101 fun things to do in douglas county
DESCRIPTION
The title says it all! If you will be spending time in Douglas County, Minnesota, this handy guide can provide you with 101 fun-filled ideas for year-round activities!TRANSCRIPT
101101I N D O U G L A S CO U N T Y
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Pete’s has everything you need for making memories at the lake!
HWY. 29, MIDWAY MALL, ALEXANDRIA320-762-1158
Visit our website at: www.petescountymarket.com E-mail: [email protected]
Serving the Community for 73 Years!101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 3
101fun things to DO
online at www.echopress.com
indexHit the golf course ................5Garage sale for bargains ......5Motorcycle the lakes ............5Snoop for antiques ...............5Try a campground .................5Bowl a strike.........................5Enjoy a AAAA play................6Try a new hobby....................6Be a volunteer.......................6Shop historic downtown.......7Picnic Park Osagi ..................7Theatre L’Homme Dieu .........7Buy a used book....................8Savor some pie & coffee ......8Attend an auction .................8Explore a boat show .............9Tap to the band fest..............9Get informed.........................9Drive a go-kart ....................10Hone your marksmanship ...10Adopt a four-legged friend ..10Rent a pontoon ...................10Try geocaching ....................11Attend a concert .................11Visit a petting zoo ...............11Bait your hook and fish.......11Enjoy a free concert ............12Learn scuba diving..............12Walk to points of interest...12Snowmobile the trails ........12Tube the river ......................12Take the Polar Plunge .........13Shop a ‘niche’ boutique......13Spend time with pooch.......13Feed the ducks....................13Try bowfishing ....................13Golf guide ......................14-16Paint a landscape ...............17Buy farm fresh ....................17
Tour maritime museum.......17Hunt game birds .................17Attend radio theater ...........17Throw some disc golf .........17Step back to the 40s...........18Smile for family portrait .....18Ski cross country.................18Throw a softball..................19Bike or blade on the trail ....19Pick fresh berries ................19Immerse in local art ............20Scream for ice cream..........20Ski a local resort .................20Skateboard a ramp .............21Attend Boats & BBQ ...........21Simulate your swing...........21Downhill sled......................22Become a beach bum .........22Rev your engine ..................22Enter a fish tournament......22Don your cowboy hat ..........22Ice skate on the pond .........22Dining guide ..................23-25Cheer on a hockey team .....27Spend day at the park.........27Take in a ballgame..............27Rent personal watercraft....27Take in a movie ...................27Worship outdoors ...............27Experience fine dining ........28Splash at waterpark ...........28Explore state park ...............28Show your patriotism .........28Step back in history ............28Kick up your heels...............28Rent a family bike...............29Tour ‘silk stocking’ area ......29Visit Runestone Park...........29Kayak Lake Agnes...............29Cheer on a race car.............29Tour manufacturing.............29
Sample local wines ............30Tour historic home ..............30Head to the mall ................30Climb Inspiration Peak........31Make ice cream ..................31Rent a movie.......................31Write name in runic ............31Build an igloo......................34Attend summer festival ......34Learn at Terrace Garden .....34Find Lady of the Hills ..........34Visit Spruce Hill ..................34Drive around lakes..............35Pick out a good book...........35Take tour of gardens ...........35Cheer on demo derby..........35Socialize at bazaar..............35Watch the go-karts .............35Dance/sing karaoke............36Become an avid hunter .......36Watch snowmobiles ...........36Peruse Art in the Park .........36Go to the fair.......................36
A publication of theEcho PressAlexandria, MNTo advertise, call320.763.3133.
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4 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Snoop the antique shops
4The Alexandria area offers an abundanceof antique shopping opportunities. Shop-pers can spend hours snooping throughantique stores for something specific.
Chances are good you’ll come across a must-havetreasure to take home. Local antique store ownersoffer a wealth of knowledge if you have questions.
Relax at an area campground
5Whether you’re rolling up in an RV or your tent isrolled up in a backpack, the lakes area offers everythingyou’ll need for campground comforts. Any of the 11 locallyowned campgrounds are a great choice for a weekend of
fun, and Lake Carlos State Park is a closer-to-nature choice that’sstill close to town.
Bowl a strike
6An evening of bowling is a great way to have fun. Set upthe bumpers for the kids or spend a night in competitionwith friends. The local lanes provide plenty of options forboth the serious and recreational bowlers.
Hit the golf course
1Do you love to golf? Here’s your chance! Home toprofessional and top amateur golfers alike, DouglasCounty has some of the premier public and semi-public courses to be found in Minnesota. With sig-
nature holes, breathtaking views of the lakes and rollinghills, and nine courses to choose from, you’re sure to find acourse just made for you.
Garage sale for bargains
2Go garage saling. Nearly every weekend in the lakesarea you’ll find garage sale signs sprouting from streetcorners. Stop by and check out the deals – you neverknow what you’ll find! Here are some tips for successful
garage saling: Check out the garage sale ads in the Friday issues of the Echo Press; circle thesales that are on your must-stop list; map out your route; bring dollar bills and change; andmost importantly, get there early!
Bike around the lakes
3Take a motorcycle ride around the lakes. There are about300 lakes in Douglas County and a motorcycle ridearound any of them will make for a scenic trip.During your ride, be sure to stop in at a local
café for lunch. Rev up your engine and hit the road –there’s plenty to check out from the seat of a bike.
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 5
Sit back and enjoy a play
7Check out the local talent on stage at the Alexandria AreaArts Association in downtown Alexandria. The AAAApresents four productions a year – fall, Christmas, winterand spring. All are comprised of local talent in the cast
and crew. There are also several other productions and concerts held atAAAA Theatre throughout the year.
Try a new hobby
8Take a Community Education class. District 206 Commu-nity Education offers programs, classes and other learningopportunities for residents of all ages, inter-ests and abilities. Classes are held
throughout school district facilities all year.
Be a volunteer
9Volunteer at the Douglas County Out-reach Food Shelf, Lakes Area Hu-mane Society or Habitat forHumanity of Douglas County. What
you give, you get back ten-fold and volunteering your time isa guaranteed rewarding experience. If you contact these localnon-profits, they will gratefully find something for you to helpwith!
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6 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 7
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Shop historic downtown
10Make a day of it – shopping and lunching atthe unique stores of downtown Alexan-dria. The variety of shops is awesome –
everything from funky handbags and clothes to an-tiques and books. Plus, the downtown dining choicesare as unique as the shopping! You’ll have a hardtime deciding on one. You may want to return againand again to check out everthing downtown Alexan-dria has to offer.
Picnic at Park Osagi
11Have a picnic at Park Osagi along the south-ern shore of Lake Osakis. The park is locatedon Lake Street and it’s easy to get to. Once
you’re there, there’s lots to do: check out the playground, fish-ing, picnic shelters, basketball court, shady spots to sit and openarea for games. A restroom is also on site.
Attend Theatre L’Homme Dieu
12 Attend a play at Theatre L’Homme Dieu in Alexandria. For50 years, TLHD has contributed to the vibrancy and allureof the lakes area by presenting exceptional and entertain-
ing theater. Five productions are set this summer, including TripleEspresso; Proof; Guys on Ice; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; and Power Balladz.
8 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Enjoy a second hand book
13Visit the Used Book Store at the Douglas County Li-brary. The Friends of the Library hold a hugely success-ful used book sale every year, and now, they have
opened up shop in the library to sell used book treasures year-round. Stop by, bring cash and it’s guaranteed you’ll walk out with
several books to dig into.
Savor some pie and coffee
14Need a jolt of java and a cup of conversation? Thereare hometown cafes withhome-baked pies, branded
coffee shops, and restaurants ga-lore in Douglas County to meetand indulge in a chat session,a piece of pie and a cup ofcoffee.
Attendan auction
15Attend an estateauction. It’s aunique experience to
score a deal on a wide variety of uniquetreasures – everything from vintage knick-knacks
to classic furniture and so much more.
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101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 9
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Explore a boat show
16Visit the Chain of Lakes Classic Boat Show.On July 9, the Minnesota Lakes MaritimeMuseum presents a stunning display of
classic boats right where they belong – floating in alocal lake! Take a closer look at the boats of yesteryearall spiffed up and shiny and on display. Often the boatowners are nearby and you’ll have a chance to learn moreabout each boat’s story. The show is held at Arrowwood
Resort and Conference Center on Lake Darling.
