19 minute read
Alexandria
from Destinations 2021
by Echo Press
Greetings from
Waves of fun await year-round
The Alexandria area is brimming with 375 glacier-formed pristine lakes, making it the perfect playground for swimmers, boaters, anglers, golfers, bicyclists, hikers, bird watchers, ice skaters, skiers, snowmobilers and anyone who enjoys the great outdoors.
If you don’t consider yourself an outdoors person, there are still plenty of things to enjoy while on vacation here. You can: • Browse for antiques. • Take in an arts production. • Shop historic downtown Alexandria or visit the Viking Plaza. • Explore the area’s fascinating — and controversial — history. • See a movie — there’s a nine-screen movie theater near the mall. • Get a workout at the Alexandria Area YMCA.
• Tour a winery or brewery — the awardwinning Carlos Creek Winery is just three miles north of Alexandria and it added a brewery a couple of years ago, 22 Northmen. Another brewery, Copper Trail, is on North Broadway near the Big Ole statue and the Central Lakes Trail. • Catch an entertaining baseball game or college-level hockey game.
In addition, Alexandria lists several golf courses on its website, alexandriamn.org, an amusement park, go-kart racing, horseback riding, three museums, public swimming beaches, an indoor water park, a winter ski hill, three marinas and more.
There is also a trail of antique, curio and specialty shops (many of them downtown) that collectors, browsers and shoppers love to follow, and Alexandria has a very active downtown restaurant and shopping area.
Lake Brophy County Park
This park has it all – huge playground, great beach, fishing pier, a place to launch your kayak or canoe, picnic spots, mountain biking, walking and hiking trails with the best view of Alexandria and surrounding areas. The top of the hills are 140 feet above Lake Brophy. In the winter, there is ice skating and sledding. It’s a great place to take your family, friends or to just go on a nature walk by yourself.
Explore more online
• echopress.com • explorealex.com • alexandriamn.org • alexandriamn.city
Named ‘Best Minnesota Town’
*by Minnesota Monthly in 2019
REEL IN SOME FISHING FUN
Angling for some fun on the water? Alexandria Echo Press outdoors column writer Mike Frisch shares these fishing tips:
July and August can be challenging times for walleye and panfish anglers, as the good shallow bites of early season for these species have passed.
The heat of summer, however, is often prime time for largemouth bass fishing, particularly those roaming lush, deep weedlines. Midwest anglers would be hard pressed to find an area with more lakes with better deep weedlines, and with more bass than the Alexandria area has.
The famed “Alex Chain” is a prime example, but there are a variety of other lakes, both big and small, in the area that host excellent largemouth bass populations, as well.
A simple way to fish these lakes is to hold the boat just out from the deep weedline and cast mid-to-deep-diving crankbaits ahead and along the weedlines and reel them back to the boat. The Pro Model crankbaits come in a variety of sizes for effectively targeting weedlines in various water depths. Plus, these baits come in baitfish-imitating patterns like bluegill, sunfish, and perch patterns that mimic the baitfish that Alexandria area bass feed on.
SEE THE ‘7 WONDERS’ OF ALEXANDRIA
Here’s seven must-see sights in the Alexandria area, according to Explore Alexandria Minnesota:
7. Glacial Ridge Scenic
Highway. This officially designated Minnesota State Byway includes more than 220 miles of beautiful rural routes through rolling hills, lakes, woods, prairies and farmlands. Find it in Douglas County along Highways 27 and 29.
6. Lake Carlos State Park /
Inspiration Peak. They’re both fantastic natural attractions for the area. The park is located 10 miles north of Alexandria and Inspiration Peak is 25 miles northwest. Inspiration Peak, which is managed by Lake Carlos State Park, is the highest peak within the glacial-formed Leaf Hill Moraines.
5. Historic Downtown.
Downtown Alexandria is teeming with lush history and some of the best locally-owned shops and restaurants around. 4. Big Ole. It’s not every day you’ll see a giant 28-foot-tall Viking standing guard over a city’s downtown! Big Ole was built in 1965 for the New York’s World Fair by a fiberglass sculptor.
