7 minute read
Osakis
Love it! Locals
Tip Top Dairy Bar
This iconic ice cream shop has been serving up treats on West Nokomis Street since 1955. The business even won WCCO-TV’s “Viewer’s Choice” for Best Ice Cream Shop in Minnesota. It’s open from about April through September, depending on the weather. The ice cream shop serves up ice cream cones, malts and sundaes along with hamburger baskets and other classic menu items.
Velkommen!
Featuring Imports from all Scandinavian Countries 509 Broadway
Downtown Alexandria 320-763-6363
www.scandinaviangifts.com
2705 S. Broadway ■ Alexandria, MN 56308 ■ 320-763-3360 1-800-HAMPTON ■ www.alexandriasuitesmn.hamptoninn.com
Osakis Osakis
Small town, big things to see and do
With a population of 1,773, Osakis is serenely situated on the southern shores of Lake Osakis – one of the state’s premier walleye fishing lakes. The sparkling waters of the 6,700-acre lake also offer the perfect setting for soaking in a relaxing summer afternoon, or taking a spin on your watercraft. For waterfowl hunters, public hunting areas are nearby. During the winter, the lake makes for great snowmobiling and ice fishing. Any time of year, be sure to check out the family resorts, campgrounds and motels inviting you to stay for your next vacation. Explore more online at visitosakis.com.
Steinbring Motorcoach
A Newmar Diamond Dealer
Great Prices! National Award Winning Service Knowledgeable Sales People!
Your NEW DEALER
Visit our Midwest Inventory at our Alexandria Location
Garfield • Alexandria, MN
View inventory at: www.steinbring.com
Toll Free 1.877.880.8090 | 320.834.6333 7390 County Road 82, Garfield, MN 56332 304 Irving Street, Alexandria, MN 56308
READY FOR SOME SLEDDIN’?
SNOWMOBILE TRAILS ABOUND AROUND 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.
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-foot-wide, 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.
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, crosscountry 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 1-877-542-6337 or visit andestowerhills.com.
STRIKE UP THE BANK:
VIKINGLAND BAND FESTIVAL
Always the last Sunday in June, the Vikingland Band Festival is a highlight of the summer parade marching season. Founded in 1985, the event has drawn nearly 100 different bands from at least seven different states, three Canadian provinces and Norway.
The 38th annual Vikingland Band Festival Parade Marching Championship for 2022 will take place on Sunday, June 26, starting at 1:30 p.m. For more information, visit marching.com/events/vbf/.
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.
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. It’s a match-play competition that draws top-notch amateur golfers from throughout the Midwest.
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.
SERVE IT UP:
PICKLEBALL
Pickleball is an exciting game for players of all ages and abilities. It is often referred to as “the fastest growing sport that no one knows about.” It’s a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis and it can be played with two, three or four players. In the fall of 2020, new pickleball courts were constructed at Alexandria City Park, 118 City Park Rd., and now offer players eight courts to play on.
MUSIC ON THE LAWN
The Red Willow Arts Coalition, formed in 2009 to promote the arts and provide entertainment events for the lakes area, hosts a series of music events in the summer called Concerts on the Courthouse Lawn. The 2022 season, which opened May 26, features 15 concerts from a variety of musical genres, including country, rock and roll, oldies, Christian and more. All the concerts, except for the July 4 concert, take place on Thursdays at 7 p.m. on the lawn of the Douglas County Courthouse, 305 8th Ave. W. in Alexandria. Concertgoers are asked to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. For more information, visit redwillowartscoaltion.org.
ROUND AND ROUND:
VIKING SPEEDWAY
The Viking Speedway is a one-half-mile semi-banked clay oval that races five WISSOTA sanctioned classes – Late Models, Modifieds, Super Stocks, Midwest Modifieds and Street Stocks – every Saturday night from the end of April through Labor Day, including the Viking Fall Classic in October.
Viking Speedway is located approximately 3/4 mile west of State Hwy. 29 on County Road 82 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
