Area Attractions
The Glacial Ridge Trail offers something for everyone, whether their interests are historical, cultural, recreational or a simple scenic drive. The Glacial Ridge Trail offers access to West Central Minnesota’s abundant natural resources, recreational opportunities, historical and cultural character, all while offering modern, convenient travel accommodations.
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The Minnewaska House Supper Club & Banquet Facility
24895 State Highway 28
Glenwood, MN 56334-9399
320-634-4566
1-800-828-0882
Call ahead for reservations
Buses & Large Groups Welcome
Need directions?
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Join us for a unique and exciting dining experience. Watch as your favorite food is prepared on our charcoal grill in the dining room. Since 1965, the Minnewaska House has been an historical landmark on the Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway. Located midway between Glenwood and Starbuck on State Highway 28, the building overlooks Lake Minnewaska.
Open Wednesday - Saturday from 4:30 pm - 1:00 a.m.
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Benson Bakery & Coffee Shop
1305 Pacific Ave.
Benson, MN 56215
320-842-4681
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The Bakery is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 5:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
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Carlos Creek Winery
Carlos Creek Winery
6693 County Road 34, NW
Alexandria, MN 56308
320-846-5443
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Open seven days a week 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m . Located in the beautiful lakes area of Central Minnesota, Carlos Creek Winery is the largest, most advanced fine wine producer in the state. The winery offers wine tasting, guided tours and live music on the wine patio every weekend. Walk around our permanent maze or orchard full of 8,000 apple trees. |
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Quiet Country Living
Quiet Country Living
1216 Atlantic Avenue
Benson, MN 56215
320-760-2820
1-800-648-6838
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Country home rentals - perfect for family reunions, retreats, conferences/training. Historic country home, front/back porches, sunken patio, 3-baths/jacuzzi. Bird watching, pond, volleyball, horseshoes, fire pit, and a 2 story social center with bumper pool, foosball, darts, karaoke, piano/organ, parlor and yard games. Fishing, boating, canoeing, nature trails, golf courses, antiques, gift shoppes within minutes of the site. 6 campsites for guest only.
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Douglas County Historical Society
Douglas County Historical Society
1219 S Nokomis St.
Alexandria, MN 56308
320-762-0382
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You are invited to become part of “discovering, preserving, and disseminating the history of Douglas County”!
The Douglas County Historical Society is headquartered in the residence of the only foreign born Governor of Minnesota, Knute Nelson.
The turn of the century house has been completely restored, with many of the original furnishings intact.
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LilleHaugen Bed n’ Breakfast
LilleHaugen Bed n’ Breakfast
State Highway 29 & County Road 26
Benson, MN 56215
320-843-4135
E-mail: charahaugen@willmar.com
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The inn is a simple prairie style 1800s farmhouse. There are four lovely rooms with private and shared bathroom options. Good coffee with a tantalizing breakfast. Picnic lunches are available as are gourmet dinners or lunches upon requet.
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Honey and Herbs
155 60th Street, NW
Benson, MN 56215
320-843-3363
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Produce features honey made by bees on property, medicinal and culinary herbs grown organically, and apples.
Other products include handmade soaps and beeswax candles, as well as gift baskets and packages. Tours for small groups can be arranged.
Open almost always by chance, appointment or for self–serve. Five miles north of Benson off Highway 29. Watch for signs.
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The Pastry Shoppe
The Pastry Shoppe, Inc.
108 Depot Lane
Starbuck, MN 56381
1-866-239-3898
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Providing fine Scandinavian delights since 1994. During September thru December we do numerous arts and crafts shows throughout the State of Minnesota. Most notably the Noisk Hoist Festival in Minot, North Dakota, the largest Scandinavian festival in the U.S. Our customers include Super Value, Country Markets and Bob’s Produce Ranch.
