Get Outdoors This Winter Into Minnesota’s Nature | Visit Grand Rapids

head north to a winter wonderland experience

Head north to get outdoors this winter into Minnesota’s nature and experience a winter wonderland. Grand Rapids is a small, charming town located in northcentral Minnesota, and is known for an abundance of winter outdoor recreation, cozy lodging, new places to eat & drink, beautiful art, cultural experiences and fun historic sites, local shops, and winter events, festivals and live entertainment. In this northern climate destination, you can most always count on snow and ice. This northern Minnesota town has over 1 million publicly accessible forest acres surrounding it. And there are over 1,100 area lakes and over 2,000 miles of designated trails. Within 15 minutes of historic downtown you can enjoy cross country skiing, downhill skiing, fat tire biking, ice fishing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and snowtubing. Come experience the winter wonderland in Grand Rapids this winter!

Cozy Winter Lodging

Head north to Grand Rapids, Minnesota where you will find a wide variety of winter cozy lodging like Resort Cabins and Vacation Rentals with lots of space to gather together, in town Hotels, Motels, a Bed and Breakfast, and Vacation Rentals that are close and convenient to shops and restaurants. There is something for everyone. Like a fireplace suite for a romantic getaway for two. A family suite at a Hotel with a pool for a long winter break with the entire family. Or maybe a remote multi-bedroom cabin in the woods that is close to the snowmobile trails is just right for a guys snowmobiling getaway. Our overnight lodging option owners and managers and their team are ready to welcome you to Grand Rapids this winter.

Winter Outdoor Fun

Get outdoors this winter to Grand Rapids, Minnesota where you will find over 2,000 miles of trails that are located in over 1M publicly accessible forest aces. There are 288 KM of cross-country ski trails, over 200 miles of snowmobile trails and over 25 miles of mountain bike trails, and lots of forests to snowshoe on. For cross-country ski trails we suggest viewing the Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club Trail Map. For snowmobiling we suggest viewing the Itasca County Snowmobile Map, and for Mountain Biking we suggest viewing the Grand Rapids and Itasca Mountain Bike Association (GRIMBA). They maintain the Legion Trail and the Tioga Recreation Area mountain bike trail. There are not snowshoeing trails or a specific map for Grand Rapids or Itasca County, but where there is public lands like the Chippewa National Forest, you can snowshoe there. Just remember to stay off of the groomed snowmobile and cross-country ski trails, and cross these trails at a 90 degree angle. Check out our Snowshoeing resource page HERE. Located just 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids is Mt Itasca where you can enjoy downhill skiing, snowboarding terrain, snowtubing and cross-country skiing. And then there are over 1,100 area lakes to ice fish on. View our Ice Fishing/Winter Trail Conditions Page to stay up to date on trail conditions and what’s biting and some techniques to try. The Grand Rapids, Minnesota is where you can get outdoors into a winter wonderland to explore and find adventure.

Try New Bites and Sips

When a day in the north woods has worked up your appetite, let us fill your belly with an array of places to eat. There is a wide variety of fun places to eat & drink in the greater Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. From places you can grab a quick-bite on the run, to sit-down locally owned restaurants where the locals go, to the off the beaten path bar & grills that are located right on the trails. We bet that you will be surprised by the number of places to eat & drink here in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area.

Winter Indoor Fun

You may be surprised to learn just how many winter attractions are open in Grand Rapids. In addition to the historic museums, performance centers, and art and cultural centers, there are attractions that offer both indoor and outdoor winter events and programming that are unique to Grand Rapids. There is the Escape Room at the Itasca Historical Society. And the Judy Garland Museum gives VIP Stolen Ruby Red Slipper Tours on Fridays and Saturdays. The Forest History Center will start their Northern Draft Horse Sleigh Rides as soon as they have enough snow, and prior to that they will continue on Saturdays the Northern Draft Horse Forest Tours. The Reif Center has a full line up of in-theater performances in both their 700 seat theater as well as their 250 seat theater where there is never a bad seat. MacRostie Art Center has their monthly artist exhibit, a cultural experience in the Giinawind Creative Space, and their seasonal adult and youth art classes and programming as well. The Visit Grand Rapids Events Calendar is full of daytime and night life entertainment, live music, seasonal festivals and events, and more!

Learn More About Winter Fun Up North In Grand Rapids, MN

Grand Rapids, Minnesota is not a sleepy town in the winter. There is way more to offer than people would think for a small town in northern Minnesota. Check out the Winter seasonal page that has sample winter travel itineraries, winter trail and ice fishing reports, winter events, festivals, live theater, music performances, winter attractions attractions and more.

Rent A Cozy Minnesota Cabin | Visit Grand Rapids

escape to an unforgettable vacation

Renting a cozy Minnesota cabin offers a relaxing escape any time of the year. In northcentral Minnesota there is a charming small town located between Bemidji and Duluth that offers a wide variety of cozy lodging options including cabins, lodge rooms, Hotels and Motels, a Bed and Breakfast, and vacation lake homes. Grand Rapids is a Mississippi River town where the river runs right through historic downtown. This small town offers amenities of a much larger town with Minnesota’s nature vantage point that gives visitors relaxing presence.

Cozy Lodging Options

You can expect in a cozy up north getaway to offer a range of lodging experiences, from rustic to modern, lakeside cabins, and in town Hotel and Motel rooms that offer on site amenities like continental breakfast, a pool, and a hot tub. Crucial factors that one typically looks for in a cozy Minnesota getaway are stunning scenic and nature views, wildlife viewing, and a chance to relax and reconnect with nature. The greater Grand Rapids, Minnesota area offers just this with over 1M publicly accessible forest acres within minutes of downtown. You can still be within the city limits and be on the edge of the Mississippi river with hundreds of forest acres surrounding you. Being in nature is shown to help reduce stress and help you regain focus to what is really important in life. This is a large reason why visitor choose Grand Rapids for their cozy Minnesota getaway that is perfect any time of the year. Actually, the off season is some of the best time to head up north because there are less people, wider availability of lodging options, cheaper rates, and all of the area businesses and restaurants are open year-round.

Outdoor Activities & Wildlife Viewing

You can expect your cozy cabin getaway to offer a range of experiences, from rustic to modern, lakeside cabins, and in town Hotel and Motel rooms that offer on site amenities like continental breakfast, a pool, and a hot tub. Crucial factors that one typically looks for in a coxy Minnesota cabin like getaway are stunning scenic and nature views, wildlife viewing, and a chance to relax and reconnect. The greater Grand Rapids, Minnesota area offers just this with over 1M publicly accessible forest acres within minutes of downtown. You can still be within the city limits and feel like you are in a remote forest location. Being in nature is shown to help reduce stress and help you regain focus to what is really important in life. The Chippewa National Forest is a beautiful outdoor recreation area that is safe, well maintained trails, and boat accesses to enjoy outdoor recreation and also a great location to view wildlife. We suggest Simpson Creek, Suomi Hills, and the Lost Forty trails that are all located in the Chippewa National Forest. In Grand Rapids, we suggest Legion Trail and Tioga Recreation Area that is located in Cohasset just 10 minute drive from downtown Grand Rapids.

Places To Eat, Drink & Shop

While Grand Rapids is a small town located in rural Minnesota, it offers amenities of a much larger town. You will find a wide variety of places to eat & drink and locally owned shops that are open all year. Let’s face it, going out to eat is part of a relaxing getaway. Trying new bites and sips is part of the experience. You will find a wide variety of in town American cuisine, locally owned, craft breweries, to fine dining restaurant options. Many of the local chefs like to incorporate seasonal produce and locally grown and harvested produce, meats and eggs into their menu’s. There are many local shops that offer one of a kind art, home decor, clothing, gift and more. You will find several boutique style shops in downtown. If you are looking to take a leisurely stroll, historic downtown is a great option that offers a safe walking and biking bridge that crosses the Mississippi river. This is a great place to view wildlife like fish swimming in the river, eagles flying overhead, and other northern song birds chirping all around. This river walk also includes the music park, story book walk and several downtown murals, Native American artwork, and statues.

Cultural Experiences & Historic Sites

While you are on your cozy Minnesota cabin getaway in Grand Rapids, you will want to check out the Events Calendar to see what performances are happening at The Reif Center, which brings Broadway style theater and national musicians to their state of the art performance center that offers an up close and personal view in their 700 seat and 250 seat theaters. And then there is the monthly art exhibits at MacRostie Art Center, youth and adult art classes, and other art and cultural experience offerings. There are several craft breweries, bars and restaurants that provide free live music and event programming every week. We cannot forget the meat raffles and bingo that are a staple entertainment offering in small northern towns in Minnesota where everyone is welcome.

