Fourth of July celebrations in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area are long standing traditions where these small towns come together to celebrate our nations freedom, but more importantly come together as a community to celebrate. If you have never experience a small town fourth of July celebration, here is your opportunity. These are open to the public events where volunteers and the Cities help to coordinate family friendly activities and events where many are FREE. There will be lots of food, beverages, vendors, kids activities and games, parades, live music, fireworks and more! Check out the 2025 Grand Rapids, MN Area Fourth of July Celebrations below.
It is a long standing tradition that there are fireworks over Pokegama Lake on or around the 4th of July. Originally the fireworks were set off from Nesbitt Island (one of the large islands located in front of the Pokegama Golf Course). But now the fireworks are set off from the Pokegama Golf Course and shot over Pokegama Lake to the south sky.
The City of Grand Rapids, City of Cohasset, Harris Township, and Greater Pokegama Lake Association contribute to the cost of the annual fireworks.
Celebrate the 121st Annual 4th of July Festivities in Hill City, Minnesota! Come together with the community for a weekend packed with entertainment, activities, and patriotic fun. These events are family friendly, and many of them are FREE and open to the public.
There will be food trucks, craft vendors, live music and other performances, kids games, adult contests, a parade, fireworks, and lots of fun! The small town of Hill City, Minnesota throws a terrific fourth of July celebration. Make this Independence Day unforgettable in Hill City, Minnesota.
The City of Nashwauk works with local volunteers to coordinate the annual 4th of July celebrations that include: car show, live music, food trucks, craft vendors, kids games, Lego car building, pin-up pageant, tractor pull, 5k run, K-9 unit demonstration, flag raising, kids races, bean bag tournament, parade and fireworks. Come experience a small town fourth of July celebration that is open to the public, and family friendly.
The City of Keewatin and many volunteers help to coordinate their annual fourth of July festivities. Each year volunteers coordinate 1-2 days worth of events that are all family friendly and open to the public. The 2025 Fourth of July events include: food trucks, vendor booths, parade, Shriners motorcycles, a medallion hunt, a magic show, kids games, bean bag tournament, axe throwing, and fireworks. Most events are FREE!
Consider Grand Rapids, MN for Your Next Girlfriend Getaway
A Wide Variety of Lodging
Grand Rapids is a perfect up north destination for a girlfriend getaway primarily because it is a small rural charming community that offers amenities of a much larger community. That goes for the wide variety of places to stay. Because Grand Rapids is a ‘going to the lake’ vacation destination, there is a wide variety of lodging from in town Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, Motels, and Air BnB’s. Staying in town gives you the opportunity to be close to shops, salons and spas, and places to eat and drink. The in town Hotels and Motels offer amenities like onsite bars, restaurants, a hot tub, a pool, and continental breakfast. Bed and Breakfasts provide charming places to stay with hosts that live on site; where you get a home cooked breakfast, and inside secrets like where to eat, where to shop, and behind the scenes not to miss attractions.
And then there are resorts and vacation rental properties that are located on area lakes. These properties have lodge rooms, cabins, and condos and villas. Many of the available cabins, condos and villas offer kitchens, and places to gather together; both indoors and outdoors. And let’s be honest, the main reason girls get together is to gather together. These types of lodging opportunities give you multiple bedrooms for sleeping. Most resorts and vacation rentals in the Grand Rapids area have updated properties that have full kitchens with dishwashers, wifi, streaming TV opportunities,, and many other . Many of these properties are located on the lake or have lake views. You can also select from a variety of Grand Rapids Hotels/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 & Breakfast or Air B&B’s downtown which are also close to town to trails, shops, area lakes and places to eat & drink.
