Guide to Nisswa · The Nordic
Holiday Shopping in Nisswa: A Shop-by-Shop Gift Guide
Holiday shopping in a small lake town is a different thing entirely. There's no mall parking lot and no endless lines, just shopkeepers who know their stuff, gifts made in Minnesota and something sweet around every corner. Downtown Nisswa is only a few blocks long, but it's packed with independent shops, a few of them open for generations.
This is our one-stop guide: a stroll down Main Street and Murray Road, shop by shop with gift ideas, plus when to come and how to round out the weekend. Looking for dated craft shows and holiday markets? Those live in our Christmas Markets in Nisswa & the Brainerd Lakes post. For everything else winter, see Nisswa in Winter.
Key takeaways
- Start with coffee at StoneHouse, then walk Main Street and loop back along Murray Road. Park once; downtown is compact.
- Sweets: The Chocolate Ox and Northern Gifts and Sweets (fudge, taffy, Northern Soda).
- Kids and readers: Turtle Town Books & Gifts and Duck Duck Turtle Toys & Gifts.
- Cozy and outdoorsy: Lundrigan's (Pendleton), Appaloosa Ridge (Nisswa apparel) and Sportland Outdoor Outfitters (just off Main Street) for the angler.
- Local makers: Nisswa Totem Pole Boutique Marketplace and The Woodland Meadow.
- Busiest, merriest weekend: City of Lights, Fri Nov 27.
- Winter hours vary, so call ahead.
When to come
Opener weekend (this weekend!)
The firearms deer opener is today, Saturday, November 7. It's a busy weekend up here and a great shopping day: Brainerd has two craft shows this morning, and Pequot Lakes hosts its annual opener shopping block party (check hours with the organizer). Details are in our Christmas Markets post.
Thanksgiving weekend and City of Lights (Nov 27)
A wonderful time for a shopping weekend is right after Thanksgiving. Nisswa City of Lights is a free downtown celebration on Friday, November 27. Past years have included train rides, carolers, bonfires, hot cider, mini donuts, Santa and fireworks; the 2026 schedule is still TBA. Shop by day, then stay for the lights.
December weekends
December brings the biggest markets: Ruttger's Christmas Market (Dec 5, Deerwood), Off the Rails (Dec 11–12, Brainerd) and the MarineMax Nisswa Holiday Open House (Dec 19, with Santa 11–2).
Start with coffee
StoneHouse Coffee (25346 Main St) roasts its own coffee and bakes its "famous scones" daily. Grab one to go. A bag of their beans makes a great gift for the coffee lover on your list, too.
Main Street: the 25300 block
Anchored In & CREW by Anchored In
At 25336 and 25334 Main St.
Primrose Park
Primrose Park at 25354 S Main St.
The Dock Panther
The Dock Panther at 25390 S Main St.
Main Street: the 25400 block
Zaiser's
At 25424 Main St, Zaiser's has been part of downtown Nisswa since 1948.
The Woodland Meadow
The Woodland Meadow (25430 Main St) carries work by Minnesota artists, plus floral and jewelry.
- Gift idea: a piece by a Minnesota artist for someone who loves the lake.
KISA
KISA at 25445 Main St.
Appaloosa Ridge & Lakebound Clothing
At 25446 Main St, where you'll find Lakegirl and Lakebound.
- Gift idea: a Lakegirl or Lakebound sweatshirt for the lake lover in your life.
Sportland Outdoor Outfitters (a short drive from Main Street)
Our go-to bait shop, Sportland Outdoor Outfitters at 23910 Hazelwood Dr S (218-963-2401), formerly Dave's Sportland. Family owned since 1976, it carries fishing and hunting gear, so it's the stop for anyone on your list who lives for ice fishing season.
The Chocolate Ox
The Chocolate Ox (25452 Main St) is a candy and ice cream shop full of old and new candies, chocolates and fudge.
- Gift ideas: a box of chocolates or fudge, or a digital gift card for someone far away.
- Hours: their site lists downtown hours as 10–5 daily. Hours can shift in winter, so check before you go.
Main Street: the 25400s and 25500s
Nisswa Totem Pole Boutique Marketplace
At 25485 Main St, the Totem Pole showcases local artisans under one roof.
- Gift idea: something handmade by a Brainerd Lakes maker.
Turtle Town Books & Gifts
Turtle Town (25491 Main St) devotes half the store to children's books, puzzles, games and toys, and the other half to best-sellers, fiction, nonfiction and more for grown-ups. The staff (often the owners) will help you choose.
- Gift ideas: a family puzzle or game for the cabin, a toy from Playmobil, Modarri or Schylling, or a book picked with help from the staff.
- Hours: Mon–Thu 11–4, Fri 11–5, Sat 10–5, Sun 11–4. Hours can shift in winter, so check before you go.