If you are looking for a one of a kind historic tour, then you will want to consider the Escape Room at the Itasca Historical Society, the Stolen Ruby Red Slipper Tour at the Judy Garland Museum, or the Northern Draft Horse Forest Tours and Sleigh Rides at the Forest History Center. All of these attraction sites offer other programming like museums, interpretive centers, gift shops, and more. While all of these attractions are open throughout the year, their hours in the shoulder season will be reduced and mainly open day time hours and weekends, and most likely closed on Sundays.

In the crazy busy lives that we all live we all deserve down time, and renting a cozy Minnesota cabin (or cabin like lodging) in a place like Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the perfect way to reconnect with loved one’s, get outdoors to recharge in nature, and relax and rest. For more information, view the Grand Rapids Visitor Guide to learn more. The below tabs offer seasonal pages that can help guide you based the time of year you getaway to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. These tabs include seasonal itineraries, seasonal specific outdoor recreation options, seasonal fishing and trail reports, and more!

Fall MEA and Friends Getaway Itineraries | Grand Rapids Minnesota

getaway to remember

This blog article will highlight Fall MEA and Friends Getaway Itineraries in Grand Rapids Minnesota. Late fall, October and November, is a great time of year to getaway to Grand Rapids Minnesota. This time of the year is perfect for a mid-week or weekend getaway. Below are sample trip itineraries for families, girlfriends and a guys getaway to highlight things to do in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

October and November Lodging Specials

There is a wide variety of lodging options in the Grand Rapids, MN area: Hotels/Motels, Bed and Breakfasts, Air BnB’s, Resort Cabins, Lodge Rooms, and Vacation Rentals. Visit Grand Rapids represents 37 of these properties, and many of them are offering late fall lodging specials.

Late Fall Grand Rapids MN Itinerary for Families

Once the kids go back to school it is hard to find time to getaway for a long weekend, but in October and November there are several days off from school for MEA, holiday breaks, and conferences. Below is a sample family trip itinerary for this time of the year in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, hoping it spurs enough inspiration for you to book a trip!

Day 1: Enjoy the continental breakfast at the Hotel or try Brewed Awakenings downtown Grand Rapids for a made from scratch muffin and a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Take a hike at Legion Trail (located at the Reif Center parking lot) and in the afternoon mountain bike at Tioga Recreation Area. Brewed Awakenings can pack you a lunch that you can enjoy at the pavilion overlooking Tioga Pit. Then for the evening dinner at Rapids Brewing and then back to the lodging property to let the kids swim in the pool and for the adults to relax in the hot tub with a nice cold beverage.

Day 2: Purchase admission for the kids to play and explore in the Children’s Discovery Museum (younger children) or purchase admission for the entire family to go through the Escape Room at the Historical Society. Lunch at Zorbaz, and then a pontoon ride on the Mississippi River or a Northern Trolley Tour pulled by Percheron horses at the Forest History Center. Order Sammy’s Pizza at Klockow Brewing Company, and then back to the hotel for the kids to swim and adults to soak in the hot tub.

Late Fall Grand Rapids MN Itinerary for Girlfriend Getaway

Late Fall is a great time of the year for a Girlfriend Getaway to northern Minnesota. Find cozy lodging, boutique style shops, fun places to try new bites and sips, unique cultural and historic attractions, and an opportunity to reconnect together. The below girlfriend getaway itinerary is mean to spur inspiration to book a girlfriend getaway in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Day 1: Enjoy the continental breakfast at the Hotel, or fix a homestyle breakfast together in your full kitchen at your Air BnB, Vacation Rental or Cabin. Then it is off for some new experiences like taking a horse drawn northern trolley tour at the Forest History Center that is drawn by a team of Percheron horses. After this grab lunch at Rapids Brewing Co to try a flight of local craft beer and wood fired oven menu specials. Then it is off to your pre-registered tickets to the VIP Stolen Ruby Red Slipper Tour at the Judy Garland Museum to learn all of the juicy details of really what happened to the ruby red slippers. Dinner can be at a location close and convenient to your Hotel, or you can grab a Sammy’s or Mad Dogs pizza to enjoy back at your Air BnB, Vacation Rental or Resort Cabin.

Day 2: Today for breakfast try one of the places the locals go for a cooked to order breakfast like at Dottie’s in Grand Rapids or the Sportsman in Deer River. And then take a stroll through downtown to enjoy the outdoors public art, and shop at the boutique shops, and the antique and vintage shops in downtown and around the Grand Rapids, MN area. For lunch, we suggest you try Pickled Loon or Zorbaz that are both located on Pokegama Lake in Grand Rapids. In the afternoon, relaxation and reconnecting is in order back at your lodging property where you can put on comfy clothes, catch up on each others lives, enjoy magazine, snacks and beverages of choice. Dinner can be made at your lodging property or you can order pickup at one of the many restaurants or you could get dressed up and dine at one of the new restaurants in downtown Grand Rapids – The Pines or the Ledger and Ladle. Both offer an amazing dining experience.

*Note: If you are looking to get pampered while you are in town, check out the Shopping button below to view Salons and Spas in Grand Rapids.

Late Fall Grand Rapids Minnesota for Guys Trip

Guys Trip

Day 1: Enjoy an early morning breakfast together at the resort cabin or vacation rental home, eating in town at Dottie’s or the Sportsman, or enjoying the continental breakfast at the Hotel. Then it is off to hunt ruffed grouse and woodcock in either the UPM Blandin Forest or the Chippewa National Forest. Then you can enjoy lunch at Harry’s in Hill City – if you are hunting in the Blandin Forest, or at the Gosh Dam Place if you are hunting up the Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway in the Chippewa National Forest. Then take some time to relax after all of the walking with the dogs in the woods, and then it is time for dinner. There are many great places to eat in the Grand Rapids, MN area like Sammy’s, Timberlake Lodge Restaurant, or the Pickled Loon.

Day 2: Today can be a later start morning for the temps to warm up a little before you head out on one of many lakes to catch fish. With the cooler temperatures you will catch panfish like perch to trophy fish like walleyes and northern pike. There are over 1,100 area lakes to try. The MN DNR lake finder will help you find the perfect lake in Itasca County for the species of fish you are looking to catch. Or check out our Grand Rapids Fishing Page to find a area fishing guide that can get you on fish. Enjoy lunch on the boat, and then dinner at a local favorite like the Forest Lake Restaurant.

*Note: The Grand Rapids, MN area has over 1M publicly accessible forest acres to ATV, bike, hike, and hunt. There are 300 miles of designated ATV trails, and county and forest roads are open to ATV’s. And then there is the 25 mile multi-level mountain bike trail (Tioga Recreation Area) with a skills course in Cohasset. So there is a lot of fun things to do for a Guys Trip in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

Grand Rapids, Minnesota Trip FAQ’s

Grand Rapids, Minnesota is a year-round vacation destination that is just far enough away to provide a real escape to northern Minnesota, but close enough to be convenient for a drive destination. Grand Rapids, Minnesota offers a wide variety of places to stay like in town Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts, Air BnB’s, Resort Cabins, and Vacation Rentals. This charming small town offers a wide variety of things to do like theater performances at The Reif Center, art and cultural experiences at MacRostie, downtown boutique shops, fun places to eat & drink, and historic area attractions that are open year round. Grand Rapids is a true hidden gem that offers a chance to relax, get outdoors, enjoy new things to do and see, and the opportunity to reconnect together and recharge in Minnesota’s nature.

The Best Fall Girlfriend Getaway | Visit Grand Rapids MN

If you are looking for the BEST FALL GIRLFRIEND GETAWAY in Minnesota, you need to check out Grand Rapids, Minnesota. During the Fall season, the kids go back to school, the weather get’s cooler, the crowds are less, but there is still many unique things to do, fun places to eat & drink, unique area attractions to tour, local boutique style shops, live music and theater performances, and a lot of opportunity to relax, reconnect together and recharge in Minnesota’s nature. You will find cozy lodging, craft breweries, wine bars, salons and spas to get pampered, boutique style shops, craft shows, holiday open houses, live music and theater performances, and fun places to eat & drink, and art and historic sites.

