Alexandria named Best Minnesota Town

Alexandria has found a new way to get on the map — as the best town in Minnesota.

Earlier this year, Minnesota Monthly magazine sent out a call to towns and cities across the state for entries in its third annual Best Minnesota Town contest. The publication’s editorial team sought the answer to, “which town most embodies the Spirit of Minnesota?”

It was announced at 10 a.m. Oct. 1 that the winner is Alexandria. Here's a video link showcasing Alexandria .

Towns, cities, and communities all across Minnesota heeded the request and submitted their cases on why they should be named Minnesota Monthly’s Best Minnesota Town. The selection process used wide-ranging criteria including responses from the towns to questions about its traits and engagement, qualitative and quantitative research, as well as an online public vote.

“I’m excited to announce Alexandria as Minnesota Monthly’s 2019 Best Minnesota Town as it truly embodies the spirit of our state,” explained Reed Fischer, senior editor of Minnesota Monthly. “It’s a beautiful year-round destination with a rich history and a bright future.”

Here are some excerpts from Alexandria’s entry that helped secure the victory:

--The city made a commitment to education and the future by building a state-of-the-art, 280,000 square foot high school, which opened in 2014. The school reinvented the classroom experience with flexible learning spaces, natural light, and modular walls and furniture while implementing innovative learning programs and personalized learning to help students prepare for a specific career area.

--In 2011, a 14-year-old Alexandria girl, Emersyn Harris, started Cards for Kids in Alexandria and decided to make a difference in the lives of those battling cancer. Since its inception, Cards for Kids in Alexandria has brought smiles to 60,000+ children.

--Have you ever swallowed a minnow? Alexandria’s Corral Saloon and Eatery provides an experience with its “shoot a minnow” in addition to its 50+ years of providing delicious food and attentive service.

As a result of being named Minnesota Monthly’s 2019 Best MN Town, Alexandria will receive a host of benefits including an editorial feature in 2020 March/April edition of Minnesota Monthly (valued at over $50,000).

For more information on Minnesota Monthly’s Best MN Town Search, visit BestMNTown.com .