so bring along a lunch or a snack!

Downtown Commons: One of the newer parks in Buffalo, this is located at 101 1st Ave. S. Established in 2013, the highlight of Downtown Commons is the interactive fountain where kids and adults alike can frolic.

Gary Mattson Park: This park is home to Buffalo’s only dog park, so this place is truly where the entire family can go to relax or have fun. Situated on the edge of Buffalo Lake, feel free to bring your fishing gear and see what you can catch. There are also picnic tables and grills, so feel free to pack a lunch and spend the day.

Community Offerings

Some of the best places to visit in Buffalo offer places to gather and explore. One of the must-visit places in Buffalo is the Buffalo Farmers’ Market. The farmers’ market is open Saturdays from May to October from 8 a.m. to noon. It is located on 1st Ave. across from the Buffalo Cinema. The farmers’ market features fresh produce, handmade goods, baked goods, jams, jellies, and so much more. Take the entire family for a stroll and find some items to take on a picnic this summer!

Educate Yourself

There is plenty of history around Buffalo, Minnesota, so take some time out to explore the city’s museums and learn about its history.

Wright County Historical Society

This Wright County Historical Society works to preserve history in and around Wright County. The museum includes five historic buildings that consist of three log cabins, the 1881 Welker one-room school hours, and the 1908 Chatham Town Hall. Come take a stroll and learn about the historical roots of Buffalo.

Veit Automotive Museum

Open from May to September, the Veit Automotive Museum features more than 80 restored vehicles and over 200 rare and unusual gas pumps. Check out the restored hot rods that are curated into collections in rustic barns. 

Don’t forget your biannual visit to Dental Care Associates of Buffalo!

After you have explored all that Buffalo, Minnesota, has to offer, don’t forget to make your biannual visit to Dental Care Associates of Buffalo! We’ve been in business for over 50 years and would love to see your entire family together for a dental evaluation.

If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, give Dental Care Associates of Buffalo a call today to schedule an appointment for you or your entire family. We are passionate about providing top-notch care to patients of all ages, from little tykes to grandparents and everyone in between. Stop and see us today—we’d love to help keep you smiling!