Cozy Lodging

Grand Rapids is a perfect up north destination that provides a wide variety of places to stay. The Grand Rapids Area Resorts offer cabins and Vacation Rentals offer lake homes to rent for a couple of days or more. This gives you multiple bedrooms with twin to king size beds, pull out sofa’s, and futons to expand sleeping options. Cabins can sleep 2-12 people. Many resorts have newer up-to-date cabins that offer full kitchens with dishwashers, WIFI, and cable or satellite TV. Many of these properties are located on the lake or have lake views. There are several Grand Rapids Hotels and Motels that are conveniently located in town and close to restaurants, spa services, theater, night life, and walking/biking trails. Our quaint and charming Bed & Breakfasts or Air B&B’s downtown which are also close to town to trails, shops, area lakes and places to eat & drink. View all 37 Grand Rapids, MN Lodging Properties HERE.

Get Pampered

Our local Spa Service Providers in town are ready to pamper you and your girlfriends. You will find a variety of locally owned Salon and Spas that offer a wide variety of services like facials, manicures, pedicures, hair and makeup services, and massage therapy services. Some of these businesses will even offer on-site services where they can come out to your lodging property (for an additional fee). True North Salon & Spa is located within Historic Old Central School in the center of downtown. They offer facials, hair services (cuts, blowouts, styling, etc). They are an exclusive Aveda salon. There is Salon Brad which offers full-service hair and waxing services. Center Space MN offers med spa and day spa services. Muah Spa & Salon offers day services like hair and nail services and massages. Elements Salon & Spa Services offers hair services, facials and massages. And then you will want to talk with your lodging property to see if they have a list of massage therapists that they know that might come directly to the property for a group. View Salon and Spa Services HERE.

Eat & Drink Local

Start your day out right at one of the local coffee shops like: NoPo Coffee Company, Brewed Awakenings/Bixby’s. For lunch and dinner we suggest Hotel Rapids + Bistro, Rapids Brewing, Unwined Up North, Florio’s Grill & Tavern, Timberlake Restaurant, Sammy’s Pizza, Forest Lake Restaurant, Pickled Loon Saloon, Zorbaz, Boulder Tap House, El Potro, Fuji Japanese Restaurant, Smoke on the Water, and Cedar Creek Grille. Or maybe, you are looking to cook with your Girlfriends. With two locations for SuperOne Grocery Stores you can shop local from fresh produce, bakery, deli and meat to cook at your own cabin or vacation home rental. View places to Eat & Drink HERE.

Create Memories

A great way for you and your girlfriends to spend time together is creating something to take home as a memory of your time together. In Grand Rapids we have a rich artistic culture to create art in a natural setting. MacRostie Art Center offers a wide variety of art classes for beginners to advanced students. They can also connect you with an artists that would be interested in coming to you to teach a class. Classes range from painting, pottery, jewelry making, paper making, etc. Classes that they have coming up at their facility are: Wine, Paint & Canvas; Beer Bowls and Bites; Wine, Words & Art. For groups of 10 or more, Visit Grand Rapids can offer ideas, contacts, and other resources. Contact Alex Frimanslund (Group Marketing & Engagement Specialist) email: alex@visitgrandrapids.com or cell: 218-910-8012.

Seek Outdoor Adventure

Take advantage of the natural setting of Grand Rapids, MN by getting out into nature and experiencing something unique like hiking the Lost Forty. Bicycling the Mesabi Trail or Mountain Biking at Tioga Recreation Area. Snowshoeing at Tioga Recreation Area or Simpson Creek. Cross Country Skiing the Suomi Trail or Legion Trail. Downhill Skiing, snow tubing or cross country skiing at Mt Itasca. Ardent Bicycles offers fat tire bike, mountain bike, snowshoe and cross country ski rentals. If you do not feel comfortable in going on trails by yourself, Ardent Bicycle may be able to provide guide services or know of someone who would be interested in guiding your group for a fee. We empower you to get outside in Minnesota’s nature to experience the woods, trails and water. They truly have a positive mental health impact, and allows you to regain balance. Discover more about Outdoor Adventures available in Grand Rapids HERE.

Be Entertained

If after-hours entertainment is something your group desires, check out our Things To Do and Events Calendar pages. Several local bars and restaurants offer weekly live music, and other forms of nightlife entertainment like at our craft breweries: Klockow Brewing Co and Rapids Brewing Co, and at Ravenstone Abbey – axe throwing bar and restaurant, and Smoke on the Water – winery and restaurant (both located in Coleraine, MN – just 10 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids). The Reif Performance Arts Center provides an opportunity to attend Broadway style productions, live music concerts, and comedy shows. Check out the Events Calendar to view the weekly line-up of nightlife in Grand Rapids.

Boutique Style Shops, Craft Shows & Holiday Open Houses

Grand Rapids, MN is filled with little boutique style shops that offer one-of-a-kind unique items that you cannot find anywhere else. You will find clothing & shoes, up-north goods, Minnesota made, antiques, vintage, and home décor. Here are some of our favorite Boutiques: Bender’s Shoes & Gifts, Wings & Willow, Central Square Mall, Itasca County Historical Society Gift Shop, North in Bloom, Thousand Lakes Sporting Goods, Stained Glass with Class, Bella Rose Boutique, Lake + Company, Annabella’s Antique Mall, Shaw Florists, MacRostie Art Center Gallery, Frame Up, The Antique Company, Red Willow Co, Pink Poppy Boutique, The Evergreen, and Clara Cupboard Llc.

In addition to the boutique style shops in Grand Rapids, there are many weekends of vendor craft shows in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. The Saturday of MN Deer Hunting opener in November there are many craft shows (over 10 craft shows). This is a great time to start your holiday shopping! And then from October to December the local shops will be hosting Holiday Open Houses that are fun to view their new holiday decor and gifts. Check out more places to Shop HERE.

We hope that we have given you inspiration to book a Girlfriend Getaway to Grand Rapids, MN. Download the Interactive Grand Rapids Visitor Guide for even more Girlfriend Getaway inspiration.

Magical MEA Family Getaway | Visit Grand Rapids Minnesota

CREATE FAMILY MEMORIES IN GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA

Grand Rapids, MN is the perfect destination for a magical MEA Family getaway. Anyone that has children, knows it it is hard to getaway for a vacation when the kids are in school. MEA (Minnesota Educators Association) holiday break allows parents to take family getaway in the fall. In Grand Rapids you can reconnect with loved ones at cozy lodging, recharge in by getting outdoors, and relax in Minnesota’s nature. There are over 1,100 area lakes and over 2,000 miles of designated outdoors trails in the Grand Rapids, MN area. And there are kid-friendly museums, area attractions, places to eat, live performances, and fall festivals and events too.

Book Lodging Early

Grand Rapids, Minnesota is a sought after destination in the fall tie of the year because of the abundance of outdoor recreation, fall leaves, thousand grand lakes, area attractions and museums, theater performances, a wide variety of places to shop, eat and be entertained. Because of this, we suggest that you BOOK YOUR LODGING EARLY! You will find a wide variety of family-friendly lodging options to choose from. In town Hotels are close and convenient to shops, restaurants, and many have on-site amenities like pools, continental breakfast, and restaurants. And then in town are Bed and Breakfasts, Vacation Rentals and Motels as well. These properties offer close proximity to things to do, in town trails, shops and restaurants as well. Then there are Minnesota Lake Resorts and Vacation Lake Rentals that are off the beaten path, but close enough to town to be convenient to eat out, shop, attend a theater performance, and tour museums and other attractions. These will provide an entire cabin, lodge rooms, or vacation home rental with kitchenettes to full kitchens, living rooms, and many times outdoor patio and fire pit areas to gather together. There is lodging in Grand Rapids for every family.

ATV

Itasca County has over 300 miles of well-maintained ATV/UTV trails to ride. All of the trails are family friendly. Each trail is unique and connects with area businesses like bars/restaurants, gas stations, and more. The beauty of the hardwood trees in the fall adds another dimension to the ATV ride. Ride around yellow tamarack bogs that intertwine among beautiful clear lakes. This is perfect for all ages of riders. All Itasca County roads are open to ATV (except for County Rd 75 that leads into the Scenic State Park up in Bigfork). This allows you access to any ATV road using county roads and forest roads. Make sure you understand the rules of riding in the Chippewa National Forest and adhere to the MN DNR ATV regulations as well.

