Explore Alexandria

Let’s RIDE! Alexandria Area Snowmobile Trails are OPEN!

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The Alexandria Lakes Area is full of snow! The groomed trails on the 360-mile system of Douglas County’s snowmobile trails are OPEN! Get your sled going and get ready to ride! Douglas Area Trails Association is busy consistently grooming the trails for good riding. For the most up-to-date trail conditions and openings, check HERE.

For lodging options, many on or near the trail, click HERE.

No sled? No problem! Snowmobile rentals are available on the trail at the Snow Center at Arrowwood Resort, 320-762-1124

2 for 1 Skiing or Snowboarding!

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Winter fun has begun at Andes Tower Hills! Featuring numerous downhill runs and lifts ranging from beginner to expert, and equipment rentals and lessons onsite. Take advantage of the 2 for 1 Weekend special! You’ll get two days of ski or snowboard rentals, plus lift tickets (regular price) for the price of one when you stay overnight at one of the area’s lodging facilities! Find eligible lodging here. Make sure to keep and present your rental/lift receipts and lodging receipt. Call Andes at 320-965-2455 for more details and to confirm your participation in this offer. See you on the slopes!!

ANDES 2 for 1 WEEKENDS:

Fall Fun Days for October Break / MEA

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SCHOOL IS OUT October 17-20 for Fall Break / MEA !! Bring the entire family to Alexandria for Fall Fun Days! You’ll find plenty of fall fun for everyone at Country Blossom Farm and Carlos Creek Winery/22 Northmen Brewery.

Country Blossom Farm

When school is out, it’s time to PLAY! Country Blossom Farm is THE place to be over MEA / October Break! A $10 Activity Band gets access to all of the fun attractions! Corn Maze, Jumping Pillow, Wagon Rides, Pedal Cars, Straw Mountain, Bazooka Ball, Pumpkin Patch, Bakery and much more! Shop the gift shop full of unique decor, have a savory hand pie for lunch and don’t forget a sweet treat from the bakery and a bag of fresh picked apples to take home!  Country Blossom Farm, Where Sweet Memories Bloom! Complete information at www.countryblossomfarm.com

Get lost in the 7 acre Corn Maze! Plus, a special Flashlight Corn Maze on Oct.18th!
The Corn Pit!
Zip around on the Pedal Car Track!
The Straw Mountain!
The Giant Jumping Pillow!
No autumn adventure is complete without picking out the perfect pumpkin!

 

Oktoberfest at Carlos Creek Winery / 22 Northmen Brewery

An outdoor, family-friendly German style Oktoberfest festival celebrating beer and the end of the apple harvest. Fun for the entire family! Catapult Demonstrations, Pie Eating Competitions, Horse Drawn Wagon Rides, Quilt Show & Auction, Food Vendors, unique Wine & Beer and much more! Complete information at www.carloscreekwinery.com

New in June of 2019, the 22 Northmen Brewery has a large selection of craft beer
Whose pumpkin will fly further? Find out at the pumpkin catapult!
Wagon rides and yard games add to the family fun!

Grape Stomp Festival

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Come experience the Grape Stomp and Fall Festival held annually at Carlos Creek Winery! The three day festival, September 13-15, is packed with excitement including 18 bands on 4 stages, over 150 food, juried art and marketplace vendors, a man cave featuring 22 Northmen Brewing Co. beer, wine & beer tasting, and of course Grape Stomping!!

Each day has a special theme with costume and grape stomping competitions. Sunday is “Deal Day” with specials on wine and merchandise throughout the festival, and a Silent Auction that benefits “Let’s Go Fishing” and the Douglas County Food Shelf. FREE Shuttles run from the Douglas County Fairgrounds, Viking Plaza Mall and many Alexandria hotels, plus there’s plenty of on-site parking. See below for the full schedule and details!

Full details can be found at www.ccwgrapestomp.com 

 

 

Must-Do Fall Fun in the Alexandria Lakes Area

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Autumn is a much-adored season for many reasons…cool nights around a campfire, pumpkin patches, cozy sweatshirts, and of course the beautiful vibrant colors of foliage during a Minnesota fall. Couple all that with some fun activities and special events, and you have the recipe of a perfect Autumn Getaway! Here is a list of some activities and events not-to-miss in the Alexandria Lakes Area this fall. So grab your pumpkin latte and hit the road!

1. Fall Colors

You can’t let the autumn season pass you by without enjoying fall colors. To help you find some of the best areas, we have an entire article for the Fall Color Hotspots in the Alexandria Lakes Area! You can find the Fall Color Hotspots HERE.

Lake Carlos State Park Fall Colors. Photo by James Feist
Dazzling color display at Lake Carlos State Park! Photo : James Feist

 

Runestone Park Hike. Photo by James Feist
Hiking on a perfect autumn day at Kensington Runestone Park. Photo : James Feist

10% Off Golf & Cart for Visitors!

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Visitors staying at our lodging properties can receive 10% Off Golf & Cart at participating Golf Courses! Discount card will be administered by the lodging properties in association with your stay. You may mention your desire to obtain the discount card at booking, upon check in or at any time during your stay.

Find list of participating lodging properties HERE , and participating Golf Courses listed on ChainofLinks.com

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Offer valid at participating Chain of Links Golf Courses only. Discount applies to green fees and cart only. Taxes and additional fees may apply. Please mention the Chain of Links discount card at time of booking tee time. Must present and surrender discount card at time of green fee/cart payment. Participating Chain of Links Golf Courses reserve the right to not honor discount based on circumstances such as available tee times, special events or other special circumstances (mention discount card & confirm upon booking tee time). Not valid on special event and/or tournament registration. One card per person per course. Expires one week after issue date. Discount card must be filled out and authorized by lodging property to be valid.  Customers may be required to present booking confirmation/lodging receipt at time of redemption. Offer valid only with accompanying stay/lodging at one of the lodging properties listed on ExploreAlex.com/dt_hotels . Number of valid discount cards issued for multiple guests per lodging booking is based on actual approved room occupancy. Maximum available number of discount cards per person per lodging booking is based on max number of different Chain of Links Golf Courses consumer plays for the duration of lodging stay. Discount is non-transferable and void if copied. Excludes all other goods and services. Not valid with any other offers or discounts. Other exclusions may apply. No cash value.

Share Your 4th of July Photos and WIN!

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There is endless fun in the Alexandria Lakes Area over the 4th of July holiday, from the Star Storm fireworks show to all the summer lake fun! Explore Alexandria wants to see your great photos, so we are giving away gift certificates for area businesses! All you have to do is share your pictures using the hashtag #ExploreAlex for chances to win!

How to Enter the Contest:

  1. Share your photos on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ExploreAlex (must be public posts) OR
  2. Share your photos on Facebook and tag @ExploreAlexMN , or post to our Explore Alexandria MN page (must be public posts)

Numerous winners will be randomly drawn on July 5th for gift certificates in the Alexandria Lakes Area! Prizes include gift certificates to Lake Darling Resort, Scandinavian Gift Shop, Mary Becker AVON, Glenwood State Bank (Visa Gift Cards!), Past and Present Home Gallery , Holiday Inn, Willy T’s Tavern & Grill, Elden’s Fresh Foods , Spirit Cove Lodge Bed & Breakfast , Lake Miltona Golf Club and more to be announced soon!

Official Contest Rules on Next Page