There Are 3 Must-See Roadside Attractions All Within The City Of Alexandria, Minnesota
By Rachel Raimondi|Published September 29, 2022
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Rachel Raimondi
Author
Writer some days, editor other days, nerd all days. Love to travel to lesser-known spots and give them the love they deserve. Independently owned motor inns, Mom and Pop restaurants, uncrowded National Parks and trails.
In between these, spend my free time virtually adventuring through point-and-click games. Native New Yorker but can frequently be found roaming other parts of the United States.
While the destination is always the ultimate goal, sometimes getting there is a big part of the fun too. Especially when you come across unique roadside attractions. Settled in 1858 and with a population of under 14,000, Alexandria, Minnesota, has quite a few of these for you to take in. So hop in the car and check out these gems.
The Runestone Museum has been a part of downtown Alexandria since 1958.
There are nine historic buildings on site here and the museum contains about 20,000 artifacts within, such as those relating to First Peoples and Nordic explorers.
Like this 40-feet-long replica Viking trading ship.
But the most talked about (and visited) artifact would have to be the Kensington Runestone, which has been part of the museum since its opening. Discovered in 1898 by Olof Öhman in Kensington, Minnesota, its validity and origin have remained a debate since then.
Runestone Museum Foundation, 206 Broadway St, Alexandria, MN 56308, USA
Linked to Scandinavian explorers in the area, the artifact dates back to 1362. Or does it? Some believe it to be completely authentic and others to be a complete fake. What’s your take?
If the Kensington Runestone isn’t enough to convince you that Alexandria embraces the Vikings, there is no doubt that Big Ole, a 28-foot-tall Viking statue located on Central Lakes Trail, will.
Originally created by Gordon Schumaker for the World’s Fair in New York (1964-1965), it was later moved to Broadway in Alexandria. And then in 2002, it was moved to its current spot.
While he and his “Alexandria: Birthplace of America” sign have remained a symbol of the city’s Viking pride, like the Runestone, it has not been without controversy and even some rather rough patches. It was set on fire in 1967, had the sword broken off, and in 1996, it was completely knocked over by a storm.
Big Ole - Big Viking Statue, Central Lakes Trail, Alexandria, MN, USA
Here, you can see the 16-foot-tall Giant Runestone Replica that was constructed in 1951.
Head to the website for the Kensington Runestone Museum for the most up-to-date details on visiting. As for Big Ole and the Giant Replica Runestone, you can head to these roadside attractions at your leisure. Have you ever stopped at any of these roadside attractions? What are your favorites in and around Minnesota? Tell us in the comments!
