Moose Lake, Minnesota: Agate Capital of the World

Moose Lake, Minnesota is a cozy little town that is also known as the Agate Capital of the World. Moose Lake is located around one hundred miles north of the Twin Cities metro area which makes it a wonderful choice for a rest stop for those traveling to Duluth or any other place along the North Shore of Lake Superior. This quite little town with just a little under two thousand residents is bustling with activities and plays host to many bicycle riders, snowmobilers and other sports enthusiasts as it sits along the scenic Wilard Munger Trail. Moose Lake has a plethora of fun things to do all year round.

Moose Lake is home to the largest Lake Superior agate ever located tipping the scales at one hundred and eight pounds. Every year Moose Lake plays host to an Agate Days celebration. There is a Gem and Mineral show at the Moose Lake high school where you would be able to view and purchase fossils, agates, gems as well as jewelry and other artistic creations made from these natural resources. Probably the most fun event occurring during Agate Days is the agate stampede. People line up along Elm Street to wait for a truck to fill the street with over 350 lbs of agates and gravel as well as over $300 dollars in quarters donated from local businesses. This "finder's keepers" scramble is fun for all ages. Art in the Park also occurs during this fun weekend, visitors and locals alike will be able to enjoy and purchase a wide variety of different crafts from an assortment of talented craftspeople. Musical entertainment and games for children are also going on during Art in the Park.

The 4th of July keeps the streets of Moose Lake hopping. July 1st is when the newest "Little Miss Moose Lake" and "Miss Moose Lake" are crowned in a different themed pageant each year. The carnival also opens in the city's park on the 1st offering a great deal on rides. The celebration tops off with the excellent parade featuring local businesses and groups and the fantastic fireworks display that draws in people from all around.

Winter time is also great fun in the Town of Moose Lake. The Annual Ice and Slice tournament allows lovers of the sport of golf to enjoy their favorite sport in the winter as well as summer time. Golf balls will be replaced by brightly colored tennis balls and you are allowed to play with the club of your choosing. Teams of two "golfers" will make their way through the icy course as names of participants are drawn throughout the tournament for prizes. Additionally each holes sponsor will have hold a contest of their own and give out prizes.

This is just a small sampling of the great things to do in Moose Lake. Several craft fairs go on throughout the year features local crafters. You can visit the Moose Lake Depot to learn more about the 1918 fire that destroyed the towns of Moose Lake and Kettle River. A great meal can be had at one of the restaurant's located in town from a quick bit to eat at the Dairy Queen to great evening out at Gamper's supper club. So when needing a place to stop on your next road trip or looking for a great town to take your next vacation in, it would be most definitely worth your time to consider Moose Lake, Minnesota.