3. The Kensington Runestone.
Is it an authentic historical artifact carved by explorers from Norway way before Columbus sailed the ocean blue, or is it an elaborate hoax? You decide. The famous rock is on display at the Runestone Museum on North Broadway. 2. Central Lakes Trail. Since the trail was built on an old rail line, it provides its users with a flat and smooth experience as it routes through dozens of rolling hills, lakes, woods and prairies, spanning a total of 55 miles from Fergus Falls to Osakis. 1. Chain of Lakes. Lakes link to one another by channels without having to portage your watercraft (accessibility varies by lake, season and boat size). Lakes include Carlos, Darling, Le Homme Dieu, Geneva, Victoria, Cowdry, Jessie, North Union, Taylor, Stony and Brophy.
LEARN YOUR LAKES HISTORY: LEGACY OF THE LAKES MUSEUM
The Legacy of the Lakes Museum offers visitors a chance to experience the history of boating and resorts in the Alexandria area and beyond. The museum, located on Third Avenue West, houses an extensive classic boat collection as well as resorting, fishing, hunting and other maritime memorabilia.
An exciting addition to the museum is the Maritime Gardens. It features a grand design of gazebos, park benches, lush flower gardens, ornamental grasses, streams and waterfalls and an event stage with seating.
The museum also provides educational programs in the summer, such as sailing lessons, water safety and youth boat operation. The museum opens for the year in midMay. It also participates in a classic boat show on July 9-10 at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center on Lake Darling. For more information, go to legacyofthelakes.org.
DINE AL FRESCO
A beautiful summer day in the Alexandria lakes area is hard to beat. Especially when there are so many options to dine outside or sip on your favorite beverage under a bright blue sky.
Angelina’s Restaurant joined the dining “al fresco” trend last summer, offering a rooftop dining experience at its popular establishment along Highway 29 North. Other outdoor patio seating choices abound – Alexandria Golf Club, Boulder Tap House, D. Michael B’s, Deck Bar and Grill, Fat Daddy’s Bar and Grill, Geneva Golf Club, La Ferme, Lake Cafe, Lure Lake Bar, Mi Mexico, Pike and Pint, Depot Express, Travelers Inn, Willy T’s and Zorbaz, just to mention a few. PAGE 8 | DESTINATIONS 2021
West Central Minnesota’s premier live theatre
618 Broadway St., Alexandria, MN www.andriatheatre.org Box Office: 320-762-8300 - 11 to 5, M-F
HISTORY OR HOAX?
MYSTERY SURROUNDS MUSEUM’S RUNESTONE
Located near the Big Ole Viking statue at the north end of Broadway, the Runestone Museum is home to the controversial, world famous Kensington Runestone. It tells of early explorers to this area from Norway, whom some believe discovered America long before Christopher Columbus.
Inside the museum, you will also find exhibits on Native Americans, homesteading, Minnesota wildlife, Scandinavian immigrants, a children’s area and more. The outdoor campus, which is open April through October, has nine historical buildings, a large agricultural building and a large replica of a Viking ship. Go to www. runestonemuseum.org for more information.
HIT THE SLOPES: ANDES TOWER HILLS
Located just 15 miles west of Alexandria, Andes Tower Hills has 15 downhill ski runs ranging from beginner to expert, as well as facilities for tubing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Ski and snowboard lessons, a racing program, lodging, a restaurant, equipment rentals and a pro shop are available. For more information, call 1-877-5426337 or visit andestowerhills.com.
SLEDDIN’ TIME: SNOWMOBILE TRAILS ABOUND HERE
Douglas County offers scenic views on 368 miles of trails connecting every community in the area. Snowmobile trails also link to the 55-mile Central Lakes Trail, a four-season recreational trail that spans the county. A free trail map and additional trail information are available at the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, at 206 Broadway.
We are your
One Stop Shop
for all your needs!
