With 465 lakes in a 30-mile radius, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the water:

Shop 'til you drop. With stores big and small, you’ll find just what you’re looking for—and treasures you least expect. Major retail stores and an area mall have all your everyday needs. Visit historic downtown Brainerd or the boutiques of Nisswa for shops that offer locally grown and made products, including:
Fast food. Fine dining. And everything in between. The Lakes Area has choices to suit every palette. Choose from over 100 restaurants, including:
Dock space is available at many lakeside restaurants. A good meal and a day on the water—what could be better?

The Lakes Area is ranked one of the "Top 50 Golf Destinations in the World" by Golf Digest Magazine. Discover 17 fantastic courses and over 300 holes of golf. Courses have been created by famed designers such as:

Discover community theatre, symphony orchestra and everything in between. The Central Lakes College Theater and Greater Lakes Performing Arts School perform throughout the year.
The Heartland Symphony Orchestra is a 50-piece volunteer, nonprofit community orchestra that performs three full-length orchestral music concerts each season in Little Falls and Brainerd. Performers include:
Museums provide a glimpse into the region’s rich history. The Crow Wing County Historical Society traces the significance of the area’s American Indian heritage as well as its logging and mining history. Museums include: