Overview
Forest Lake is a city in Minnesota.
1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 9°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Aug. (climate data from nearby Saint Paul)
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.
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 30 mi away (major hub). Directions
- STC Saint Cloud Regional Airport, Saint Cloud — 55 mi away. Directions
Interstate 35, US-8, and US-61.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $58–$58 a night (typical $66), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$220.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Food for you
There are plenty of restaurants throughout Forest Lake. The city is home to many popular chains such as Famous Dave's, Applebee's, and all the major fast food chains. In addition to the well known chains, Forest Lake has restaurants and cafes unique to the region.
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.
Get in
Interstate 35, US-8, and US-61.
Get around
By bicycle
The city is located along the Hardwood Creek/Sunrise Prairie Bike Trail, a 30+ mile paved, bike trail stretching from Hugo to North Branch. The trail also passes areas of hardwood forest, deep marsh wetlands where sightings of grouse, deer, wild turkey and waterfowl are common. Additionally, the city has built two bike/pedestrian bridges in the last two years to allow for safer travel.
The Forest Lake Parks Department has made a bike map for biking in and around the city.
Eat
There are plenty of restaurants throughout Forest Lake. The city is home to many popular chains such as Famous Dave's, Applebee's, and all the major fast food chains. In addition to the well known chains, Forest Lake has restaurants and cafes unique to the region.
Eat Norman Quacks
A family owned and operated discount chophouse. Normans boasts an expansive menu with something for everyone. Meals range from fish-and-chips to buffalo burgers to fajita style baked potato to fresh cob salads. Normans also has a large selection of hard and soft drinks. Normans is a casual eatery.
Drink
Drink Friar's
Frair Tuck's offers dozens of drafts and specialty drinks at reasonable prices. The pub offers pool, pull tabs, jukebox music, and darts. Friar Tuck's frequently has live music and various drink and eat specials.
Sleep
Stay Hitching Post Motel
Hitching Post is a budget motel on the north end of Forest Lake. It is located about five minutes from downtown Forest Lake and three minutes from I-35. A scene from the Coen Brothers' film Fargo was shot there.
Go next
- Pine City, just a half an hour's drive north on I-35, is well worth a look.
Nearby
Columbus
City / town · 2 listings · 3 mi away
White Bear Lake
City / town · 1 listings · 13 mi away
Stillwater
City / town · 13 listings · 17 mi away
Arden Hills
City / town · 1 listings · 18 mi away
Coon Rapids
City / town · 5 listings · 18 mi away
Chisago County
City / town · 13 listings · 18 mi away
St. Croix Falls
City / town · 2 listings · 19 mi away
Columbia Heights-Fridley
City / town · 9 listings · 19 mi away
My experience
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