Brainerd is a city in Northwestern Minnesota.
Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport (IATA: BRD), 46.402222°, -94.135556°. It offers a 6,500-ft paved runway with instrumental landing systems and navigational aids. Commercial air service is provided by Delta Air Lines, typically offering six daily arrivals/departures during the peak summer season, and 4 arrivals/departures daily during the off season. Charter services and maintenance facilities are also available for personal aircraft.
East Gull Lake airstrip. Welcomes private aircraft, as does the Breezy Point airport.
Lakes Express provides a shuttle service between the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport and Brainerd.
Brainerd Taxi provides a service throughout the Brainerd Lakes Area.
At the east end of town you can see the lengthy brick-faced remains of the North Pacific Railway shop. The NPR was built from this area all the way out to the state of Washington in the 1870s. At the center of the town you'll see the Brainerd Water Tower, nicknamed "Paul Bunyan's Flashlight", which is a major landmark of the city. The Brainerd Water Tower was constructed approximately 100 years ago in 1920.
There is something for every age and interest throughout the entire year. You can fish in one of the 465 lakes, rent recreational equipment so you can enjoy the water or trails, join a local neighborhood festival or event, play on one of the local golf courses, or enjoy a colorful hike along the Paul Bunyan Trail — a 100-mile paved trail winding through lakes, rivers and forests. During winter, you can glide through powdery snow on a snowmobile or on cross-country skis or attend a theatrical or musical event. During good weather you can enjoy food and drink atop a patio overlooking a lake.
Alternatively, you can take a day-trip to see a wide variety of attractions and recreational options from within the five-county region.
Lodging options are many. Small family-owned resorts offer cabins along the shores of area lakes. Deluxe resort complexes offer meal plans, children's programming, championship golf courses, and perhaps an on-site spa. Northwoods hotels can be found in Brainerd, Baxter, Pequot Lakes, Crosslake, and Breezy Point. Quaint B&Bs, campgrounds, and private cabin rentals are also available.
For local information, contact the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, +1-800-450-2838.
2nd-order administrative division
Primary administrative division