Princeton has a wealth of interesting attractions and fun activities for all ages , from a history museum to auto racing and active endeavors . There is always something fun to do in Princeton .
PRINCETON SPLASH PARK
This is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day . With many fun water spouts , some elements that shoot up , some that pour down and some that even splash sideways , kids are sure to have a blast and get cool .
The Splash Park is located in Mark Park and is open 11 a . m . to 6 p . m . Memorial Day to Labor Day , depending on the weather . Passes for families and individuals are available , as well as advance passes and gift certificates . People can reserve and rent the Splash Park for private parties . For more information , call 763-389-2040 or visit www . princetonmn . org .
PRINCETON FARMERS MARKET
The local market is open every Saturday , May through October , from 8:30 a . m . to noon , and you can find all types of produce set up for sale in the Princeton Mall parking lot . The Farmers Market moves inside during the winter months and takes place the second Saturday of each month . The Indoor Market runs the months of November - April . All produce and goods are grown or made locally and sold by multiple vendors . There is an abundance of fruit , vegetables , meats , baked goods , jellies and jams , as well as annuals , perennials and cut flowers . It ’ s a great place to taste the local flavor . For more information , call 763-389-7098 or visit www . pzfarmersmarket . org ..
PRINCETON ICE ARENA
The Princeton Ice Arena is a two ice sheet facility . Besides providing ice for the high school hockey teams to practice and compete on , the arena is also used for summer hockey camps and free learn-to-skate camps for children . Reserve the arena for a family reunion , wedding reception or craft show . Concerts and dances can also be held there . Open skating is available at several selected times . For information about renting the arena or the open skate schedule , visit the Princeton Youth Hockey Association website at www . princetonyouthhockey . com .
PRINCETON GOLF COURSE
Princeton Golf Course is an 18-hole , par 71 course nestled along the beautiful Rum River on the border of Mille Lacs and Sherburne counties . The course is only 45 minutes northwest of Minneapolis , just off Highway 169 in Princeton . The original nine holes were completed in 1955 . The course expanded to 18 holes in 1992 .
Open to the public , the golf course offers 18 holes for golfers of all abilities as well as a driving range . Rates vary depending on the day and time and the number of holes to be played . Motorized carts , pull carts , clubs and balls are available on site . Gift cards and memberships are also available .
The pro shop is stocked with a growing selection of gold merchandise and accessories . Golfers will find not only a revitalized pro shop and course , but new golf carts to carry them around the course . Future plans include construction of a permanent refreshment facility at “ The Junction ” to serve players as they arrive at holes number 6 , 13 and 16 .
Princeton Attractions
MILLE LACS COUNTY DEPOT MUSEUM
The Princeton Great Northern Railway Depot is the oldest public building in Princeton , and it on the National Register of Historic Places . The 215 foot long brick and stone depot is the second railroad depot on that site , being built in 1902 to replace a small wooden depot built there when the railroad arrived in Princeton in 1886 .
Today , the Princeton depot is the home of the Mille Lacs County Historical Society ( MLCHS ), which has as its mission collecting , preserving and presenting information about the history of Mille Lacs County . The depot museum is open 12 months a year on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a . m . to 2 p . m . General admission to the museum is free . A small fee is charged for special exhibits .
The depot museum has excellent history resources about the country , including local newspapers on microfilm going back to 1877 , and extensive card files with information about county births , deaths and marriages for history and genealogy researchers .
The freight house portion of the depot ( now called the Amdall Room ) has been restored , and is now available for rent to groups up to 125 persons . Four full size railroad cars are on the property , including a caboose which can be rented for kid ’ s birthday parties or special occasions . The first one room schoolhouse in Mille Lacs County ( 1856 ) is also on the property , and is used for one week sessions of a “ living museum ” experience for kids ages 6 to 12 years during the summer .
The Mille Lacs County Historical Society is an all-volunteer , 501 ( c )( 3 ) nonprofit organization . Volunteers have fun discovering secrets of the area ’ s past . Call Berry Schreiber at 763- 607-3195 for details of volunteer opportunities , or information about Amdall Room or caboose rentals ..
WEST BRANCH GUN CLUB
The West Branch Gun Club ’ s outdoor pistol and rifle ranges are open to the public year-round by appointment and feature 25-yard , 50-yard , and 100-yard stations . Trap shooting at the club runs from May through August , on Tuesdays and Sundays . The club features singles and doubles targets . Club membership is not required to participate in the club ’ s trap league . West Branch is located at 10604 40th St . in Princeton . For more information , contact Ken Sanford at 763-389-2264 or 612-390-4451 or visit the club ’ s Facebook page .
PRINCETON AREA LIBRARY
The Princeton Area Library is one of fourteen branches of the East Central Regional Library ( ECRL ) system . Located along the banks of the beautiful Rum River , at 100 Fourth Ave . S ., the library offers great views and friendly service to all .
Apply for a free library card online at ecrlib . org , or bring your identification with current address information to the library to sign up in person .
Library card holders have access to physical and digital books , audiobooks , and magazines , newspapers , databases , DVDs , CDs , board games , yard games , activity kits , and more . The library also offers Wi-Fi , public computers , printing & faxing services , a community room , and special events to all . Find additional information on our free events at ecrlib . org / events ..
Princeton Community Guide • March 2025 Page 11