As a Minnesotan, it’s a must to get up north at least once each summer! I was lucky to kick off the season in Sauk Center and Alexandria over Memorial Day Weekend. We spent an afternoon in Alexandria and found that this city has so many hidden gems!
Keep reading for some fun things to do in Alexandria MN! And if you have extra time, be sure to stop by nearby Redhead Creamery where you can tour the dairy farm and see how cheese curds are made. See more about this here – so fun!
1. Copper Trail Brewing Company
If you’ve read this blog before, you know I love a good brewery. Copper Trail Brewing Company is located right near downtown. My favorite part about this space is the windows! The light makes this industrial space feel so open…but the fireplace still gives you a cozy feel. And the beer is great too! I tried the Hopper Trail IPA and Cole ordered the Summer Suds which is the perfect summer beer. My brother in law ordered the Cabin Retreat, which is a smoked beer, and would be perfect for sitting by the fire. All around, this place had the friendliest staff, great beer, and a fun atmosphere. Would definitely visit again!
2. Big Ole
Big Ole is one of the most iconic things to do in Alexandria MN and has been in his place since 1965. He stands right downtown near the water and serves as a popular gathering place and photo op! The more time we spent in Alexandria, the more we saw the viking history come to life. Keep reading for why Big Ole is so special to this town.
3. Runestone Museum
When we were in Norway, we learned all about the vikings (see more on this trip here!), so when we learned that there was some viking history of our own in Minnesota, we had to get to the bottom of it. This starts with the Runestone Museum, located right across the street from Big Ole. This is the home to the Runestone which was found by a few farmers in 1898. There’s a lot of skepticism over the authenticity of the stone, but if it is indeed real, it proves the vikings were here much before Christopher Columbus! Make sure to stop by and decide for yourself (I’m on team authentic :)). We had a lot of fun learning how to write our names in viking letters and exploring the grounds! Tickets to the museum are $8 ($5 for students).
4. Carlos Creek Winery
I’ve been wanting to visit Carlos Creek Winery for years! The winery is located about 10 minutes outside Alexandria. The grounds are beautiful and I was surprised with all the fun things to do! We started by ordering a bottle of wine inside (If you’re not a wine-lover, they have Copper Trail beer on tap!) and bringing it out to the patio to listen to the live music. We then took a wagon ride pulled by two Norwegian Fjord horses (Again, this town loves its viking heritage!) for a tour around the grounds. We ended our time here by playing bocce ball. You could easily spend an entire afternoon here!
5. Zorbaz
After some time on the water, stop in at Zorbaz for some food and drinks overlooking the lake. There was also a band playing here which makes for a perfect way to cap off a summer day. Grab a fruity drink and enjoy the views!
Bonus! Updated for 2019!
6. Redhead Creamery
So, Redhead Creamery isn’t located in Alexandria, but if you’re road tripping from the Twin Cities, this is a must stop on your way there or back! Redhead Creamery is a locally owned creamery you can tour to see how they make their cheese and cheese curds. Tour the farm, pet the cows, and try some really unique twists on cheese curds! More info on our afternoon at Redhead Creamery here!
Other places I wanted to try but didn’t have time 🙁
With so many things to do in Alexandria MN, I’m hoping I can make another trip this summer! Next on my list is stopping by the Sugar Shack of Alex for some ice cream, Nice Juicery for a smoothie bowl, and the Legacy of the Lakes Museum to see some cool boats!