Tap your toes to bands
17Attend the Vikingland Band Festi-val, featuring the Midwest’s finest highschool marching bands. Founded in 1985, the
event is a highlight of the summer parade marching season. In the past 26years it has drawn 84 different bands from seven states, two Canadian
provinces and Norway. In 2011, the 27th annual parade is set for Sunday,June 26 at 1:30 p.m. on Broadway.
Get informed of local happenings
18Grab a copy of the Echo Press or Osakis Review and pull up a chair at one ofmany local coffee shops. Not only will you read about the community’s local hap-penings, you can strike up a conversation with the group seated next to you –
we’re friendly around here. Plus, we guarantee you’ll get a great cup of coffee with small-town hospitality anywhere you go.
10 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Drive a go-kart andmake a splash
19Have some fun at a local amusement park.From go-karts and bumper boats to mini golfand batting cages, amusement parks offer
plenty of fun throughout the summer months. The manyactivities at these parks provide hours of entertainmentfor all ages.
Hone your marksmanship
20Hone your marksmanship at a shootingpark. The local shooting parks offer plentyof opportunity for those looking to sharpen
their aim before hunting season or just have fun on the range.Short or tall, young or old, everyone has the chance to succeed
in the shooting sports with a little practice.
Adopt a four-legged friend
21Find a friend at the Lakes AreaHumane Society. Thereare many four-legged
friends waiting to move in to a lov-ing home. Stop by the local hu-
mane society to tour the facilityand meet dogs and cats that will
be happy to meet you and melt yourheart.
Rent a pontoon andtour a lake
22There are several places across the county thatoffer pontoon rentals. Launch your rented ‘toonon one of the area lakes with your friends and fam-
ily, pack a lunch and cooler and get set for a day of sun and water.Boat rentals allow everyone the chance to enjoy a float in a boat.
See Full Schedule at www.prairiefest.net
Father’s Day Weekend • June 16 - 19Every Day - Goldstar Amusement Rides, Food Vendors, Exhibitors
Friday - Fireworks
Saturday - Car Show, Parade & WARRANT with Special Guest Van Halen Army
Sunday - Demo Derby
R001572847_051
Long Prairie, MN
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 11
Try geocaching
23Try geocaching at Lake Carlos StatePark. Geocaching is the recreationalactivity of hunting for a hidden ob-
ject with the use of GPS coordinates. Lake CarlosState Park offers hands-on training that will helpyou participate in Minnesota’s statewide Geo-caching Wildlife Safari. The class is June 18 from1-2 p.m. Learn more about geocaching opportuni-ties at the Minnesota DNR website.
Attend a concert
24Attend a series of high quality concertsthrough the Central Lakes Concert Associa-tion. CLCA, formed in 1983, sponsors six con-
certs a year for season ticket holders from September to April.Members can attend all the concerts in Alexandria, plus concerts infive nearby communities for $35 per member.
Visit a petting zoo!
25Pygmy goats and kids, sheep, miniature horses andmules, miniature zebu cows, llamas, potbelly pigs, rab-bits, ducks, chickens, geese, peacocks and pheasants.
Where can you find all this variety? At the next best thing tograndpa’s farm – a petting zoo. You can visit the local petting zoo
any time of the year and even get a chance for a little hands-onexperience.
Bait your hook andcatch a fish
26There might not be a more popular activity inthe Alexandria lakes area than getting on alake for a day of fishing. From panfish to Min-
nesota’s favorite big-game species of muskie, walleyes andnorthern pike, area lakes have every kind of fish an angler is look-
ing for. Plenty of guiding opportunities are also available for thosewho may need some assistance in finding the area’s hottest spots.
!Picture Yourselfwith Original Art
320-815-1850 • 1 mile past Bug-A-Boo Bay on CR 42 • Open Wed. - Sat. 10am-5pm • Sun. 1-4pm starting 5/28/11
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12 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Take ascuba diving class
28Douglas County lakes aregood for more than just fish-ing. They also offer a great opportu-
nity for those looking to explore what’s below the surface. TheAlexandria area has PADI instructors who offer courses for thoselooking to become scuba certified.
Walk to points of interest
29Walk and explore Alexandria and Osakis. The ActiveLiving Douglas County group cre-ated walking maps of Alexan-
dria and Osakis and they’re available in thearea free of charge. Pick one up, lace up your
walking shoes and explore the historic sitesand points of interest in these towns.
Snowmobilethe trails
30A snowmobiler’s para-dise awaits you in Dou-glas County. Filled with
spectacular views along trails that travelthrough flatlands and heavily wooded
hills, snowmobilers are also treatedto the sight of abundant wildlife. The
Douglas Area Trails Association (DATA) maintainsthe 370 miles of trails that connect every com-munity within the county, so food, gas, serv-ices and accommodations are always nearby.
Float down the river
31Float down the Long PrairieRiver on a tube. This is theperfect way to spend a lazy
summer afternoon. Load up the inner tubesand a cooler and jump in the slow-movingriver with friends and family for a memo-rable summer adventure.
Enjoy a free summer concert
27Enjoy free summer concerts on the DouglasCounty Courthouse lawn on Thursdays at 7p.m. beginning May 26 for 15 weeks. They
are put on by the Red Willow Arts Coalition. There arealso six to eight free family events at Alexandria City Parkin the summer, sponsored by the Douglas County BuildingConnection Early Childhood Initiative.
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 13
Spend time with your pooch
34Spend some quality time withyour pooch at a spot made justfor them – the local dog
park! Studies show that 65 percentof dogs are overweight. So get
them – and yourself – off thecouch and head to Pooch Play-
land for some quality time.
Feed the ducks
35Feed the ducks atNoonan Park. This is afun family event that
will delight your kids or grandkids… and the ducks!Bring pieces of bread and scatter them on the groundfor the ducks and geese to devour. The kids willsqueal with excitement when dozens of ducks waddleand swim their way over to the bread buffet.
Try your hand at bowfishing
36This sport has taken off over the past coupleyears. It is cheap and easy to equip an old ornew bow with all the accessories you need to
hunt for rough fish that all the local lakes have. The best time tobowfish is in the spring when the fish are spawning in the shallow waternear shore.
Take the Polar Plunge!
32During frigid February, people plungeinto a lake on purpose! The Polar BearPlunge is an annual fundraiser for Spe-
cial Olympics Minnesota. This year, 263 people tookthe plunge and raised $48,500 for Special Olympics.The event draws a great crowd every year. Thinkingabout taking the plunge? Watch for registration de-tails later this year.
Shop a ‘niche’ boutique
33If you’re looking for something specialand a little out of the ordinary, visit aspecialized boutique in the lakes area.
There are several shops that offer items like tuxe-dos, lefse, bikes and more. The areas downtown
are the best places to shop for somethingunique!
Golf Directory your guide to area golf courses!
Twilight...$29 - Unlimited holes! Call after 4 p.m.!“18 Hole Championship Golf course, Par 72, 6,492 Yards
Overlooking Beautiful Lake Minnewaska!”9 Holes, Weekdays $18.00; Weekends $21.0018 Holes, Weekdays $30.00; Weekends $35.00
FREE DRIVING RANGE WITH PAID GREEN FEESBLUE TEES: 71.7 rating, 137 slope
• WHITE: 70.3 rating, 132 slope RED: 70.8 rating, 125 slopePower cart rentals. State-of-the-art driving range.
Open to the public. Full service bar.15 miles S. of Alexandria on Hwy. 29 to Glenwood.
1-1/2 miles W. of Glenwood on Hwy. 28/29 west to Golf Course road, turn right.CALL FOR TEE TIMES:
320-634-3680
CLUB, CART & GOLF CART RENTALSLOUNGE: BEER & SET-UPS, SANDWICHES & PIZZA
GREEN FEES: 9 holes $14.50; 18 holes $23.00Weekends & Holidays: 9 holes $15.50, 18 holes $26.00
Mini Membership: $115.00 - 10 roundsREDUCED MEMBERSHIP FOR 30 & YOUNGER
Student price 9 holes $7.50 and $9.50When accompanied by adult. 16 and under.
