Food, Shopping & Things to Do in Alexandria, MN
Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to Do in Alexandria MN – restaurants, drinks, fishing, boating, sightseeing, hiking, shopping, winter activities & more!
Quick Links
- Best Things to Do in Alexandria MN
- Restaurants & Shopping
- Boating/Water Sports
- Fishing & Swimming
- Winter Activities
Best Things to Do In Alexandria, MN
- Check out the Big Ole Viking Statue (downtown Alexandria)
- Go fishing! (More details below about where to fish, gear rental, etc.)
- Bike or walk the Central Lakes Trail – there are multiple bike rental shops in town
- Browse the shops in downtown Alexandria
- Check out Carlos Creek Winery– a beautiful local winery + brewery (22 Northmen Brewing) with live music, games, and Stoke wood-fired pizza (family-friendly, but not much for kids to do so bring activities/entertainment)
- Visit the Legacy of the Lakes Museum – classic boats, Minnesota lakes history, fishing memorabilia, outdoor gardens
- Go swimming – (more details below about area beaches & places to swim)
- Have fun at Casey’s Amusement Park (mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats)
- Get creative with Art Bar 39 – book a private party or check out one of the occasional public events
- Venture out to Lake Carlos State Park – hike the Hidden Lake Trail (15-minute drive; hiking, birdwatching, camping, water recreation, winter activities)
- Have a blast at Big Splash Minnesota – huge indoor waterpark located at Arrowwood Resort (day passes available year-round)
- Learn about local history (and mystery) at the Runestone Museum
- Enjoy drinks + board games at Copper Trail Brewing Company
- Take on a challenge at Escape Room Alexandria
- Enjoy an afternoon at Country Blossom Farm – bakery, cider house, local goods, fall kids’ activities, u-pick
- Hang out at Alexandria City Park – lakeside park with a public swimming beach, playgrounds, picnic areas, fishing piers, a bandstand, and pickleball/tennis courts
- Take a stroll or ice skate at Noonan Park – another lakeside park in the middle of town with walking paths, picnic tables, a walking bridge, basketball court and flowers/wildlife, popular place for hockey and ice skating in the winter.
- Take the kids to Shenanigans Indoor Playground
- Check out Lake Brophy Wayside Park – lake access, picnic tables, playground, hiking trail
- Play tennis or pickleball – Discovery Middle School has 8 courts, 4 of which are marked for pickleball, Alexandria High School has 12 tennis courts – all are open to the public when not being used by the schools
- Browse the local shops along Broadway Street
- Watch a show at the quaint Theatre L’Homme Dieu
- Play a round at one of the area golf courses
- Learn about more local history at the Douglas County Historical Society
- Enjoy a variety of activities at Garden Center Lanes – bowling, arcade, axe throwing, pool, darts, golf simulator
- Enjoy the views at Inspiration Peak
- Check out the Alexandria Farmer’s Market – Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in the summer and fall at Big Ole Park; Art Market is also in the park on summer Saturdays
- Play at a local outdoor playground – City Park, Brophy Wayside Park, Tabberts Park or Fillmore Park
- Eat at a local restaurant (see below, our favorites are Pike & Pint and Northwoods Cafe)
Restaurants & Shopping
Top Restaurants, Coffee & Dessert
Coffee + Breakfast
- Roers Family Bakery – family-owned bakery since 1886
- Northwoods Cafe – cozy, small-town breakfast diner
- Deja Bleu – boutique with coffee, smoothies, and light breakfast
- The Edge Co – boutique with clothing, home decor, and kitchen supplies; also serves coffee & alcohol
Lunch/Dinner
- Longtrees Woodfire Grill – classic midwestern supper club
- Pike & Pint Grill – American food and drinks, has a covered outdoor patio
- DJ’s Tap House & Grill – burgers and wide beer selection
- The Garden Bar on 6th – known for its charcuterie and drinks
- Depot Smokehouse and Tavern – eatery and saloon in a former train depot
- Lure LakeBar – lakeside bar and restaurant with seafood, pasta, and more
- Zorbas – Mexican, pizza, and drinks on the lake
Ice Cream + Dessert
- The Sugar Shack – candy, cookies, fudge, and ice cream
- Up North Ice Cream Co – local, homemade ice cream
- Nice Juicery – juices, smoothies, smoothie bowls, & toasts
Groceries & Shopping
Groceries
- Elden’s Fresh Foods
- Lake Country Meats
- Cub Alexandria
- ALDI
- Walmart
- Target
Shopping
- Boutiques and Antique shops downtown along Broadway St.
- Viking Plaza Mall
- Ron’s Warehouse
Boating & Water Sports
With 19 lakes throughout Alexandria, there are plenty of opportunities for water activities and fun!
Click here for an Area Lakes and Recreation Map
Click here for watercraft rental options, lessons, and guided tours.
Lake Latoka
Lake Latoka is one of the top ten clearest lakes in Minnesota! There are 2 public docks and a public swimming beach on the north side of the lake.
Motorized watercraft, including boats and jet skis are permitted on the lake, but pay attention to no-wake zones, restricted areas, and speed limits.
Lake Latoka Boat/Jet Ski Rentals:
- Barefoot Aqua Sports
- Alexandria Jet Ski Rentals (they have pontoons too)
- Fun Rental Express
- Garfield Marine
- Toon Tastic Pontoon
Other rental companies offer services on other area lakes but do not drop off at Lake Latoka.
Fishing is also popular on Lake Latoka. Fish species include northern pike, walleye, bluegill, crappie, rock bass, perch, and others.
Fishing & Swimming
Fishing
Click here for everything you need to know about public fishing piers, getting a fishing license, guided tours, and area fishing reports.
Swimming
- Alexandria City Park Beach
- Chippewa Park Beach
- Lake Brophy County Park
- Lake Carlos State Park
- Lake Latoka Public Beach
- Lake Le Homme Dieu Beach
- Pilgrim Point County Park
- Rotary Beach at Lake Le Homme Dieu
The community is working hard to raise money for an outdoor splash pad at Fillmore Park.
Indoor Swimming:
- Arrowwood Indoor Waterpark
- Alexandria Area YMCA
Winter Activities
- Downhill skiing at Andres Tower Hills
- 368 miles of groomed snowmobile trails
- Cross-country skiing trails
- Snowshoe trails
- Winter fat biking trails
- Ice fishing
- Outdoor ice skating and hockey at Noonan Park
Click here for more winter activities and equipment rentals.