Cenex Convenience Store Auto & Tire Service
1705 Broadway, Alexandria, MN • 320-763-6557 4451 Co Rd 40, Garfield, MN 320-834-2224 • Quality Cenex Fuels • Propane Filling Station • Hunting & Fishing Licenses • Bait & Tackle • Pop, Coffee, Snacks & More • Auto & Tire Full Service Shop
alexcenex.com
TAKE IN A PLAY
Alexandria is home to the Andria Theatre, a premier live theatre and performing arts center and home to the nonprofit Alexandria Area Arts Association.
Its mission is to build community by igniting interest and participation in and through the performing arts. The mission is accomplished by providing community-based theatre and education-oriented programming that exceeds expectations, led by a staff of seasoned professionals.
Check the website – andriatheatre.org – for performance times, future plays and to purchase tickets.
CHEERS TO THIS GRAINS AND GRAPES
Whether you’re into sipping award-winning wines or prefer a cold glass of craft beer, the Alexandria area offers two breweries and at least four wineries. Copper Trail is in downtown Alexandria on North Broadway, near the famous Big Ole Viking statue. Copper Trail’s industrial style taproom has a relaxing atmosphere, with seating along the bar top, on custom-made tables made from refurbished wood or on the outside patio. Ask for a tour of the brewery system and see exactly how your craft beer was made, 20 feet from where it was poured. The brewery also has a wide selection of games, from cribbage to checkers, and Jenga to Scrabble. Stop in, have a brew from the frequently changing tap list, and grab a Growler or Crowler to go. 22 Northmen Brewing Company opened two summers ago on the same property as Carlos Creek Winery. Inspired by Viking architecture from around the 12th Century, 22 Northmen is a place to not only enjoy great beer, but to also experience a fun Viking vibe – and grab a Growler to take home. The brewery also houses a wood fired pizzeria, called Valkyrie’s, and has live music performances both inside and outside, depending on the season.
Wineries in the area include the aforementioned Carlos Creek Winery, which will be hosting its 21st annual “Grape Stomp” this September.
Other wineries in the area include Burr Vineyards in Brandon, and L’Etoile du Nord Vineyard and 68 and Vine Veterans Winery, both near Miltona.
Burr Vineyards is a small, boutique, family winery that specializes in hand-crafted wines derived from the cold-hardy grapes grown adjacent to the winery. The winery, which overlooks Burr Lake, offers several varieties of wine and is open in the summer for tastings.
L’Etoile du Nord Vineyard is located on the west side of Lake Irene. Their estate wines are handcrafted in small batches from grapes grown in their vineyard. They also offer Mead, which is made from local honey and cider, which are made from local fruits.
The newest winery is 68 and Vine Veterans Winery, which is located just north of Alexandria. The vineyard offers wine made from 100% Minnesota grapes, grown right on the 40-acre farm. 68 and Vine vineyard and winery is owned by two military veterans.
History Happens Here in alexandria
N. Broadway 320-763-3160 www.runestonemuseum.org 1219 Nokomis Street 320-762-0382 www.dchsmn.org
PARK YOURSELF: UNWIND AT ONE OF DOZENS OF GREEN SPACES
New improvements at parks in Alexandria and around Douglas County are turning the great outdoors into a year-round playground for children and adults.
The latest buzz is about all the work that’s been going on at Lake Brophy County Park along Brophy Landing, off County Road 82 northwest of Alexandria. Walking and bike trails were added, a big playground was installed, sand was brought in to form a beautiful beach area, and a bathhouse was constructed. There are also sledding hills, picnic areas, a children’s zip line, ice skating, lots of green space, fire rings, easy access to the Central Lakes Trail and more.
You can also relax, picnic, walk or play in one of the dozens of Alexandria parks. The three main parks with shelters are City Park, Noonan Park and Fillmore-Dean Melton Park. During the winter months, the pond at Noonan Park transforms into an ice skating rink, complemented by a warming house. Fillmore-Dean Melton Park has a brand new shelter and restrooms, great for family gatherings. It houses a kid-friendly play area, baseball field and large open area.