•Season memberships available“A challenging beauty amid hills, trees and ponds!”1 block North of Intersection Hwys. 127 & 27 E., Osakiswww.osakiscountryclub.com
320-859-2140
OSAKISCOUNTRY CLUB
14 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Golf Directory
“Joel Goldstrand Design”27 hole championship golf course
Full practice facilityLocated 3 miles N. on Hwy. 29 to Cty. Rd. 73,
then 1 mile E. and then S. on Liberty Rd.– OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! –www.genevagolfclub.com
PRO SHOP: 320-762-7089GENEVA GRILL: 320-762-7092
GREEN FEES9 hole Mon.: $10.50 (Youths $6.00)
Tues.-Thurs.: $12.50 Fri., Sat., Sun. & Holidays: $14.00Call for Youth and Senior rates and times
CART RENTALS9 hole: $12.50; Additional 9 hole $8.00
Public golf course - driving range, club & cart rentals,homemade food - breakfast, too!
We accept: Mastercard, Visa and Debit CardsFrom I-94, take Exit 90 at Brandon and go five miles N. on
Co. Rd. 16 NWwww.PineRidgeGolfCourse.net
Toll free: 320-834-4028 • 320-876-4028
Pine RidgeGolf Course
- AFFORDABLY PRICED -Conveniently located minutes from Downtown!
Golf Car, Club & Cart RentalEspecially enjoyable for families, seniors, juniors, couples!
ALSO AVAILABLE FOR GROUP EVENTS!4 miles North of Alexandria on Hwy. 29
CALL FOR TEE TIMES:320-762-5420
www.nordictrailsgolf.com
Executive 9 Hole Golf CoursePar 32 - 5 Par Fours & 4 Par Threes
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 15
Golf Directory
Course features: •Club Card •Golf Cart Rentals•Driving Range •Practice Green •Snack Bar
Season Memberships Available!2 miles So. of Forada to Cty. Rd. #87...
or from Hwy. 29, take Cty. Rd. 30E and follow signs.CALL FOR TEE TIMES:
320-554-3385
Par 36Course with water hazards
and sand traps!Double Eagle - $30
Seasonal or weekly punch cards
5 miles west of Alexandria on Hwy. 27 to CR 27, follow signs. Call for tee times 320.886.1400Scenic • Challenging • Par 35www.hardwoodhillsgolf.com
9 holes of golf...$13 • 6 & under FREEJr. & Sr. Rates • Cart Rental Available
18 HolesOverlooking Pomme de Terre Lake!
Lush, open fairways, challenging greens. Relaxedand friendly atmosphere!
West from Alexandria 25 miles on I-94 to Evansville-Elbow Lake Exit 82.
West 6 miles on Hwy. 79, then North 1 mile on GolfCourse (Co. 24) Rd.
Group Rates Available • Monday & Wednesday Specialswww.TipsinahMoundsGolf.com
218-685-4271 • 800-660-TMGC
G O L F C O U R S ETIPSINAH MOUNDS
Arrowwood is proud to announce Minnesota Golf at itsfinest! This newly renovated golf course was designed withwetland preservation in mind and focuses on scenic lakeviews and unique challenges. Experience the natural andundisturbed beauty of Alexandriaʼs most scenic golf course!
• Pro-Shop • Snack Bar • Rentals • Open to the Public
2100 Arrowwood Lane NW, Alexandria, MN 56308320-762-TEES (8337)
www.arrowwoodresort.com
16 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 17
Hunt for game birds
40Sportsmen who can’t get enough timein the field do not have to wait untilfall to chase game birds in the area.
Local game farms provide hunting opportuni-ties for upland birds for months after the
regular season ends. It is a great oppor-tunity to tune up and get that dogready for opening day.
Attend a live radiotheater taping
41 Attend a live taping of aradio theater performance atLakes Area Theatre. Shows are
performed before a live studio audience, recorded andplayed on the radio. Live performances are Fridays at 7 p.m. On-air performances can be heard on KXRA 1490 AM on Sundays at12:30 p.m. and through a live stream on the website, www.kxra.com.
Throw a game of disc golf
42Disc golf is a great way to spend an afternoon outside withfriends and family. A new 18-hole course was opened lastsummer right behind the Alexandria YMCA. The course offers
a variety of challenges for players of every talent level.
Paint the landscapes
37Set up your easel, gather your paints and paint oneof the many beautiful landscapes Douglas Countyhas to offer. No matter what your artistic style is,
artwork is a wonderfully unique way to capture a memorablemoment. There are galleries in the area where you
may have the opportunity to display your work.
Buy fresh from the farm
38Check out the Farmers’ Market. FromMay to October an assortment of localspecialties, fruits, organic food, meats, baked goods and
vegetables are available at Big Ole Central Park in Alexandria. Hours areSaturdays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 3 to 6
p.m.
Tour the maritime museum
39Tour the Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum, which celebrates thearea’s lake traditions and legacies. It is dedicated to the preservationof antique and classic watercraft, resort memorabilia and sporting
equipment used on Minnesota lakes. The museum is located on 3rd StreetWest in downtown Alexandria. The season runs from May 15 to Octo-ber 15.
18 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Step back in time to the 1940s
43Attend the Greatest Generation Day at Chandler Field inAlexandria on June 11. The Douglas County Historical Societypresents the WWII themed event each June. The day features
WWII re-enactors, vintage aircraft displays, music, food and drink, andmore. Gates open at noon, with a Hangar Dance taking place from 6 to
9 p.m. Dress in period costume if you wish!
Smile for a family portrait
44Have a family portrait taken. There are severalprofessional photographers in the area. Do youwant a photo on the dock? Maybe a casual shot
of all the grandchildren giggling? Making the ef-fort to get your family in one spot and allspiffed-up for photos will make for a long-
lasting memory that will be treasuredforever.
Ski cross country
45Cross country ski by lanternlight at Lake Carlos StatePark. The family-friendly event
provides an opportunity to walk, hike, ski or snowshoe on trailsilluminated by candles. Park visitors can then warm up around afire and have a hot drink.
1219 Nokomis Street, Alexandria320-762-0382 • www.dchsmn.org
Come visit, learn & enjoy all we have to off er!
R001
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Sales • Service • Leasing605 Hawthorne St.Downtown Alexandria320.762.1114
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Throw asoftball
46Softball tournaments are agreat way to enjoy a weekendthroughout the summer.
Whether you want to play or watch, thereare plenty of opportunities to do both inDouglas County.
Bike or bladeon the trail
47Spend an after-noon biking, walk-ing or rollerblading
on the Central Lakes Trail,a paved trail that spans
Douglas County. Itconnects the cities
of Osakis, Nelson,Alexandria,Garfield, Bran-don, Evansvilleand Melby andon to FergusFalls. The trail-head in Alexan-
dria is at thenorth end of
Broadway in Big OleCentral Park.
Pick somefresh berries
48Pick some berries at a localberry farm. There’s nothingmore tasty than fresh sun-
drenched strawberries or raspberries rightfrom the garden, and there are severalpick-your-ownoptions in theDouglas Countyarea.
609 Broadway • Alexandria320.763.8377
• Fabrics• Furniture• Window Treatments• Rugs• Accessories• Many USA Made Products• Interior Design Service
Featuring Imports from all Scandinavian Countries604 Broadway, Alexandria • 320-763-6363
Owners: Sandy Sheets & Heidi Bergersonwww.scandinaviangifts.com
Alexandria AreaArts AssociationMiles from New York... Right on Broadway!
320-762-8300www.alexandriaareaarts.org
618 Broadway, Alexandria, MN
Shop. Relax. Have Fun.
Downtown Alexandria
R001572412
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 19
20 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Immerseyourself in local art
49Visit a local art gallery. Dou-glas County offers lots of op-portunities to enjoy art in
many forms, including art studios displayinglocal paintings and drawings; a pottery place,silversmithing and glass fusingstudio; photography studios;and local art clubs thatinclude classes andtime to hone your ownartistic skills.
Screamfor icecream
50Do youscream forice cream?
Not to worry. Douglas County isrich with places to indulge that craving for icecream, smoothies, frozen yogurt and othercool summer-time treats.
