Brainerd and Cuyuna Lakes Area Guidebook
Food Scene
Delicious spot for breakfast or lunch, or to grab a pre-made homemade dinner item to heat up in the microwave for supper. Note that Valeri Ann's is closed on Sundays. A really cute place inside, and it is close enough (3.5 miles) that you could ride your bike here.
Valeri Ann's Family Foods
26025 Co Rd 3Delicious spot for breakfast or lunch, or to grab a pre-made homemade dinner item to heat up in the microwave for supper. Note that Valeri Ann's is closed on Sundays. A really cute place inside, and it is close enough (3.5 miles) that you could ride your bike here.
Iron Range Eatery
6 W Main StGreat, casual atmosphere and super food!
Main Street Ale House
25559 Main StGreat tasting food and plenty of local craft beers.
Maucieri's Italian Bistro
34650 Co Rd 3Voted best Italian in the Lakes Area!
Part of the bike scene in Crosby, Red Raven also rents mountain bikes.
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Red Raven
2 3rd Ave SWPart of the bike scene in Crosby, Red Raven also rents mountain bikes.
Rafferty's Pizza
25457 Main StGreat pizza!
Great pizza! Now with three nearby locations (Crosslake, Nisswa and Crosby).
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Rafferty's Pizza of Crosslake
14281 Gould StGreat pizza! Now with three nearby locations (Crosslake, Nisswa and Crosby).
Great pizza and a cool, upper outdoor deck! Rafferty's now has three locations nearby (Crosslake, Crosby and Nisswa).
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Rafferty’s Original and Woodfired Pizza
30 W Main StGreat pizza and a cool, upper outdoor deck! Rafferty's now has three locations nearby (Crosslake, Crosby and Nisswa).
New in downtown historic Crosby. If you are a foodie and are looking to treat yourself to gourmet meats, cheeses, lactose-free ice cream or other delicacies, this is the place to go. They also have great gift ideas and cool MN themed t-shirts.
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Victual
124 W Main StNew in downtown historic Crosby. If you are a foodie and are looking to treat yourself to gourmet meats, cheeses, lactose-free ice cream or other delicacies, this is the place to go. They also have great gift ideas and cool MN themed t-shirts.
Parks & Nature
If you like to mountain bike, this is the place to go! Trails for everyone from the beginner to the expert. My favorite time to bike the trails is Sunday late afternoon / early evening. The trails are quiet, as most weekend users have left and are on their way back home or are done for the day.
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Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area
307 3rd St SWIf you like to mountain bike, this is the place to go! Trails for everyone from the beginner to the expert. My favorite time to bike the trails is Sunday late afternoon / early evening. The trails are quiet, as most weekend users have left and are on their way back home or are done for the day.
Close by (1.5 miles) and just a really nice park with plenty of activity options. 4 tennis courts (wonderfully maintained), 2 outdoor pickleball courts, outdoor basketball court, sand volleyball court, large picnic pavilion, horse shoe pits, paved and unpaved trails through the woods, baseball / softball diamond, swings and playground area, and frisbee golf.
Mission Park
13871 Mission Park DrClose by (1.5 miles) and just a really nice park with plenty of activity options. 4 tennis courts (wonderfully maintained), 2 outdoor pickleball courts, outdoor basketball court, sand volleyball court, large picnic pavilion, horse shoe pits, paved and unpaved trails through the woods, baseball / softball diamond, swings and playground area, and frisbee golf.
I don't usually visit the arboretum in the warmer months (although you certainly could), but I will sometimes visit in the winter months to use their groomed cross-country ski trails. Please note that to use the trails, you need to have a MN Ski Pass.
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Northland Arboretum
14250 Conservation DrI don't usually visit the arboretum in the warmer months (although you certainly could), but I will sometimes visit in the winter months to use their groomed cross-country ski trails. Please note that to use the trails, you need to have a MN Ski Pass.
Over 7 miles of cross country ski trails. Check current trail conditions at https://crowwing.us/740/Cross-Country-Ski-Trails. MN Ski Pass required.
Larson Lake
Over 7 miles of cross country ski trails. Check current trail conditions at https://crowwing.us/740/Cross-Country-Ski-Trails. MN Ski Pass required.
5.6 miles of cross-country ski trails (classic only). Check current conditions at: https://crowwing.us/740/Cross-Country-Ski-Trails. MN Ski Pass required.
