TravelAwaits
May.6.2021
Brainerd, one of the largest cities in Central Minnesota, straddles the Mississippi River and, with 450 area waterways, offers easy access to year-round adventures.
The adorable small towns surrounding Brainerd focus their tourism on cycling in the summer and snow sports like cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and especially ice fishing in the winter. The Gull Lake ice fishing tournament, for example, is the largest in the world, allowing 15,000 anglers to drill holes and fish across its 9,947 acres.
These small towns offer artisan shopping, old-fashioned hometown charm, and welcoming people who make you glad to visit.
1. Nisswa
CBS affiliate WCCO named Nisswa 2018’s Best Small Town in Minnesota. Nisswa, the activity hub of the Brainerd Lakes region, has a population of 1,817. This soars by thousands in the summer.