Wells: Festivals, Parks and History

Wells offers several different starting points for planning a trip: festivals, public parks, historic places and a memorial in the city center. Which of these shapes your stay depends on whether you plan your trip around an event date or want to focus on parks and history.

Festivals and When to Visit

A 2021 city profile of Wells lists two annual festivals: Summer in the City in June and Kernel Days in August. The profile says that Wells’ annual festivals attract visitors from the surrounding region and offer live entertainment, games and other festival activities. Check the event dates when planning a future trip.

Parks and City History

Wells has more than 80 acres of parkland, including Half Moon Park and Thompson Park. Pavilions at both parks can be reserved by calling the city administration. If you plan to use a pavilion, calling the city administration is the specific way to make a reservation.

Part of the city’s history concerns the development of public parkland: in 1875, Colonel Clark W. Thompson donated 53 acres of land for a city park in Wells. This donation describes a single historical contribution; the more than 80 acres refers to the total parkland in Wells. This distinguishes a specific event from 1875 from the larger amount of parkland without equating the two figures.

Historic Places and Local Points of Interest

The Wells Depot was built in 1903 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Area Veterans Memorial Park is in downtown Wells and honors veterans of all wars from Alden, Bricelyn, Easton, Delavan, Freeborn, Kiester, Minnesota Lake, Walters and Wells. The Depot highlights building history, while the Memorial Park commemorates veterans.

The Flame Theatre is located at 125 S Broadway in Wells. The Wells Municipal Swimming Pool is at 800 1st Ave SW. The pool operates seasonally; check with the city for current information before your visit. The Wells Golf Course was announced as open for the 2026 golf season. If golf is part of your trip, check the information for your specific travel dates.

Airport and Getting Around

The Wells Municipal Airport is a municipal airport for public use, located three miles west of Wells’ central business district. Its grass runway is 2,900 feet long and is lit from dusk to dawn. The airport’s location and runway features give you specific reference points when considering Wells as part of your arrival.

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