Vacation Attractions in Detroit Lakes Minnesota

Looking for family time and plenty of action?

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota has you covered. How about a swim? We have two public beaches. Don't miss a visit to our Mile Long Beach on Detroit Lake. Launch your boat. Walk along the observation pier. Listen to music coming from the restored over 90-year-old Pavilion.

There are fun attractions in all directions from Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. How about mini golf or an amusement park? Up to some action at the skate park or tennis courts? Maybe bowling or searching for uniquely decorated sunfish sculptures are more your style. Explore our green spaces for hidden geocaches.

If the whole family needs a workout, the Detroit Lakes Community Center has courts, weights and a pool with an enticing waterslide.

For more scholarly endeavors, we're pleased to invite you to Lake Agassiz Regional Library and Becker County Museum.

If you are an adult who just wants to have fun, check out some casino action. Besides the slots, you'll discover first-class accommodations and entertainment.

It really is all here at the lakes, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Check out the Entertainment/Recreation, Casinos and Museums sections of our business directory for more opportunities.

Sunny in DL - Public Art for Northern Minnesota

Bringing Public Art to Detroit Lakes

Something fishy began with the creative minds of two inspired organizers and a talented local artist in the fall of 2002. The artist created a 4' x 2.5' clay sunfish model. A mold was made and 50 fiberglass fish were cast. An enthusiastic group was gathered to call on the artistic community in and around Detroit Lakes. Seasoned and emerging artists were invited to submit designs that imaginatively celebrated the nature of the Detroit Lakes area. The response was amazing, with designs ranging from the serious to the whimsical. Selected artists were teamed with 47 sponsoring corporations, small businesses, individuals and organizations. 50 fish were painted, three designated for auctioning. An exciting "Hook, Line and Sinker" party and auction was held in April of 2003 that unveiled the school of 50 decorated sunnies. Two fish were sold that evening. The third "auction fish", painted in purple and gold, traveled downstream to the Minnesota Viking's Spring Training camp. It was autographed by over 20 players and coaches and later auctioned off. Sponsorship and auction dollars covered artists' costs and raised money that will ultimately result in a permanent bronze sailboat sculpture near the Detroit Lakes public beach.

All 50 sunfish were set out in various public places in time for the 2003 Governor's Fishing Opener in Detroit Lakes. Throughout the summer of 2003 citizens and visitors to Detroit Lakes caught hold of an Official Sunny Map and toured the scenic community to view the fish. Their attraction generated rave reviews in newspapers and magazines as well as in the eyes of the beholders.

The fish story doesn't stop there. In the fall of 2003 the sunnies found winter homes and a new map was printed to announce their temporary locations. Throughout the winter, many of the fishy figures could be spotted peeking from the windows of area businesses. As summer arrives another new map will be generated as the sunnies swim to their new locations. Some have found permanent homes in private places, but most will continue to brighten the community as publicly accessible outdoor art. For years to come, these creative creatures, with themes that run the gamut from surprisingly real to patriotic to humorous, will bring joy and delight to people of all ages.

Get the Sunny in DL Map to find fish around Detroit Lakes.

Sailboat Sculpture at Detroit Lakes, Minnesota

Want to sail into summer? Come sail with us in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota!

The sailboat sculpture at the shore of Little Detroit Lake by the historic Pavilion was dedicated on May 14, 2008. The construction was completed in 2007 by local artist Hans Gilsdorf, Bohl Brothers and Ulteig Engineers. In the spring of 2008, over 100 donor bricks and a dozen donor bronze fish were set in place to finalize the lakeside sculpture.

To thousands of visitors and area residents, the sailboat has become a symbol of our lakes community. The bronze sailboat sculpture serves as a proud symbol at the shore of Detroit Lake, visible to motorists, boaters and beach strollers, during the day and illuminated in the evening.

The community of Detroit Lakes, in partnership with the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce, the City of Detroit Lakes and the "Sunny in DL" sunfish campaign enthusiastically embraced this publicly-funded symbol of our lake community to make it a reality. You are invited to visit the sculpture while in Detroit Lakes, as well as search out 35 four-foot Sunny in DL sunfish around the city.