Lakes in and around Alexandria are the obvious attraction to most people. Myself included. The area is chock full of really, really nice lakes. While they are equally beautiful in the winter, I spend the winter in town at my home on the west side of Alexandria. I grew up on the west side and have always appreciated its neatly laid out streets and having parks and the downtown area just a short walk away. It is easy to get to the Central Lakes Trail from the west side too. Families with kids that live on the west side have the advantage of having Lincoln Elementary School within walking distance.
In the video below (recorded this afternoon) you will have an aerial view starting at First Lutheran Church and moving south along Douglas Street and ending about half way between 12th and 13th Avenues. On the left side of the video is Cedar Street.