LAKES AREA REALTY
Independently Owned & Operated
REALTOR®
E-mail: debra@agentpowell.com www.AgentPowell.com Cell: 320-491-6741 • Office: 320-762-5544
217 Nokomis | Alexandria, MN 56308
VENTURE UP NORTH IN STYLE The artwork used throughout this magazine is now available on a variety of apparel online at www.shop.forumcomm.com/ midwest-apparel
Big Ole Webcam
Locals and visitors alike can stop by Big Ole and take a selfie using the Big Ole webcam that is found on the ALP Utilities website – www. alputilities.com/big-ole-webcam/. It’s a fun way to get a group shot with the 28-foot fiberglass statue located in Big Ole Central Park. Once you open the website on your cell phone, just take a screenshot to capture you, your group and the famous Viking statue. You must use Firefox, Safari or Edge browsers. Chrome currently does not work with the ALP camera, which is mounted on the pole in front of Big Ole.
2705 S. Broadway ■ Alexandria, MN 56308 ■ 320-763-3360 1-800-HAMPTON ■ www.alexandriasuitesmn.hamptoninn.com
alexandria Events calendar
MAY
Every Friday: GoKart Racing, 7 p.m., Douglas County Fairgrounds; 320-4919249, runestonegokart.com.
Every Saturday: WISSOTA Car Racing, 6:30 p.m., Viking Speedway; 320-762-1559, vikingspeedway.net.
Every Sunday: Vikingland Corvette Club’s Sunday cruise and dinner, 4:30 p.m., Alexandria Clinic parking lot; vikinglandcorvetteclub.com. 1: Theatre L’Homme Dieu Run for the Roses Kentucky Derby Party, Carlos Creek Winery 1: Viking Seafaring Vessel Display, Runestone Museum 1: On Golden Pond, Andria Theatre 2: On Golden Pond, Andria Theatre 6: History At Home: Gar Wood 13: History At Home: Phil Noonan 20: History At Home: A Biography of a One Room Schoolhouse 23: Immortal Words, Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra and Chorale 26: Alexandria Technical & Community College Foundation – Scramble for Scholarships Golf Tournament 27: Schjei Country Concert, Courthouse Lawn, Alexandria 28-30: Ole Oppe Fest, downtown Alexandria, alexjaycees.com
30: Awake the Grapes 10K/5K/0K Run, Carlos Creek Winery 31: Blue Star Museum Program begins
JUNE
Every Friday: GoKart Racing, 7 p.m., Douglas County Fairgrounds; 320-4919249, runestonegokart.com.
Every Saturday: WISSOTA Car Racing, 6:30 p.m., Viking Speedway; 320-762-1559, vikingspeedway.net.
Every Sunday: Vikingland Corvette Club’s Sunday cruise and dinner, 4:30 p.m., Alexandria Clinic parking lot; vikinglandcorvetteclub.com. 3: Livewire Concert, Courthouse Lawn 10: Nathan’s Old-Time Band, Courthouse Lawn 11-13: History Live, tentative, Runestone Museum 16: Habitat Hardhat Luncheon, Knute Nelson Memorial Park 16: Happy Hour, Knute Nelson Memorial Park 16-19: Grease, Andria Theatre 17: Honky Tonk Stardust Cowboys Concert, Courthouse Lawn 18-20: Art DeTour, multiple artists and locations, alexart.org 18-20: Runestone Days, Kensington 23-26: Grease, Andria Theatre 24: Country Roads Concert, Courthouse Lawn 27: Vikingland Band Festival, tentative, marching. com/events/vbf
TBD: Music in the Gardens
La Ferme
613 Broadway
visit lafermemn.com for our hours! Alexandria 320-846-0777
LOCAL ALWAYS ORGANIC WHEN POSSIBLE...BECAUSE
IT MATTERS WHERE YOUR FOOD COMES FROM!