Wolf Lake
5.6 miles of cross-country ski trails (classic only). Check current conditions at: https://crowwing.us/740/Cross-Country-Ski-Trails. MN Ski Pass required.
5.9 miles of groomed cross country ski trails for the more proficient skier. Check out current conditions at: https://crowwing.us/740/Cross-Country-Ski-Trails. MN Ski Pass required.
French Rapids Mississippi River Access
5.9 miles of groomed cross country ski trails for the more proficient skier. Check out current conditions at: https://crowwing.us/740/Cross-Country-Ski-Trails. MN Ski Pass required.
13.7 miles of hiking trails, cross country ski trails and snowshoe trails. Check out current conditions at: https://crowwing.us/740/Cross-Country-Ski-Trails. MN Ski Pass required. The community center also has tennis courts, frisbee golf, playground, picnic pavilion, ball fields, a library, indoor gym and fitness center.
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Crosslake Community Center
14126 Daggett Pine Rd13.7 miles of hiking trails, cross country ski trails and snowshoe trails. Check out current conditions at: https://crowwing.us/740/Cross-Country-Ski-Trails. MN Ski Pass required. The community center also has tennis courts, frisbee golf, playground, picnic pavilion, ball fields, a library, indoor gym and fitness center.
Park here to access the Paul Bunyan Trail. Paved biking / walking trail that runs from Bemidji to Brainerd. Walk, roller blade or bike a lot or as little of this beautiful trail as you want. Find out more, get maps and learn other access points at: https://www.paulbunyantrail.com/.
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Paul Bunyan Trail Access
Park here to access the Paul Bunyan Trail. Paved biking / walking trail that runs from Bemidji to Brainerd. Walk, roller blade or bike a lot or as little of this beautiful trail as you want. Find out more, get maps and learn other access points at: https://www.paulbunyantrail.com/.
Park here to access the Paul Bunyan Trail. Paved biking / walking trail that runs from Bemidji to Brainerd. Walk, roller blade or bike a lot or as little of this beautiful trail as you want. Find out more, get maps and learn other access points at: https://www.paulbunyantrail.com/.
Pequot Lakes Chamber
31095 Government DrivePark here to access the Paul Bunyan Trail. Paved biking / walking trail that runs from Bemidji to Brainerd. Walk, roller blade or bike a lot or as little of this beautiful trail as you want. Find out more, get maps and learn other access points at: https://www.paulbunyantrail.com/.
Park here to access the Paul Bunyan Trail. Paved biking / walking trail that runs from Bemidji to Brainerd. Walk, roller blade or bike a lot or as little of this beautiful trail as you want. Find out more, get maps and learn other access points at: https://www.paulbunyantrail.com/.
Paul Bunyan State Trail
Paul Bunyan State TrailPark here to access the Paul Bunyan Trail. Paved biking / walking trail that runs from Bemidji to Brainerd. Walk, roller blade or bike a lot or as little of this beautiful trail as you want. Find out more, get maps and learn other access points at: https://www.paulbunyantrail.com/.
Learn about Minnesota's worst mining disaster at this new park. Picnic tables with grills and pavilion. Canoe launch and fishing dock. Walking trails, historic town site, boardwalk and more. Very nicely done!
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Milford Mine Memorial Park
Learn about Minnesota's worst mining disaster at this new park. Picnic tables with grills and pavilion. Canoe launch and fishing dock. Walking trails, historic town site, boardwalk and more. Very nicely done!
Arts & Culture
Learn more about the early days of Crosslake and the region.
Crosslake Area Historical Society Village
35404 Co Rd 3Learn more about the early days of Crosslake and the region.
Visit the many buildings at the Nisswa Pioneer Village to learn about the areas's early history.
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Nisswa Area Historical Society
25605 Lower Cullen RdVisit the many buildings at the Nisswa Pioneer Village to learn about the areas's early history.
Located in a real depot, learn more about the Crosby area and its mining history, and the first USA space flight that took place in one of the quarries. Find out more at: http://www.cuyunahistory.org/museum.html.
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Cuyuna Range Museum
101 1st St NELocated in a real depot, learn more about the Crosby area and its mining history, and the first USA space flight that took place in one of the quarries. Find out more at: http://www.cuyunahistory.org/museum.html.