BIKING

There are several places to bike over MEA in the fall. Legion Trail located in the American Legion Memorial Park located at The Reif Center parking lot includes a single track mountain bike trail, hiking trail and 18 holes of disc golf. Then there is the Mesabi Trail which is over 100 miles of paved trail that run from the Mississippi River in Grand Rapids to the Boundary Waters in Ely, MN. Whether you prefer paved biking trails or off-road mountain biking, the choice is yours.

HIKING

With over 1 million acres of public accessible forest land, hiking over MEA is perfect for the entire family. You will find a hiking trail that is perfect for hiking with kids.

1. Golden Anniversary State Forest – (LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE) Located 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids on the Great River Road. The terrain includes flat ground to gently rolling hills. The forest is made up of hardwoods and pines that are used to produce timber, create wildlife habitat and opportunities for hunting.

2. Simpson Creek – (LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE) Located 40 minutes northwest of Grand Rapids on County Road 46. This forest was established in 1907 by Sam Simpson. Located in the Chippewa National Forest, this trail is located next to the Cut Foot Visitor’s Center. This 13-mile trail is all non-motorized.

3. Suomi Hills Trail – (LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE) Located 14 miles north of Grand Rapids, in the Chippewa National Forest. The remote and stunning Suomi Hills has 19 miles of hiking, biking, and ski trails and is part of a semi-primitive non-motorized area.

KID FRIENDLY MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES

In Grand Rapids, MN you will find several kid friendly museums where the kids will be able to be kids. At the Children’s Discovery Museum there is wide open spaces for them to play on the Lake Life equipment and interact with the exhibits. The Museum is perfect for ages toddlers to tweens. The Judy Garland Museum, under the same roof as the Children’s Discovery Museum, you can step back in time to the early 1900’s to relive life through Judy Garland’s career. Tour her house, and view the hundreds of exhibits and artifacts from her life’s career as a singer and actress. The Itasca County Historical Museum offers a chance to also step back in time and view many interesting historic artifacts like the wholly mammoth tusk, Native American artifacts, and new displays like the River Room, Veterans Room and many more. The Historical Museum also offers an Escape Room that is for children age 9+.

PUMPKIN PATCH, FARM ANIMALS, HAYRIDES, AND APPLE ORCHARDS

Cowhorn Crossing Farm & Pumpkin Patch is open in the Fall starting September 20-October 31, 2025. This farm offers fun for all ages. It is a great place to go to let the kids run off some energy, pet the farm animals, run through the corn maze, take a hayride through the field and woods, and pick out the perfect pumpkin. They are open Thursday and Friday 4-6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-6pm, and open longer hours over MEA. Cost is $9/person, and groups of 10 or more are $8/person.

Apple picking is perfect for a crisp fall day. In Grand Rapids there are two family-owned and operated apple orchards where you can purchase pre-picked or you can pick your own MN Grown apples. These hearty northern Minnesota varieties are perfect for baking, cooking, and eating. Lavalier’s Berry Patch and Apple Orchard is located right off the Great River Road, the Mississippi River is just a stones throw away. They grow strawberries, blueberries, pumpkins, and have beautiful apple trees. Then there is TimberSweet Apple Orchard that is located in Cohasset. They offer blueberries, apples, honey, and award winning maple syrup. TimberSweet can be found selling their produce and products at the Grand Rapids, MN Farmers Market on Wednesday and Saturday through October.

KID FRIENDLY PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

While on your MEA Family Fun Weekend in Grand Rapids, MN you will want to find kid friendly places to eat & drink. Both of the craft breweries are locally owned and operated and are both family friendly, and pet friendly. Klockow Brewing Company specializes in their craft beer, and also sells Minnesota Soda. They have food trucks on the weekend, and they allow food deliveries or for you to bring in food from Grand Rapids area restaurants. Rapids Brewing Co has a full menu including wood fired pizza, an amazing smash burger, and speciality items likes carneta nachos and chips and queso. In addition to the craft breweries, Grand Rapids offers many other kid friendly places to eat & drink: Unwined Up North, Zorbaz on Pokegama, Pickled Loon Saloon, Pokegama Grill, Florio’s, Forest Lake Restaurant, Hotel Rapids Bistro, Timberlake Lodge Restaurant, ElPotro, Fuji, Boulder Tap House and so many more!

Come make memories with your family for a magical MEA Family Getaway to Grand Rapids, Minnesota this year. Trust us that there is a lot of things to do, an abundance of outdoor recreation to enjoy, and lots of opportunities to reconnect together in Minnesota’s nature.

Fall Fun For Everyone in Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Fall Fun in Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Come enjoy fall fun in Grand Rapids, Minnesota! Beautiful fall colors, a pumpkin patch farm, horse drawn forest rides, apple orchards, fall festivals and events, live music and theater performances, cozy lodging, new places to eat and drink. Fall is a beautiful time of year to be up north with an abundance of nature. Grand Rapids, Minnesota has over 1M publicly accessible forest acres surrounding that includes 2,000 miles of well maintained trails and over 1,100 area lakes. So, in addition to fun fall things to do, there is an abundance of outdoor recreation to take part in as well.

A Pumpkin Patch

The Cowhorn Crosing Pumpkin Patch & Farm offers an authentic farm experience that features a pumpkin patch, hayrides, get close encounters with friendly farm animals, walk through the corn stalk maze, let the kids play on the hay mound and playground equipment, purchase pumpkins, gourds, and homemade items. The Farm officially opens for the season starting September 20, 2025, open Thurs & Fri from 4-6pm and Sat & Sun 10am-6pm through October 31, 2025. This family-owned hobby farm puts on a great family-friendly experience that all ages will enjoy. Take a hayride through the cow field and the forest trail where you will experience familiar character cutouts. Costumed farm helpers will assist with the petting farm where you can pet the horses, a donkey, rabbits, goats, and more. Then when the kids have played their hearts out, have them pick out a pumpkin that you can carve into a jack-o-lantern for Halloween festivities. The Farm is open special hours over MEA weekend (October 17-19, 2025) too. Check them out on FACEBOOK.

APPLE ORCHARDS

Another fun outdoor family friendly activity is picking apples at the apple orchards in Grand Rapids, MN. Lavalier’s Berry Patch and Apple Orchard is family owned and operated. In the summer they have sweet strawberries and blueberries, and in the fall they have apples, pumpkins, gourds and squash. Some years they even have brussels sprouts that you can cut right off the stalk from their garden. If you don’t feel like picking apples, they also offer pre-picked. Both are by the pound.

TimberSweet is also a family-owned and operated apple orchard that offers blueberries in the summer, apples in the fall, and award winning maple syrup year round. The Fideldy family prides themselves on harvesting the best produce and maple syrup. At their farm site they offer pick your own and pre-picked, and maple syrup. You can also find them at the Grand Rapids MN Farmers Market selling blueberries, apples, maple syrup, and honey.

Both berry patches and farms are perfect to let the kids participate in harvesting MN grown produce, and then going home and cooking or baking with them. The experience is a wonderful educational and bonding memory. You could even start a new fall tradition.

Fall Festivals & Events

In the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area the area craft breweries, restaurants, area attractions, and area communities host Fall Festivals and Events that are fun for all ages. Kicking off in September is the Grand Rapids Riverfest that happens the first Saturday after Labor Day each year. This year’s line up is Courtney Barnett, Margo Price, Jeremy Albino, and Aland Sparkhawk, among many other Midwest musicians. The same weekend the Itasca County Pickleball Association hosts the Lakes and Loons Pickleball Tournament which brings ages 14+ from all over the midwest to compete on the YMCA pickleball courts.

And then there are annual fall events like the Bargains Are Great on Hwy 38 (47 miles of garage sales) the third weekend in September each year. The third weekend in September the Blackberry Farm hosts their annual Fall Fest with snowmobile drag races, farm equipment shows, good food, raffles and more. And the Loon Country Quilters also host their annual quilt show the middle of September as well.

Then Oktoberfest Events happen throughout September at area restaurants, craft breweries, and area attractions like the Ravenstone Abbey Oktoberfest Challenge (September `13, 2025), 8th Annual Klocktoberfest (September 27, 2025), Rapids Brewing Oktoberfest (September 20,2025), and the Greenway Area Community Foundation (October 5, 2025).