2 Lakeside Vacation Homes 8 Lakefront Cottages 5 bedroom Family Reunion Lodge www.BetsyRossResort.com 320-834-2562
JULY
Every Friday: GoKart Racing, 7 p.m., Douglas County Fairgrounds; 320-4919249, runestonegokart.com.
Every Saturday: WISSOTA Car Racing, 6:30 p.m., Viking Speedway; 320-762-1559, vikingspeedway.net.
Every Sunday: Vikingland Corvette Club’s Sunday cruise and dinner, 4:30 p.m., Alexandria Clinic parking lot; vikinglandcorvetteclub.com. 1: Blue English Concert, Courthouse Lawn 4: Special July 4 Concert, Douglas County Courthouse Lawn 4: Evansville Red White & Boom Days, tentative 4: StarStorm, Arrowwood 8: Bob & The BeachCombers Concert, Courthouse Lawn 9-10: Legacy of the Lakes Museum Classic Boat Show 15: Stone Road Concert, Courthouse Lawn 20: Ice Age Exhibit opening, Runestone Museum 22: Rockin’ Hollywoods
Featuring Imports from all Scandinavian Countries www.scandinaviangifts.com Velkommen! Visit us at 604 Broadway, Downtown Alexandria 320-763-6363
Concert, Courthouse Lawn 23-25: Waterama, Glenwood 24-25: Rose City Threshing & Heritage Festival, rosecitythreshing.org 28-31: Aladdin JR, Andria Theatre 29:. Blonde and the Bohunk Concert, Courthouse Lawn
TBD: Miltona Tornado Days
TBD: Music in the Gardens, legacyofthelakes.org
AUGUST
Every Friday: GoKart Racing, 7 p.m., Douglas County Fairgrounds; 320491-9249, runestonegokart.com.
Every Saturday:
WISSOTA Car Racing, 6:30 p.m., Viking Speedway; 320-762-1559, vikingspeedway.net.
Every Sunday:
Vikingland Corvette Club’s Sunday cruise and dinner, 4:30 p.m., Alexandria Clinic parking lot; vikinglandcorvetteclub.com. 1-7: 100th annual Resorters Golf Tournament 4-7: Aladdin JR, Andria Theatre 5: 70s Magic Sunshine Band Concert, Courthouse Lawn 5: History At Home: Theresa Hicks 6: Ring of Fire Bull Ride, Parkers Prairie 6-8: Fall Festival, Parkers Prairie 11: Annual Steak Fry, Runestone Museum, runestonemuseum.org 12: 57 Chevy Reunion Band Concert, Courthouse Lawn 17-21: Douglas County Fair 19: A Woman’s Place: Women on the Frontier 19: Cimarron Concert, Courthouse Lawn 26: History At Home: Female Racers 26: Red Letter Band Concert, Courthouse Lawn 28: Walk to End Alzheimer’s, YMCA
TBD: Alexandria Festival of the Lakes, alexfest.org
TBD: Garfield Days, Forada Days, Brandon SummerFest
TBD: Music in the Gardens
SEPTEMBER
Every Sunday:
Vikingland Corvette Club’s Sunday cruise and dinner, 4:30 p.m., Alexandria Clinic parking lot; vikinglandcorvetteclub.com. 2: Robby Vee Concert, Courthouse Lawn 17-19: Grape Stomp, Carlos Creek Winery 18: Museum Day 25: Matt Kjelland Memorial Run/Walk, Alexandria City Park
TBD: Central Lakes Concert Association, centrallakesconcerts.com
OCTOBER
23: Oktoberfest, Carlos Creek Winery 31: Fall Fest in the Fort, tentative, Runestone Museum 31: Trick or Treat, downtown
TBD: Central Lakes Concert Association, centrallakesconcerts.com
NOVEMBER
4-6: Alexandria Area Holiday Arts & Crafters Tour, facebook.com/ crafterstour 26: Christmas in the Fort
TBD: Central Lakes Concert Association, centrallakesconcerts.com
DECEMBER
7: Donation Day at the Museum 17: Christmas Bake Sale, Runestone Museum
Check out these websites for more information on many of the great events going on around Alexandria: alexandria.ce.eleyo.com, redwillowartscoalition.org, centrallakesconcerts.com, legacyofthelakes.org
ONGOING EVENTS
Blizzard Hockey
September-March Runestone Community Center, Alexandria alexandriablizzard.com
Photography Workshops
First Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. Evansville Arts Center evansvilleartcenter.com