Free Outdoor Music Series at Crosslake Town Square (Near Rafferty's Crosslake) Saturdays from 6-8 pm during the summer. For more info, call 218-692-8463.
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Crosslake
Free Outdoor Music Series at Crosslake Town Square (Near Rafferty's Crosslake) Saturdays from 6-8 pm during the summer. For more info, call 218-692-8463.
Shopping
If you like antiques and repurposed items or just getting neat decorating ideas, this is a great place to visit. The owners have a great eye for display. This is one of my favorite places to go for a free little treat to myself. They are not open on Sundays. Find out more at: https://www.designconsignmn.com/.
Design Consign
201 South 6th StreetIf you like antiques and repurposed items or just getting neat decorating ideas, this is a great place to visit. The owners have a great eye for display. This is one of my favorite places to go for a free little treat to myself. They are not open on Sundays. Find out more at: https://www.designconsignmn.com/.
Upscale, up north style women's and men's clothing store with some shoes. They carry brands such as The North Face, Pendleton, Woolrich, etc.
Lundrigans Clothing of Nisswa
25521 Main StUpscale, up north style women's and men's clothing store with some shoes. They carry brands such as The North Face, Pendleton, Woolrich, etc.
Upscale, up-north style clothing store for men and women. They also carry some shoes.
Lundrigans Clothing
35732 Allen AveUpscale, up-north style clothing store for men and women. They also carry some shoes.
If you are a foodie and like working with quality ingredients, Loide's is your go-to place in the Brainerd Lakes Area for lovely "Taste Before You Buy" olive oils and vinegars.
Loide' Oils & Vinegars
25539 Main StIf you are a foodie and like working with quality ingredients, Loide's is your go-to place in the Brainerd Lakes Area for lovely "Taste Before You Buy" olive oils and vinegars.
Entertainment & Activities
A nice little movie local movie theater, and you don't need to drive into Brainerd.
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Sunset Cinema
33040 Aspenwood DriveA nice little movie local movie theater, and you don't need to drive into Brainerd.
When the river is high enough and the weather is warm, rent inner tubes from the Riverside in Crosslake and go tubing down the Pine River. Most people will exit the river at the County Road 36 bridge. Two vehicles needed (one at the start and one at the finish). Call 218-692-3848 for river conditions and more information or visit https://riversidecrosslake.com/river-tubing.html.
If you bring your own inner tubes, you can enter the water at the Crosslake Corps of Engineers Park just across the bridge from the Riverside.
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Riverside
35322 Co Rd 3When the river is high enough and the weather is warm, rent inner tubes from the Riverside in Crosslake and go tubing down the Pine River. Most people will exit the river at the County Road 36 bridge. Two vehicles needed (one at the start and one at the finish). Call 218-692-3848 for river conditions and more information or visit https://riversidecrosslake.com/river-tubing.html.
If you bring your own inner tubes, you can enter the water at the Crosslake Corps of Engineers Park just across the bridge from the Riverside.
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The Merrifield Marathons groom the snowmobile trail that runs right by my home. This trail connects to many other area snowmobile trails. When the snow flies, bring your sleds and get on the trails and experience the area in a whole different way during the winger months. Check out maps at: http://blast.clubhosting.org/trails/.
Check out current trail conditions at: http://blast.clubhosting.org/conditions/.
Merrifield Marathons Inc
21135 County Road 3The Merrifield Marathons groom the snowmobile trail that runs right by my home. This trail connects to many other area snowmobile trails. When the snow flies, bring your sleds and get on the trails and experience the area in a whole different way during the winger months. Check out maps at: http://blast.clubhosting.org/trails/.
Check out current trail conditions at: http://blast.clubhosting.org/conditions/.
Amusement park and pioneer village. Children love the 26' tall talking, animated lumberjack, Paul Bunyan. Find out m.ore at: https://paulbunyanland.com/
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Paul Bunyan-Land
17553 MN-18Amusement park and pioneer village. Children love the 26' tall talking, animated lumberjack, Paul Bunyan. Find out m.ore at: https://paulbunyanland.com/
Safari North Wildlife Park
8493 MN-371Find out more at: http://www.safarinorth.com/.
Two mini golf courses: Whistling Wolf Mini Golf and Dark Moon Mega Mini Golf. Find out more at: https://www.crosslakegolf.com/mini_golf.
