Explore Brainerd Lakes

05/31/2026

Food Made From Scratch in the Brainerd Lakes Area 🍽️

From homemade pasta and hand-crafted sauces to fresh-baked breads and comfort food classics, these local restaurants are serving up meals made with care, tradition, and local ingredients. ❤️

✨ Wings Airport Cafe – Brainerd
✨ Tasty Pizza North – Pequot Lakes
✨ The Wharf Crosslake – Crosslake
✨ Maucieri's Italian Bistro – Crosslake
✨ Valeri Ann's Family Foods – Merrifield
✨ Passport Brainerd – Brainerd
✨ Norway Ridge Supper Club – Pequot Lakes

Whether you’re craving lakeside dining, classic comfort food, or globally inspired flavors, the Brainerd Lakes Area has a table waiting for you.

05/29/2026

BIGFOOT NEEDS A NAME!

If you’ve stopped into the Brainerd Lakes Area Welcome Center lately, you’ve probably spotted our large and hairy resident…

Now it’s time for YOU to help name him!

Vote for your favorite by commenting below:
1️⃣ Big Bertha
2️⃣ Bruh
3️⃣ Clark McFindHim
4️⃣ Northern Lakefoot
5️⃣ Hairy Forgot the Hendersons
6️⃣ Phillip

Voting ends Wednesday at 4PM!

Stop by the Brainerd Lakes Area Welcome Center to see Bigfoot in person and cast your vote below!

05/28/2026

Say hello to Paula! 🐻

She’s the Treasurer and Director of Finance for the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, and she was bear-y excited to show off this must-have shirt! She also had some fun checking out a pretty stylish bear purse to carry all the essentials for the day.

We even have a mirror in the gift shop so you can strut your stuff while trying on your next favorite find

Stop by the Explore Brainerd Lakes Welcome Center on your way to your next adventure. We’re on the left, you can’t miss us!

05/27/2026

There’s still time to submit your Bigfoot name ideas at the Explore Brainerd Lakes Welcome Center!

Stop in before nominations close tomorrow on May 28 and help us choose this year’s official Bigfoot name. We’ve already received some creative entries, and we can’t wait to see what else the community comes up with.

📍 Submit your name ideas at the Welcome Center
🗓 Nominations close: May 28
🗳 Community voting begins: May 29

While you visit, be sure to browse Brainerd Lakes apparel, souvenirs, and local gifts at the Welcome Center.

05/22/2026

Help Us Name Bigfoot! 👣

The Brainerd Lakes Welcome Center is inviting the community to help choose this year’s official Bigfoot name!

Stop by the Welcome Center May 22–28 to submit your best name idea for a chance to make Bigfoot history. After submissions close, the community will vote to decide the winning name.

📍 Name Submissions: May 22–28
🗳 Voting: May 29–June 3
🎉 Official Name Reveal: June 5 at 1:00 PM

While you’re here, explore Brainerd Lakes apparel, souvenirs, local gifts, and everything the Welcome Center has to offer.

Past favorites include Buford and Yeti Betti, what will this year’s name be? 👀

05/22/2026

Farmers markets are in full swing this weekend, and we've got ALL the hot spots. 🌽🥕☀️

From fresh produce and homemade baked goods to flowers, crafts, and locally made goods, there’s no better way to experience the heart of the lakes area than by shopping local. Every stand tells a story, and every market offers a closer look at the people and products that make this region special.

🧺 Find a farmers market near you:
https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/farmers-markets-brainerd-lakes/

Photo Courtesy: Nisswa Farmers Market

05/22/2026

Have you been to an event at Brainerd International Raceway? 🏎️

It's time to kickoff the 2026 racing season with the Street Car Showdown, the first major race of the year and the start of the three-race Muscle Car Series! Expect jaw-dropping 200+ mph drag racing, 6-7 second passes, and nonstop action all weekend long. 💨🔥

Fans can catch:
🏎️ High-powered Muscle Car Series competition
🏁 Wheel-to-wheel SCCA road course racing
⚡ Qualifying Friday & Saturday
🏆 Eliminations on Sunday
🎓 SCCA Competition Racing License School on May 21
📍 May 22-24, 2026 | Brainerd International Raceway
Ticketing & event timeline: https://www.birmn.com/street-car-showdown
Follow our page for more events, vacation ideas, and things to do around the Brainerd Lakes Area all season long! ☀️🎣🚤

📸 Photo Courtesy Brainerd International Raceway

BIR hosts the first major race of the 2025 season Memorial Day weekend. The Street Car Showdown kicks off the three-race Muscle Car Series on the drag strip. Featuring an impressive display of power and speed, fans get a steady dose of 200+ mph speeds and times at 6-7 seconds. It’s intense drag ra...

05/21/2026

After a full day of lake life, how do you unwind?

Brian, our Director of Membership, stopped by the Welcome Center Gift Shop and found a new favorite: our wooden puzzles (and some rock finds… stay tuned for another day 😉).
Featuring Bonfire at Sunset and Minnesota Loon on Gull Lake - two 11x11 puzzles made for relaxing nights by the fire after a day full of fun.

Swing by the Welcome Center, just 10 minutes south of Brainerd. You might pass us on your way to the cabin!

05/20/2026

🚨 Need a last-minute Memorial Weekend plan? It’s not too late! 🚨

Our lodging partners still have availability for the holiday weekend, from cozy cabins and family resorts to lake homes big enough for the whole crew. 🌲☀️🛶

Help us spread the word and tag someone who still needs Memorial Weekend plans! 👇

Featured availability includes:
Camp Holiday Resort & Campground
Cozy Bay Resort
The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes
Campfire Bay Resort
Black Pine Beach Resort
Nature Link Resort
Above & Beyond Homes

Whether you’re looking to relax by the lake, hit the trails, fish, golf, or simply unplug for the weekend, the Brainerd Lakes Area is ready for you.

Find weekend availability here: https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/lodging-availability-where-to-stay-in-the-brainerd-lakes-area

05/18/2026

Need a break from the busy schedule? The Brainerd Lakes Area has plenty of spots where you can slow down and enjoy the outdoors.

Take a stroll through:
🌸 Northland Arboretum
🌸 Linden Hill
🌸 Crosslake Town Square Legacy Gardens
🌸 Trailside Park & Dru Sjodin Memorial Garden - City of Pequot Lakes

Whether you’re exploring for the day or just looking for a quiet place to unwind, these spots are worth checking out!

Read more for details & accessibility: https://explorebrainerdlakes.com/peaceful-gardens/