And then for live music and theater performances at area craft breweries and Reif Center. In October the Reif Center is featuring three country music singers: Bri Bagwell (October 2, 2025), David Nail (October 21, 2025), and , and Georgette Jones (October 28, 2025). And every weekend Rapids Brewing hosts live music and the Eagles Club hosts Minnesota dance bands.

FUN PLACES TO EAT & DRINK

While in town for the pumpkin patch & apple orchards in Grand Rapids, MN, you will want to check out the fun places to Eat & Drink. Grand Rapids is home to two craft breweries, a Minnesota wine bar, a tap house, and locally owned restaurants that make their menu from scratch and with locally grown produce, meat and eggs. Brewed Awakening and NoPo are both great places to start the day off right with locally sourced coffee, baked goods, and made from scratch recipes. For lunch you will want to check out Unwined Up North and Rapids Brewing Co; both offer made from scratch and locally sourced products. Unwined is the MN wine bar that also sells MN craft beer. Rapids Brewing is one of two craft breweries in town that has a log fired oven that they create pizza, a smash burger and other made from scratch recipes. For dinner we suggest Timberlake Restaurant, Pickled Loon Saloon on Pokegama and Forest Lake Restaurant. All three of these restaurants offer a full menu from burgers, salads, pasta to steak and seafood specialties. For a full list for Places to Eat & Drink in Grand Rapids, click HERE.

Beautiful Fall Colors & Abundance of Outdoor Recreation

Grand Rapids is surrounded by the Chippewa Nation Forest, UPM Blandin Forest and the George Washington State Forest just to the north of Grand Rapids. Over 2,000 miles of trails to ATV, hike, bike, and hunt. There are over 300 miles of ATV Trails with the closest one being only nine miles south of Grand Rapids (UPM Blandin ATV Trail). There are over 1,000 Hiking Trails, our favorites are in town (Legion Trail) and (Suomi Hills Trail) located just 30 minutes north of Grand Rapids. There is lots of public Hunting Land, just make sure that you look up the hunting regulations and requirements for the land you are seeking to hunt on. Resources to check with are the Chippewa National Forest, Itasca County, and MN DNR. For biking we suggest the Mesabi Trail a 80+ miles paved trail, and Tioga Recreation Area for mountain biking. Tioga is a 25 mile, single track trail that has a skills course (Pathfinder Playground) and multi-level trails for the entire family. Explore all of the Outdoor Recreation you can enjoy around the Grand Rapids, MN area HERE.,

Cozy Lodging

Don’t just come for the day, stay overnight. Grand Rapids, Minnesota is known as the outdoor recreation mecca of the north. Over 1,400 lakes, and over 2,000 miles of trails that are located on over 1 million publicly accessible forest acres. Come for the fall fun, and stay for the cozy lodging and beautiful fall colors!

You will find a wide variety of overnight lodging to choose from. There are in town Hotels and Motels that are conveniently located near in town trails, shops, and places to eat & drink. Then you will find a charming B&B located on Pokegama Lake, and close the the golf course and in town trails. There are in town Air B&B’s that are located above or near the downtown business district. These are close to the downtown restaurants, shops, public art and historic sites. And there are Minnesota Resorts and Lakeside Vacation Rentals that are all located on beautiful northern Minnesota lakes.

Now that you have read through the Fall Fun Blog that features a Pumpkin Patch, Horse Drawn Forest Rides, Apple Orchards, Fall Festivals and SO much more…what are you waiting for? Click the below button and BOOK YOUR FALL GETAWAY TO GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA!

Hiking into Autumn: Chasing Foliage on the Trail | Visit Grand Rapids

Hiking Into Autumn

The 1M publicly accessible forest acres around Grand Rapids makes hiking into autumn: chasing foliage on the trail well into October. Visit Grand Rapids wrote this blog to help highlight several family friendly and moderate level hiking trails to consider. The Chippewa National Forest is a wonderful place to enjoy fall hiking. The mixed hardwood and pine forests are a beautiful contrast to the area lakes, bogs and rivers located within the forest. In the Chippewa National Forest, there are 298 miles of non-motorized trails to hike, and there is no better way to see the Chippewa Forest than on foot. Highlighted for you are four of the trails located in the Chippewa National Forest that are perfect locations for fall hiking. The Chippewa National Forest has several locations that are perfect for day hiking. Learn more about additional places to day hike HERE.

Simpson Creek Trail

In 1907, Sam Simpson’s crew built the first tote roads and trails in the Cut Foot Sioux area. Today, this system makes up the 13-mile Simpson Creek Trail. Enjoy rolling topography through pines and along glacial eskers, with overlooks onto Cut Foot Sioux Lake and journeys into the cedar swamp.

The Simpson Creek Trail system winds through towering pines, around a great walleye fishing lake, and into the rich history of the Cut Foot Sioux area. Enjoy the beautiful drive on the Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway where the Simpson Creek Trail is located.

Directions: Access is at the Cut Foot Sioux Visitor Center or Eagle Nest Road (FR 2198) 23 miles northwest on the Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway.

Suomi Hills Trail

The remote and stunning Suomi Hills has nineteen miles of hiking, biking, and ski trails and is part of a semi-primitive nonmotorized area. The rolling topography offers mountain bike trails for intermediate and advanced cyclists.

The Suomi Hills Recreation Area is named for the small Finnish community of Suomi, Minn., situated on the northern edge of the Suomi Recreation Area located near Grave Lake, Minn. The area was logged from 1905 to 1910, with people settling in the area about 1916. The Day Lake Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp, a prisoner of war camp during World War II, is located on the north end of Suomi Hills.

Directions: Access the Suomi Hills area 26 miles north of Grand Rapids on Highway 38, Avenue of the Pines National Scenic Byway.

Scenic State Park

The park has 10+ miles of easy/moderate hiking trails. The best trail for visitors to hike is Chase Point Trail. It is known for the stunning views of Coon and Sandwick Lake. As you hike along look for bald eagles, loons, jays, woodpeckers, and a variety of songbirds.

During your fall hike at Scenic State Park check out the interpretive signage and historic Civilian Conservation Corps Camp sites. The signage gives information about the history and landscape of Scenic State Park

Rentals such as boats, canoes, paddleboards, and kayaks are available at the park office.

Directions: Take Scenic Hwy 7 for 10 miles then turn onto Scenic Hwy 75 for 33 miles.

Legion Trail

To continue to chase fall foliage in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the Legion Trail is a great in town trail that is located on the north end of Grand Rapids next to the Reif Center. The Legion Trail is an approximately 7 mile loop that wraps around Hale Lake. This trail is well groomed and maintained throughout the year. It is also a place where you can mountain bike with approximately 4 miles of single-track mountain bike trails running through it. There is also a disc golf course located within the Legion Trail. In the winter you can cross country ski at night on the Legion Trail.

Directions: Take 4th Street west to 3rd Avenue heading north (at the mall) for approx 8 blocks, and then you turn left onto 16th Street. Take into the Reif Center (also the Grand Rapids High School parking lot) and park on the far right and walk into the Legion Trail. Map signs are posted.

More Hiking Resources

Cozy Lodging

In the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area there is a lot of cozy lodging options that will give you the opportunity to rest, relax, reconnect and recharge this spring. LAKES. TRAILS. FRESH AIR… and SO much more! You will find in town Hotels, Motels, Vacation Rentals and Bed and Breakfasts that are close to the in town trails, lakes, shops, and places to eat & drink. And then there are Resorts and Vacation Rentals that are located on beautiful area lakes near the trails and in an off the beaten path location in Minnesota’s nature. Find Cozy Lodging

Fun Places to Eat & Drink

When you have worked up an appetite while out in Minnesota’s nature, we have lots of options for you to consider for eating and drinking local. From the places that the locals go to get the best bar burger, homemade wild rice soup or the best pizza in town. Find Fun Places to Eat & Drin

Grand Rapids ATV Thrills: Your Guide to the Best Off-Road Trails

Best Off Road Trails

At Visit Grand Rapids we created the Grand Rapids ATV Thrills: Your Guide to the Best Off-Road Trails blog is the perfect ATV getaway inspiration. Grand Rapids, MN is the perfect ATV Fall Getaway because of the wide variety of ATV friendly lodging, hundreds of miles of well maintained ATV trails, and many bars and restaurants to enjoy a beverage and food.

There is something exhilarating about zipping through the mixed forests around Grand Rapids on an ATV/UTV that awakens the soul. Riding a side by side allows you to connect with Minnesota’s nature in a much deeper way. You can access very remote locations while staying on a designated trail system, so you don’t get lost.