Ski a local resort
51Love the outdoors? Then headto Douglas County’s local skiresort and get your fill of
snowboarding, downhill or cross country ski-ing, and even tubing. You can take a lesson oreven try your hand at rac-ing. It’s all there foryou. With 15downhill runs,there’ssomethingsuitablefor anyskilllevel.
New name. Same commitment
to excellence.
...MORE freedom
to do what you love!
(320) 762-0221alextech.edu
MN Relay Service 1-800-627-3529A Member of MN State Colleges & Universities System
An Equal Opportunity Employer/Educator
to excellence.
(320) 762 0221
MN Relay Service 1-800-627-3529A Member of MN State Colleges & Universities System
An Equal Opportunity Employer/Educator
Complete the fi rst
for LESS at
Alexandria Technical
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101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 21
Skateboard a ramp
52Those who want to hone theirskateboarding skills can hit upthe Alexandria skate park. The
park, located on Fillmore Street, is free tovisit and offers a variety of ramps and pipesfor boarders of every talent level.
Attend Boats,Blues and BBQ
53Attend the annual Boats, Bluesand BBQ event on Saturday,August 6 at the Minnesota
Lakes Maritime Museum. The event is a sum-mer celebration and fundraiser for the mu-seum. It includes a barbecue dinner anddessert, an evening of blues music and asilent auction and raffles.
Simulate your golfswing
54Get yourswings in at agolf simulator.
Golfers don’t have to wait forsunny weather to get out onthe course anymore. Golfsimulators are available in
both Brandon and Carlos forthose in the area who want to
keep their swing sharp throughoutthe off-season.
1213 Broadway, Alexandria • 320-763-4455
www.olliesservice.com
Reinvent your summer with Sea-Doo & Can-Am!
®TM Trademark of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affi liates.
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Enter a fishing tournament
58Enter a fishing tournament. Many localtournaments and some fishing toursfrom all over the country offer a chance
to compete for fun or nice prizes against other com-petitive anglers. The Ice Fishing Challenge is one ofthe biggest tournaments held here each year. Almost2,200 anglers hit the ice on Lake Agnes for the 2011event looking for a chance at a big payday.
Don your cowboy hat andtry a horseback ride
59Spend the day horsebackriding. Local stables canprovide you with a horse and
scenic trails and you can take a leisurely, relax-ing ride through the countryside.
Ice skate on the pond
60 Spend an afternoon iceskating at Noonan Park, locatedat Nokomis Street and 10th Avenue in Alexandria. Therink is regularly maintained, has a warming house and is
well lit for night skating. The park is usually open around December 20 orwhen there is 8 inches of ice. There is no charge to skate.
Downhill sled at the park
55Go sledding at Kensington Runestone Park. Openevery day from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., the park has a to-boggan hill and warming house. Take Highway 27
west of Alexandria about 13 miles and turn left onCounty Road 103 for 1 mile.
Become a beach bum
56Spend a lazy day at the beach.Douglas County has three lifeguard-staffedbeaches on Lake L’Homme Dieu, Lake Latoka
and Lake Osakis. There are also public beaches not staffedby lifeguards, including City Park Beach on Lake Henry, Ro-tary Beach on Lake L’Homme Dieu, ChippewaCounty Park Beach on Lake Chippewa andLake Carlos State Park Beach.
Rev your engine
57Attend the Vintage Car Clubcar show and swap meet.The Vintage Car Club, formed
in 1969, is a group of enthusiasts who share an interestin vintage automobiles. Its 23rd annual car show and swap meet is set forSunday, June 26 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. It typically fea-tures 125 to 175 vehicles.
22 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
What’s for dinner tonight?
Just a short drive— Near Miltona!Just off Hwy. 29 on Co. Rd. 102,
W Side of Lake Irene218-943-2471 • 320-760-5639
Our same Family serving the “Best to the Best”
• Famous Swedish Chicken • Prime Rib •Fresh Walleye •Soup n’ Salad Bar • Cocktails
OPEN Monday & Wed-Sat at 5Sundays at 11 • Closed Tues.
Facebook.com/Chet’s “ChickenShack”
ame Family serving theasaOur
The Best home-style cooking in the area!
An 80 year tradition of bringing you the BEST
Chicken and Fall-off-the-Bone Ribs you will fi nd anywhere!
Open 7 days a week!11am - 10pm Dining Room • 11am - 1am Bar
• • •Located downtown Nelson
320-762-2416We offer our catering service for your special events.
at Geneva Golf Club3 miles East of Alexandria on Hwy. 27
to Liberty Road, North 3/4 mile
320-762-7092
ALWAYSOPEN TO THE
PUBLIC
OPEN DAILY AT 11AM
• Full Service Bar• Finest Quality & Wide Variety of Menu Choices• More than 50 Lunch Choices• Dinner Specialties Hand Cut Steak, BBQ Ribs, Pan Fried Walleye, Prime Rib, Broasted Chicken• Daily /Nightly Specials• Most Items available for Take Out &
115 6th Ave E Downtown Alexandria
320-759-2277
S ixthAvenueWineAle
…the art of wineThe Area’s premier wine bar and restaurant• Over 70 wines by the glass• Specializing in unique craft beers• Eclectic gourmet food – all from scratch• Live music every Thursday & Some Saturdays
Tues-Wed 4-10 • Thurs-Sat 4-11:30sixthavenuewineandale.com
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 23
...your local dining guide
Alexandria, MN • Call 320-763-9983
Rudy’s Redeye Grill has been noted as having the
best steak in town. We know you will also enjoy our Walleye, Pasta, and Sandwiches, or take a look at our full menu. Also don’t forget our
famous pizzas & every Wednesday Pasta Bar!
located at the
RestaurantRestaurant Saloon
320-763-7712 Downtown Alexandria
Renovated Old Burlington Train Depot overlooking Lake Agnes.•Large Menu •Salad Bar
• Sunday Brunch • Pizza - The Best in the Area
•Dine In or On the Deck• Full Loung, TV’s,
Pool Tables & Games•DJ Thurs-Sat Nights
•Large Groups WelcomeReservations recommended, but not a must!
See you at the Depot!
110 30th avenue east • 320.763.7763[across from Cinema 9 & Viking Plaza Mall]
O p e n a t 1 1 a . m . D a i l yO p e n a t 1 1 a . m . D a i l y HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS
M o n d a y – S a t u r d a y 3 - 6 p m & 9 p m - 1 1 p mM o n d a y – S a t u r d a y 3 - 6 p m & 9 p m - 1 1 p ma n d A L L D AY S U N D AYa n d A L L D AY S U N D AY
D A I LY S P E C I A L S E V E RY D AY ! D A I LY S P E C I A L S E V E RY D AY !
Winery Tours 1 & 3 pm, 5:00 on SaturdaysLive Music every Fri, Sat, Sun 2-6pm
Grape Stomp - 3 Full Days - Sept. 16 -18Applefest & Catapult Contest - Oct. 15
www.CarlosCreekWinery.com320-846-5443
5 miles N of Alexandria on CR 34Open Sun–Thurs Noon-5pm; Fri-Sat 11am-6pm
& 3 pm, 5:00 on Saturdaysery Fri, Sat, Sun 2-6pm
24 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
What’s for dinner tonight?
(320)763-7128 | www.tennesseeroadhouse.com4820 HIGHWAY 29 SOUTH
(320)763 7128 | www.tennesseeroadhouse.com
Great Food, Great Music,& Great friends
Great Food, Great Music,& Great friends
found here!found here!ffounfoun
(320)763-7128 | www.tennesseeroadhouse.com824820 H0 HIGHIGHWAYWAY 29 29 SO SOUTHUTH ALEXANDRIA, MN 56308
Hwy 29 N • Alexandria • 320-762-1324
• Burgers• Sandwiches
• Baskets • Salads• Pasta • Pizza
DINING ROOM HOURS DINING ROOM HOURS 11am - 2pm everyday • Nightly at 5 pm11am - 2pm everyday • Nightly at 5 pm
BAR HOURSBAR HOURS 3pm Mon-Fri • 11 am Sat-Sun 3pm Mon-Fri • 11 am Sat-Sun
Since 1925, Alexandria’s Recommended Family Dining
Visit us at travelersinncafe.com
• Full Menu from Omlettes & Pancakes, to Walleye & Prime Rib
• Known for Great Breakfasts...
