Brainerd: local rooms, events and more

Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Town and around · Minnesota · 100k people

Brainerd

Locals say Brainerd Lakes Area · “Lakes Area”

Where every day feels like a cabin retreat

lake bluepine green

Welcome to the Brainerd Lakes Area, where the water is clear and the winters are crisp. Whether you're here for the fishing, the trails, or just to relax by the lake, you'll find a friendly community ready to share the best of Minnesota's northwoods.

Clubs for Brainerd

No clubs for Brainerd yet.

The room

Brainerd Quiet now Where every day feels like a cabin retreat

One room for everyone around Brainerd. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A 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 Brainerd. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Paul Bunyan Statue Iconic 26-foot-tall statue in downtown Brainerd.
Brainerd International Raceway NASCAR and drag racing venue with events all summer.
Crow Wing State Park Historic site at the confluence of the Mississippi and Crow Wing rivers.
Northland Arboretum 45 acres of gardens and trails in Brainerd.
Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Mountain biking mecca with over 50 miles of trails.
Gull Lake Large, clear lake with resorts and public access.

Outdoors Fishing for walleye and bass on Gull Lake
Outdoors Mountain biking at Cuyuna
With kids Visit the Paul Bunyan statue
With kids Explore Northland Arboretum
Evenings Enjoy live music at a local resort bar
Evenings Visit a brewery taproom
Locals love Lake cabin rentals
Locals love Family resorts

Through the year

Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza January Huge ice fishing contest on Gull Lake, January.
Brainerd International Raceway Race Events Summer NASCAR and drag racing throughout the summer.
Crow Wing County Fair August Classic county fair with rides, food, and livestock.
Cuyuna Lakes Trail Festival September Mountain biking and trail running celebration.
Lakes Area Music Festival Summer Classical music performances in various lake venues.

The Brainerd Lakes Area has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm summers. The best time to be out is from late spring through early fall, when the lakes are open and the trails are green. Best: Summer (June–September) is the best time to be out on the lakes, with warm days and cool nights. Fall offers stunning colors and crisp air.

Talk like a local

“Uff da”: Expression of surprise or exhaustion.
“Hot dish”: Casserole, often tater tot hotdish.
“Up north”: Referring to the lakes area, as in 'going up north'.
“The lake”: As in 'going to the lake' meaning going to a cabin.

Getaways

St. Cloud Visit the Minnesota Baseball Hall of Fame or catch a St. Cloud Rox game.
Alexandria Explore Lake Carlos State Park and the Vikingland statue.
Grand Rapids See the Judy Garland Museum and walk the Mississippi River.
Bemidji Check out the Paul Bunyan and Babe statues and Lake Bemidji.

Local flavour

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 Fresh from the lakes, often fried or grilled
Wild rice soup A creamy Northwoods staple
Tater tot hotdish Comfort food classic
Lefse Norwegian flatbread, common in the region

Where people go

Lakes Hundreds of lakes for fishing, boating, and swimming
Resorts Family-owned lakeside resorts
Cabins Rustic and modern cabins for rent
Bait shops Local spots for tackle and advice
Ice fishing houses Winter tradition on frozen lakes
Snowmobile trails Extensive trails through the Northwoods
Paul Bunyan statue Iconic roadside attraction in Brainerd
Northwoods forests Pine and birch woodlands

Heritage and traditions

The Brainerd Lakes Area is proud of its Northwoods resort culture, Scandinavian heritage, and the legendary Paul Bunyan, along with its abundant lakes and outdoor recreation.

This time of year in Brainerd

Fall color tours September-October Driving or biking to see the autumn foliage is a popular activity.

Say it like a local: “Uff da” — Expression of surprise or exhaustion

Festivals

Aitkin County Fair August A classic small-town fair with livestock, rides, and 4-H exhibits.
Staples Corn and Clover Festival August Celebrates the area's agricultural heritage with parades, food, and family activities.
Crosby Cuyuna Heritage Days Summer Honors the iron mining history with tours, reenactments, and community events.
Crosslake Art in the Park Summer Local artists display and sell work in a lakeside setting.
Brainerd Christmas in the Park December Drive-through light display at the Northland Arboretum, a holiday tradition.

