How to Plan an Unforgettable Family Trip in Detroit Lakes

Fair Hills Resort celebrates its centennial in 2026, marking four generations of steady stewardship by the Kaldahl family. What began as a simple farmhouse has grown into a lakeside retreat offering clean, modern cabins, generous all-inclusive packages, and nearly every lake-life amenity imaginable. 

Shall we count the ways it keeps both kids and grown-ups happy from the sun-dappled crack of dawn to the laughter-filled depths of night? There’s an outdoor heated pool, hot tub, and wading area for little ones; courts for tennis, basketball, volleyball, shuffleboard, and pickleball; beachside benches, swings, and hammocks; three dynamic meals a day; and a lobby with a TV lounge, soda fountain, pool and ping pong tables, pianos, games, puzzles and cards.

In other words, it’s built for the kind of moments that turn into family lore — the kind the Petersons shared during their stay: 

“This place is too cute, right?” 

“It’s just the togetherness of it all.”

And this: “Hearing the loons call when you go to sleep; sleeping with the windows open; hearing the screen door slam… Just that bit of serenity — there’s something really special and restorative about that.”

Like many of Minnesota’s revered lake resorts, Fair Hills embraces life on the water — whether that means loading the kids onto a banana boat or spending a few uninterrupted hours learning to wakeboard or waterski. Everything needed to paddle, float, jump, fish, or simply play on Pelican Lake is included for guests, leaving little to think about beyond what’s for lunch. 

The resort also hosts public and private cruises aboard its 40-passenger Big Pelican Boat. The former is offered every Tuesday, and conveniently pairs with another long-running tradition: a lively employee Hootenanny coupled with a casual Smorgasbord dinner.

Public-course pioneer Joel Goldstrand — whose Minnesota designs include Legends Club, Keller Golf Course, and Edinburgh USA — created Fair Hills’ pristine Wildflower course, a prairie-links layout rarely seen outside the Upper Midwest. The 18-hole course stretches more than 7,000 yards across rolling fairways framed by native grasses and strategic bunkering. 

One of its signature moments is the long par-4 fifth hole, where a dramatic 90-foot elevation drop adds both challenge and sweeping views. Before teeing off, golfers can warm up at Wildflower’s expansive practice facilities, which include a chipping green, a putting green near the clubhouse, and a 350-yard driving range that accommodates up to 25 players. 

Families and beginners can head across the street to the complimentary executive course, a relaxed nine-hole, par-31 layout designed for shorter, quicker rounds. It’s an easy way to fit in a few holes between lake time and dinner — or to introduce younger players to the game in a welcoming setting.

The Legacy of the Lakes Museum brings Minnesota’s lake heritage to life through a remarkable collection of vintage boats and immersive exhibits that trace generations of time spent on the water. Visitors can explore beautifully restored wooden runabouts, learn about Alexandria Boat Works and other Minnesota-based manufacturers, and discover how boating, fishing, and lakeside resorts became a defining part of the state’s identity.

History buffs will appreciate nods to James Bond — the famous corkscrew jump in "Live and Let Die" featured a fiberglass boat similar to models once distributed by Alexandria Boat Works — along with record-setting speedboat racer Gar Wood, the first to surpass 100 miles per hour on water, and Ralph Samuelson of Lake Pepin, widely credited with inventing waterskiing.

Historic photographs, antique motors, and hands-on displays offer a closer look at the craftsmanship and culture that shaped generations of lake vacations, making the museum a meaningful stop for anyone who has experienced — or dreams of experiencing — a Minnesota summer on the water.

Minnesota's biggest roadside attraction outside of Paul and Babe is located a short walk away from the Legacy of the Lakes Museum. Big Ole has survived decades of rough weather, chipped paint, and one stray flaming arrow since his pavilion-guarding debut at the New York World's Fair in the '60s. 

Standing proud at 28 feet and weighing nearly 8,000 pounds (about four tons, the same as a small African forest elephant), he is the de facto mascot of Big Ole Park and a playful symbol of the region's Scandinavian roots. 

Check out Minnesota's top roadside attractions, including a towering loon near Detroit Lakes. 

Kerlis Wesbrook's grandmother once told her, "Coffee isn't just a drink — it's a way to bring people together." That spirit guides Mi Cartagena Cafe, a reflection of Wesbrook's childhood in Colombia, located just steps from the shoreline of Detroit Lake.

Guests can savor the chocolate, fruit and caramel notes of Colombian coffee sourced from small organic farmers, or try signature drinks like the Kerlis Love (starring a housemade syrup and secret spice blend), Cartagena Palmer (honey and raspberry in the roles of lemonade and iced tea), and highly 'grammable Pink Mamasita (coconut milk and dragon fruit).  

Detroit Lakes' family-oriented atmosphere carries over to a thoughtful kids' menu featuring a Blue Shark Lemonade made with raspberries and pineapple, a Babychino mix of strawberries, banana and milk, and a Confetti Soda of strawberry, vanilla, and more sprinkles than an episode of "Gabby's Dollhouse."

Millions of people had already seen Thomas Dambo’s trolls before a new batch descended upon Detroit Lakes in the summer of 2024. And yet the Danish sculptor wasn’t kidding when he called “Alexa’s Elixir” the most ambitious exhibition of a storied career that stretches back to his start as a street artist in the early 2000s. 

Hundreds of volunteers helped Dambo and his team realize the five trolls, 800 birdhouses, and three magical portals scattered throughout the stunning landscapes of Detroit Lakes. Collecting them all on camera starts out simply enough at Detroit Lakes City Park, but quickly becomes a storybook-like web of winding paths and clues. 

Keep your eyes peeled for the tallest troll Dambo has ever made — the 36-foot “Long Leif” along the lakeshore — and a golden rabbit that rewards anyone who’s able to solve the riddle within Alexa’s giant spellbook. More than just a walk in the woods, “Alexa’s Elixir” is a journey of discovery that brings the natural world and pure imagination together in a way that feels both timeless and truly unique.

Find out more about how to find Thomas Dambo's trolls.

Hub 41 beckons across the street from City Beach, making it the perfect stop to refuel between lakeshore adventures. The casual menu — hefty burgers, stacked-high sandwiches, and shareable appetizers like Reuben rolls, a shrimp bucket crowned with Mexican street corn, and mojo pork nachos — pairs well with a placid, come-as-you-are atmosphere that feels just right after a morning outdoors. 

Grab a table, order something cold to drink (Fulton's popular Lonely Blonde in the Peterson's case), and linger over lunch while kids toss a few rounds of cornhole before heading back out to explore downtown Detroit Lakes. 

Check out our complete Things to Do in Detroit Lakes guide.

Spending a week at a laid-back resort like Fair Hills may be relaxing, but it's by no means boring. Between all the bonfires and s'mores, screen-free swimming and sports, and other priceless moments spent in the company of our closest friends and family, lake time starts off slow yet flies right on by. 

As the Petersons said, "It's not just a getaway; it's about building traditions.... memories that build from generation to generation."  

Be sure to capture these mounting yet fleeting moments with a long dock photo snapped by one of the resort's friendly attendants. Sometimes one shot says more than an entire phone camera roll would.