International Owl Center
  • Home
  • Programs and Events
    • Virtual Owl Expert Speaker Series
    • Owl Prowls
    • International Owl Awareness Day
    • Special programs
    • Breakfast with the Owls
    • Virtual Programs
    • Festival of Owls
    • School and Group Programs
  • Future Plans
    • Design concept contest gallery
  • Our Research
    • Research Basics
    • Live Cam
    • Hear Individual Owls
    • Types of Great Horned Owl Vocalizations
    • Great Horned Owl Growth Chart
    • Background Info >
      • History of Rusty and Iris
      • What will happen to Rusty and Iris's young?
      • Owl Glossary
      • Great Horned Owl Facts
    • Blog
  • DIY Activities
    • What kind of owl are you?
    • Crafts
    • Dissecting Owl Pellets
    • Build an Owl Nest Box
    • Coloring Pages
    • Puzzles
  • I found an injured owl!
    • What do I do?
    • Find a Rehabber
  • Owls and You
    • Joggers and Owls
    • Live an Owl-Friendly Life
    • Respectful Owl Photography and Observation
    • Owls as Pets
    • Owls Attacking Pets
    • Owl Myths and FAQ
  • Visit Us / About Us
    • Visit
    • Our Owls
    • Staff and Board
    • History
  • Support Us
    • Memberships
    • Donate
    • Founder's Circle
    • Other Ways to Help
  • Educator Resources
    • Education Methods
    • Assessing Impact
    • Regulations
    • Workshop Summary
    • Resources
    • Links
  • Owl Conferences
    • Future Conferences
    • Past Conferences
    • Conference Planning
    • E-Newsletter
  • Ukrainian Art for Ukrainian Kids
  • Kids' Art Contest
  • Store
  • Home
  • Programs and Events
    • Virtual Owl Expert Speaker Series
    • Owl Prowls
    • International Owl Awareness Day
    • Special programs
    • Breakfast with the Owls
    • Virtual Programs
    • Festival of Owls
    • School and Group Programs
  • Future Plans
    • Design concept contest gallery
  • Our Research
    • Research Basics
    • Live Cam
    • Hear Individual Owls
    • Types of Great Horned Owl Vocalizations
    • Great Horned Owl Growth Chart
    • Background Info >
      • History of Rusty and Iris
      • What will happen to Rusty and Iris's young?
      • Owl Glossary
      • Great Horned Owl Facts
    • Blog
  • DIY Activities
    • What kind of owl are you?
    • Crafts
    • Dissecting Owl Pellets
    • Build an Owl Nest Box
    • Coloring Pages
    • Puzzles
  • I found an injured owl!
    • What do I do?
    • Find a Rehabber
  • Owls and You
    • Joggers and Owls
    • Live an Owl-Friendly Life
    • Respectful Owl Photography and Observation
    • Owls as Pets
    • Owls Attacking Pets
    • Owl Myths and FAQ
  • Visit Us / About Us
    • Visit
    • Our Owls
    • Staff and Board
    • History
  • Support Us
    • Memberships
    • Donate
    • Founder's Circle
    • Other Ways to Help
  • Educator Resources
    • Education Methods
    • Assessing Impact
    • Regulations
    • Workshop Summary
    • Resources
    • Links
  • Owl Conferences
    • Future Conferences
    • Past Conferences
    • Conference Planning
    • E-Newsletter
  • Ukrainian Art for Ukrainian Kids
  • Kids' Art Contest
  • Store
International Owl Center

Visit

Fall, Winter & Spring Hours:
Sunday: 10:00 - 4:00
Monday: 10:00 - 400
Tuesday: pre-registered group programs only
Wednesday: pre-registered group programs only
Thursday: pre-registered group programs only

Friday: 10:00 - 4:00
Saturday: 10:00 - 4:00

Programs are presented each day at 11:00 & 2:00.

Adults: $7
Children 4-17: $4
Members and children 3 & under: FREE

Service animals: ​Please note that for the safety and well-being of our owls we cannot allow service animals into our small building. At least one or more of our owls can see everything coming in the door, and they have a natural fear of dogs. Click here for more information.

Displays and activities

The goal of the Owl Center is to educate, inspire and empower people. We have lots of static and interactive displays where people can learn more about these fantastic feathered creatures and what you can do to help them. 

Gift shop

​Owls are in style! The International Owl Center gift shop offers a wide selection of owl jewelry and plush owls, plus an assortment of owl-themed mugs, kitchen items, magnets, cards, purses, puzzles, books, shirts, and more. Several items are locally made or Fair Trade.
Members receive a 10% discount on all gift shop purchases.

Even if you can't get here in person, you can still shop our online store!

Other things to do in the area

Natural playground

The natural playground welcome sign: a metal barn owl with spread wings on top of a circle
Houston's Natural Playground is anything but a traditional playground—and kids love it. It was designed by the Natural Playground Company specifically for our site. Construction began in 2012, with ribbon cutting in 2013.
Children can hide in the stone caves, crawl through a tunnel made of Oneota dolomite slabs, climb boulders in the enormous sand play area or on the side of the ten-foot tall hill. They can pump water down a sluice, scale a wooden climbing wall, walk a labyrinth, tell time using their shadow, go down a slide set into the side of the hill, or get into an over-sized nest with a four foot tall owl.
The entire playground is a full acre in size, so can easily accommodate school classes, daycare, and other large groups.

children crawling into a rock tunnel
a concrete owl sculpture
children playing with a water pump

Parade of Owls Art Tour

There are 12 public owl sculptures located throughout Houston than you can view year-round. Click here for a downloadable map.
an owl bench carved from a dead tree
a concrete owl sculpture
an owl made out of bicycle parts
owls carved into a standing dead tree
There are plenty of other things to do in the area before or after you visit the Owl Center. Check out the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce website for details.

In or near Houston

Ride the Root River Trail
Canoe, kayak or tube the Root River

In southeast Minnesota

National Eagle Center - Wabasha, MN
Minnesota Marine Art Museum - Winona, MN
Niagara Cave - Harmony
Mystery Cave and Historic Forestville - Preston, MN
Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and SPAM® Museum – Austin, MN

Places to eat in Houston

Barista's Coffee House 
Sub Zero Pizza & Ice Cream - 507-896-2452 (opens at 4 PM)
JT's Corner Bar and Grill
River Valley Convenience Store
BP Houston Food Mart - 507-896-3000

Places to stay in Houston

Loken's Sawmill Inn & Suites
Money Creek Retreat
Money Creek Haven
Cushon's Peak Campground

Links  - ​ Privacy policy
International Owl Center
126 E Cedar St.
Houston, MN 55943

(507) 896-OWLS (6957)
Karla@InternationalOwlCenter.org
​
501(c)3 organization
​EIN #45-5503365
The Explore Minnesota logo.
The Explore La Crosse logo.
The Houston Area Chamber of Commerce logo.


The International Festival of Owls logo.
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