©
Detroit Lakes trip planner
Create a fully customized
day by day itinerary for free
day by day itinerary for free
Detroit Lakes
Detroit Lakes is a city in the State of Minnesota and the county seat of Becker County. The population was 8,569 at the 2010 census. Its unofficial population during summer months is much higher, estimated by citizens to peak at 13,000 midsummer, due to seasonal residents and tourists.U.S. Highways 10 and 59, and Minnesota State Highway 34 serve as the primary routes through the city. Detroit Lakes is located 45 miles east of the Fargo–Moorhead ND-MN statistical metropolitan area. The nearest major metropolitan area with a population over 300,000 is Minneapolis–Saint Paul, which is approximately 205 miles southeast of Detroit Lakes.Detroit Lakes is a regional summer and winter recreation destination, attracting large numbers of 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.HistoryThe city of Detroit Lakes was founded by Colonel George Johnston in 1871. The city grew quickly with the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1877, an election finally decided that Detroit Lakes, then known as Detroit, was to become the county seat. Detroit won the election by a ninety percent majority. The nearby cities of Frazee, Lake Park, and Audubon were also in the running for the county seat. By 1884, Detroit Lakes had many businesses, including the Hotel Minnesota, the Lakes Hotel, a bank, a newspaper, and an opera house. The first county courthouse was built in Detroit Lakes that year also. Some of the city's historic buildings still stand, such as the railroad station, and the historic Holmes Theater. The Becker County Museum, located near the Holmes Theater in Detroit Lakes, has a large amount of information and exhibits on the history of the city and the surrounding area.In the build up to your vacation in Detroit Lakes, plan trip itinerary minutiae using the visitor reviews, staff write-ups, and custom search fields on our United States vacation builder site.
Source
Create a full itinerary — for free!
Plan your trip to Detroit Lakes
Get a personalized trip
A complete day by day itinerary
based on your preferencesCustomize it
Refine your trip. We'll find the
best routes and schedulesManage it
Everything in one place.
Everyone on the same page.
Popular things to do in Detroit Lakes
Places to visit with Detroit Lakes
Minneapolis
Trip planner
BEST FOR: Art Museum, Fun & Games, Room Escape Game
Bloomington
Trip planner
BEST FOR: Shopping Mall, Theme Park, Aquarium
Saint Paul
Trip planner
BEST FOR: Zoo, Natural History Museum, Religious Site
Duluth
Trip planner
BEST FOR: Park, Scenic Drive, Specialty Museum
Ely
Trip planner
BEST FOR: Specialty Museum, Science Museum, Hiking Trail
Recently planned trips to Detroit Lakes
4 days in Detroit Lakes
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Detroit Lakes
12 days in Detroit Lakes
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Paul Bunyan State Trail
·
Brainerd Zip Line Tour
·
St. Urho Statue
2 days in Northwest Minnesota
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Detroit Lakes
·
Lake Itasca
9 days in Detroit Lakes & Glacier National Park
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Detroit Lakes
·
Glacier National Park
5 days in Northwest Minnesota, Brainerd & Duluth
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Detroit Lakes
·
Bemidji
·
Brainerd
4 days in Northwest Minnesota & Brainerd
BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES
Detroit Lakes
·
Brainerd
·
Bemidji