Egg Dishes, Omelettes, Pancakes, Waffl es and Biscuits & Gravy
• Breakfast Specials Mon - Sat until 10 AM
• Home-made Soups & Daily Specials
• Deli Sandwiches – Area’s Best Salad Bar
• Caramel Rolls & Home Made Pies
511 Broadway - Historic Downtown - 320-763-4000
Open7 Daysa Week
Breakfast served All Day
OPEN DAILY • Serving lunch & dinner
• BURGERS • STEAKS • SEAFOOD • PASTAS• ICE CREAM DRINKS • FULL BAR
4960 Co. Rd. 42 NE, Alexandria1 Block N. of the Carlos / L’ Homme Dieu bridge
320-846-1051www.interlacheninn.com
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 25
...your local dining guide
“PEOPLE’S CHOICE” “PEOPLE’S CHOICE” Douglas County Dining, 2010 Douglas County Dining, 2010
“BEST DINNER RESTAURANT” “BEST DINNER RESTAURANT” Readers Choice Award, Echo Press, 2009Readers Choice Award, Echo Press, 2009
320-759-0885320-759-0885Full Menu Full Menu 1111 am - am - 1111 pm daily pm daily
Hwy 94 & Hwy 29 S, AlexandriaHwy 94 & Hwy 29 S, Alexandriawww.doolittlesrestaurants.comwww.doolittlesrestaurants.com
115 30th Ave E, Alexandria, MN320-763-6565 • 1-800-657-3294
FULL MENU FROM A VARIETY OFAppetizers to Salads, Sandwiches,Prime Rib and Steaks Fast Track Lunch SpecialMon-Fri 11am-1:30pmSunday Buffet starting at 9am
• Over 25 varieties of tap beer • Nightly drink specials
Full Menu including Ribs, Broasted Chicken & Burgers!
Food Served Until 11 pmFull Service Bar
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 11:30am-1amFri.-Sun. 11am-1am
For more information call 320-834-2532 or 218-267-2726 during club hours.
HOURS: Mon-Sat
11am-1amSun 10am-9pm
2 for 1 Happy HourMon-Thurs 3-6 & 9-11 • Fri 9-11
320-834-3250 - www.fi restationbar.com
OPEN DAILY FOR LUNCH
Tues: All You Can Eat Taco Bar $5.95Wed: 4 lbs. of Wings (38 fl avors to choose from!)
& Pitcher of Beer $13.95
FULL MENU • Take Out Available
WEEKEND SPECIALSVIKING GAME NIGHT 2 FOR 1 SPECIALS
Broasted Chicken & Rib Specials
26 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Rent a personal watercraft
64Rent a personal watercraft and splash aroundan area lake. You don’t have to own your ownto have fun on the lakes! Rentals are available
for everyone. Try it for a day or make a weekend out of viewingthe lake from a new vantage point!
Take in a movie
65Who doesn’t love a great film on the big screen? Thelocal movie theater offers nine theaters and the most up-to-date movie options. A perfect activity for a day when the
weather is frightful, or when you just need to sit back and do nothing but beentertained.
Worship in the great outdoors
66Attend an outdoor worship service. From Memorial Daythrough Labor Day, outdoor services are held Sundays at10:30 a.m. at Lake Carlos State Park and 11 a.m. at
Alexandria City Park. The natural setting provides the perfect way for you tofind your inner peace and spirituality.
Cheer on a hockey team
61Hockey enthusiasts are in luck. Alexandria is home to the Bliz-zard, a team that boasts some of the nation’s best collegiatehopefuls on ice. As a member of the North American Hockey
League (NAHL), the Blizzard team showcases young players and allowsthem to develop into outstanding collegiate and professional players.
Fast and furious, you’re never far away from the action at a Blizzardhockey game, so check out the team at the Runestone CommunityCenter.
Spend the day at the park
62Spend the day at Chippewa Park near Brandon. Locatedright between two lakes – Little Chippewa and Devils –this beautiful, shady county park offers a perfect oasis on
a hot summer day.
Take in a baseball game
63America’s pastime is alive and well in Douglas County!Along with the dozens of youth and ama-teur teams, Alexandria is home to
the Beetles, a summer team comprised of top collegeplayers from around the nation. You never know when you
might see the next Major League Baseball player in action.After all, the Beetles have had several players drafted by theMLB. You might even spy one of Major League Baseball’sgreats, such as pitcher Goose Gossage, former MinnesotaTwins Frank Viola, Gary Serum, Dan Gladden and RonCoomer, all whom have visited historic Knute NelsonMemorial Park as special guests.
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 27
28 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Show your patriotism
70Take in a fireworks display on the 4th of July. Spec-tacular fireworks shows can be found in Alexandria,Osakis and Evansville. There’s also some great 4th of
July boat parades held on area lakes. Fun for all ages!
Step back in history
71Spend a day back in history at the Evansville HistoricalFoundation. Check out the log cabin, dug-outhouse, original school house and replica pio-
neer church, as well as the thousands of historical artifactson display throughout all of the buildings. The little townis big on history. It will be worth the trip!
Kick up your heels
72Kick up your heels at a summerstreet dance. Lots of communi-ties in the area have summer
festivals, many of which include a good oldstreet dance! Some of the best bands and DJsaround showcase their talent at these popularevents.
Experience fine dining
67Dine at one of Douglas County’s local fine-dining estab-lishments. There is no shortage of these, and all offersomething unique that you won’t want to miss! Stick
around town and try out one of the many options, or unwind by taking ascenic drive to an out-of-the-way restaurant. You won’t be sorry!
Make a splash indoors
68If you’ve got water fun on your mind but the weather justwon’t cooperate, don’t despair! Tons of fun await you atthe local 38,000-square-foot indoor water park featuring
a four-story slide that twists and turns, lazy river and 500-gallon splashbucket!
Explore Lake Carlos State Park
69Visit Lake Carlos State Park. Sculpted by ancient gla-ciers, this 1,231-acre park contains a tamarack bog,marshes, woodland ponds and lakes. One third of Min-
nesota’s 80 mammals and more than 150 species of birds inhabit thepark. Thte park is a perfect setting for camping, hiking,
swimming, canoeing and just exploring all naturehas to offer.
Kayak Lake Agnes
76Rent a kayak and paddle aroundLake Agnes. Located at the heartof Alexandria, this little lake was
named in honor of the girlfriend of one of thetown’s earliest settlers, William Kinkead.
Cheer on a race car
77Attend a stock car race at the localhalf-mile dirt track. Auto racing has beengoing on at this track since the 1950s.
Every Saturday night from May through August the rumble ofthe WISSOTA-sanctioned stock cars and the cheering fans can beheard!
Tour a manufacturing facility
78Tour an area manufacturing facility. Douglas County is amanufacturing mecca, and many of the industries are morethan happy to open their doors and show you what they do!
Ride a bicycle built for two...or more!
73Try something new, like a bicycle built fortwo, or maybe four! Local establishmentshave bike rentals of all kinds. What could
be more fun than pedaling along side-by-side withfriends or family members in a four-seater um-
brella bike?
Tour ‘Silk Stocking’District
74Take a guided tour of Alexandria’shistoric “Silk Stocking” District. Learnabout the architecture of the historic
homes in one of the prestigious neighborhoods ofAlexandria’s past, as well as about the residents of
those homes and their ties to the city’s history.
Visit Runestone Park
75Visit Runestone Park nearKensington and seewhere the famous
Kensington Runestone was discovered! Besidessome great historical displays, the park features picnic ta-bles, shelters, charcoal grills, electricity, restrooms,drinking water, a softball field, horseshoe pit, volley-ball court, playground, hiking trails and a heatedbuilding with kitchen facilities.
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 29
IN STORE AND AT HOME WINEMAKING
Your complete store for wine and beer
homemaking supplies. largest selection of wine
kits in the area. make your own wine in our store.
Call 320 290-4490 to make an appointment for
winemaking or to attend a free winemaking class.
