Ice skate at Noonan Park
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Located at Nokomis Street and 10th Avenue in Alexandria, the rink is regularly maintained, has a warming house and is well lit for night skating. Spend an afternoon ice skating or playing hockey at Noonan Park.
Attend Christmas at the Fort!
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This is a don’t-miss event! The kick-off to the Christmas season happens every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving at Fort Alexandria in downtown Alexandria. The town is lit up for the season.
Cheer at the snowmobile races
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If cold weather speed is more your style, there are several different local events that feature snowmobile racing at its finest, be it vintage sleds or today’s high-speed machines.
Party with your friends
Gather with your friends and family and head on down to Alexandria’s Party in the Street to celebrate summer. Check out the wonderful foods, entertainment, music and shopping. Great fun for adults and children alike!
Enjoy a scenic motorcycle ride
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Stop at a local motorcycle dealer to tune up or get your accessories, and head out for a ride around the lakes. With about 300 lakes in Douglas County, there are plenty of scenic routes to enjoy.
Attend a concert
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Music fills the air throughout Douglas County. From concert associations to school and church performances to professional musicians performing at local venues, there’s always music to be heard somewhere.
Shoot the minnow!
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Everyone should try it at least once! Visit a fun establishment in Nelson, MN where they drop a minnow into a shot of your choice (liquor or n/a) and you gulp it. You get a “ I shot the minnow T-shirt” for the effort! Good food, fun and friends.
Pitch a tent
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The lakes area offers everything you need, whether you’re rolling up in an RV or your tent is rolled up in a backpack. Numerous local campgrounds offer a variety of settings to fit everyone’s idea of “roughing it.”
Play with your pooch
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Spend some time with your four-legged friend at the local dog park. Don’t be a couch potato, or let your dog be one either. Studies show that 65 percent of dogs are overweight. So get off the couch and head to Pooch Playland for some quality time and some exercise.
Get lost in a maze
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Looking for a day of family fun? Check out the local pumpkin patches or corn mazes this fall.
Light up your night on the Fourth of July
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Nothing says Fourth of July like fireworks and the local communities all hold incredible fireworks displays. It’s the perfect end to a perfect day.
Hit the slopes
There’s nothing more refreshing than a day of swooping down the slopes, or along the cross country trails, of which Douglas County boasts plenty! It’s fun, exercise and fresh air all wrapped up in one.
Visit a ‘niche’ boutique
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If you’re looking for something special and a little out of the ordinary, visit a specialized boutique in the lakes area. There are shops that offer items like unique clothing, jewelry, home décor, books, lefse, glassware, knick-knacks and more.
Take in a hockey game
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If hockey is more your thing, you’ll have no problem finding a game. Besides the youth and amateur teams, there’s also a team of some of the nation’s best collegiate hopefuls that will give a good show.
In 1898, the Kensington Runestone was found on the farm of Olaf Ohman, near Alexandria. The Kensington Runestone carvings allegedly tell of a journey of a band of Vikings in 1362. 4 101 Things Things to Do • 2020
