inspired humorist Garrison Keillor’s tales about the
fictional town of Lake Wobegon.
The largest city along the trail is Sauk Centre. It was
the hometown of author Sinclair Lewis, who won the
first Nobel Prize for literature in 1930. His boyhood home
is open for tours and the Sinclair Lewis Interpretive
Center provides a look at his life and his works. Main
Street (which was the name of Lewis’famous novel) is
home to several shops and cafes, as well as the historic
inn where Lewis once worked as a night clerk. There are
also three attractive golf courses near town.
Southeast of St. Cloud is Elk River, at the northwest
edge of the Twin Cities area. The Oliver Kelley Farm here
portrays daily life on an 1850s farm. Between Elk River
and St. Cloud is the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge,
a good spot for bird watching. And in Monticello,
hundreds of magnificent trumpeter swans spend the
winter on the Mississippi River where warm water
released from a power plant keeps the water ice-free.
Glacial Lakes & Hills
When ancient glaciers retreated across this land, they left
numerous hills and lakes in their wake. Today, vacationers
enjoy fishing, boating, and water skiing these waters. In
June
Water Carnival, Hutchinson
Nisswa-Stamman
Scandinavian Folk Festival,
Nisswa
Turtle Festival, Perham
Minnesota Homegrown
Kickoff Music Fest,
New Richmond
Granite City Days, St. Cloud
July
Sweetheart Days, Hackensack
Sinclair Lewis Days, Sauk Centre
Festivals
& Events
Sampler
February
Winter Jubilee, Nisswa
May
Awake the Lakes, Alexandria
the winter, snowmobile enthusiasts appreciate the extensive
network of trails through this rolling countryside.
Alexandria, affectionately known as“Alex,” considers
itself to be the“birthplace of America.” Many here claim
that the Vikings explored Minnesota long before Columbus
made his voyage. The Kensington Runestone Museum
features a large rock with inscriptions that may have been
carved by Vikings in the 1300s. The museum also has a
large collection of items from the early days of Alex. At
the Minnesota Lakes Maritime Museum, classic old
wooden boats and resort memorabilia are the highlights.
Near town is the Theatre L’Homme Dieu, a summer
theater offering comedies and musicals. The Carlos Creek
Winery offers a variety of wines and many special events.
Lake Carlos State Park is a reserve of woods and
meadows, with a sandy beach on the lake. Hometown of
golf champion Tom Lehman, the Alexandria area boasts
several excellent golf courses, including Arrowwood and
the Geneva Golf Club.
The Alexandria Lakes area is one of the prime resort
spots in the state. Picturesque Lake Osakis is a popular
fishing lake, rivaled by Pelican, Miltona, Ida, and Mary.
These and many others are home to over 80 resorts and
campgrounds. Andes Tower Hills in Kensington has
downhill skiing, snowboarding and tubing.
The Long Prairie Country Club is another option
for golfers. In town, the 1901 Queen Anne style Christie
Home is open for tours during the summer and there’s
an impressive veterans’ memorial. There are several
Amish farms and businesses along the rural roads near
Long Prairie.
Some of the country roads south of Alexandria are
part of the 245-mile Glacial Ridge Scenic Byway,
winding through the rolling, rural landscape. Along this
route is 13-mile-long Lake Minnewaska, popular for
fishing and boating, with access at each end in the towns
of Glenwood and Starbuck. There are several resorts, RV
parks and additional lakes in the area, as well as two
excellent golf courses, the challenging Minnewaska Golf
Antique Car Run
September
Arts & Crafts Fair, Little Falls
Wild Rice Days, McGregor
Arts off 84, Pine River
Celebrate Art, Celebrate
Coffee, Willmar
October
Harvest Festival, Lake Lillian
Wildlife Festival, Zimmerman
November
Fish House Parade, Aitkin
August
Flekkefest Troll Festival,
Elbow Lake
Antique Car Run,
New London to New Brighton
Uff da Days, Nevis
Mille Lacs Band Powwow,
Onamia
