Community spotlight – Fergus Falls
by jenna & micah kvidt of wander the map
Fergus Falls is the largest town in Otter Tail County, and it is also the county seat. We grew up roughly 20 minutes from Fergus Falls, so it’s a town we have visited often over the years. This time around, it was fun to explore with fresh eyes.
We were excited to be “tourists” and find adventures that we had never thought to explore before, in addition to revisiting some of our favorite spots. Read on to learn about all the exciting things to do in Fergus Falls.
Adventures in Fergus Falls
Throughout our time in Fergus Falls, we went kayaking, hiking, biking, soaked up nature and art, ate at delicious restaurants, sipped beers at breweries, learned at museums, browsed cute boutiques and shops, and more! We didn’t have time to explore every corner of town though—two notable spots that we missed were the Pebble Lake Golf Course and the I-94 Speedway racetrack. But even still, we packed a ton of fun into our visit!
Kayaking the Otter Tail River
The Otter Tail River runs right through the heart of Fergus Falls. The river is home to the Otter Tail River State Water Trail, so we had to put in our kayaks to check it out. This water trail runs throughout Otter Tail County and there are an abundance of launch points to pick from, several of which are right in Fergus Falls.
We dropped the kayaks in the water at one of the trail access point off of Highway 210. The current was flowing at a decent pace, so we started paddling upriver first and then made our way back to our starting point. With the sun shining, blue skies, and lush trees surrounding us, we had a great morning on the water.
If paddling on a river isn’t your thing, there are plenty of area lakes to explore, as well, such as Pebble Lake, Hoot Lake, and many more!
Biking the Central Lakes Trail
he Central Lakes Trail is a 55-mile-long trail in Minnesota that runs from Osakis to Fergus Falls. Built on an abandoned railroad corridor, the trail passes through several towns, and offers beautiful nature and scenery along the way. We brought our bikes to Fergus Falls and jumped on the trail at the Central Lakes State Trail parking lot off of Highway 210. And to add to the fun, there was even some giant, interactive art at the starting point.
We didn’t do a long-distance ride on the trail, but we did have fun exploring the Fergus Falls area. It’s a wonderful trail to explore no matter how far you plan to ride. And, in the winter, you can even head out on the trail with your snowmobile!
Prairie Wetlands Environmental Learning Center
If you are looking for a dose of nature and wildlife, the Prairie Wetlands Environmental Learning Center is the place to be. I cannot believe I hadn’t heard of this area prior to this summer, and I’m so glad we had a chance to check it out. The center consists of 325 acres of native wetlands and prairies, and they offer educational opportunities and interpretative programs for all ages. Head out on the multitude of trails during any season for birdwatching, wildlife sightings, hiking, and a dose of nature. We enjoyed a fun afternoon walking the trails while keeping an eye out for nearby wildlife.
Explore and Learn at Museums
The Otter Tail County Historical Museum is located in the heart of Fergus Falls and offers a wide range of educational and cultural displays. Inside the museum you will learn about Otter Tail County’s history, agriculture, and wildlife, through vivid displays and exhibits. One of my favorite parts of the museum are the period rooms where you can see what different shops, businesses, and homes looked like in the olden days. I remember visiting this museum on a field trip during elementary school, and it was so fun to head back again as an adult!
Another museum option that is especially great if you have kids, is the new Otter Cove Children’s Museum. We took a quick peek inside and adored the interactive and creative play areas. The museum showcases an indoor playground, a stage with dress up clothes, a miniature version of Fergus Falls with “businesses” to work at, and more. They also offer creative classes for participants of all ages, such as classes to create items like macramé or a rainbow wall hanging, jewelry making, and children’s crafts, to name a few. Hopefully, we can take our niece and nephew there soon—we know they will love it!
Check out the Shops and Art Downtown
Downtown Fergus Falls offers a variety of shops and art to explore. We browsed several shops such as The Market, Victor Lundeen Company, HD Boutique, Dandelion and Burdock, and The Bric. Shoppers will find a wide range of goods throughout the boutiques, from clothes, to home décor, to stationary, and more.
Then, we wandered around town to check out the art. We loved exploring all the colorful pieces throughout Fergus Falls. We spotted sculptures, a colorful piano, the Fergus Theater sign, and murals before making our way over to the Riverwalk.
Explore the Riverwalk
One of my favorite new experiences in Fergus Falls was the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk runs from Union Ave to Veterans Memorial Park. The trail follows the river, and along the way, you will find interpretive signs showcasing the buildings and history in the area. Also, don’t miss the colorful murals under the Union Ave bridge!
Relaxing Outdoors at the City Parks
There are several parks throughout Fergus Falls that offer a wide range of activities. From camping to beaches to playgrounds and disc golf to multi-use trails, there is something for everyone. We stopped at a number of parks throughout town and enjoyed the fresh air and time outdoors.
A few memorable sights that we saw were the giant otter at Adams Park, the North Country Trail and disc golf at Delagoon Park, the memorial at Angel of Hope Memorial Park, the wide-open beach at Pebble Lake Beach, and the dam and river at Broken Down Dam Park.
Visit a Brewery
There are a few breweries in Fergus Falls, and we couldn’t resist popping into a couple for a visit. We went to both Outstate Brewing Company and Union Pizza and Brewing Co., and Fergus Brewing Company is the other brewery in town.
Union Pizza and Brewing Co. serves pizzas, salads, and snacks, in addition to 3 house brews and a variety of other beers from MN and ND. The other brewery we visited was Outstate Brewing Company, and during our visit, they had a wide range of beers on tap. After a full day of exploring, we relaxed on their sunny patio with a couple of brews while soaking up views overlooking the Otter Tail River.
Where to Eat in Fergus Falls
There are a multitude of fantastic restaurants in Fergus Falls. Some restaurants that we enjoy are Mable Murphy’s, Viking Café, Don Pablos, Fabled Farmer, Union Pizza and Brewing Co., and Fiesta Brava. Perks Coffee and Higher Grounds Coffee are excellent spots for a treat and coffee pick me up. And you can’t forget about Uncle Eddie’s for your ice cream fix—they have 40 different flavors and freshly made waffle cones!
Here’s a bit more about a couple restaurants we visited while we were recently exploring Fergus Falls:
Mable Murphy’s
One of our favorite restaurants in town is Mable Murphy’s—it has been a staple in our family since I was a kid. They offer a large outdoor patio, a bar, and cozy dining rooms with fireplaces. The atmosphere almost feels like a European pub. My favorite menu item is the stuffed shrimp with au gratin potatoes and the salad bar, and Micah is partial to the filet mignon. But they also have great burgers, sandwiches, pastas, and much more.
Viking Café
Diners are always a fantastic choice for a meal, and the Viking Café is no exception. For some old-fashioned charm and great homestyle cooking, look no further. Our favorite meals at the Viking Café are the omelets and hash browns for breakfast and the hot beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy for lunch, but there are a wide range of menu items to choose from!
Where to Stay in Fergus Falls
If you are looking for a place to stay in Fergus Falls, the Country Inn and Suites by Radisson has you covered.
The hotel is attached to the Bigwood Event Center and offers an indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center. The rooms are comfortable, and the location provides easy access to both the interstate and all the attractions Fergus Falls has to offer!
