Kensington Runestone
The Kensington Runestone is a slab of greywacke stone covered in runes that was discovered in Western Minnesota, United States, in 1898. Visitors find it in Alexandria. Nearby, Runestone Museum (0 mi) leads the list.
A landmark inside Alexandria
Winters are cold
January nights drop to 1°. When to go ↓
One of the most looked-up attractions in the U.S.
About 79K people a year read its Wikipedia article, more than for 96% of the 7,799 attractions we track.
You can stay in Alexandria
Kensington Runestone is inside Alexandria, which has 17 places to stay, so you won’t need a base farther out. Where to stay ↓
Best months: May, Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep
May, June, July, August and September are the mild months, with highs of 67–80°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures and Wikipedia.
The climate here
Pick a month for Kensington Runestone from the weather below.
Kensington Runestone
The Kensington Runestone is a slab of greywacke stone covered in runes that was discovered in Western Minnesota, United States, in 1898. Olof Ohman, a Swedish immigrant, reported that he unearthed it from a field in the largely rural township of Solem in Douglas County. It was later named after the nearest settlement, Kensington.
The inscription purports to be a record left behind by Scandinavian explorers in the 14th century (internally dated to 1362). There has been a drawn-out debate regarding the stone's authenticity, but since the first scientific examination in 1910, the scholarly consensus has classified it as a 19th-century hoax, with some critics directly charging Ohman with fabrication. Nevertheless, there remains a community fueled by "natural scientists with no knowledge of linguistics" convinced of the stone's authenticity.
- Type
- Landmark
- Wikipedia readers
- 79K a year
Where to base yourself for Kensington Runestone
The closest lodging is in Alexandria (17) and La Grand Township (9).
Lake Mary Township
1,185 people · 36% vacation homes
8 mi southwest of Kensington Runestone
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From Kensington Runestone | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | in town | — | 17 11 hotels · 3 inns & B&Bs · 1 lodge or cabins · 2 campgrounds | 15,045 | $275K | C+ |
| La Grand Township 21% vacation homes | 4 mi west | 5 min | 9 3 hotels · 4 lodges & cabins · 2 campgrounds | 4,309 | $385K | — |
| Lake Mary Township 36% vacation homes | 8 mi southwest | 10 min | 7 2 hotels · 3 lodges & cabins · 1 campground · 1 RV park | 1,185 | $396K | — |
| Moe Township 35% vacation homes | 9 mi west | 15 min | 7 2 hotels · 1 lodge or cabins · 1 campground · 3 RV parks | 781 | $419K | — |
| Carlos Township 25% vacation homes | 6 mi north | 10 min | 4 2 hotels · 1 lodge or cabins · 1 campground | 2,261 | $458K | — |
| Ida Township 45% vacation homes | 7 mi northwest | 10 min | 3 3 lodges & cabins | 1,432 | $420K | — |
| Miltona Township 50% vacation homes | 13 mi north | 20 min | 5 2 hotels · 2 lodges & cabins · 1 campground | 936 | $450K | — |
| Osakis | 11 mi east | 15 min | 4 2 hotels · 2 lodges & cabins | 1,739 | $174K | A |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Other places close by
These well-known sights sit within 65 miles.
1in town MuseumRunestone Museum
52 mi MuseumHill Museum & Manuscript Library
64 mi GardenMunsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens64 mi Zoo & aquariumChahinkapa Zoo
63 mi MuseumWilkin County Museum
60 mi MuseumArv Hus Museum64 mi GardenNorthland ArboretumPhoto credits
Runestone Museum: Myotus, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hill Museum & Manuscript Library: Hill Museum & Manuscript Library, CC BY 3.0 · Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens: Kirs10, Public domain · Wilkin County Museum: Myotus, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Arv Hus Museum: Myotus, CC BY-SA 4.0
What people ask about Kensington Runestone
Is Kensington Runestone in Alexandria?
Yes. It’s inside Alexandria, MN.
When is the best time to visit Kensington Runestone?
May, June, July, August and September, with highs of 67–80°.
What is the closest airport to Kensington Runestone?
Saint Cloud Regional (STC), about 68 miles away. The nearest big hub is Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field (MSP), about 126 miles.
Where should I stay near Kensington Runestone?
Alexandria (in town, 17 places to stay), La Grand Township (4 mi, 9 places to stay) and Lake Mary Township (8 mi, 7 places to stay).
Ask people in Alexandria
People in Alexandria have not posted tips yet; their Town Square is open.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.