Itasca County has over 300 miles of well-maintained ATV/UTV trails to ride. Each trail is unique and connects with area businesses like bars/restaurants, gas stations, and more. The beauty of the hardwood trees in the fall adds another dimension to the ATV ride. MORE GRAND RAPIDS, MN AREA ATV RESOURCES

Sample ATV Grand Rapids Getaway Itinerary

Grand Rapids, Minnesota is a regional hub for the Itasca County ATV Trail system. It has the largest amount of lodging properties with easy access to the Itasca County ATV trails. Whether you are looking to stay right on the ATV Trail system or you are looking for a centrally located lodging property that allows you with many options to trailer to trails, there is a lodging property for you! Below is a sample ATV Getaway itinerary that is meant to give you inspiration and tools to book your ATV Getaway Trip to Grand Rapids where you will get to ride some of the Best ATV Off-Road Trails in northern Minnesota.

Sample ATV Itinerary DAY 1:

Arrive at your lodging property, check in, and get settled. Most of the Grand Rapids Lodging Properties offer areas for trucks and trailers to unload and park. Make sure to check with your lodging property on those details.

BREAKFAST – The in town Hotels & Motels provide continental breakfast on site. If you are staying at a lodging property that does not provide breakfast, we suggest Forest Lake Restaurant for a great made to order breakfast. Their lower level parking lot located to the east of their building is perfect for trucks and trailers. Here are a lot of places to eat & drink, find more HERE.

MORNING RIDE – The UPM Blandin ATV Trail is a great morning ride option that you can access easily – only 9-miles south from Grand Rapids is the trailhead located on Smith Creek Drive with ample parking for trucks and trailers to unload that is located in a safe location. This ATV trail will take you south to Hill City, which offers a mixed hardwood and pine forest which is beautiful in the fall. The wooded parts of the trail have some hills and curves to enjoy. We suggest taking the forest and county roads versus taking the Rabey Line Trail (this trail is very rough – like riding a washboard). There is one bridge to cross a stream where the bridge at times can be under water. There are several places to eat lunch in Hill City, Minnesota. VIEW UPM Blandin ATV TRAIL MAP

LUNCH – In Hill City, Minnesota there are a couple of options for lunch: Cozy Cove, Harry’s Bar & Grill , Hill Lake Cafe, and Knuckleheads Bar & Grill. There are a lot of places to eat & drink, find more HERE.

AFTERNOON RIDE – Continuing on the Hill City Trail that will take you south out of Hill City around the Hill River State Forest, across the boardwalks in Swatara, and Corner Bar in Swatara, Minnesota (located right on Hwy 169) is a great place to stop for appetizers and drinks. They also have a pull tab vending machine. At this point you can decide if you want to ride back to Hill City, and then ride back to where you trailer is at Smith Creek Drive, or you can continue and ride on the Northwoods Trail on the Soo Line Trail down to Remer, Minnesota. There are bar/grill options in both Hill City and Remer. Just make sure to look at the map for how many miles back to your trailer at Smith Creek Drive which will determine if you arrive back in the light or dark.

DINNER – Depending on where you end up when done riding will determine your dinner options. In Remer there is the Woodsman Cafe, and Chopper’s Meats, Eats & Treats. In Hill City there is Harry’s Bar & Grill and Knuckleheads Bar & Grill for dinner. In Grand Rapids there is a wide variety of places to eat & drink from craft breweries: Klockow Brewing Co and Rapids Brewing Co, locally owned restaurants like Forest Lake Restaurant and Sammy’s (which are both favorites for the local residents), and then there are the places a little bit outside of the City center like Florio’s in Cohasset and Cedar Creek Tavern that is located up the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway. There are a lot of places to eat & drink, find more HERE.

Sample ATV Itinerary Day 2:

Now that you are more familiar with the area, and probably have had a chance to look at the Itasca ATV Trail Map more; you will see that there a lot of places to ride and lots of different terrain in the Grand Rapids, MN area. On Day 2, we suggest you head north on the B&B ATV Trail.

BREAKFAST – If you are lodging in town, you most likely receive continental breakfast. If you are staying at a Resort, Vacation Lake Rental or at an in town Vacation Rental you either can cook breakfast at your own rental, or you can choose to eat out (which lets be honest is the best part of being on vacation – eating at new places). Today we suggest trying Timberwolf Inn for a homestyle breakfast. Just be prepared to share because their stuffed hashbrowns are amazing but even the small is enough for two people.

MORNING RIDE – Today we suggest that you ride the B&B ATV Trail which stands for Bigfork and Balsam Trail (two towns that the trail connects to). The Wilderness Riders Club has expanded this trail with spur trails that you can ride along this trail all day. If you had breakfast at Timberwolf Inn, we suggest that you start in Marcell at the ATV Club parking lot behind the Frontier Sports & Convenience Store which is a great place to get gas, snacks, and has a public restroom.

LUNCH This section of the B&B will take you around area lakes, through mixed hardwood and pine forests, and a wonderful overlook closer to Antler Store and Antler Lodge for lunch.

AFTERNOON RIDE – From Antler Lodge, you can ride back on the B&B ATV Trail to your parking area in Marcell, Minnesota behind Frontier Sports & Convenience Store. Or you can continue riding on the B&B ATV Trail and ride over to Trailside Restaurant & Bar for appetizers and beverages. And then you car ride back to Marcell on the B&B ATV Trail.

DINNER – Since you are back in Marcell to load your ATV’s onto the trailers; we suggest you head to Timberwolf Inn for dinner and drinks which is just south on Hwy 38 (aka Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway).

Sample ATV Itinerary Day 3:

Sometimes on Day 3, only a morning ride is what the ATV Trail Group is interested in before they head home.

BREAKFAST – If you do not receive continental breakfast at your lodging property then we suggest Dottie’s Hometown Cafe in Grand Rapids for cook to order homestyle breakfasts.

MORNING RIDE – A good half day ride is the Pengilly-Alborn ATV Trail is approximately 10 miles in length, and the Goodland ATV Trail is approximately 20 miles in length. Parking is located right off of Hwy 169E in Pengilly. On this route you will ride around reclaimed iron ore land, beautiful area lakes, and through mixed hardwood and pine forests, as well as in town trails that run around gas stations, restaurants and bars.

LUNCH – And MJ’s Lodge and Resort is a great place to have lunch. Located on the ATV Trail, and on beautiful Swan Lake in Pengilly. They have a wide menu that is perfect for everyone whether you are looking for appetizers or full meals and beverages.

AFTERNOON – Riding back to the Pengilly-Alborn ATV Trail parking lot will be approximately 10 miles. This is an opportunity for you to load your ATV onto trailers and head home, until next time.

Ideas for your next time to ride ATV in the greater Grand Rapids, Minnesota area is to ride in the Chippewa National Forest on the Squaw Lake/Alvwood ATV Trails and the Blue Ox ATV Trails north in Northome, Minnesota. These ATV trails are a combination of forest trails, county roads, and ATV trails that are in mixed hardwood and pine forests, around the big Lake Winnibigoshish and other smaller lakes. There are lots of places to get gas, restaurants and bars to enjoy places to eat & drink, and ATV friendly lodging properties.

Additional Resources

`Download the Interactive Grand Rapids Visitor’s Guide, and view potential Grand Rapids Lodging Properties. Because the Fall Season is short for ATV riding (September and October) ATV Trails close on October 31st each year; you will want to BOOK YOUR LODGING EARLY to ensure that you get the lodging that works the best for you and your friends and family, and the ideal location to where you are going to ride.

MN DNR North East Minnesota ATV Trails Maps

Summer’s Last Hurrah Labor Day Vacation Ideas | Visit Grand Rapids

Labor Day Up North

Summer’s Last Hurrah Labor Day Vacation Ideas for the greater Grand Rapids, MN area. Here is your last minute opportunity to head north to the thousand grand lakes of Minnesota to RELAX, RECONNECT, and RECHARGE! Visit Grand Rapids has put together these labor day vacation ideas for you as easy itinerary things to do, but please know that the Grand Rapids, MN area is also a wonderful place to untap, unwind, and relax too! The choice is yours. Welcome to Grand Rapids, Minnesota!

