1.Runestone Museum

When it first opened in 1958, the Runestone Museum only had one item: a Nordic rune stone that had been carbon-dated to 1382. In 1898, it was found on a farm 15 km away. A number of other Nordic things from the Middle Ages that were found in Minnesota have now been added to the museum. A copy of a Viking trade ship is part of the Scandinavian Heritage exhibit. Nine historic houses, one of which is a Civil War fort, show how people lived in forts from 1860 to 1910. Playing, dressing up, and acting out stories in the kids’ discovery room helps them learn. Summer hours: 7 days a week, winter hours: 6 days a week.

206 Broadway, Alexandria, MN 56308, Phone: 320-763-3160

2.Copper Trail Craft Beer

After Minnesota’s Surly law was passed in 2011, the Copper Trail opened. This law let people make and drink beer on the same property. People who own the business are proud that they can serve fresh beer that was made just 20 feet away. The tap list changes all the time, and you can take a tour of the brewing operations. The bar, lounge, and lunch areas can all fit up to 60 people, and there are lots of board and card games to choose from. You can order food from nearby places or get bar snacks and pizzas to eat there. The store sells beer and branding goods. Every day of the week, Copper Trail is open.

205 Broadway St, Alexandria, MN 56308, Phone: 320-219-6688

3.Legacy of the Lakes Museum

After 10 years of planning, this museum opened in 2004 to show off Minnesota lake life, customs, and legacies. The Boat House has a space inside where events and private parties can happen. One of the themes of the show is the luxurious way of life of the wealthy summer guests. Another is fishing, which includes gear from 1800 to now, well-known catches, and fishing coaches. There are rare wooden boats, more modern fiberglass boats, and birch bark canoes on show. The boat show and musical nights happen every summer. The gardens, complete with structures, plants, and paths, are a new feature. It’s open seven days a week from the end of May to the end of October.

205 3rd Ave. W, Alexandria, MN 56308, Phone: 320-759-1114

4.Central Lakes Trail

This 55-mile long, paved track follows the line of the abandoned Burlington North Railroad corridor through 10 communities, from Osakis to Fergus Falls. It’s 100 feet long and 14 feet wide, with a shoulder on each side. It goes through forests, along lakes, through marshes, and through farmland. It undulates, allowing for scenic views of the countryside, wildlife and wild flowers. During the winter, snowmobiles are allowed on the road, but no other vehicles are. Visitors can spend a couple of hours or a couple of days on the trail. There are restaurants, lodgings and a return bus service at the community stops along the way, and picnic stops and benches in between.

206 N. Broadway, Alexandria, MN 56308, Phone: 320-763-3161

5.Theatre l’Homme Dieu (TLHD)

TLHD has been putting on live theater and art shows at the north end of Lake l’Homme Dieu since 1961. The building that used to be a resort has a cabin with a commercial kitchen that can sleep 38 people. A new show is brought to the site almost every week. The theater has room for 272 people and is set in 22 acres of woods and lakeshores. During the summer, a music series makes it even more fun. Throughout the year, the theater holds events to raise money and work with the community to teach.

1875 County Road 120 NE, Alexandria, MN 56308, Phone: 320-846-3150

6.Douglas County Historical Society, Alexandria, Minnesota

The Society has been around since 1976. It is in the famous house that Knute Nelson, the only governor of Minnesota who was not born in the state, and his family used to live in. The house was left to the Lutheran Church so that it could be used as a care home. It was going to be torn down in 1985, so it was moved to where it is now on the land where the house was originally located and became the Society’s main office. The Society’s main interest is in the history and family trees of Douglas County. History of the business, the family, the courts, and oral history have all been kept. Each village in the county has a slide show that tells its past. They’re open Monday through Friday.

1219 Nokomis St, Alexandria, MN 56308, Phone: 320-762-0382

7.Things to Do in Alexandria, Minnesota: La Ferne

The farm-to-fork restaurant La Ferne is in the middle of Alexandria. The ingredients come from local farms and are fresh and in season. Lunch and dinner have their own options. The food is made from scratch, and there are a lot of unique beers and wines to go with it. “Fish and sushi on Friday” is one of the daily offers, and there are also multi-course events every once in a while. The restaurant is open for lunch Tuesday through Saturday and dinner Thursday through Saturday. The setting is quite log-style. It’s closed on holidays. Chef Matthews teaches people how to cook. You can book as a group.

613 Broadway Street, Alexandria Minnesota, Phone: 320-846-0777

8.Depot Express Restaurant and Saloon, Alexandria, Minnesota

The Great Northern Railway Depot used to be the name of the Depot Express. It was constructed in 1907, and Bill Seykora and Ken Neumann bought it in 1984 and fixed it up. Behind the building, the path that used to be the train track goes right by. Hikers, cyclists, students, locals, and tourists all like the place because it has a laid-back vibe and views of the lake. Pizzas, steaks, burgers, and fish are all well-known favourites. There are daily and evening deals, as well as a “express” menu for people who can’t stay for long. The Depot is open every day except Sunday, and on the weekends there is a live DJ.

104 Broadway St, Alexandria, MN 56308, Phone: 320-763-7712

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