Spring 3-Day Getaway
Are you looking for the perfect adventurous spring 3-day getaway? Then, this blog is for you! Located in Northern Minnesota, Grand Rapids is a going to the lake and trails destination where the splendor of the outdoors is enhanced by the indoors. There are over 1M publicly accessible forest acres around Grand Rapids, and 2,000 miles of groomed trails and over 1,100 area lakes. So, you come for the outdoors, and you stay to make memories!
Grand Rapids is that place where you can relax, reconnect with loved ones, and recharge in Minnesota’s nature. There is much adventure to take in a 3-day spring getaway! Whether you are looking for motorized or non-motorized outdoor recreation; you can do them both here. Spring outdoor recreation encompasses ATVing, Biking, Hiking, Fishing, and Mountain Biking.
The Itasca County ATV Trails offer a lot of off road adventures; 300+ miles. The Chippewa National Forest offers great hiking and fishing opportunities. Tioga Recreation Area offers both hiking and mountain biking opportunities. The Mesabi Trail offers a fabulous paved trail for bicycling.
The Grand Rapids, Minnesota area offers a wide variety of places to stay: Hotels/Motels, a Bed and Breakfast, Vacation Rentals and Resort Cabins. In the last year there have been several new places to try new bites and sips. Come try new adventures this spring in northern Minnesota!
Adventurous Spring 3-Day Getaway Itinerary
Here is an Adventurous Spring 3-Day Getaway Itinerary to give you inspiration to book a trip to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Don’t let cabin fever get you down! This spring come for the outdoors, and stay to make memories! This 3-day getaway is perfect for a couple, a family, a girlfriend getaway or a guys trip. Bonus Travel Tips For Spring: overnight lodging is less expensive in the spring than in the summer, the crowds are less, rentals and reservations are more available. And less bugs! All kidding aside, Spring is a great time to be in northern Minnesota.
What to pack? In the spring the weather in northern Minnesota warms up to high 60’s and low 70’s and at night it is high 40’s and low 50’s. Packing layering options is a good idea. When you are outside in the peak of the day hiking or biking you will want to have a short sleeve layer as the base, a long sleeve layer, and then a sweatshirt/spring wind breaker. A good pair of tennis shoes for hiking and biking. If you are planning on ATVing, then we suggest a paid of mud boots or booties, and clothes that you don’t care if you get dirty. Bringing extra towels to clean up as well as extra gloves and goggles. And then if you would like to go out to an upscale dining option, you can also pack a business casual attire. Just know that dressing up in northern Minnesota is jeans and a button up shirt for the guys, and a casual dress or jeans and a nice top.
DAY ONE:
MEAL #1: Lunch options: order box lunch from Brewed Awakenings or NoPo Kitchen. Grab lunch at Florio’s or Forest Lake Restaurant.
OUTDOOR RECREATION IDEA #1: Hike in the Chippewa National Forest (we suggest Simpson Creek, or Suomi Hills). If there is still snow on the ground, you maybe want to consider snowshoeing vs hiking – depending on conditions (rentals available at Ardent Bicycle). Bike on the Mesabi Trail (bike rentals available through Ardent Bicycles or Mesabi Excursions). There is a small fee to bike or hike on the Mesabi Trail – make sure to check before you go.
MEAL #2: Dinner options: For upscale dining options: Ledger and Ladle or The Pines Restaurant. Both offer romantic dining options and reservations are recommended. Or try one of the breweries: Klockow Brewing Co (where you can order food in) or Rapids Brewing Co (who serves a wood fired oven menu). Both breweries are family friendly.
Heading back to your lodging property to relax and wind down for the evening. Several in town Hotels offer on site pools and hot tubs, which are great for individuals, families and couples alike. If you choose to rent a cabin or vacation rental, then we suggest spending time together playing a board game or a card game or enjoying reading a good book or magazine. Some untapped time from screens.
DAY
TWO:
MEAL
#1: Breakfast
options: Eat out at Country Kitchen or Dotties Hometown Café or grab and go at
Brewed Awakenings or NoPo Kitchen.
ACTIVITY
or OUTDOOR RECREATION IDEA:
Purchase admission and take a VIP tour (that highlights the stolen ruby red
slippers) at the Judy Garland and Children’s Discovery Museum (this
museum offers kid-sized interactive and experimental exhibits – perfect for age
toddler to age 10). If you have children older tweens into young adults, then
purchasing admission to the Escape Room at the Itasca County Historical Society is more suited for ages 9yrs old to adults. An outdoor recreation idea (weather and trail
conditions dependent) is taking a Horse Drawn Winter Sleigh Ride at the Forest History Center (typically offered Saturdays through March), and
one to two times a month they offer special programs that are fun for all ages.
