Alexandria, Minnesota

==Tourism==
===Resorts===
The city is located along a chain of lakes, which makes it a popular resort destination for water and land activities. There are cabin B&Bs and chain hotels along the lakes. Water sporting activities include motorboats, wake surfing, sailing, paddleboarding. Fishing was also historically popular in the city. There are [[beaches]], like in the Pilgrim Point Park on [[Lake Ida (Douglas County, Minnesota)|Lake Ida]]. Other park areas include Lake Brophy County Park and Kensington Rune Stone Park. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/general/making-memories-in-alexandria/ |title=Making Memories in Alexandria |website=minnesotamonthly.com |publisher=Minnesota Monthly |date=May 19, 2023}}</ref><ref name=ALM>{{cite web |url=https://alexandrialivingmagazine.com/travel/the-other-alexandrias-louisiana-minnesota-kentucky-2023/ |title=From 'Big Ole' to the Bayou: The Other Alexandrias |last=Lawton |first=Beth |date=May 19, 2023 |publisher=Alexandria Living}}</ref>

===Events===
Local tourism events include:
* [[Grape Stomp]] hosted by the Carlos Creek Winery every September
* An Apple Fest in October
* The Douglas County Fair every August
* Big Ole Paddlefest every July, a kayaking race on Lake Miltona
* Art in the Park every July.
* Red Willow Arts Coalition Outdoor hosts concerts every Thursday in summer.<ref name=ALM />

===Attractions===
The city has a museum housing the [[Kensington Runestone]]. Outside the museum stands Big Ole, a 25-foot-tall statue of a Viking built for the 1965 [[World's Fair]] in [[New York City]].<ref name="nyt-big-ole">{{cite news |title=Highway 61, Visited |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/11/travel/highway-61-visited.html?exprod=permalink&sec=travel&partner=permalink |access-date=September 4, 2008 |last=Dougherty |first=Steve |date=September 11, 2005 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Extensive repairs to Big Ole were completed in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.echopress.com/news/4081485-end-near-big-ole-repairs|title=End is near for Big Ole repairs|last=Edenloff|first=Celeste|date=July 27, 2016|work=Echo Press|access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref> [[Legacy of the Lakes Museum]], a [[maritime museum]], is located in the city.