This Enchanting and Historic Town in Minnesota Is the Perfect Day Trip Destination

We have so many enchanting towns in Minnesota that are waiting for you to visit. Alexandria is a historic Minnesota small town with plenty of charm, as well as things to see and do. This makes Alexandria ideal as a destination for a day trip—or even a weekend getaway. Welcome to one of the most historic towns in Minnesota.

Where is Alexandria, Minnesota? It's located in west-central Minnesota, about two hours from the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Founded in 1858—the same year Minnesota attained statehood—Alexandria is a charming and historic town in the west-central part of the North Star State.

As far as the demographics of Alexandria, Minnesota, it's a growing city of almost 15,000 people. People flock there for its stunning lakes, intriguing history, and relaxed, up-north vibe, which is exactly why I like to visit the area. My favorite way to start any exploration of a small town is to find some coffee and fortification for the day. In Alexandria, you can start your day off right with a cuppa joe and some breakfast at the Coffee Pot Cafe, a favorite local eatery. In fact, folks rave about the pancakes and scratch-made caramel rolls at the Coffee Pot Café.

There are also plenty of things to do in Alexandria, Minnesota. After breakfast, follow Broadway north to downtown Alexandria, and the Lake Agnes shoreline, where you will find "Big Ole"—the largest Viking statue in the United States. You can't miss the sign in the Viking's hand, declaring Alexandria to be the "birthplace of America." This may cause you to scratch your head, but don't say we didn't warn you that the town's history was "intriguing." Your next stop will explain Big Ole's bold declaration (fortunately, it's just down the street).

Just down the block from Big Ole, you'll find the Runestone Museum, and this is the next stop on your Alexandria day trip. The museum is home to the Kensington Runestone, which was purportedly discovered by a farmer in 1898. It is claimed that the runestone dates back to the 14th century and proves that the Alexandria area was the first part of the United States visited by Europeans. Hence, the town's claim to be "the birthplace of America."

After the museum, explore downtown Alexandria for a while, then take a walk along the Terry Ferguson Memorial Trail and ponder your new understanding of American history. You'll probably want a snack from the beloved Roers Family Bakery while you do your pondering. (Believe me, you will.) Then cap off your day with a visit to Carlos Creek Winery, just outside of town, where you can enjoy a glass of wine and explore the trails and grounds any time of year.

We think you'll find Alexandria as charming and fascinating as we do. Be sure to make time to explore nearby Lake Carlos State Park, where you'll find some of the best hiking trails in Minnesota.

Have you had a chance to visit or spend a weekend in Alexandria? What other historic and charming towns in Minnesota would make a great day trip destination? We'd love to hear about them.

When you're ready for your next adventure in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, make your first stop a visit to Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.