This offers a romantic getaway vibe as well – horse drawn sleigh ride through
the snowy forest (yes, we typically have snow on the ground into first part of
April). Or if you, friends and family are up for more adventure we suggest you
consider ATVing on the UPM Blandin ATV Trail (ATV rentals available at Trails
Inn Quadna Mountain in Hill City). Note that you will want to make this
reservation in advance (must be 21 yrs of age to rent).
MEAL
#2: Lunch options:
Zorbaz on Pokegama Lake offers a fun atmosphere with a lake view or Forest Lake
Restaurant offers hearty homemade from scratch menus with an in-town lake view
as well.
ACTIVITY
#2 or OUTDOOR RECREATION #2:
For a late afternoon activity we suggest you try Bowling (Blueberry Bowl is in Deer River and Thunder Alley XL is in Grand Rapids). Blueberry Bowl is
known for their homemade pizza, and small-town bowling alley. Thunder Alley XL
offers Kettle Rivers Pizzas and arcade style appetizers and drinks. Both offer
gutter guard rails for younger kids to make the game less challenging for them.
For late afternoon outdoor recreation, we suggest For outdoor recreation,
consider Biking at Tioga Recreation Area (mountain bike rentals
available from Ardent Bicycles). Note that the rental shops might have shorter
hours on Saturdays and Sundays. And trail conditions will determine when the
mountain bike trails are open. You can always hike or snowshoe the Haul Road to
the top of the hill and overlook Pokegama Lake and Tioga Pit Lake.
MEAL
#3: Dinner
options: if you are at one of the bowling alleys, we suggest you eat there.
Eating out options we suggest you try Sammy’s Pizza or Timberlake Lodge.
Then
after dinner if you are still interested in staying out, typically there is
live music options at Klockow Brewing Co, Rapids Brewing Co, or Smoke on the
Water. There is a possibility that The Reif Center has performance
playing (tickets needed in advance) September-May is their peak season with a
wide variety of performances from comedy, concerts, and live Broadway style
performances. Make sure to check out the Events Calendar prior to
arrival.
OR
maybe you are ready to head back to your lodging property to relax together.
Memories are made on vacation by retelling stories from the day and reminiscing
together from previous vacations. Many of the cabin and vacation rentals offer
fireplaces that are perfect to take the spring chill out of the air. There is
something so very cozy about cuddling up, reading a book, or playing a game by
the fire. Again, a night of untapping from screens is a good relief.
DAY THREE: On this final day, sleep in and take your time getting up, and enjoy a late breakfast somewhere.
Meal #1: Breakfast on your way home options: Sportsman Café in Deer River is a great option. Homemade breakfast made to order. Be prepared to share or take food home – large portions. They only take cash or check (they have an ATM on site).
ACTIVITY #3 and OUTDOOR RECREATION #3: If you are still up for something, a couple of suggestions: stop at the Pokegama Dam and walk across the dam to take an up-close and personal perspective of the mighty Mississippi River that flows right through downtown. You also can get a close view of the river on the next to the KAXE Northern Community Radio Station, and while you are there, we suggest checking out the Music Park and Storybook Trail located outside of the Grand Rapids Area Library. Stop at Benders or Central Square Mall in downtown Grand Rapids to purchase a memento of your time in Grand Rapids. These shops offer a wide variety of gift, clothing, shoes, jewelry, souvenirs, repurpose, and vintage finds.
We encourage you to take the scenic way back home so you have a few more hours in Minnesota’s nature that allows you some downtime to relax, as well as time to reconnect with loved ones, and also much needed time to recharge. We suggest driving the Great River Road as a scenic route that runs from just outside Park Rapids south to Brownsville in Minnesota.
FAQ’s About Grand Rapids, Minnesota: Grand Rapids is a small northern Minnesota community that is located on Hwy 2 and Hwy 169. It is half way between Bemidji and Duluth on Hwy 2. The mighty Mississippi River flows right through historic downtown. There are over 1M publicly accessible forest acres surrounding Grand Rapids. There are over 2,000 miles of groomed trails, and over 1,100 area lakes. The saying goes: Come for the OUTDOORS, stay to make MEMORIES. There is a wide variety of places to stay from in town Hotels, Motels, Vacation Rentals, and one Bed and Breakfast; and there is off the beaten path Vacation Rentals and Resort Cabins located on beautiful lakes. Visit Grand Rapids created a website that makes it easy to get inspiration, book your lodging, and create your own vacation itinerary all from one website. Find Places to Stay, Things To Do, Places To Eat & Drink, Places To Shop, Outdoor Recreation, Trail Maps, and Events Calendar HERE.