Art, Ale & Afternoon Waves in Fairmont, MN

We spent the day wandering through Fairmont’s colorful downtown—checking out murals, hunting for painted pigs, and soaking up small-town charm. We took a break at a local brewery where the kids enjoyed root beer and popcorn, then finished the day with toes in the sand and fishing poles in hand at Gomsrud Park.

Downtown Plaza

We spent our afternoon exploring Downtown Fairmont, and it turned into such a fun and unexpected adventure. The area is super walkable, with charming shops, friendly locals, and colorful murals that make perfect photo backdrops. But what really made the kids light up? Pig hunting. Yep, you read that right.

All around downtown, you’ll find brightly painted pig statues as part of a community art project called “Going Hog Wild in Martin County.” Fairmont sits in the heart of Martin County, also known as Bacon Capital USA—it’s the largest pork-producing county in Minnesota! The project was created to celebrate that part of the area’s identity, and each pig is uniquely decorated by local artists and businesses.

It added a really fun, educational twist to our walk—like a mini scavenger hunt with a dose of local pride. The kids loved spotting them, and we loved seeing how creative each one was.

Fairmont Brewing Company

After all that walking, we needed a little break—and Fairmont Brewing Company was the perfect spot to recharge. The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, even with kids in tow.

The adults tried a couple of local brews (loved being able to sample what’s brewed right here in town!), and the kids were thrilled with their root beer and popcorn combo. It’s not always easy finding a spot that feels like a treat for everyone, but this one checked all the boxes.

Fairmont Brewing »

Gomsrud Park

After exploring town and grabbing a break at the brewery, we made our way to Gomsrud Park to end the day with some sunshine and water time. The kids couldn’t get to the beach fast enough—they kicked off their shoes and were splashing in the shallows within seconds. There’s something about watching your kids run barefoot through the sand that just makes everything feel like summer.

When they were done playing in the beach/lake, we set up near the dock and cast a few lines.

We love this park for how versatile it is—whether you’re into swimming, fishing, playing, or just sitting and taking it all in, it has a little something for everyone. A perfect, low-key way to wrap up a day in Fairmont.

Fairmont Parks »

Meet the Visitors

Hello, We are the Nordmans, an adventure loving family from Iowa! As a duel-working family and 2 kiddos in school, we hope to inspire other families that it’s possible to take that adventure or vacation around busy schedules. We love our great Midwest region but also have a desire to see every US state. The hubs & I love sampling local bourbons, wine, and beer while the kids can’t pass up ice cream

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