Single Women Visiting West Central Minnesota

OK, it might not be your top pick for a place to find romance, and it's not a tropical getaway by any stretch of the imagination, but Alexandria, Minnesota will offer you many places to eat, sleep and enjoy!

Let's start with where this quaint town is located. You'll find Alexandria, Minnesota just two hours north of Minneapolis/St. Paul on I-94, or two hours south of Fargo, North Dakota on the same interstate. While you're coming from the south, you'll pass through St. Cloud, Minnesota, which would also make a great stop on your vacation.

Once you arrive in Alexandria, check into your hotel room first. Then you can decide where to eat, shop, and find fun things to do! I recommend Country Inn and Suites (http://www.countryinns.com/hotels/mnalexan ) or the AmericInn (http://www.americinn.com/hotels/MN/Alexandria ), both of which I've stayed in and have thoroughly enjoyed. Enjoy a single bed all to yourself, and relax in the whirlpool, hot tub, swimming pool, or sauna after a day of shopping yourself silly.

Once you've checked into your hotel, let's decide on what to do next! If it's time for lunch or dinner, I suggest heading to Doolittle's (http://www.doolittlesrestaurants.com/alex.html), Angelina's (http://local.yahoo.com/info-24401609-angelina-s-restaurant-alexandria), The Peak (http://www.thepeaksupperclub.com/), or Raaper's Eatery and Ale (http://local.yahoo.com/info-24393120-raapers-eatery-ale-alexandria). Doolittle's and Raaper's offer things like chicken, steak, burgers, wraps, and salad. If you like Italian, head to Angelina's, where you'll see pizza, sandwiches, chicken, salad, and pasta on the menu. If you like a buffet-style meal, head to the Peak, where on Sunday mornings, they have a full buffet that is very reasonably priced and delicious, too!

Now, on to recreation! If you decide to eat at the Peak, you're set! The Peak Supper Club was named after Inspiration Peak, which is just around the corner. You can climb to the top of the peak (a mile or so) and see a magnificent view. Bring your camera! I suggest doing this before you eat, but if you eat a light meal, it would be okay after, too. Don't forget hiking shoes!

As a single woman, I'm sure you're wondering where all the shopping is! Head to Viking Plaza Mall for stores like Herberger's and JCPenney's; otherwise, we have a Super Walmart and Target as well, and many wonderful boutique shops downtown- bakeries, purse stores, crafts, and much more! Be sure to check out Magpie downtown also, which you really just have to see to believe. They have trinkets, ready-to-serve food and mixes, purses, badge holders, and so much more! Really a neat store.

Enjoy your stay in West Central Minnesota!