At our local Spa Service Providers in town. True North Salon is located within Historic Central School Marketplace in the center of downtown. They offer facials, manicures and pedicures, hair services (cuts, blowouts, styling, etc), and make-up services. They are an exclusive Aveda salon. Salon Brad which offers full-service hair and waxing services. Center Spa MN offers laser hair reduction & skin resurfacing, dermablading, Botox, fillers, chemical peels, micropen, massage, body scrubs, manis, pedis, facials and skincare. Muah Salon and Spa is a boutique beauty salon & spa specialized in eyelash services, color trends, hair extensions, teeth whiting and more. Elements Salon and Spa offers salon services like hair extensions, blow outs, and spa services like facials, massage, and lash extensions. The newest spa in Grand Rapids is Solace Spa which is a full-service day spa offering a range of services including advanced skincare, waxing, signature massages and float therapy.
Boutique Shops, Vintage Finds & Art Galleries
There are several fun places to shop in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. Downtown Grand Rapids offers locally owned and operated boutique style shops that offer gift, home decor, jewelry, clothing, shoes, art, vintage, repurposed, and more. And then there are locally owned stores that offer unique and one of a kind shopping experiences that are located in Grand Rapids, Coleraine and Bovey. And then there are the big box stores that are located on the south end of town as well. Discover the wide variety of Places to Shop in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota Area.
Discover New Sips & Bites
While you are on a Spring Girlfriend Getaway in Grand Rapids, MN, you have to check out the locally owned craft breweries, winery, MN Wine Bar, and other locally owned bars and restaurants. From the craft breweries: Klockow Brewing Co and Rapids Brewing Co, to the winery: Smoke on the Water located in Coleraine, the MN Wine Bar, Unwined Up North, and to the awesome places the locals go: Sammy’s Pizza, Forest Lake Restaurant, Timberlake Lodge Restaurant, Pickled Loon, and Florio’s. There are SO many places to eat & drink in the Grand Rapids, MN area! Check out all of the options: Places to Eat & Drink in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota Area.
Start planning your next Girlfriend Getaway now, and we hope that you consider coming together in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. This charming small town offers a wide variety of things to do, outdoor recreation, and live music and performances to entertain you and your girlfriends.
There are many frigid weather things to do in Grand Rapids Minnesota. When the weather outside is frightful, people head to indoor things to do. Here is our Top 10 Frigid Weather Things To Do in Grand Rapids Minnesota:
Get Warm inside
In Grand Rapids there are SO many indoor places where you can come in from the COLD winter and warm up, relax, enjoy live music, let the kids play and interact, be entertained, participate in an interactive exhibit or program, view beautiful art, be a part of a cultural experience, and support local businesses.
Here are some warm indoors things to do in frigid weather in Grand Rapids Minnesota:
The Judy Garland Museum and the Children’s Discovery Museum are under one roof and with one admission you can view two museums full of exhibitions that are fun for the entire family. From the largest collection of Judy Garland memorabilia, tour Judy’s childhood home, and let the kids play and interact with the children’s exhibits.
The Itasca County Historical Society has many different exhibits to enjoy and discover the history of the Grand Rapids and Itasca County area. Visit the River Room to discover about the Mighty Mississippi that flows right through downtown Grand Rapids. Schedule an appointment for the Escape Room. Every season they change the Escape Room theme, so if you have been there before, try it again.
MacRostie Art Center is located downtown across from Old Central School. MacRostie has a wide variety of youth and adult classes that they offer in their art room. Check out their art exhibitions in their three galleries: Minnesota, MacRostie and Ginnawind. The Ginnawind Gallery was created as a creative space for native american art. MacRostie also has an art shop where you can purchase local and Minnesota made artwork.
Old Central School is a late 1800’s historic building that is located in the center of downtown Grand Rapids. This building once served as the main schoolhouse for ages K-12. Now this building is home to shops, businesses and artists (on the 3rd floor). Take a self-guided tour of the building. The building is handicap friendly with an elevator located on the ground floor from the north parking lot entrance. View and read the exhibits about the schools history located on the second floor.
Reif Center is a great place to be entertained and also view beautiful art. This performing arts center has two theaters where people can purchase tickets to concerts, plays, comedy acts, and more. The Reif Center brings Broadway style performances to northern Minnesota in a state of the art theater experience. They offer several performances a month, and several family friendly performances throughout the year. MacRostie and the Reif work together to create regular aryt exhibits in the lobby of The Reif Center. You can view the art exhibit schedule at MacRostie’s website.