[email protected] • 320 290-4490
store hours: 10-6
mon./weds./friday
and sat. 10-5
IN ININ ININNN STOS RE AND AT HOMHOMHOMHOMHOMOMMME WWWWWWWINEINEINENENENENENEMAKMAKMAMAMAKINGINGINGINGINGINGINGING
YoYYYYoYoYoYoYYourrrrr c c c c omomomomomomooomplplplplllpllpleteteteteteteteteteee eeeee stststststststststorororororororororeee e e eeee fofofofofofofoff r r wiwiwiwiwiwiwiwiwiwineneneneneenenenene aaaaa a a aand beer
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kits iin the areaeaaaaaaaa... mmmmmmake your own wiiinenenenenenenenenene iii i iii innn nnnn nn our store.
Call 320 2929222 0-44444444444490 to make aaaaaaaaaann n nnnnn apapapapapapapapapappopopopopopoopopopoininininninnininintmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtment for
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located in bob’s
adium, brandon,
minnesota
MCLMCLMCLMCLMCLMCLMCLMCLEAREARAREAREAREARRY@G@G@G@G@G@GG@GCTECTTTTTT L.LLLLL NNNNNNNET T ••••• • 32333 0 290-4449090090090
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minminminminminminminminminm nnesnesnesnesnesnesnesnesnesotaotaotaotaotaotaotaotaotota
R001575654
30 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Sample local wines
79Yes, Minnesota truly is “wine country!” Check out a local wineryand learn more about wine making in Minnesota. Not only canyou get a tour of the vineyards and orchards and get to enjoy
some samples, but there are lots of activities and events to take part in as well.It’s a great way to spend an afternoon with friends.
Tour the Knute Nelson house
80Tour the historic Knute Nelson house and visit theDouglas County Historical Society. Organized in1976, the mission of the society is to discover, pre-
serve and disseminate the history of the county and its people. Andwhat better place to do that from than the historic home of one ofthe town’s most famous residents, Knute Nelson? Nelson served inpublic office for more than 50 years. His home wasbuilt in 1874 and was listed on the National Reg-
ister of Historic places in 1978.
Head to the mall!
81Head to the shopping mall!There’s something for everyoneat the local mall. Of course
there’s plenty of shopping opportunities, but if you aren’t a shop-per, don’t despair! The mall welcomes mall walkers, and also offersnumerous special displays and events throughout the year.
BATTER UP!BATTER UP!BATTER UP!BATTER UP!Buy one general admission ticket,
get one
FREE!FREE!*
*L
imit
one
cou
pon
per
visi
t.
(320) 763-8151
alexandriabeetles.com
Good on Mon-Tues-Wed
Games thru8-12-11
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 31
Climb Inspiration Peak
82Climb Inspiration Peak and enjoy the view overlook-ing Douglas County. At 1,706 feet, it’s the highestpoint in the area and one of the tallest peaks
in Minnesota. It offers a captivating view any time of theyear. It is part of what is known as the Leaf Hills, which are
the greatest development of glacialmoraines in Minnesota.
Makehomemadeice cream
83Make some home-made ice cream. Ifyou’ve never tried it,
now is the time. It’s a fun family activ-ity, and the final product is better than anything you’ve
ever tasted!
Rent a movieand get cozy
84Rent a movie for a cozyevening in. Sometimes you just want to stay home, andthere’s nothing like renting an old movie classic, popping
up some popcorn and snuggling in with your loved ones for a quietevening.
Write your name in runic
85Learn to write your name in runic and see thefamed Kensington Runestone at the RunestoneMuseum in Alexandria. Decide for yourself – is
the controversial runestone real or is it a fake? While there, besure to step outside to visit the historic buildings in Fort Alexan-dria.
Wi-Fi Hot Spots Available in the mall
3015 Hwy. 29 S • Alexandria, MN
Something for everyone!
Bring the kids - PLAYLAND OPEN!
Check out our blog updates at VikingPlaza.BlogSpot.com
R001572751 320.763.6876
Changing the way we Changing the way we think about our health.think about our health.
4617 St Hwy 29 S. Ste. #107
(in Jimmy John’s bldg) R00
1569
898
Welcometo the LAKES!
Enjoy your stay with us, whether
it’s for a day, a week, the entire
summer, or the rest of your
life! Our community is proud to offer many
exciting and fun events throughout the
season and you can count on the Echo Press
to cover all of them.
In addition to our award winning
newspapers, we also offer special
supplements that have in-depth information:
Real Estate Guide, Community Guide,
Vacationer, Churches of Douglas County,
Lakes Area Savings Coupon Book, Wedding
Planner and more! Most of these are
available free on newsstands or in our lobby.
You can keep up with everything that’s
happening in our area by checking out our
website: www.echopress.com, where you’ll
fi nd up-to-the-minute news plus many of our
special publications!
225 7th Avenue East, Alexandria225 7th Avenue East, Alexandria(320) 763-3133 | www.echopress.com(320) 763-3133 | www.echopress.com
ess
onononononnon: :: : :: :
nnnnnng g g gg g
bybybybybybybbyyyyy....
lllllll
r rrr rr
32 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Buy 1 MealGet 1 FREE?
35 restaurants offeringBuy One Meal, Get One Free!
On Sale now only
On Sale at the Echo Press Newspaper office, 225 7th Avenue East, Alexandria
| An Echo Press Publication
CLUBCARD
2011-2012
the dining
Area restaurants offering
buy one get one free
The 2011 Lakes Area Dining Club Card
Expires April 30, 2012
Equal or Lesser Value FREE. Expires April 30, 2012
1518 Broadway, Alexandria320-763-6669Equal or Lessor Value.
Lunch Specialsvary daily.
Expires April 30, 2012Expires April 30, 2012
Buy one Breakfast Burrito get one Free!Excludes Six Packs & Combo Meals of equal or lesser value. Expires April 30, 2012
Dine-In Only • Equal or Lesser Value FREEExpires April 30, 2012
Located at Pipeline Travel PlazaI-94 & Hwy. 27, Alexandria • 320-763-9222
Equal or Lesser Value FREE • Expires April 30, 2012
Excludes Pizzas. Equal or lesser value free • Expires April 30, 2012Not valid with any other specials, coupons or promotions.
Valid at Alexandria Burger Kings. Not valid with any other discounts or coupons. Expires April 30, 2012.
FREE WhopperWith Purchase of a
Chicken TendercrispValue Meal
Have it your way.3rd & Nokomis and Midway Mall, Alexandria
Buy 1meal getthe 2nd
FREEEqual or Lesser Value. Expires April 30, 2012
Leaf Valley, MN320-834-2532
Uptown Forada
320-762-1635
Buy One Breakfast, Get 2nd One FREE!10 am - Noon
Buy 1 Breakfast, Get 1 FREE
506 Broadway, Alexandria320-763-2337
763-5007505 Broadway, Alexandria
Open Daily at 11amCarry-Out Only
Buy a Large 3 ToppingPizza & Get 1 Large 1
Topping FREE.CARRY-OUT ONLY
DOWNTOWN DINER411 - 1/2 Broadway, Alexandria
763-1703
Buy One Breakfast, Get One FREE.
Valid Monday - Friday Only.
Free Entree of Equal or Lesser Value • Expires April 30, 2012
1702 BROADWAY • ALEXANDRIA
RestaurantRestaurant Saloon
320-763-7712 Downtown Alexandria
A Classic Place to Meet and Eat
BUY ONE ENTREEGet one under $10 FREE!
Buy 1 lunch Special, get 2nd one FREE
320-762-2416Downtown Nelson
Buy One Regular Priced Sunday Brunch and 2 Beverges, Receive one Sunday Brunch FREE.
Expires April 30, 2012
Buy one Sundae, any size & Receive one FREE.
Culver’s of Alexandria. 610 - 50th Avenue. 320-763-2266
Equal or Lesser up to $14.00 FREE. Expires April 30, 2012Not Valid with any other offers or coupons.
I-94 & Hwy 29 S.Alexandria, MN • 320-763-9983
Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.763-8777
Buy One Large Pizza, Get 2nd largepizza of equal or lesser value FREE.