Lundrigan's Clothing
Lundrigan's (25521 Main St) is open year-round and carries Pendleton.
- Gift idea: a Pendleton blanket or flannel, made for lake winters.
Meg's Cabin
At 25533 Main St, Meg's Cabin has jellies, syrup, candles and a whole "Minnesota" section.
- Gift ideas: a jar of jelly and a bottle of syrup for the host, or a candle that smells like up north.
RW Jewelers
RW Jewelers (25545 Main St) has been creating custom pieces as goldsmiths since 1995.
- Gift idea: a custom piece to mark a special year.
Crown and Brim Hat Bar
Crown and Brim at 25532 Main St is a hat bar: pick a trucker, cowboy, wide-brim or straw hat, choose accessories, and their stylists put together a one-of-a-kind hat.
Loop back along Murray Road
Duck Duck Turtle Toys & Gifts
Duck Duck Turtle is at 25476 Murray Rd, beside the A&W.
- Gift idea: toys for the little ones on your list.
Northern Gifts and Sweets
At 25486 Murray Rd, Northern Gifts and Sweets has Minnesota-made gifts, fudge, taffy and Northern Soda.
- Gift idea: a Minnesota-made stocking stuffer bundle: fudge, taffy and a bottle of Northern Soda.
Urban Elegance
At 25486 Murray Rd.
One more stop: Lake Latitude
Lake Latitude Boutique is at 5314 Nisswa Ave, just off Main Street.
Gift ideas by person
- For the host: Meg's Cabin jelly and syrup, a bag of StoneHouse beans
- For kids: a toy from Duck Duck Turtle or a book from Turtle Town
- For the outdoorsy one: fishing gear from Sportland Outdoor Outfitters
- For the cozy one: a Pendleton blanket from Lundrigan's
- For the sweet tooth: The Chocolate Ox, or fudge and taffy from Northern Gifts and Sweets
- For the art lover: a Minnesota artist's work from The Woodland Meadow or the Totem Pole
- For something forever: a custom piece from RW Jewelers
Nearby towns
Pequot Lakes (about 10 minutes north)
A friendly downtown just up Highway 371. Look for the opener block party Nov 7 and Santa's Bobbin' Into Town on Dec 12, 3–7. Pair it with dinner at Norway Ridge (open Wed–Sun).
Brainerd and Baxter (about 20 minutes south)
Brainerd has the Kringle Market and Off the Rails, plus the Common Goods Christmas Showcase (Nov 13–14) at its Baxter store. Baxter is also where you'll find bigger-box stores if you need wrapping paper or batteries.
Deerwood
Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge hosts its Annual Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec 5.
Groceries and holiday supplies in Nisswa
- Schaefer's Foods, 23962 Smiley Rd, has a bakery, meat department and deli. Watch for its Meat & Seafood Sale on Dec 18.
- Spirits of Nisswa, 23930 Smiley Rd, for wine, beer and spirits.
- Copper Creek Garden Center & The Market, 24735 Hwy 371. Call ahead for seasonal offerings.
Plan a shopping weekend at the lake
Here's one way to do it:
Friday: Arrive, settle in and head downtown for City of Lights (if it's Thanksgiving weekend), or dinner at Big Axe Brewing.
Saturday: Breakfast at Ganley's (cash or check preferred), then shop downtown Nisswa all morning. After lunch, drive to Brainerd for the Kringle Market.
Sunday: Coffee and a scone at StoneHouse Coffee, one more lap downtown for the gifts you couldn't stop thinking about, then home.
Evenings: wrapping gifts by the fire, then into the hot tub.
Tips for your stroll
- Shop local early. Small shops carry small quantities, so the good stuff goes fast.
- Bring cash for craft shows and some cafés.
- Check winter hours before you go. Some shops shorten hours after summer.
- Take a break at Ganley's or Big Axe. Our Eat Like a Local post (coming Sunday) has winter hours and what to order.
FAQ
How long does it take to shop downtown Nisswa?
You can stroll it in an hour, but plan on a half day if you love to browse.
Are downtown Nisswa shops open in winter?
Many are open year-round with shorter hours. Lundrigan's, for example, is open year-round. Call ahead.
What's the best weekend for holiday shopping in Nisswa?
Thanksgiving weekend, when City of Lights (Fri Nov 27) brings the whole town out.
Where can I find holiday markets near Nisswa?
Brainerd has the most: the Kringle Market and Off the Rails. See our Christmas Markets guide.
Stay close to Main Street
Our Clark Lake and Lake Hubert homes are both about five minutes from downtown by bike, and West Twin and Gull Lake are a short drive. Bring the list, leave room in the trunk, and let us handle the cozy part. Hosting family for the holiday? See Thanksgiving at the Lake.
Book direct
Our best rate, no booking fees, straight from us. Book direct at bookingthenordicmn.com. See our Nisswa lake house rentals.