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Whistling Wolf Mini Golf
36006 Co Rd 66Two mini golf courses: Whistling Wolf Mini Golf and Dark Moon Mega Mini Golf. Find out more at: https://www.crosslakegolf.com/mini_golf.
27 Scenic holes right in Crosslake. Find out more at: https://www.crosslakegolf.com/home.
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Crosswoods Golf Course
35878 Co Rd 327 Scenic holes right in Crosslake. Find out more at: https://www.crosslakegolf.com/home.
Billy Bones Raceway
17944 MN-371Go-Carts and Mini Golf.
Turtle races on Wednesdays June through mid-August. Registration at 1 pm. Races begin at 2 pm. Turtles are available for rent.
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Nisswa
Turtle races on Wednesdays June through mid-August. Registration at 1 pm. Races begin at 2 pm. Turtles are available for rent.
Duck races on Fridays late June through late August. 1:30 pm registration; first heat starts at 2 pm. Rent your duck for $1!
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Pine River
Duck races on Fridays late June through late August. 1:30 pm registration; first heat starts at 2 pm. Rent your duck for $1!
Essentials
Good place to do your main grocer shopping. They have just about everything you need.
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Reed's Market & Gas Express
35561 Co Rd 3Good place to do your main grocer shopping. They have just about everything you need.
Laundromat attached to the Crosslake Ace Hardware Store.
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Crosslake Ace Hardware
35992 Pioneer DrLaundromat attached to the Crosslake Ace Hardware Store.
Barstock Liquors
35579 Pioneer DrLiquor Store
Crosslake Drug
14311 Gould StPharmacy and gift items
GuidePoint Pharmacy
20 W Main StPharmacy
GuidePoint Pharmacy #108
23962 Smiley RdPharmacy; Located in Shaefer's Grocery.
Cuyuna Lakes Pharmacy
320 E Main StPharmacy inside Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.
Breezy Point Ace Hardware
8170 Co Rd 11Hardware store
Deli; Pharmacy; Bakery; Produce; Meat; Frozen & Dairy. Schaefer's still carries your groceries out to your car!
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Schaefer's Foods
23962 Smiley RdDeli; Pharmacy; Bakery; Produce; Meat; Frozen & Dairy. Schaefer's still carries your groceries out to your car!
Super One Foods
22418 E Main StMeat; deli, produce, bakery, frozen and dairy.
Everything Else
Immaculate Heart Catholic Church
35208 Co Rd 37Sunday Mass at 8:30 am
Saturday Mass at 4 pm
Year around
Call to confirm service times 218-692-3682
Indoors: Sundays @ 8:30 am (mid-May thru mid-September)
Sundays @ 9:30 am (mid-September thru mid-May)
Outdoors at 14019 Daggett Pine Road, Crosslake;
Sundays @ 10 am (mid-May thru mid-September)
Crosslake Lutheran Church
35960 Co Rd 66 Call to confirm service times 218-692-3682
Indoors: Sundays @ 8:30 am (mid-May thru mid-September)
Sundays @ 9:30 am (mid-September thru mid-May)
Outdoors at 14019 Daggett Pine Road, Crosslake;
Sundays @ 10 am (mid-May thru mid-September)
Crosslake Presbyterian Church
14444 Daggett Pine Road Call to confirm service times 218-692-4769
Sundays @9:30 am
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
Call to confirm service times: 218-692-4228
Sundays @ 9:30 am
Mission of the Cross Lutheran
13716 County Road 103 Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
Call to confirm service times: 218-692-4228
Sundays @ 9:30 am
Call to confirm service times 218-692-4673
Sunday school: Sundays @ 9:45 am
Service: Sundays @ 10:45 am
Crosslake Christian Assembly of God Church
13919 Co Rd 36 Call to confirm service times 218-692-4673
Sunday school: Sundays @ 9:45 am
Service: Sundays @ 10:45 am
Crosslake Evangelical Free Church
Call to confirm service times 218-692-4141
Sundays at 8:30 am (traditional)
Sundays at 10:30 am (contemporary)
The Log Church
37218 Co Rd 66Crosslake Evangelical Free Church
Call to confirm service times 218-692-4141
Sundays at 8:30 am (traditional)
Sundays at 10:30 am (contemporary)