Valid on Carryout Only. Expires April 30, 2012
Downtown Subway - 902 Broadway • 763-SUBS • Fax 763-9595Subway North - 903 N. Nokomis • 762-4288 • Fax 762-4289
Subway South - 519 50th Ave. West • 762-0791Subway in WalMart - 515 50th Ave. West • 762-8956
Subway in Pipeline Travel Plaza - 3181 Evergreen Lane • 759-3979Osakis - Hwy. 27 West • 320-859-2450
Buy 1 foot long sub & med. beverageat Reg. Price Get 2nd foot long FREE
Buy any 1/3 lb.Thickburger®,
get same FREE!©2010 Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.
Expires April 30, 2012Not valid with other offers and discounts. Customer must pay any sales tax due. Available during regular lunch/dinner hours.
ON & OFFSALE
605 50th Avenue West, Alexandria320-762-5425
Expires April 30, 2012
10 Mile Tavern(320) 554-2939 • WestportOpen Tues.-Sat. 11 am-1 am;
Sun. 12 pm-12 am; Closed Mondays
Expires April 30, 2012
Buy One Bacon CheeseburgerBasket ~ Get One FREE
FAMILY RESTAURANTHwy. 29 North, Alexandria • 762-1324Expires April 30, 2012 • Limit 1 per customer.
Buy One LUNCH & Get One LUNCH FREE
Angelina’s
103 Central Ave, Brandon, MN
320-524-2646
12 Central Ave, Elbow Lake, MN320-685-6162
Hours:Mon-Fri 11am-9:30pm
Sat & Sun 10:30am-9:30pm
BUY 1 ENTREE, GET 1 FREEExpires April 30, 2012 • Equal or Lesser Value FREE.
Equal or Lesser Value FREE. Expires April 30, 2012
Buy One Basket, Get
OneBasket FREE!203 Sanstead St. W., Garfield, MN
320-834-3250 • firestationbar.comExpires April 30, 2012 • Not to be combined with any other offers.
Buy OneBreakfast
with 2beverages, Get 2ndbreakfast
FREE.
SOUTH
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
dairyqueen.com
®
Buy One 1/4lb Classic Burger w/Cheese
and two beverages& Get One
1/4lb Classic Burgerw/Cheese FREE
Expires April 30, 2012 • Not valid with any other coupons or specials.
Not valid with other offers.Expires April 30, 2012
Buy any Lunch and 2 beverages,get 2nd one of equal or lesser value for
FREE!4820 Hwy 29 S
Alexandria, MN • 763-7128
Mon. - Fri. 11 am -2 pm ONLY
Buy a Regular Roast BeefCombo, and receive a
Regular Roast Beef FREE!Expires April 30, 2012
4621 Hwy. 29 South,Alexandria, MN 320-762-1960
www.arbys.com Equal or Lesser Value FREE. Expires April 30, 2012
Equal or Lesser Value FREE. Expires April 30, 2012107 Central, Brandon • 320-524-2453
Buy oneBreakfast
with purchase of a beverage.Get 2nd one
FREE
320-834-4514 218-948-2213
• OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
• DAILY LUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS
106 CO. RD. 82 NW • EVANSVILLE
Buy one Appetizer,Get ONE
of equal or lesser value
FREE!Expires April 30, 2012
Mexican Restaurant
Buy One Appetizer, get one FREE!
Buy 1 Entree, breakfast,lunch or dinner &
Get the 2nd Entree
FREE
401 Nokomis St. N.Alexandria320-759-5686
Buy One Large Reg. Price Pizzaand get a 14” Cheese Pizza FREE!
610 McKay Ave. S. Alexandria(1 block south of 27 on McKay)320-762-8121
www.westonstation.com4417 St. Hwy. 27, Alexandria • 320-763-6677
Buy one Lunch Special(1–14) & 2 Beverages,
Get one Lunch Special (1–14) FREE
Equal or Lesser Value Expires April 30, 2012
Equal or Lesser Value.
and 2Beverages
Parkers Prairie, MN • 218-338-3283
Buy 1Breakfast,receive 2nd of equal or lesser value
FREE!
Buy one regular priced
Wednesday NightChicken Buffet & 2 Beverages,
receive 1 Chicken Buffet
FREE!320-859-FOOD (3663) • Osakis, MN
Present Coupon when ordering.
Expires April 30, 2012 • Not valid on Holidays.Not valid with any other specials, coupons or promotions.
RestaurantRestaurantRestaurant Saloon
320-763-7712 Downtown Alexandria
A Classic Place to Meet and EatA Classic Place to Meet and Eat
BUY ONE SUNDAY BRUNCHGet one FREE!
180 S. Lakeshore Dr. • Glenwood, MN 320-634-0307 • lakeside-ballroom.com
Open 7 daysa week• • •
Breakfast Sat & Sun
7:30 - 11 a.m.
Buy 1 Appetizer, Get 1 FREE
Nokomis MarketNokomis MarketNORT
H
Propane • Gas • Diesel • BaitPropane • Gas • Diesel • BaitBroasted Chicken • DeliBroasted Chicken • Deli
Groceries • Lunch Specials Groceries • Lunch Specials Mon-SatMon-Sat
1700 N Nokomis, Alexandria • 320-763-9260D002027819-031
1700 N Nokomis, Alexandria320-763-9260
Buy an 8 piece Chicken, Get an 8 piece Chicken FREEIncludes: 2 legs, 2 breasts, 2 thighs, 2 wings
Expires April 30, 2012
Expires April 30, 2012
Expires April 30, 2012 Expires April 30, 2012
Coffee Pot CafeAlexandria, MN
Equal or Lesser Value FREE. • Expires April 30, 2012
Buy one Breakfast or Lunch entree,get the second one
FREE!
Not available on take-out or any other offers. • Expires April 30, 2012
Buy any Salad or Burger + 2 Beverages,Get ONE FREE! Equal or Lesser Value.
110 30TH AVE.E, ALEXANDRIA320-763-7763
Equal or Lesser Value FREE.Expires April 30, 2012
CONVENIENCE STORE1705 Broadway, Alexandria320-763-6577
Buy 1 Single Topping PersonalPan Pizza, Get 2nd FREE!
$2000each
Valued over $200
Like to
Build an igloo
86Tired of building snowmen? Why not buildan igloo? Amaze your kids with yourbuilding know-how while teaching
them what could be a life-saving skill. It’s a great way tohave fun in the snow, which we seem to have plenty
of in this area!
Attend a summerfestival
87Attend a summer festival!Most of the communities inDouglas County celebrate sum-
mer with an annual festival – BrandonMidsummerfest, Miltona Tornado Days,
Evansville 4th of July Celebration, fes-tivals in Osakis, Kensington, Garfield,
Forada, Parkers Prairie...attend one orall! They all promise good food, fun pa-
rades, creative displays and good old-fash-ioned fun!
34 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Learn at the terrace garden
88Check out the Terrace Learning Garden by the Dou-glas County Services Center. This garden is a laborof love, created and maintained by the Douglas
County Master Gardeners.
Find Our Lady of the Hills
89Take a drive through the country roads nearMillerville and visit Our Lady of the Hills.This shrine of the Virgin Mary was
erected by a local resident in response to answeredprayers for healing. The steel and cement statue stands 22feet tall and weighs 4,500 pounds.
Visit historic Spruce Hill
90Visit historic Spruce Hill Park and spend theday hiking the trails or having a family ballgame. This 97-acre park is located at the site
that was once the village of Spruce Hill. The village was vacatedin the early 20th century, but remnants of it are still evident todaythrough depressions in the ground and old building foundation pieces.The remains of an earthen dam constructed to power a sawmill arealso still visible in the landscape.
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 35
Cheer on the demo derby
94Are you a demolition derby fan? Then don’t missthe demo derbies held at the Viking Speedwayin Alexandria in mid-August during the county
fair. They promise lots of banging, slamming, scraping andfun!
Socialize at achurch bazaar
95For a great lunchand the best piearound, attend a
church bazaar. With more than 60churches in Douglas County,there’s no shortage of bazaars,complete with food, intricate crafts,bake sales, and lots of other treasures.
Watch go-kart races
96Check out the miniature racing ac-tion at the weekly go-kart races held Fri-day nights all summer long at the Douglas
County Fairgrounds. These youngsters will wow you withtheir driving expertise and amaze you with their speed!
