Minnesota’s Vibrant Summer Retreat: A Lake-Filled City with Eclectic Festivals, a Bustling Main Street, and Timeless Charm

In Minnesota, summer is synonymous with spending time at the lake. From Lake Superior along the state’s North Shore to the Chain of Lakes in Minneapolis, you’re never far from a body of water in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. That’s especially true in Detroit Lakes, a lively small town in northwestern Minnesota that boasts 400 of them within 25 miles of the city. Located in the heart of Minnesota’s lake country, the population of this region swells every summer with both tourists and seasonal residents escaping the Twin Cities metro and other Midwest cities to head to their cabins and lake homes. 

There’s plenty of fun to be had in Detroit Lakes, both on and off the water. The city is perhaps best known as the home of WE Fest, a massive country music and camping festival that takes place every August. It’s one of several festivals and attractions that bring people to Detroit Lakes. The city’s charming downtown has great shopping, public art, and lakeside dining establishments with live music. The many resorts in the region have even more opportunities for dining and outdoor recreation.

Detroit Lakes is a great stop on any Midwest road trip, as Minnesota has some of the safest roads in America. If you have to fly, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport — widely recognized as North America’s best airport — is the closest major hub for air travel. From there, it’s about a 3.5-hour drive northwest to Detroit Lakes. In an area with this many lakes, you’ll want to stay somewhere close to or on the water. The Holiday Inn right on the town’s namesake lake has its own dock and offers boat rentals. Families might prefer to rent a cabin at a lakeside retreat like Fair Hills Resort on Pelican Lake for easy access to the beach and amenities like a golf course and on-site restaurants. 

With as many lakes as Detroit Lakes has, spending time on the water is a must. Rent a pontoon boat, kayak, or paddleboard from a place like the Detroit Lake Marina or J&K Marine. Many hotels, resorts, and campgrounds in the area also offer rentals. Or spend the afternoon tubing on the Otter Tail River. You can book a two-hour ride from K & K Tubing, Inc. Northern Minnesota is also a haven for fishing. Aspiring anglers can go out with a local fishing guide or pick up a pole and some bait in town. 

Off the water, Detroit Lakes Mountain Recreation Area is a popular spot for mountain biking in the summer. To experience more of Detroit Lakes’ stunning natural landscapes, take a hike on one of the many trails in the area. This region has a mix of prairie and forest, which means it attracts all kinds of birds — and serious bird-watchers. Thousands flock to Detroit Lakes every May for the Festival of Birds, which takes place during the spring migration. If you can’t visit during that time, the nearby Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and the Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge are great places to go bird-watching. A portion of the North Country Scenic Trail, which traverses the northern part of the U.S. from Vermont to North Dakota, also goes through the region and is open to hikers.