Fun Things To Do in Detroit Lakes, MN: Local Expert Shares Ideas
Discover fun things to do in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. We chat with Cleone Stewart, the Tourism Director. Our local expert has great ideas! 🏞️✨ #Minnesota #DetroitLakes
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota – Today, Kitty had the pleasure of sitting down with Cleone Stewart, the Tourism Director for the Detroit Lakes Tourism Bureau in the picturesque town of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Cleone’s passion for her work shines as she reveals the secrets of this fantastic region, not only as a must-visit destination but also as a place to call home. Join us as we delve into her insights and discover the hidden treasures of this beautiful corner of Minnesota. 🏞️✨
Unveiling the Best of Detroit Lakes, MN: Our Exclusive Interview with Tourism Director Cleone Stewart
😺 Kitty: Thanks for your time today. Are you originally from the Detroit Lakes area?
🎙️ Cleone: I grew up on a farm 30 miles from Detroit Lakes. I’ve always lived in the lakes area.
😺 Kitty: Why do you love calling Minnesota home?
🎙️ Cleone: There’s so much to appreciate in our lakes area of Minnesota. The clean, fresh air. The abundance of lakes for recreation, to live by and to appreciate the wildlife that make use of the lakes.
In the Detroit Lakes area, we have thousands of acres of nature areas, from parks to national wildlife refuges, to hike and for scenic drives to take in the spectacular views of changing landscape and the wildlife that call it home. The changing seasons provide reasons to appreciate the changing colors and temperatures, from the onset of vivid greens in spring to the warming sunshine of summer, striking leaf colors in fall and frosty/snowy scenery in winter.
😺 Kitty: What are your fave restaurants, cafes or breweries? What do you recommend to friends or family visiting the area?
🎙️ Cleone: I asked my friends Amy Stearns and her husband Mike to answer this question. Amy and Mike are Detroit Lakes residents and have a lot of great suggestions!
🎙️ Amy and Mike: Our evening go-to spot is Bucks Mill Brewing in downtown Detroit Lakes. Love the vibe, hanging out and playing cribbage or trivia and the beer is great!
When we want to add dinner, it’s fun to be able to bring food into Bucks Mill whether it’s take-out from the fantastic deli at Central Market or pick up dinner from nearby Roasted or Don Pablo’s.
For lunch, the salads at LaBarista are fantastic and a great way to kick off an afternoon of shopping downtown.
Our favorite local restaurants are either Sapphire for great sushi (yet also fabulous hamburgers, too) or the specialty seasonal pizzas at Zorbaz. My all-time favorite is the Pilgrim Pie pizza – only available in the fall, but it’s worth waiting all year to indulge in!
For kids of any ages, there’s nothing that beats a great lake day swimming, tubing or hanging at the sandbar between Little and Big Detroit Lake. In the winter, Detroit Mountain Recreation Area or the Community Center with the giant Backyard indoor playground are the places to be for kid-fun. The new South Shore park is also a favorite spot. When friends come to town, take them to a show or concert at the Holmes Theatre or in the City Park and let them experience all our great town has to offer year-round!
😺 Kitty: As a local, what’s your fave spots for hiking or enjoying the outdoors?
🎙️ Cleone: Dunton Locks County Park is a quick three-mile drive south of the city with walking paths, and a wood bridge to cross over flowing water between two lakes. In the spring, you’ll be able to see a huge variety of birds migrating into Dunton Locks Park. The mile long city beach offers a solitary stroll in the morning, and you may hear a loon calling.
Sucker Creek Preserve and Detroit Lakes Wetland Management Area’s trails are close to town and offer two different habitats, one wooded and the other prairie. An 18-mile drive NE of Detroit Lakes is worth the time to explore Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge. Hikers may easily access the North Country Trail east of Detroit Lakes.
Maplelag Resort and Detroit Mountain have miles of mountain bike trails. In the winter, Maplelag is known for their cross country ski trails and Detroit Mountain is THE place to ski, snowboard and snow tube.
😺 Kitty: Any other fave spots in town or recommendations for family fun (with kids) in the area?
🎙️ Cleone: The City Beach is popular for families as there is room for lots of families to swim, relax on the beach or the grassy areas with shade trees. Adjacent is the City Park with playground equipment and a bandshell that is the backdrop to free live bands on Tuesday evenings in the summer.
The Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center features several areas for the kiddos to play, including a large indoor playland, the Backyard, and for the family to work out and swim. The new Becker County Museum features a hands-on science center that allows kids to learn as they play.
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Detroit Mountain Recreation Area offers winter ski lessons, especially helpful for kiddos just starting out, as well as several ski runs of varying difficulty. The whole family can get two hours of big-time fun tubing at Detroit Mountain.
Detroit Lakes has multiple areas to enjoy art and take photos by building murals, art-wraps on power utility boxes, sailboat sculptures and more. If you brought your pooch along, let it exercise in the dog park.
Conclusion
As our delightful conversation with Cleone Stewart, the Tourism Director for the Detroit Lakes Tourism Bureau, comes to an end, we can’t help but feel inspired by the charm and natural beauty of this region.
Cleone’s deep love for calling Minnesota home is evident in her passionate descriptions of the pristine lakes, enchanting nature areas, and the ever-changing tapestry of seasons. Her recommendations for dining and family-friendly activities, shared by local residents Amy and Mike, offer a genuine taste of the area’s vibrant culture.
Be sure to connect with Cleone Stewart and learn more about Detroit Lakes on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Whether you’re strolling along the city beach, exploring the wildlife refuges, or hitting the slopes at Detroit Mountain, Detroit Lakes has something for everyone. We hope this interview has ignited your wanderlust and provided you with a glimpse into the hidden treasures of this Midwestern gem. Until next time, happy travels! 🏞️✨