Cozy Lodging With a View

You will find a wide variety of cozy lodging options with a view. Visit Grand Rapids represents 37 lodging properties that are Hotels/Motels, Bed and Breakfasts, Air BnB’s, Vacation Rentals and Resorts. With such a wide variety of options, there is a short-term lodging property to meet everyone’s needs. Whether you are looking for an in town place that is close to the area shops, restaurants and in town trails. Or you are looking for a property that is located more off the beaten path, on a lake, or in the forest. But don’t delay, BOOK NOW summer is fleeting – head north for Labor Day this year!

Labor Day Vacation Ideas

For summer’s last hurrah, Visit Grand Rapids has put together Labor Day Vacation ideas through an itinerary sample. You can do everything on the list, or you can do one or two, and spend most of your time to untap, unwind and relax. The choice is yours how you spend your Labor Day Vacation in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area.

Labor Day Sample Itinerary

All New Gallery

Day 1:

Once you arrive to the greater Grand Rapids, MN area, take time to unpack, get settled into your short term lodging property, and read up on things to do in the Grand Rapids Visitor Guide. Depending on what time you arrive on Day 1, will determine what is available to do at that time. Here are some options for you to consider:

MORNING – (Breakfast) Either book breakfast at your own cabin or vacation rental. OR try a local breakfast favorite: Brewed Awakenings, Country Kitchen, Dotties Hometown Cafe, NoPo Kitchen or Sportsman VIEW DINING OPTIONS (Activity) enjoy time on a lake dock (there are many fishing piers/docks in the Grand Rapids, MN area to consider: Blandin Beach on Forest Lake, Tioga Recreation Beach in Cohasset, Pokegama Dam on the Mississippi River).

AFTERNOON – (Lunch) While you are out and about, going out to eat is a huge part of going on vacation – so let’s eat out for lunch! Consider a place with a view: Pokegama Grill at the Pokegama Golf Course, Zorbaz on Pokegama, Bobbers at Williams Narrow’s Restaurant are a few of our favorite VIEW DINING OPTIONS (Activity) bicycle on the Mesabi Trail or mountain biking at Tioga Recreation Area and no worries if you do not have bikes with you or own bikes, rent at Ardent Bicycle or Mesabi Excursions VIEW OUTDOOR RECREATION IDEAS

EVENING – (Dinner) There are a lot of great places to eat in the Grand Rapids, MN area, but if you are looking to try the places where the locals go consider: Florio’s in Cohasset, Trailside in Bigfork, or Cedar Creek Grill in Grand Rapids VIEW DINING OPTIONS (Activity) If the weather allows, and your lodging property offers either fire pits or gas fire pits or tables, we suggest heading outside to enjoy a fire in nature. And of course what is better with a campfire than s’mores, and remember there are both savory and sweet options to consider (savory: brie cheese, fig jam or honey, and crackers or sweet: marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers)

Day 2:

We hope you had a chance to either get up early to take in the sunrise or sleep in, since you are on vacation! When you get up and get ready, now is time to get a good breakfast in you for a full day – or a day spent relaxing by the lake, reading a book, or finding new adventure on a trail.

MORNING – (Breakfast) The Hotels, Motels and Bed & Breakfasts will provide for you. But if you are seeking a local coffee shop you have to try Brewed Awakenings, Dragonfly Coffee. They all offer great coffee, chai, and tea options, as well as fresh baked items, yogurt, cereal, and breakfast sandwich options. VIEW DINING OPTIONS

AFTERNOON – Now again, you pick how much activity you are looking to do while on vacation in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area, but here are some adventure opportunities: Paddle the Mississippi by renting and launching right from Paddle Hoppers or taking a guided paddle on the Mississippi River from the Forest History Center. (Lunch) Whether you are looking for a quick bite or a sit down spot with a view, here are some options to consider: Spartan Deli in Central Square Mall offers healthy and quick options to go, Pickled Loon Saloon offers an amazing view of the Pokegama Lake harbor. VIEW OUTDOOR RECREATION IDEAS

EVENING – (Activity) To slow things down, try throwing a line in an area lake or the Mississippi River. The Grand Rapids Library loans fishing rods, reels and tackle for you to try your chance at catching a fish on the Mississippi River pier located behind the Grand Rapids Library or if you have your own fishing equipment, there are over 1,000 area lakes to catch fish. Places like Thousand Grand Lakes Sporting Goods or L&M Fleet Supply for bait and fishing tips, techniques and get the latest on what’s biting. READ THE WEEKLY FISHING REPORT (Dinner) Tonight we encourage you to head out to try one of the craft breweries – Klockow and Rapids Brewing or winery – Smoke on the Water or Unwined Up North. All of these locations are family friendly and outside you can bring your dog too.

Day 3:

MORNING – On Day 3, we hope that you got an amazing nights sleep, and if you didn’t, maybe a nap on a hammock or lounge chair by the pool, lake or river is in order. By Day 3, you have probably gotten a grasp on places to eat & drink, options offered at your short-term lodging option, so, we will just include the link to find places to grab breakfast here VIEW DINING OPTIONS (Activity) Sometimes by Day 3 (weather dependent) you are looking for more of a slower paced activity option, and maybe sometimes you are wanting more of an adventure. Taking a hike in the 1M+ publicly accessible forest acres around the Grand Rapids, MN area (being out in nature has proven to help lower stress and allow people to regain perspective on what is important to them) Here are some of our hiking spots (based on intensity level) Simpson Creek Trail in the Chippewa National Forest (light-moderate) is a 13-mile trail which is fairly flat and even ground that wraps around the Cut Foot Sioux area where eagles and other birds of prey, ducks and geese often are found. Legion Trail (light to moderate) (while we know that this link takes you to a mountain bike group version of the trail – that’s OK, there is a single track trail for biking and a mowed wide path for hiking) right in the city limits of Grand Rapids next to the Reif Center is a wonderful 7-mile trail that wraps around Hale Lake. There is a map kiosk that you can take a picture on your phone to take as you hike. Suomi Hills Trail that is located on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway (moderate to advanced) this trail contains more hills, and is a 19-mile loop. VIEW OUTDOOR RECREATION IDEAS

AFTERNOON – Depending on the amount of exercise that you got while hiking will depend on how hungry you are, and if you are preferring a sit down place to eat near your hike. Here are some options to consider: Gosh Dam Place on the Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway near Simpson Creek Trail, Timberwolf on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway by the Suomi Trail, or Cedar Creek Tavern that is north of Legion Trail in Grand Rapids VIEW DINING OPTIONS We all know that we do not allow ourselves enough time to untap, unwind, and relax, so here is your opportunity. Take time on your Labor Day Vacation in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area to just simply be in nature. Sit in a chair by water to reflect on the beautiful sights and sounds around you. Practice mindful breathing to slow your heart rate and allow yourself to be in the time and place of nature. Sometimes slow activity like wading the in the lake, pool or river, or slow paddling a stand up paddle board or kayak across the water has a similar impact on your mind and body to slow down and enjoy being in nature.

EVENING – (Dinner) While you know after viewing the DINING OPTIONS and on Day 3 of your vacation up north in the Grand Rapids, MN area there are many places to eat, but maybe you are looking for cultural cuisine or upscale dining options. Here are a few for you to consider: Fuji Japanese Restaurant, El Porto Mexican Restaurant, or The Pines Restaurant downtown Grand Rapids. (Activity) Here is your opportunity to take advantage of the later sunset and take a stroll from your lodging property to enjoy the greater Grand Rapids, Minnesota area that is surrounded by nature. Whether you are staying in downtown Grand Rapids, on a lake, or in the woods, the views are amazing this time of year.

Finish Your Planning and BOOK LODGING

So, we hope you enjoy our Summer’s Last Hurrah Labor Day Vacation Ideas blog and itinerary sample. Now you can finish your planning and BOOK LODGING now! Also take a look at LAST MINUTE LODGING OPTIONS to see if there is a discount or deal that you can take advantage of. DOWNLOAD GRAND RAPIDS VISITOR GUIDE for more information.

Top 10 Fall Things To Do | Visit Grand Rapids

Why You Should Getaway to Grand Rapids, MN This fall

Here are the top10 fall things to do in Grand Rapids, MN that will inspire you to book a getaway. When the kids go back to school and the temperatures cool off, the stunning fall colors are just one of the reasons that Grand Rapids, Minnesota has become a premiere up north getaway in the fall. From a wide variety of cozy lodging, beautiful fall colors, fall festivals, an abundance of outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing, live music and entertainment, beautiful art, historic sites and attractions, apple orchards and a pumpkin patch, and fun places to eat & drink.