ThunderAlley Bowling & Arcade is another warm place indoors during frigid weather where you can have fun with the entire family. For younger children they have bumpers and special bowling balls available upon request to assist them so they can bowl along with the adults. The arcade space has brought back the old pac man and wack a mole style games. You purchase tickets to play and them win tickets that you can trade in for prizes. They offer bar style pizzas, snacks and beverages to enjoy while you play.
Mann’s Cinnema 8 offers another great place to come inside and warm up. Enjoy the latest big screen movies in reclining comfort. Mann’s offers theater seating so all seats are great! The concessions offers a wide variety of snacks and beverages to enjoy while you watch the movie. With 8 theaters there is always a wide selection to choose from so that there is something for all ages.
Ravenstone Abbey is located in Coleraine that is a repurposed historic church that has been recreated into a axe throwing, pub style environment bar/restaurant and place for the community to gather. A great opportunity to try axe throwing in a dungeon atmosphere. You don’t need to be a professional to try this, and fun for all ages!
Blueberry Bowl is a three lane bowling ally and arcade event space that some people would say offers the best pizza homestyle pizza. Blueberry Bowl is a locally owned bowling ally that provides a fun place for families to come inside in the frigid weather that is reasonably priced.
Fun Places to Eat & Drink
Come inside to warm up inside at locally owned restaurants, craft breweries and other establishments that serve beverage and food. For a small town Grand Rapids has a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. There is the places where you can get the best bar burgers, and then there is the place to get the best pizza in Minnesota. Or there are two locally owned craft breweries, and a winery located in Coleraine (the next town down the road – 10 minutes away). Then you will find locally owned restaurants that offer a variety of ethnic food menu’s. There is fast to go food, sit down, and a craft brewery that allow you to order in from the local restaurants. View the Grand Rapids, MN Restaurant List for more information.
Shopping
Shopping is always a great frigid weather thing to do in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Shopping in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area is a mix of locally owned boutique style shops to big box type of franchises. The locally owned boutique style shops offer a wide variety of one of a kind items from art, clothing, home decor, jewelry and so much more. These boutiques are typically located in repurposed historic buildings that have been repurposed into shopping spaces that offer locally created items.
Book An Overnight
When the weather outside is frightful, booking an overnight at a Grand Rapids, Minnesota area Hote/Motel, Resort Cabin, Vacation Rental, or Bed and Breakfast. Maybe a romantic getaway for two or a family-friendly lodging property that offers space for everyone to spread out or come together to make a meal together, play old fashion board games, or cuddling by a fireplace. Maybe a place with a pool, hot tub or sauna is what you seek. Maybe a lake place that offers lake access for ice fishing or access to the winter trails. Let’s be honest, a change on environment can change the winter cabin fever perspective. View the Grand Rapids, MN Lodging Properties and book an overnight today.
Summer isn’t over yet; it’s only the third week of August. There is still time to take a last minute summer road trip with loved one’s. Grand Rapids is an northern Minnesota destination that is perfect for a summer road trip. There are some last minute openings still available at Grand Rapids area resorts, vacation rentals, hotels and motels. Check out the Grand Rapids Last Minute Openings and get your overnight lodging booked. Grand Rapids is an outdoor recreation mecca of the north with over 2,000 miles of trails and over 1,400 lakes in the area. Grand Rapids also offers a historic downtown with boutique style shops, craft brewery, a wine bar and charming coffee shops. You will also find an abundance of public art, art and historic attractions, and live theater performances and live music. Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the perfect place for an end of summer road trip to reconnect with loved ones, recharge and relax in Minnesota’s nature.
