Alexandria Vacation Wonderland – Alexandria, Minnesota
If you were to blend the perfect combination of beautiful scenery, nearly limitless recreational opportunities in the water and on the land, year-round events and attractions, and a rich cultural and natural history, the result would be Alexandria.
The area’s abundant lakes cry out to fishermen and pleasure boaters alike, whose choices are limited only by desire and time. From sunfish that stir the imagination of children, to muskies that test the skills and patience of the most seasoned angler, to walleyes that remind us to stop and enjoy the taste of fresh fish, its waters have something for fishermen of every stripe.
Shore-fishing opportunities abound at lakes like Geneva and Victoria, where public fishing piers are but the starting point for lifelong memories. The Alexandria Chain of Lakes is a hotbed for bass anglers, and provides an endless supply of places to dip a lure. If seclusion is your thing, check some of Alexandria’s smaller lakes – Brophy, Cowdry, Louise, and Mina, among them – but be ready for some fast fishing action.
Some lakes (Lobster and Miltona) are known for their muskie fishing; some for their bass fishing (Le Homme Dieu, Geneva, Darling, and Ida); and some for their walleye fishing (Carlos, Latoka, Mary, and Reno). And if it’s crappies, sunfish, or northern pike you’re after, it’s hard to go wrong on any of the area’s lakes, which can accommodate watercrafts from canoes to house boats.
But satisfaction isn’t limited only to those whose idea of a good time on the lake includes rods and reels, hook sets, and fried fish on the shore. Alexandria’s waters are the perfect place to pull a water skier or a tuber, ride around on a jet ski, or cruise the lake and hit a lakeside restaurant for lunch or dinner. Alexandria is a destination for meetings, conferences, and events, and its multitude of hotels and bed and breakfast spots provide the perfect homes away from home for a week or weekend. The area also includes hotel-styled resorts as well as resorts where lake-side cabins afford an up close and personal view of the water.
The draw of Alexandria’s waters is undeniable and strong, but for those who so choose, vacations here – be it winter, spring, summer, or fall – can be so much more. Frozen lakes draw the ice fishermen who set out their fish houses and create mini ice-top communities, while snow-covered trails offer travel routes for cross-country skiers and snowmobilers.
The city itself has a cozy downtown area filled with unique stores that offer everything you need while you’re in town, and everything you need to remember your trip. And hospitality isn’t just an industry, but a way of life. Whether you want a quick bite before you walk into the movie theater or shopping mall, or a sit-down dinner that reminds that special someone (even if it’s you!) of how important they are, Alexandria’s restaurant scene has you covered.
The Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum maintains the history and traditions that live on and exist because of the water, while the Runestone Museum and Douglas County Historical Society afford the opportunity to learn about the area’s heritage and how a variety of cultural influences made Alexandria the city it is today.
For all it offers throughout the year, Alexandria has many day and weekend events that celebrate some aspect of life in the area. Thousands of ice anglers enjoy camaraderie while they do their best to land the biggest fish and win one of hundreds of prizes during the annual Ice Fishing Challenge.
In the days after the ice leaves the lakes, but before the calendar says it’s summertime, the Awake the Lakes Festival brings Alexandria residents and tourists alike to a celebration of another season of sun-drenched fun on the area’s lakes. A month later, the world-famous Vikingland Band Festival draws thousands of spectators to Alexandria’s main street to watch as high school bands from Minnesota and beyond compete for the title of Grand Champion. The Resorters Golf Tournament highlights the spectacular golfing that’s available at many courses in the area, while the Douglas County Fair features a multitude of entertainment, food, and educational options that make it the tenth-largest fair in the state.
If you’ve been to Alexandria, consider returning to continue the experience. If not, it’s all here waiting for you. Either way, welcome.
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