Scandinavian Delights Our Specialty
Bus Tours Welcome |
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Vintage House Antiques & Collectibles
701 N Franklin
Glenwood, MN 56334
320-634-3618
21 1st Street NW
Glenwood, MN 56334
320-634-3618
E-mail: vintagehouse@hcinet.net
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Offering a variety of Antiques for everyone – Stoneware, Glassware, Art Pottery, New and Vintage Jewelry
Hours:
701 N Franklin Location:
Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday
9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
21 1st Street NW Location:
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
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Kandiyohi County: Willmar Lakes Area Attractions
We have listed a few of our favorite attractions below. Additional attractions and places to stay can be found at www.willmarlakesarea.com or by calling the Willmar Lakes Area Convention & Visitor Bureau at 320-235-3552 or email info@willmarlakesarea.com. |
Barn Theatre
321 4th Street Southwest
Willmar, MN 56201
Need Directions? |
This precious pocket of talent is one of the area's finest live performing arts theatres and developing regional art center. They offer several different productions each year. |
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Foxhole Brewhouse
905 Highway 71 NE
Willmar, MN 56201
320-441-2071
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Gather your craft beer friends and stop in to enjoy an amazing handcrafted brew fresh from the tap! |
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Goat Ridge Brewery
17 Central Ave West
New London, MN 56273
320-354-2383
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Enjoy the spirt of a small-town watering hole while savoring their specialty brews. |
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Intuition Brewing
313 4th Street SW
Willmar, MN 56201
320-262-3429
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Check out the Willmar Lakes Area's newest brewery in downtown Willmar. |
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Kandiyohi County
Historical Society and Museum
610 Highway 71 NE
Willmar, MN 56201
320-235-1881
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This museum features exhibits devoted to Kandiyohi County history including early transportation, Indian artifacts, immigration, and a variety of other exhibits.
The museum is the home to the Great Northern Steam Engine No. 2523 which was built in 1916 to speed up the passenger main line service through the mountains.
Also, located on the museum site is the Sperry House. The house was built in 1893 and displays turn of the century home life in Kandiyohi County.
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-4pm
Saturday & Sunday 1pm-4pm
(Memorial Day –Labor Day)
Admission: Free, suggested donation $2.00
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Kultur Hus
211 Front Street
Sunburg, MN 56289
320-366-3966
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We wish to promote understanding of our Nordic heritage by teaching the folk arts, music, language, needlework and dancing. These were present in our grandmother's and grandfather's lives. We have classes in:
Music
Norwegian language
Rosemaling
Needlework
Chip carving
We have an art gallery on the second floor and novelty items for sale in our main showroom. |
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Little Crow Water Ski Team
Neer Park
311 2nd Avenue NE
New London, MN 56273
320-354-5684
e-mail: littlecrowskiteam@yahoo.com
Need directions? |
This award winning ski team performs their spectacular show every Friday evening during the summer months at Neer Park in New London. |
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Prairie Woods Environmental
Learning Center
12718 10th Street NE
Spicer, MN 56288
320-354-5894
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Prairie Woods is a nonprofit environmental learning center, committed to providing outstanding environmental education and outdoor experiences to people of all ages. Deeply rooted in our Kandiyohi County community, we reach out to provide services for communities across Minnesota and the upper Midwest.
Our learning center encompasses 500 acres, and includes an education building with 5 classrooms, a trailhead, challenge course and a 30-foot indoor climbing wall. The Gary Westby Observatory building sits atop Prairie Wood's highest hill. Several beautiful spaces are available for meetings, family reunions, holiday gatherings, and weddings. Also onsite are a Native American History Village and Gary Westby Educational Shooting Sports Range. |
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Schwanke Museum and Gift Shop
3310 S. Highway 71
Willmar, MN 56201
320-231-0564
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54 Year Collection of tractors, cars, trucks, gas engines, gas pumps, signs and more! Over 400 units on display!
Schwanke Gift Shop Includes:
Pedal cars, pedal tractors, signs, tractor books and much more.
Opens on the third Saturday in May every year (same day as Willmar's annual car show).
Hours are 1 - 4 pm; Monday through Saturday.
Also open by appointment for group of 20 or more. |
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Sibley State Park
800 Sibley Park Road NE
New London, MN 56273
320-354-2055
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There is something for everyone at this popular west-central Minnesota State Park. Hike to Mount Tom, one of several high points in a 50-mile radius, and see a patchwork of forest, farmland, prairie knolls, and lakes. Summer visitors enjoy swimming, boating, and fishing on Lake Andrew. A canoe route invites adventurers to portage and canoe on Henschien Lake and Swan Lake. The park offers campgrounds, a modern group center, horseback camps, picnic area, and interpretive programs year-around. |
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Thank You
The Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway thanks the County Board of Commissioners in Douglas, Kandiyohi, Pope and Swift Counties and the Sauk Center Visitors Bureau, Willmar Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Alexandria Hotel & Hospitality Association for their continued and generous support for the activities of the Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway.
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