Viking Bay Resort & Lodge logo
Viking Bay Resort & Lodge logo

Things to do in Alexandria, MN

Alexandria - Easy to get to, hard to leave!

Curvy road with sign to Viking Bay Resort with fall colors, trees and grass with resort buildings in background

Alexandria is the hub of the West Central Lakes Region, known as the Birthplace of America, and is one of the prime vacation areas of Minnesota. Let Viking Bay Resort & Lodge be your home base while you explore this unique and vital area.

Alexandria's historic downtown is made up of many shops, dining options and entertainment. Local restaurants offer down-home comfort food like ribs, burgers and chicken washed down with a local micro-brewed beer or gourmet pasta paired with just the right wine.

Enjoy the great outdoors and hike a new trail or breathe in the lake air as you coast along our paved bike path — you can rent a bicycle at Jake's Bikes. Looking to cool down? Try a trip down a waterslide or shake things up in the bumper boats. Want something more your SPEED? Visit the Viking Speedway for a night of action-packed adrenalin or take on your friends and family on the outdoor go-kart track at Casey's Amusement Park. And of course you can hit the links at the Miltona Golf Course located just across the entrance to Viking Bay.

Need a perfect way to end the day? Taste your way through our local winery and maybe catch an evening show at one of our theaters. No matter what your hobbies or interests might be, the Alexandria area has a little something for everybody.

Carlos Wine

Carlos Creek Winery & 22 Northman Brewing Company

Founded in 1997 and operated by the Bredeson family, Minnesota's finest winery is just minutes from Viking Bay. Carlos Creek Winery is located on 160 acres with 13 acres devoted to vines and 15 acres dedicated to apples. Enjoy a tour, wine tasting and a unique selection of wine-related items with live music on Fridays. Their annual Grape Stomp, a fall festival that attracts more than 14,000 people, is not to be missed.

Beer enthusiasts can enjoy a cold brew on tap from 22 Northman. Sit down in the rustic tavern and order a craft lager, adventurous ale, or any of their various original blends. Brick oven pizza is made to order as well.

Country Blossom farm

Country Blossom Farm

Country Blossom farm is a fun destination for all ages. It features an apple orchard, pumpkin patch, corn maze, u-pick strawberries, u-pick apples, u-pick raspberries, gift shop, attractions galore, and last but not least a farm to table bakery. You will love every delicious moment of your time here. New for 2024 is their variety of Hard Ciders!

Owners Tracy & Troy Heald, along with their children, Taylor, Tristin, & Tiana Heald have operated the 100-acre farm, bakery and gift shop located on Interstate 94 outside of Alexandria, MN since 2009.

The Sugar Shack of Alexandria

The Sugar Shack

Feed your sweet tooth at this Alexandria area hotspot. The Sugar Shak features candy, cookies, hand dipped ice cream, candy bouquets, cookie bouquets, fresh fudge and more!

Copper Trail Brewing & Oletoberfest

Copper Trail Brewing & Oletoberfest

Copper trail features a 150 seat taproom in the heart of Alexandria. Choose from a variety of freshly brewed beers, sours, & more. Patrons are now able to order food right from the taproom with the opening of the 205 Grill! This kid friendly environment makes it easy for the whole family to enjoy their frequent trivia nights, live music, and more. Copper trail is also home to Oletoberfest starting in early September.

Close up of Man in golf shoes standing by hole with golf club

Lake Miltona Golf Club

Lake Miltona Golf Club is located directly across the road from our resort and features a challenging yet playable 18-hole course with driving range as well as dining in the clubhouse.

Race cars parked on kids racetrack

Casey's Amusement Park

Drive on two Lemans-style concrete outdoor tracks; one track has an over/under bridge! Enjoy a relaxing game of mini-golf with waterfalls and rivers throughout the course or try the new bumper boat pool. Kiddie Karts and an arcade can also be found at Casey's Amusement Park.

Stock car starting line checkered in red and white

Viking Speedway

Stock car racing in Alexandria had its beginning back in 1953 with the West Central Racing Association (WCRA). Today, the Viking Speedway is a one-half-mile semi-banked clay oval that races five WISSOTA sanctioned classes; late models, modifieds, super stocks, midwest modifieds and street stocks every Saturday night from the end of April through Labor Day, including the Viking Fall Classic in October.

Winter view with split pine rain in background with dead grass poking through snow

Inspiration Peak

Just 15 miles north of Viking Bay is Inspiration Peak, the highest point between the Allegheny Mountains and the Black Hills. Hike to the top where you can easily see Lake Miltona with a spectacular view in the fall when leaf colors are at their peak.