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.
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
415 Washington St, Brainerd, MN 5640
218-829-5516
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
(218) 828-1668
108 South 6th St. Brainerd, MN 56401
Drug store
(218) 829-0347
(218) 454-0100
Bike Shop
618 Front St. Brainerd, MN 56401
Kids store
(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
300 Hwy 25 S. Brainerd
218-824-5225
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
(218) 828-2320
23521 Nokomis Ave. Nisswa, MN 56468
Spa
(888) 437-4637
Ridge Rd. Lake Shore, MN 56468
Trout stream, hiking trails, covered picninc areas, play areas
(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
(218) 828-4245
17992 Minnesota 371 Brainerd, MN 56401
Mini Golf
(218) 828-9002
17533 Minnesota 18 Brainerd, MN 56401
Historic site
(218) 764-2524
5523 Birchdale Rd. Brainerd, MN 56401
Raceway
1-866-444-4455
10415 Townhall St. Brainerd, MN 56401
BMX track
(218) 821-4269
9651 Business 371 Brainerd, MN 56401
Racing
(218) 839-2137
113 Washington St. NE Brainerd, MN 56401
Family pottery painting
(218) 270-2242
10424 Squaw Point Rd. East Gull Lake, MN 56401
Dinner cruise
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 (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 (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 (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 (218) 828-4978 625 Oak St. Brainerd, MN 56401 Homemade pizza, woodfire cooked pizza (218) 454-4900 302 Washington St. Brainerd, MN 56401 Pizza, delivery (218) 825-9000 14136 Baxter STE 16 Baxter, MN 56425 Pizza (218) 829-5804 15674 Edgewood Dr. Baxter, MN 56425 Burgers, Beers, Wings (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 (218) 822-3877 723 Mill Ave. Brainerd, MN 56401 (218) 454-0258 15115 Edgewood Dr. Baxter, MN 56425 Sit down, fine dining (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
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.