Are you finding that you have a few vacation days built up? Are the kids getting sick of hanging around the house? Now’s the perfect time to plan that spring getaway to the Willmar Lakes Area! Book a weekend or a week-long staycation and enjoy the warmer weather, vibrant spring colors, and the variety of migrating birds in the area. We have all kinds of activities to keep your kids, husband and yourself busy during your stay!

Enjoy a relaxing fire on the patio of the Hampton Inn in Spicer!

First things first, you’re going to need a hotel. Take advantage of the Spring Getaway special offered by the Best Western Plus. You’ll be able to enjoy a pool-side 2-Queen bed for $134 anytime between March 18th and April 9th, 2021. For an added bonus, you’ll even get to enjoy a large 1-topping pizza and 2 liter of soda for only $8 during your stay from the Green Mill Restaurant. If the kids need a little more excitement while swimming, then book a stay at the Country Inn & Suites and let them enjoy the 90-foot waterslide while you relax in the hot tub. Another great hotel option is the Hampton Inn Green Lake Resort in Spicer. Along with your clean and comfortable stay in their hotel, you’ll be located right across the road from the Glacial Lakes State Trail where you can enjoy the beauty of nature during your walk, run or bike ride. On the other side of the hotel, your kids can enjoy the large Wildcat Cove Playground at Pirrotta Park while you take in the beautiful views of Green Lake. In the evening, take advantage of the outdoor fire pit and patio, exclusively for Hampton Inn guests, while you share stories of your day’s adventures. Other great hotel options include Northern Inn Hotel & Suites and GrandStay Hotel & Suites in Spicer and the AmericInn and Days Inn in Willmar.

Next up, let’s find you and your family some outdoor activities you’re sure to love! Whether there’s snow on the ground or not, you’ll love exploring the trails at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center on their fat-tire bikes. Make sure to call at least 24 hours in advance to book your bike rentals. If the fat-tire bikes aren’t your cup of tea, you can always enjoy the trails by walking and slowly taking in the songs of the birds in the springtime. You’ll also love the many scenic trails and expansive natural beauty at Sibley State Park as well.

Explore the trails at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC) on a fat-tire bike. Photo by PWELC.

If you plan your stay in May, you’ll have access to BikeWillmar, a bike share program with 10 docking stations located throughout Willmar. Just download the Koloni App and follow the easy instructions on how to find an available bike, track your rental cost, and locate a hub to return the bike. Rentals are only a dollar per hour so you’ll definitely be getting your money’s worth while exploring the many parks, trails, and shops in the Willmar area.

Need the kids to wear off even more energy? Then take them to the Destination Playground at Robbins Island Regional Park in Willmar. There they will get to enjoy 19,000 square feet packed with swings, merry-go-rounds, and draw bridges, all on a soft rubbery flooring. The fully-enclosed and accessible playground offers a safe and fun place for children of all ages and abilities to play and interact while the surrounding area provides seating and gathering areas for families. Ample parking is available near the playground along with restrooms and picnic shelter facilities for all to enjoy. Be sure to take a walk through the trails or around the lake to take in all of the beauty and recreation that Robbins Island has to offer! And if you’re family loves disc golf, don’t forget to pack your discs so you can enjoy the long and short holes, wide and narrow fairways and hilly terrain at Robbins Island Disc Golf Course. This 18-hole disc golf course is set between two lakes and offers a challenge through a beautiful park filled with scenic terrain, trails through forested oak hills and grassy knolls. Other great disc golf courses in the area include Ridgewater College Disc Golf Course and Tadd Lake Disc Golf Course.

A beautiful view of one of the greens at Eagle Creek Golf Course. Photo by Ryan Nelson.

Does your husband need his own time to relax and unwind? Then book him a tee time at one of five beautiful golf courses in the Willmar Lakes Area. The Hawk Creek Country Club in Raymond has nine holes of fun plus a full-size driving range and putting green. Valley Golf is conveniently located on the east side of Willmar with nine holes offering fun, affordable golf to both the novice and experienced golfer. Island Pine Golf Club on the southwest edge of Atwater has a gently rolling course with scenic natural wetlands and the largest greens in the area. The signature par 3, 18th hole, is a beautiful island green that makes for an exciting finish to your round. At Eagle Creek Golf Course in Willmar, golf enthusiasts can enjoy a championship 18-hole golf course that features a combination of two very different nines creating a true challenge for all skill levels. After a round of golf, make sure to grab a bite to eat at The Oaks at Eagle Creek. Little Crow Country Club offers three distinct nines with 27 holes total as well as a full service driving range. Check out their Stay and Play golf packages to get the most out of your visit.

Enjoy a relaxing spa pedicure at The Abode Salon & Spa.

Just because you’re taking a spring getaway with the whole family doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some relaxing time by yourself. Book a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure at one of the many amazing salons and spas in the Willmar Lakes Area. At The Relaxation Station, you’ll be able to enjoy a therapeutic massage using a variety of techniques including cupping, deep tissue, aromatherapy and acupressure. Rejuvenate Salon & Spa in New London offers a variety of services including hair care, nail care, skin care, body treatments, eyelash extensions and more. They carry the latest in anti-aging products and techniques. Legacy Salon is a hair and beauty salon located in Uptown Willmar that provides services customized to meet your needs. Their services include a variety of hair coloring, cut and style options as well as Olaplex, Moroccanoil, Malibu, and Scalp treatments. Simply Beautiful Wellness Center is a local artists boutique that also offers an array of innovative, transformational services for the body, mind, & soul to support detoxification, weight loss/wellness, relaxation, stress management, skin rejuvenation & so much more. Other great salon and spa options include Bellezza Salon & Spa, InSpa Studio, Mill Pond Salon, Salon J Spa and Boutique, and The Abode Salon & Spa. You’ll definitely be able to rejuvenate and reinvigorate before you head back to your normal routine.

Everyone can enjoy bowling at Alley on Ash in New London.

If you happen to have a rainy or snowy day during your stay in the Willmar Lakes Area, don’t worry; there’s still plenty of options to keep your family having fun and staying busy. Head to Alley on Ash in New London for an afternoon or evening of bowling with your family all while enjoying their delicious burgers, pizzas and variety of beers! The Willmar Lakes Area is also home to two great theatres; Spicer Cinema 4 and Golden Ticket Cinemas Kandi 6. At Spicer Cinema 4 they offer four screens with stadium seating featuring the best quality picture from new digital projectors and premium digital sound. They also boast the lowest concession prices around with delicious family recipe popcorn that is second to none! If you’re traveling with young ones, you’ll want to check out The Village Children’s Museum where your kids can enjoy hands-on exploration of cultural and academic exhibits including plenty of space for physical activity. And for those that love history, be sure to make a stop at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society to see the variety of exhibits that depict the many years of history that has taken place in Kandiyohi County. The kids will love to explore the Great Northern Steam Engine #2523 that was built in 1916 and is now on display outside of the museum.

Now that I’ve easily laid out a Spring Getaway that everyone in your family will love, now’s the time to book that reservation. So tell the husband which days to take off, pack up the kids and make the drive to the Willmar Lakes Area where you’ll make memories of a lifetime! If you’re in need of help while booking your adventure, give us a call at 320-235-3552 and we’ll be happy to help plan your perfect getaway!