Overview
Detroit Lakes is a city in Minnesota.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Detroit Lakes
WE Fest
The largest country music festival by attendance in the United States. Held in August annually since 1983.
Becker County Museum
Historical museum and research library.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 1°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Fargo)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FAR Hector International Airport, Fargo — 46 mi away. Directions
- BRD Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, Brainerd — 86 mi away. Directions
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 184 mi away (major hub). Directions
U.S. Highways 10 and 59, MN Highway 34
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Becker County Museum
- Lunch Zorbaz on the Lake
- Afternoon WE Fest
- Dinner Sandbar II
- Evening Tito's Shorewood Pub
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Detroit Lakes is a regional summer and winter recreation destination, attracting many tourists and seasonal residents each year. Its economy is fueled by seasonal population increases, with tourism being the area's chief industry along with agriculture.
Get in
By car
U.S. Highways 10 and 59, MN Highway 34
By train
- Route stopping at Detroit Lakes:
- Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.
By bus
- Jefferson Lines has a bus stop in Detroit Lakes.
See
Do
Eat
Eat The Fireside
Fine waterfront dining in Detroit Lakes.
Eat Sandbar II
Casual sports bar with an extensive food menu.
Eat Zorbaz on the Lake
Minnesotan chain of restaurants. Specializing in Mexican and American food.
Drink
Drink Lakeside Tavern
Lakeside is an amazing place to eat. It is family friendly, and you can also drink there. It is better than Zorbaz, by a long shot. There is pizza with home-made crust, burgers, wings, nachos and appetizers.
Drink Tito's Shorewood Pub (Shorewood)
Casual bar and grill serving up cold drinks and hot food. Lots of cool stuff to see on the wall when you're having a cold drink.
Drink Bucks Mill Brewing
A modest brewery connected to Washington Square Mall, a friendly atmosphere with activities like board games, events, trivia. Bring your own food.
Sleep
Nearby
Ottertail
City / town · 2 listings · 30 mi away
Fergus Falls
City / town · 5 listings · 39 mi away
Dilworth
City / town · 4 listings · 41 mi away
Itasca State Park
Park · 2 listings · 42 mi away
Wadena
City / town · 3 listings · 43 mi away
Moorhead
City / town · 25 listings · 44 mi away
Fargo
City / town · 85 listings · 44 mi away
Abercrombie
City / town · 1 listings · 49 mi away
My experience
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