Next Bike Adventure – Brainerd

At A Glance: Exploring Brainerd – Fun and Food

With the main trailhead for the Paul Bunyan State Trail located here, the Brainerd Lakes Area boasts more than 465 lakes clustered next to scenic forests. Additionally, it has a series of bike-friendly roads to explore. Leading into town, both the Paul Bunyan and City Trails allow you to explore all Brainerd has to offer by bike. With plenty of retail, recreation, and restaurant choices to checkout, it is easy to spend several days here while exploring Brainerd.

A sunny spring afternoon, this mother-daughter mountain bike team is creating some fun memories in the Pillsbury State Forest near Brainerd, MN.

A sunny spring afternoon, this mother-daughter
mountain bike team is creating some fun memories in the Pillsbury State Forest near Brainerd, MN.

Where to Bike in the Area 

Explore and enjoy the beauty of the lakes and forests in and around the Brainerd area. From most hotels in town it is easy to ride your bike to the Paul Bunyan Trail and connect to the paved lake community roads for miles of enjoyable bicycling. From the Arboretum, the Paul Bunyan Trail takes you on a 110 mile journey on the paved rail-bed up through Pequot Lakes, Pine River, Hackensack, Walker, and then to Bemidji.

For road riding explorers, choose from many scenic loops designed by the local bike club for your riding pleasure.

For the mountain bikers, there are miles of varying terrain through state forests and the newly formed Cuyuna Recreational Area.

 

Available Maps for the Area

HaveFunBiking Brainerd Area Map

Brainerd City Bike Map
Paul Bunyan Cyclist Map Series
Pillsbury State Forest Map (Mountain Biking)
Cuyuna Recreational Area Map

 

Walk/Hike Opportunities

Brainerd’s City Parks and Arboretum 
French Rapids Ski Park
Crow Wing State Park

 

Area Bike Shops and Clubs

25336 Smiley Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401

218-963-0699

Website

14843 Edgewood Dr N, Baxter, MN 56425

218-829-8542

Website

415 Washington St, Brainerd, MN 5640

218-829-5516

Website

115 3rd Ave SW, Crosby, MN 56441

218-545-4545

18900 Minnesota 371 Brainerd, MN 56401

Bait shop

(218) 829-7010

 

West Washington St. Brainerd, MN 56401

Mall

Website

(218) 828-1668

 

108 South 6th St. Brainerd, MN 56401 

Drug store 

Website

(218) 829-0347

 

(218) 454-0100

Bike Shop

618 Front St. Brainerd, MN 56401

Kids store 

Website

(218) 824-0006

 

14803 Edgewood Dr. Baxter, MN 56425

(218) 828-0603

 

Acceleration Sports & Fitness | 607 Laurel St., Brainerd, MN 56401 | 218-454-0100
Cycle Path & Paddle (Sales and Rental) | 115 3rd Ave. S.W., Crosby, MN 56441 | 218-545-4545
Easy Rider Bikes | 415 Washington St., Brainerd, MN 56401 | 218-829-5516
Trail Blazer Bikes | 14843 Edgewood Dr., Baxter, MN 56425 | 218-829-8542
Trail Blazer Bikes | 25336 Smiley Rd., Nisswa, MN 56486 | 218-963-0699
Paul Bunyan Cyclists offering safe rides in the Northlands | 218-833-8122

 

Where to Play When Not Biking or Hiking

33040 Aspenwood Drive, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472

218-568-4341

Website

 

 

14145 Baxter Dr, Baxter, MN 56425

218-828-6228

Website

300 Hwy 25 S. Brainerd

218-824-5225

Website

501 West College Drive Brainerd MN 56401

218-855-8199

Website

HWY 210 East Brainerd, MN 56401

Sand volleyball, beach, disc golf, grills, fishing, campground

Website

(218) 828-2320

 

23521 Nokomis Ave. Nisswa, MN 56468

Spa

Website

(888) 437-4637

 

Ridge Rd. Lake Shore, MN 56468

Trout stream, hiking trails, covered picninc areas, play areas

Website

(218) 825-0410

 

14441 Oakwood Dr. Baxter, MN 56425

Swimming beach, showers, bathroom, picnic area, boat landing, fishing pier

(218) 825-0410

 

17944 Minnesota 371 Brainerd, MN 56401

Go cart racing 

Website

(218) 828-4245

 

17992 Minnesota 371 Brainerd, MN 56401

Mini Golf 

(218) 828-9002

 

17533 Minnesota 18 Brainerd, MN 56401

Historic site 

Website

(218) 764-2524

 

5523 Birchdale Rd. Brainerd, MN 56401

Raceway 

Website

1-866-444-4455

 

10415 Townhall St. Brainerd, MN 56401

BMX track

(218) 821-4269

9651 Business 371 Brainerd, MN 56401

Racing 

Website

(218) 839-2137

 

113 Washington St. NE Brainerd, MN 56401

Family pottery painting 

Website

(218) 270-2242

 

