TOUR OF 10,000 LAKES
Destination Brainerd Lakes
by Lee Voss, WJON.com

BRAINERD -- Are you looking for a get-away, but don't want to dip into your savings or 401-K to pay for it? Today we continue our series "Tour of 10,000 Lakes" with a trip up to the Brainerd Lakes area.

Brainerd is probably the most well-known of the Brainerd Lakes communities. But, the cities work together to try to attract visitors.

Gretchen Ennis is the Tourism Director of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce. She says with over 465 lakes in the area, it makes sense to promote the entire area.

Ennis also says the dozens of golf courses in the area are another great reason to come to the Brainerd Lakes area.

But, if golf and water aren't your thing, Ennis says there is plenty of other activities to do including hiking and biking on the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway and Paul Bunyan Trail.

There are numerous festivals, art galleries and of course adventure parks. Ennis says some examples are Billy Bones Raceway, Adventureland and Paul Bunyan Land.

Ennis says the Brainerd area also fits well for couples who like to vacation together because when the men go fishing or golfing, the women have plenty of opportunities to go shopping. And, she says when the day is done, there are plenty of unique dining options including several restaurants right on one of the area's lakes.

Some other activities and places to check out include the Brainerd International Raceway, Pillsbury State Forest and Three Bear Lodge Water and Themepark.

But, Ennis says if you don't know where to start, they have a tour guide to help you plan your trip. So, as you are trying to save money on gas, the Brainerd Lakes area of Minnesota is only about 60-miles to the north of St. Cloud.

Resources:
Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

AUDIO:  Hear this Tour of 10,000 Lakes story with expanded comments.