Hayward, Minnesota: A Small City with a Big Smile
With a population of only 246 and growing, Hayward, Minnesota is a little rural city situated 4 miles from Albert Lea in Freeborn County. Noted for its hospitality and congeniality, Hayward is surrounded by small family farms since it is predominantly an agricultural community but with a fairly lively community with stores, restaurants, recreational facilities and sports pavilions. Hayward became a settlement in 1855 and was formally incorporated in 1925.
Best Time to Visit
Minnesota in general luxuriates in pleasant weather from August, June and July and these are the best months to visit Hayward and delight in the many outdoor activities the city and its surrounding areas offer. Hayward, MN hotels and nearby lodgings never get too crammed so visiting even during peak season months is never a problem. The icy weather in January and December deter visitors from coming over though.
What to Do & Area Attractions
These attractions await you when you visit Hayward: the Faribault Golf Club will surely make any golfer happy with its well-maintained course and superb amenities. The Mineral Springs Park features a playground, disc golf course, picnic facilities & wooded trails so there is something for everyone. The vast Myre Big Island State Park with its oak savanna and prairie landscape is a favorite jaunt even among locals. Adjacent to Hayward and only 11 minutes away is Albert Lea which is home to hotels like the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Albert Lea - I-35, the Comfort Inn Albert Lea, located right in the heart of Lake Country and Quality Inn & Suites, a modest hotel that’s only a few miles from the area’s popular destinations.