Cozy Lodging

Grand Rapids, MN area offers a wide variety of cozy lodging with beautiful views. You will find in town Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts, and AirBnB’s. These lodging options are located in town and close to the places to shop, area trails, breweries and restaurants. Then there are the Resorts and Vacation Rental Properties that are located outside of the city center, located on area lakes and offer lodge rooms to full cabins. Being a little bit more remote at these locations allow you to untap and reconnect with nature. Wither the wide variety of lodging types in Grand Rapids, MN there is one for everyone.

Fall Leaves Color Tour

Discover the best fall colors by taking one or all the four Fall Colors Drive Tour during the fall. This will give you the best options to experience the fall colors in the Grand Rapids, MN area. In addition to the four fall color tours on the map: Avenue of Pines Tour (86 miles), Hundred Lakes Tour (89 miles), Off the Beaten Path (127 miles), Southern Ramble (108 miles); there are also three designated Scenic Byways: Edge of the Wilderness, Avenue of the Pines and the Great River Road.

The Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway which is a 47 mile scenic drive from Grand Rapids to Effie, Minnesota. Along this scenic route you will discover mixed hardwood and pine forests, hundreds of crystal clear lakes,14 historic sites, outdoor recreational trails, and many places to eat, drink & shop. Then the Great River Road comes into Grand Rapids from the west out of the Chippewa National Forest from Cohasset and then onto Hwy 2 and Hwy 169 intersection, and then east out the River Road to Jacobson, Palisade and then south to Aitkin.

These sections of the mighty Mississippi River is the Crossings to the Scenic. And then the Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway is the scenic byway that runs 46 miles from Deer River to Northome, Minnesota. The most famous parts of the byway are the 200+ year old pine trees that tower along the byway over several sections of the byway. There is also sections of mixed hardwood and pine forests that are located in the Chippewa National Forest. Along this route you will find many places to eat & drink, ATV, biking and hiking, and horseback riding trails, and access to Lake Winnibigoshish. Lake Winnie is know for great fall fishing for crappies, walleyes and perch. Tour

Fall Festivals & Events

It is Minnesota tradition in the fall to gather together to celebrate harvest festivals, outdoor music festivals, Oktoberfests and more. In the Grand Rapids, MN area, there is the Bovey Farmers Day, Grand Rapids Riverfest, Bargains are Great on Hwy 38, Reif Center Outdoor Concert Series and indoor theater performances, Klocktoberfest, Oktoberfest at Rapids Brewing, and more. The weather is cooler in the fall which makes it the perfect time of year to have fun at these festivals and events.

Outdoor Recreation

With over 1M publicly accessible forest acres surrounding the Grand Rapids, MN area is the perfect place to enjoy whatever kind of outdoor recreation you like to enjoy. Over 2,000 miles of trails and over 1,100 area lakes, many rivers, and a lot of reclaimed mining areas to enjoy whatever outdoor recreation you enjoy, or would like to try. You can get outdoors into Minnesota’s nature here in the Grand Rapids, MN area.

There is over 300 miles of ATV Trails that go through the UPM Blandin Forest Land, in the Chippewa National Forest, and on Itasca Public and Private Land. There are thousands of trails for hiking including in the Chippewa National Forest; famous trails include the Lost Forty, Joyce Estates, Suomi Hills, Simpson Creek, just to name a few. Then there are hundreds of bicycling trails on both paved and dirt roads and sidewalks, including the Mesabi Trail which is the longest paved bicycle trail in Minnesota that runs all the way to Ely, Minnesota. There is over 30 miles of mountain bike trails at the Tioga Recreation Area which is a multi-level trail plus a skills course. Tioga is a part of a 4-regional mountain bike trail collaborative called Ride The Range where you can ride over 100 miles of mountain bike trails all within an hour and a half of one another. Then there are over 20 miles of horse trails in the Chippewa National Forest Cut Foot Sioux Camp.

Fall Fishing & Hunting

Come to Grand Rapids, Minnesota to discover premiere fall hunting and fishing. Surrounding Grand Rapids is over 1M of publicly accessible forest acres, and over 1,100 area lakes that provide premiere fall hunting and fishing opportunities. Below are highlighted sections that provide additional information resources about Fall Fishing and Hunting in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area.

Fall walleye fishing is a tradition of the fall and it can be some of the best opportunities of the season to catch numbers and a trophy. The cooler water drives walleyes to feeding more often and shallower. Baitfish are also feeding on plankton and they are schooled up in masses. In additional to walleye, fall is a great time of year to fish for bass, crappies, perch and trout, just to name a few.

Live Music and Entertainment

Grand Rapids, MN might be a small town, but it boasts lots of charm and a lot of live music, entertainment and nightlife. From live theater, concerts, comedy and family performances at The Reif Center to live music at the craft breweries and area restaurants and bars. In addition many businesses host events like canvas and paint, second Saturday Family Create classes, and area attractions hosting special programming like Be A Lumberjack Day. The Itasca Area Events Calendar is always full of things to do for singles, couples and families.

Beautiful Art

Downtown Grand Rapids is a wonderful place to shop in boutique style shops, eat & drink at craft breweries, bars and restaurants, and enjoy beautiful public art and historic sites. Visit Grand Rapids, MacRostie, Reif Center, and the Grand Rapids Arts came together to create a ArcGIS story map that is a self-guided Grand Rapids Art and Historic Sites tour that is a wonderful way to get outside to enjoy a fall day, and check out the Mississippi River.

Historic Sites & Attractions

In addition to the downtown historic sites there are additional area historic attractions you will want to check out like the Forest History Center, the Judy Garland and Children’s Discover Museum, and the Itasca County Historical Museum and Escape Room.

These historic sites are fun for adults and kids alike. All of these attractions also host special programming and events like Be A Lumberjack Day, VIP Stolen Ruby Red Slipper Tour, and seasonal Escape Room themes.

Apple Orchards and a Pumpkin Patch

In Grand Rapids there are two apple orchards and a pumpkin patch to enjoy the fall harvest. Both adults and kids alike will enjoy the pumpkin patch, tractor drawn hay rides, hay mound, and a corn stalk maze. Rasmussun’s Cowhorn Crossing Farm opens once the pumpkins start turning orange, and the guards and squash are ready to pick. They offer group rates, and are open extra days and hours over MEA weekend.

In addition to the local Farmer’s Markets that are open through the October time of year; there is also two apple orchards where you can pick apples or purchase pre-picked apples. Lavalier’s Orchard and Farm offers strawberries in mid-July, apples at the end of the summer and early September, and pumpkins, guords, squash and brussels sprouts in the fall. Timbersweet Orchard & Maple Syrup has blueberries in August, apples in September and maple syrup in late winter/early spring. Both locations are family friendly.

Fun Places to Eat & Drink

Going out to eat at new places and trying new beverages is a large part of going on vacation. In Grand Rapids, there are a wide variety of places to eat & drink, and several new places. From craft breweries to fine dining, and ethnic restaurants, fast-food, and the place that the locals like to go. There is more places to eat & drink than people think, when they think of small towns like Grand Rapids. At Visit Grand Rapids we are fond of the locally owned establishments that are family friendly and specialize in made from scratch and work with local farmers to purchase meat, vegetables, eggs, and more to create local and fresh food. These owners live, work and raise their families here; they play here too.

Now that you have had a chance to read Visit Grand Rapids Top 10 Fall Things To Do, we bet you want to learn more about the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area and BOOK your Fall Getaway. Check out our Fall Page that will help you plan your trip, book your trip, check out fall itineraries for inspiration, and get outdoors to relax, reconnect with loved ones, and recharge your soul in Minnesota’s nature. Welcome to Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

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The park has 10+ miles of easy/moderate hiking trails. The best trail for visitors to hike is Chase Point Trail. It is known for the stunning views of Coon and Sandwick Lake. As you hike along look for bald eagles, loons, jays, woodpeckers, and a variety of songbirds.

Legion Trail

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Finish Your Planning and BOOK LODGING

Why You Should Getaway to Grand Rapids, MN This fall

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Fall Leaves Color Tour

Fall Festivals & Events

Outdoor Recreation

Fall Fishing & Hunting

Live Music and Entertainment

Beautiful Art

Historic Sites & Attractions

Apple Orchards and a Pumpkin Patch

Fun Places to Eat & Drink

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