Drive around the lakes
91Grab a map and take a scenic drive around thecounty’s 300 lakes. Yes, it will take more than a day ifyou want to drive around them all!
Pick out a good book
92Pick up a good book at a local bookstore orthe library and head to a shady spot under atree and read the day away. Ahhhh, summer
in Minnesota!
Take the tourof gardens
93Take time to smell theroses…and the peoniesand the daisies and the
petunias… during the Tour of Gardens spon-sored by the Douglas County Master Gardeners! Held
every July, this tour features about six local gardens, and isdefinitely a must-do for anyone who enjoys the beauty of a well kept gar-den.
36 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
Peruse Art in the Park
100Art in the Park is one event youwon’t want to miss! Held eachJuly, the event is sponsored
by the Alexandria Area Arts Association and fea-tures local and regional artists displaying theirwares at Alexandria City Park. There is also avariety of music and food. This year’s event isset for July 30 and 31.
Go to the fair
101Attend the greatDouglas County get-to-gether – the county fair!
This year’s event is set for August 18-21 atthe county fairgrounds in Alexandria. Comefor the exhibits, the food, the rides, the social-izing, the food, the performances, the stock carraces, the demolition derbies, the food, the com-mercial displays, the animals, and of course, the food!
Dance and sing karaoke
97Spend an evening “on the town.” Douglas Countyfeatures lots of night life options for the nightowls. Many local establishments feature karaoke,
bands or deejays, pool or dart tournaments and more. If an eveningout is what you’re looking for, we’ve got lots of options for you.
Become an avid hunter
98Douglas County is a hunter’s paradise. Fromducks, geese, pheasants, grouse and turkey todeer and coyotes…there’s plenty of game to
satisfy the avid hunters.
Watch vintagesnowmobilesrace
99Check out theVOLS vintagesnowmobile
races held every January on LakeOsakis. This event features multiple
classes of vintage snowmobiles.
&Timeless Treasures
Unique Boutiques
of the Lakes Area!
Sandi Johnson & Ron Moritz • Mon–Fri 9-6, Sat 9-5:30, Sun 12-4
320-762-8990 • 517 Broadway, Alexandria
Antique StoreAntique StoreFurniture • Pottery • Glassware
Vintage Clothing & Jewelry • PrimitivesUnique Home Décor
A Fun Shop! Multi-antique dealers, offering two fl oors of quality
antiques and collectibles!
320-859-3200Open Daily May 14 – October 23,
10am-5pm. Air conditioned comfort!
210 1st Ave. E, Osakis320-859-5575Open
10am-5pmDaily!
RecycleReuseRenew
Grandpa’s Attic Gifts
Antiques & CollectiblesGood Used Furniture, Primitives, Books, Framed & Unframed Les
Kouba Prints, Antiques, Glassware, Hummels & So Much More!
ANTIQUES OSAKIS
26 West Main
Tours Daily at 1 & 3
Sat at 1, 3 & 5:00
Open 7 Days a Week ~ Tours ~ Tasting ~ Live Music
6693 County Road 34 NW, Alexandria ~ 320.846.5443
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 37
Osakis
Est. 1955
Convenient Walk-up Window, Inside Seating or Take-Out!22 West Nokomis (on Hwy. 27), Osakis
320-859-2217
BURGERS
FRIES
SHRIMP
SHAKES
MALTS
SUNDAES
204 Central Ave, Osakis • 320-859-5159204 Central Ave, Osakis • 320-859-5159The General Store
The area’s ONLY Winchester Advisory Center & Browning Full Line Dealer
Largest Winchester & Browning Largest Winchester & Browning Firearms Dealer in Central MNFirearms Dealer in Central MN Authorized Service Center
CountyLine Marine & Storage, Inc.
• Marine & Small Engine Repair • Retail Store• Winterization & Shrink Wrap • Trailer Rentals
• Secure Outdoor or Climate Controlled Storage610 3rd Avenue E, Osakis
320-859-6000www.countylinems.com
200 Central Ave E, Osakis
320-859-2161
Store Hours: M-Sat 8am-6pm, Sun 8am-NoonPharmacy Hours : M-F 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-Noon
Pharmacy • Health & Beauty • Kodak Picture Maker • GiftwareAmerican Greetings Cards • UPS Shipping • Lk. Osakis Clothing
Household & School Supplies • Home Health Care Supplies
Osakis is a growing community of 1,615 people located in both Douglas and Todd counties in
west central Minnesota.Osakis is located on the south end of
Lake Osakis, a 6,300 acre fi shing and recreation area. Lake Osakis is rated as one of the best fi shing lakes in the state, featuring walleye, northern, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and sunfi sh.
Visitors to the community will fi nd a variety of recreational opportuni-ties, including resort lodging, gift and
antique shops, restaurants and family attractions.
Osakis is also the beginning of the Central Lakes Trail, a 55-mile paved biking and walking trail that runs through Nelson, Alexandria, Garfi eld, Brandon, Evansville, and on to Fergus Falls and connects to the Lake Wobe-gon Trail that runs from Osakis to St. Joseph making it the longest paved trail system in the state.
The economic base of the Osakis area is tourism, agriculture and manu-facturing.
R001572472
...where the fun begins
38 101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011
300 W Nokomis St • Osakis320.859.2450
Upscale Resale Boutique
New & Used Consignment Items · ClothingSouvenirs · Cards · Crafts · Scrapbooking
Something Fun for Everyone! Mon-Sat 10am-5pm
Downtown OsakisDowntown Osakis320.305.1622
Upscale Resale Boutiqueesale BouResale B tipppscale Resale Bouale Resale B
New & Used Consignment Items mssnnnttttttttted Consied Consi me& Use& Use i entmeen · Clothing Clothhingg Clot ClotClotCloSouvenirsenirs ···· CardsCa · Crafts · Scrapbookingpbookini
Exquisite Exquisite EventsEvents
FOOD • LODGING • COLD BEER320-859-FOOD (3663)
Family Dining,
Delicious Walleye,
Best Prime Rib
in Town, Fish Fry
every Friday &
Saturday, Broasted
Chicken Buff et
Wednesdays,
Banquet & Private
Party Facilities
209 Central Avenue, Osakis | 320-859-4621
Introductory offer!Paint & primer in one • Our highest quality paint • Our most durable fi nish • Superior coverage*Limit 5 gallons per customer. Available at participating stores. 2525%*%*
SAVE NOW
EventsMayMemorial Day Parade & Service
JuneRally for the Cure Golf Tourna-
mentOsakis 5K RunLions’ Walleye
Fishing TournamentOsakis Festival
July4th of July FireworksRoddin’ Round the Lake
Car ShowCelebrity Auction
Osakis City-Wide Garage SalesFlower Pots & Garden StopsParish Festival
AugustDouglas County Fair,
AlexandriaOsakis Silverstreak
Golf Classic
SeptemberSportsmen’s Club Corn FeedQuilts Along the Trail
OctoberChristmas BoutiqueCommunity Halloween Party
NovemberHoliday BazaarCommunity Thanksgiving Dinner
DecemberSanta Day
JanuaryVOLS Twin 100/50 Mile
Snowmobile Race
FebruaryOld-Fashioned Sunday
Afternoon Musicale
MarchIce Tee Golf Tournament
R001572475
MayMemorial Day Parade & Service
uneally for the Cure Golf Tourna-mentsakis 5K Runions’ Walleye Fishing Tournament
Ossakis City-Wide Garage SalesFlower Pots & Garden Stopsower Pots & Garden StopsParish Festival
AugustDouglas County Fair,
AlexandriaOsakis Silverstreak
Golf Classic
NovemberHoliday BazaarHoliday BazaarCommunity Thanksgiving Dinner
DecemberSanta Day
JanuaryVOLS Twin 100/50 Mile
Snowmobile Race
Osakis...where the fun begins
101 Fun Things to Do • Spring 2011 39
BBQ HQ
Corner of 3rd & Nokomis, Alexandria • 320-763-3446 • www.ELDENS.comOpen 24 hours a day & 7 days a weekElden’sElden’s FOOD FAIRFOOD FAIR
R001567521