Albany blends historic charm and modern living
Established in the 1800s, Albany balances its small-town historic character with modern-day living while surrounded by the abundant farmland of Central Minnesota. With less than 3,000 residents, this former railroad community replaced the Great Northern and Soo Line train tracks that served the area for decades with a trail right next to downtown. Shops and restaurants line downtown’s Railroad Avenue. All the storefronts are on one side of the road. That’s because back in the day, the side closer to the railroad was mainly used by businesses that shipped products by train, while retailers and restaurants occupied the other side. Though some commute to St. Cloud or Minneapolis for work, the largest employer in town is Albany Area School. “People like to move to Albany because they like the school district,” says Aimee Hegg, a Realtor with Central MN Realty, who grew up in the region. “People really like their high school sports here, especially basketball.”
Historic and modern homes in Albany's subdivisions
Houses built more than 100 years ago mix with homes constructed through today. Bungalows and cottages from the late 1800s and early 1900s sell for around $180,000 to $280,000. Midcentury ranch-style and split-level homes range from $190,000 to $310,000. More modern styles from the 2000s cost between $280,000 and $350,000. Most houses are right next to each other in subdivisions just north of downtown. Some face the golf course and others are out in the countryside on acres of land surrounded by farms.
College credits and basketball champions at Albany High
Students attend Albany Elementary School, which receives a B-plus grade from Niche. Albany Area Middle School is graded a B, and Albany Area High School gets a B-plus. The high school has more than 500 students and operates on a block schedule. Tenth through twelfth-grade students have the opportunity to earn college credits through three different colleges. The high school is big on basketball. In 2025, the Huskies boys basketball team went undefeated, winning the Minnesota Class 2A state championship.
Recreation at North Park, Lake Wobegon Trail and Albany Golf Club
Albany maintains six parks, with North Park being the largest and most widely used green space. The park’s most prominent feature is the 70-acre North Lake, which has a fishing pier. There are also several athletic facilities, including pickleball courts, a gravel BMX pump track and an 18-hole disc golf course. Youth baseball leagues use the park’s ballfield, and there are several more at other community parks. Once the path of a railroad, the Lake Wobegon Trail stretches for 65 miles through Central Minnesota and allows for bikes and snowmobiles. Other recreational activities include the Albany Golf Club’s 18-hole course and the Albany Bowling Center.
Shopping and dining on Railroad Avenue in downtown
Shoppers can get groceries from Teal’s Market and other essentials at CVS. There are more than a dozen restaurants downtown, a few of which are pretty new. Hegg says, “They opened up two coffee shops in the last two years and the town got pretty excited about that.” Shady’s Hometown Tavern is a local favorite for its bar and buffet. Locals also frequently use it as an event venue. Barbacoa is right next door, serving up a mix of American and Mexican food. There are also several pizza restaurants and an A&W Restaurant serving its famous root beer. The closest big-box retailers are about 20 miles away in St. Cloud, which takes about 30 minutes to get to.
Celebrating Heritage Day and Pioneer Days
On the first Saturday of August, the community comes out to celebrate Albany Heritage Day. The festival shuts down Railroad Avenue to fill it with food booths, bounce houses and games. The event features a 5K run and parade, followed by live music at night, which is capped off with a fireworks show. Albany Pioneer Days has been an annual tradition since the 1970s. It’s all about celebrating the community’s agricultural roots, featuring an antique tractor show, a log sawing contest, historical reenactments and several more activities.
Easy access to I-94 and scheduled buses through Tri-Cap
Interstate 94 runs directly through town, leading to St. Cloud. The interstate can also be taken 85 miles to Minneapolis in less than 90 minutes. While this is a predominantly car-dependent community, scheduled bus rides are available through Tri-Cap. It offers free rides to CentraCare, a hospital about 15 minutes away in Melrose. Travelers can fly out of St. Cloud Regional Airport or find a broader selection of flights out of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