10424 Squaw Point Rd. East Gull Lake, MN 56401

Dinner cruise 

Website

855 953-3784

 

 

Brainerd International Raceways | 5523 Birchdale Rd., Brainerd, MN 56401| 218-824-7223
Brainerd Minnesota Cultural Arts Series | Central Lakes College – 501 West College Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401 | 218-855-8000
Greater Lakes Performing Arts (GLAPA) | 218-568-9200
Jack’s House Bowling & Family Entertainment | 300 Hwy 25 S., Brainerd, MN 56401 | 218-824-5225
Lakes 12 | 14145 Baxter Drive, Baxter, MN 56401 | 218-828-6228
Sunset Cinema | 33040 Aspen Wood Drive, Pequot Lakes, MN 56472 | 218-568-4341

For other fun activities in the area such as fishing, golf, or others, check out more at Brainerd’s Activities Page.

 

Where to Eat

123 Washignton St. Brainerd, MN 56401

(218) 330-8210

320 South 7th St. Brainerd, MN 56401

(218) 829-3431

708 Front St. Brainerd, MN 56401

Military club, food, bar

Website

(218) 829-2249

 

704 Laurel St. Brainerd, MN 56401

Candy shop 

(218) 828-7844

 

4871 Cr.77 North Nisswa, MN 56468

BBQ

(218) 820-4095

 

711 Washington St. Brainerd, MN 56401

(218) 829-9297

14540 Dellwood Dr. Baxter, MN 56425

Steak house 

(218) 828-1415

 

14151 Edgewood Dr. Baxter, MN 56425

Mexican cuisine 

Website/Menu

(218) 829-0489

 

15840 Audibon Way #2 Brainerd, MN 56401

Mexican cuisine 

(218) 454-0618

 

15323 Edgewood Dr. Brainerd, MN 56401

Chinese cuisine 

(218) 829-5375

 

1300 Minnesota 210 Baxter, MN 56425

Chinese cuisine 

(218) 829-8939

520 Washington St. Brainerd, MN 56401

Chinese cuisine 

(218) 828-8782

 

14901 Edgewood Dr. Test Baxter, MN 56425

Old school diner, family freidnly, sit down 

(218) 829-3356

 

601 Laurel St. Brainerd, MN 56401

(218) 825-7955

Coffee, espresso, smoothies 

(218) 855-0020

 

19090 Minnesota 371 Brainerd, MN 56401

Lakeview dining, fine dining, deck seating, local ingredients

Website

(218) 829-9872

 

14901 Edgewood Dr. Brainerd, MN 56401

(218) 825-0633

219 South St. Brainerd, MN 56401

(218) 824-2050

707 Laurel St. Brainerd, MN 56401

Bar, Live bands, dancing 

(218) 454-0514

 

625 Oak St. Brainerd, MN 56401

Pizza, Buffet

Website/Menu

(218) 828-4978

625 Oak St. Brainerd, MN 56401

Homemade pizza, woodfire cooked pizza 

Website/Menu

(218) 454-4900

 

302 Washington St. Brainerd, MN 56401

Pizza, delivery

Website/Menu

(218) 825-9000

 

14136 Baxter STE 16 Baxter, MN 56425

Pizza

(218) 829-5804

 

15674 Edgewood Dr. Baxter, MN 56425

Burgers, Beers, Wings

Website/Menu

(218) 454-1845

 

12110 State HWY 210 Brainerd, MN 56401

Two pound burger challenge, restaurant, bar

(218) 454-2114

 

214 South 8th St. Brainerd, MN 56401

Historic 1800's style saloon & eatery 

(218) 829-485

 

14819 Edgewood Dr. Baxter, MN 56425

(218) 828-8400

1519 Edgewood Dr. Baxter, MN 56425

Wood-fired food, sit down dining

Website/Menu

(218) 822-3877

 

723 Mill Ave. Brainerd, MN 56401

Website/Menu

(218) 454-0258

 

15115 Edgewood Dr. Baxter, MN 56425

Sit down, fine dining 

Website/Menu

(218) 824-6444

 

From the Coco Moon Coffee Barto, an elegant lakeside restaurant, to Ivens On The Bay, Brainerd also offers several interesting and charming cafes and ice cream shops.

El Tequila | 15840 Audubon Way, Suite #2, Brainerd, MN 56401 | 218-454-0618

The Old Waterfall | 18512 State Highway 371, Brainerd, MN 5640 | 218-825-0633

Where to Sleep When Visiting 

Exploring Brainerd

When exploring Brainerd, stay well-rested to keep the memories going by staying in one of the great camp grounds or hotels Brainerd offers.

 

Public Wi-Fi Spots

Along with most hotels, many coffee shops and restaurants have Wi-Fi available. The public library is also good option.  The Brainerd’s Public Library is located at 416 S. 5th St., Brainerd, MN 56401 and can be called at the following number: 218-829-5574.

See the Brainerd/Baxter Tourism Bureau for more detailed information.