Landmarks with a story

Brainerd Depot Built by the Northern Pacific Railroad, now a museum preserving the area's railroad history.
Cuyuna Mine Pits Abandoned iron ore pits now filled with clear water, popular for swimming and diving.
Crow Wing County Historical Society Museum Preserves the region's logging and railroad past with exhibits and artifacts.
Aitkin County Historical Society Museum Showcases the area's fur trade and pioneer history.
St. Francis Catholic Church One of the oldest churches in Brainerd, with beautiful stained glass windows.
First Lutheran Church Reflects the Scandinavian Lutheran heritage of the area.

Food traditions

Lutefisk dinners Norwegian tradition, often served at church suppers during the Christmas season.
Friday night fish fries Resorts and bars serve all-you-can-eat walleye, especially in summer.
Wild rice harvesting Ojibwe people harvest manoomin (wild rice) from area lakes, a cultural and culinary tradition.
Pasties Brought by Cornish miners to the Cuyuna Range, these meat-and-potato hand pies are a local comfort food.
Blueberry picking Families pick wild blueberries in late summer for pies and jam.

Music and arts

Scandinavian folk music Polka and waltz traditions from Norwegian and Swedish settlers are still played at community events.
Paul Bunyan tall tales The legendary lumberjack is celebrated in stories, statues, and local lore.
Ojibwe beadwork and birch bark crafts Traditional arts from the Mille Lacs Band are practiced and sold in the region.
Lakes Area Music Festival Classical music performances each summer, featuring professional musicians.

A little history

1870 Brainerd founded as a railroad town
1880s Logging boom brings lumberjacks and Paul Bunyan legends
1903 Iron ore discovered in the Cuyuna Range
1920s Resorts begin to spring up around lakes
1960s Mining declines, tourism becomes the main industry

Rivalries

Brainerd vs. Bemidji High school sports rivalry, especially in hockey.
Brainerd vs. St. Cloud Regional competition in various sports.
Brainerd vs. Alexandria Lake area rivalry in football and basketball.

Game day High school hockey
Game day Ice fishing tournaments
Outdoors Fishing for walleye
Outdoors Boating and tubing
With kids Going to the county fair
With kids Mini golf

Locals speak with a distinct Northwoods accent influenced by Scandinavian immigrants. They often use phrases like 'you betcha', 'uff da', and 'don'tcha know', and they call casserole 'hotdish' and play 'duck, duck, gray duck'.

Only here

Home to a 26-foot-tall talking Paul Bunyan statue that greets visitors.
The Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area offers mountain biking on former iron mine pits.
The Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is one of the largest charitable ice fishing contests in the world.
Locals play 'duck, duck, gray duck' instead of 'duck, duck, goose'.

New here? A few tips

Be prepared for cold winters; invest in a good coat and warm boots.
Learn to say 'hotdish' instead of 'casserole'.
Get a fishing license before hitting the lakes.
Mosquitoes are fierce in summer; use repellent.
Pronounce 'Cuyuna' as 'kyoo-YOO-nuh'.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Nearby

Every area

Little FallsMinnesotaWhere the Mississippi runs through pine and prairie.Park RapidsMinnesotaWhere the northwoods meet the prairie Pine CityMinnesotaWhere the pines meet the lakes.St. CloudMinnesotaWhere the river meets the rock AlexandriaMinnesotaWhere every day is a lake day.Grand RapidsMinnesotaThe heart of the Iron Range, where the pines meet the lakes.BemidjiMinnesotaWhere the pines meet the water and hockey is a way of life.Detroit LakesMinnesotaWhere the lakes meet the pines, every season feels like home.

Brainerd, 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.