Alexandria
Around Alexandria
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Town and around · Minnesota · 39k people
Alexandria
Locals say Lakes Area · “Hub of the Lakes”
Where every day is a lake day.
Lake Blue
Welcome to the Lakes Area! Whether you're here for the fishing, the trails, or just to soak in the small-town charm, you'll find plenty to do. Grab a hotdish and enjoy the lake breeze.
Clubs for Alexandria
No clubs for Alexandria yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Alexandria. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Alexandria. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Runestone Museum Home of the Kensington Runestone and local history.
- Lake Carlos State Park Popular for camping, fishing, and hiking.
- Central Lakes Trail Multi-use paved trail connecting lakes and towns.
- Big Ole Giant Viking statue in downtown Alexandria.
- Alexandria Technical & Community College Local college campus with events and athletics.
- Douglas County Fairgrounds Hosts the county fair and other events.
- Outdoors Fishing on area lakes
- Outdoors Boating and water skiing
- With kids Visit Runestone Museum
- With kids Swim and picnic at Lake Carlos State Park
- Evenings Alexandria Blizzard hockey games
- Evenings Live music at local bars
- Locals love Lake cabins and resorts
- Locals love Fishing spots
Through the year
- Douglas County Fair August Classic county fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
- Lakes Area Music Festival Summer Summer concerts featuring local and regional musicians.
- Alexandria Blizzard home games Winter Junior hockey games at the Runestone Community Center.
- Viking Speedway racing season Summer Dirt track races on summer weekends.
- Alexandria Lake Area Arts Festival Summer Local artists and craftspeople showcase work.
Continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Best time to be out is summer for lakes and fall for colors. Best: Summer is best for lake activities and trail use.
Talk like a local
- “Lakes Area”
- The common name for the Alexandria area, referencing the many lakes.
- “The cabin”
- A term for a lake cabin or weekend retreat.
- “Uff da”
- A Minnesota exclamation of surprise or fatigue.
- “Hotdish”
- A casserole dish common at gatherings.
Getaways
- Brainerd Lakes Area More lakes, golf, and family resorts.
- Detroit Lakes Beach and music festivals.
- St. Cloud Larger city with shopping and dining.
- Fargo Big city amenities and cultural events.
Local flavour
Teams
- Alexandria Blizzard NAHL
Also rooting for Minnesota Vikings (NFL), Minnesota Twins (MLB), Minnesota Wild (NHL), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), Minnesota Lynx (WNBA), Minnesota United FC (MLS)
Eat and drink
- Walleye Freshwater fish from local lakes, often fried or grilled
- Tater tot hotdish A Minnesota classic casserole with ground meat, vegetables, and tater tots
- Lefse
Where people go
- Lake resorts and cabins The area is dotted with hundreds of lakes, making it a prime destination for cabins and resorts.
- Runestone Museum Home to the Kensington Runestone, a controversial artifact with Viking inscriptions.
- State parks Lake Carlos State Park and others offer hiking, camping, and water activities.
Heritage and traditions
The Lakes Area is proud of its Scandinavian heritage, its countless lakes, and the enduring mystery of the Kensington Runestone. Locals love to share the region's small-town warmth, outdoor recreation, and quirky Viking identity.
This time of year in Alexandria
- Fall harvest festivals Autumn Small towns host harvest dinners and craft fairs celebrating the agricultural season.
Say it like a local: “You betcha” — An enthusiastic yes, often with a nod.
Festivals
- Starbuck Waterama July A summer festival with water ski shows, a parade, and community contests on Lake Minnewaska.
- Morris Prairie Pioneer Days June Celebrates the area's pioneer and agricultural history with reenactments and a street fair.
- Glenwood Waterama July Another water-themed festival on Lake Minnewaska, with races and live music.
- Long Prairie Meat and Potato Days August A quirky celebration of the town's meatpacking heritage with food stands and a parade.
Landmarks with a story
- Runestone Museum Houses the Kensington Runestone, a controversial 14th-century artifact, plus a full-scale Viking ship replica.
- Big Ole A 28-foot-tall Viking statue in downtown Alexandria, a beloved roadside attraction and symbol of the town's Norse heritage.
- Stevens County Historical Museum In Morris, this museum preserves the prairie and small-town history of the region, including pioneer artifacts.
- Kensington Runestone Park The original site where the runestone was found, marked with a replica and interpretive signs.
Food traditions
- Lefse and krumkake at Christmas Norwegian families gather to roll lefse on special griddles and bake krumkake cookies, a holiday ritual.
- Friday night walleye fish fry During Lent, many church and community groups host walleye fish fries, a nod to the area's lakes and Catholic heritage.
- Church basement potluck Hotdish, Jell-O salads, and bars are the staples of post-service gatherings, reflecting a Scandinavian-Midwestern comfort food tradition.
- Ice cream socials Summer evenings feature community ice cream socials at churches and parks, often with homemade pies.
- Sweet corn roast At harvest time, neighborhoods and clubs host sweet corn roasts, grilling corn in the husk over open fires.
Music and arts
- Lakes Area Music Festival A summer classical music series with professional musicians performing in venues around the lakes.
- Community theater Local groups like the Alexandria Area Arts Association stage plays and musicals year-round.
A little history
- 1898 Kensington Runestone discovered
- 1870s Scandinavian settlers arrive
- 1920s Lake resort boom begins
- 1960s Interstate 94 connects the area
- Game day High school hockey
- Game day Walleye fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Fishing on area lakes
- Outdoors Boating and water skiing
- With kids Visit Runestone Museum
- With kids Swim and picnic at Lake Carlos State Park
Locals speak with a classic Minnesota accent: long vowels, a slight Scandinavian lilt, and a friendly, understated tone. You'll hear 'oh ya' and 'you betcha' often, and many place names (like Alexandria) are pronounced with a flat 'a' and a quick 'dree'.
Only here
- The Kensington Runestone, a disputed Viking artifact, is displayed in Alexandria – no other place has this mystery.
- Big Ole, a 28-foot Viking statue, stands guard over the town – a beloved kitsch icon.
- The 'Lakes Area' boasts over 1,000 lakes within a short drive, making it a water-sports paradise.
- Starbuck's Waterama features a water ski show on Lake Minnewaska, a tradition since the 1950s.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to drive a boat – lakes are the center of summer life, and knowing how to launch and dock is essential.
- Embrace winter: invest in a good ice auger and warm gear; ice fishing and snowmobiling are huge here.
- Try lefse at a church bazaar or a family gathering – it's a local staple.
- Pronounce 'Alexandria' as 'Alex-ann-dree-uh' – locals drop the 'i' sound.
- Don't be surprised if strangers wave at you on country roads – it's a friendly custom.
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Nearby
Every areaMorrisMinnesotaPrairie skies, glacial lakes, and small-town heart.Park RapidsMinnesotaWhere the northwoods meet the prairieFergus FallsMinnesotaWhere every lake has a storyLittle FallsMinnesotaWhere the Mississippi runs through pine and prairie.WillmarMinnesotaSmall-town charm, endless lake views.St. CloudMinnesotaWhere the river meets the rockWahpetonNorth DakotaWhere the prairie meets the Red RiverBrainerdMinnesotaWhere every day feels like a cabin retreat
Alexandria, MN. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.