Red Willow Arts Coalition Summer Concert Series
Thursdays, May 27-Sept. 2, 7 p.m. Douglas County Courthouse lawn, Alexandria redwillowartscoalition.org
Open Mic Nights
Third Thursday of each month, 7 to 9 p.m. March-December Evansville Arts Center evansvilleartcenter.com
First Friday Concerts
First Friday of each month March-Dec., 7 to 9 p.m. Evansville Arts Center evansvilleartcenter.com
Live music
Year round: Saturdays, 2 p.m. Memorial Day-Labor Day: Sundays, 1 p.m. Carlos Creek Winery, Alexandria 320-846-5443, carloscreekwinery.com
Alexandria Farmers Market
Saturdays, May 9-Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to noon. Thursdays, June 25-Oct. 29, 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays, June 30-Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to noon. Big Ole Central Park, Alexandria
Holmes City Farmers Market and Community Breakfast
Saturdays, May 16-Oct. 17, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Breakfast through 10:30 a.m. Trinity Lutheran Church parking lot, Holmes City
SOUND THE CHIMES
This one’s for the kids. The Alexandria Rotary Club constructed the all-new Alexandria Community Musical Playground at Big Ole Central Park along 2nd Avenue and North Broadway in the summer of 2020. The new playground consists of six different musical instruments.
One of the instruments is an imbarimba, which is a pentatonic instrument that delivers resonating sounds. The inspiration for this instrument combines two African classics, the marimba, a resonated xylophone, and a kalimba, which is a thumb piano.
Another instrument is the serenade, which allows users to play songs using the color-coded chimes and attached songbook. This instrument has 15 chimes that are diatonic and provide a pleasant, sweet sound.
All the instruments can withstand the elements and be used year-round.
EXPLORE CENTRAL LAKES TRAIL
55 MILES OF PAVED PATHWAY
If you like biking, walking, in-line skating or snowmobiling, you’ll love the Central Lakes Trail. The 14-footwide, 55-mile trail is a paved trail that spans Douglas County from Osakis through Evansville and on to Fergus Falls in Otter Tail County. Located on the old Burlington Northern rail line grade, the Central Lakes Trail connects the cities of Osakis, Nelson, Alexandria, Garfield, Brandon, Evansville and Melby in Douglas County. For more information, visit centrallakestrail.com.
GOLFING OPTIONS, FROM BEGINNER TO EXPERT
Want to brush up your golf game? Douglas County has a wide variety of golf courses to entertain and challenge golfers of any skill level, from first-time beginners to league experts. You can play a quick nine holes or take on a 27-hole championship course. Many courses feature scenic views of lakes, woods and rolling hills.
Each summer, the Alexandria Golf Club plays host to the popular Resorters Golf Tournament. This summer will be the 100th annual and it will take place Aug. 1-7. It’s a matchplay competition that draws top-notch amateur golfers from throughout the Midwest. STAR STORM LIGHTS UP THE SKY
A FOURTH OF JULY SHOW TO REMEMBER
This Fourth of July – watch for a storm! Although there are several fireworks displays around the area on the Fourth, one of the most spectacular is Star Storm. Those who go to Lake Darling near Alexandria will enjoy a spectacular 20-minute fireworks display set to music. The annual display, which is designed to be enjoyed either from land or the lake, is organized by Arrowwood Resort. Folks can watch the show from the front lawn of Arrowwood, which overlooks the lake, or they can boat over to see the display.