Outdoor Recreation Mecca of the North
Grand Rapids, Minnesota is surrounded by public forest land; over 1 million acres to be exact. The Chippewa National Forest, UPM Blandin Forest, Rajala Forest Land, and George Washington State Forest make up these public acres. Whatever type of outdoor recreation you enjoy, you will be able to do it here. There are biking, hiking, hunting, ATV, snowmobile and cross country ski trails. Here are a couple of trails we recommend:
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Tioga Recreation Area for mountain biking. Enjoy 25 miles of single track trails that are beginner to double black diamond level. Trails for the entire family. Two lakes surround the trails: Tioga & Pokegama that are great for swimming, fishing, paddling and boating.
HIKING
Suomi Trail located 18 miles north of Grand Rapids is a wonderful 20+ mile trail that has hills and curves that wrap around several small lakes. The Legion Trail offers great hiking and single track mountain bike trails that is located in the city limits of Grand Rapids. It is a 7 mile loop that has a couple of overlooks to Hale Lake. A good place to access is at the Reif Center.
ATV/OHV/OHM
UPM Blandin ATV Trail is located 9 miles south of Grand Rapids on Hwy 169. It connects with the Rabey Line ATV Trail that takes riders into Hill City, Minnesota where riders will find restaurants, gas stations, a grocery store, and places to overnight lodge. This trail goes through mixed hardwood and pine forests, over tamarack bog boardwalks, and several picnic areas to pull over for a shelter break.
BICYCLING
Then the Mesabi Trail is a 100+ mile paved bicycle trail that is perfect for the entire family. A great place for EV bicycles. The Grand Rapids to Keewatin, Minnesota section is full of hills and curves that go through old mine areas, over a swinging bog bridge, and through mixed hardwoods and pine forests.
Minnesota Art & History
MINNESOTA ART & CULTURE
Grand Rapids, Minnesota has become a regional hub for art & culture. The public art that is located throughout the downtown has been provided by the Grand Rapids Arts and Culture Commission and the Grand Rapids Arts. MacRostie Art Center is a place where you can view and purchase local and Minnesota art. They are located downtown across from the historic and open to the public Old Central School. The Reif Performance Center offers over 50 performances each season in their two theaters that seat a total of 900 people. The Reif Center brings Broadway style theater to Grand Rapids. All seats are perfect to get an up close and personal live theater experience.
MINNESOTA HISTORIC SITES
The Old Central School is a Romesque Style architecture building that was built in 1894. The school is now a commerce site for business and art suites for several artists. You can take a self guided tour of Downtown Public Art and Historic Sites HERE. This interactive map will guide you to and from each site. At the bottom of each art and historic site, you will click navigate here which will bring up a Google Map directions that you can get from your mobile device. There are historic area attractions that you can purchase admission to tour the Judy Garland Museum and Children’s Discovery Center which share a building that has children’s interactive exhibits, and the largest exhibit of Judy Garland memorabilia displays. Judy Garland was born in Grand Rapids. The Forest History Center is another great historic site that includes a 1900’s reinacted logging camp where interpreters in period costumes lead visitors in the logging camp retelling the story of what life would have been like in the early 1900’s winter. There are over 200 acres in the Forest History Center with trails that lead to the Mississippi River.
For an end of the summer road trip, you will find lots of cozy places to stay. From in town and conveniently located to shops, breweries and trails you will find Hotels, Motels, a Bed and Breakfast, and Vacation Rentals. You will also find Minnesota Lake Resorts, Vacation Lake Rentals, and campgrounds. We suggest by starting with Last Minute Openings and then check out our STAY page that has our full listings of short-term overnight lodging establishments. There is such a wide variety that we are sure there is an overnight lodging property to meet everyone’s needs.
This Labor Day Vacation in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Head north for the perfect road trip destination to celebrate the end of the summer. Grand Rapids, Minnesota is a small and charming town that offers amenities of a much larger community. Enjoy an abundance of outdoor recreation, cozy lodging options with a view, beautiful art, and interesting historic sites, scenic byways, boutique style shops, and fun places to eat & drink. Find rest and relaxation at the lake, seek adventure on our trails, and reconnect in Minnesota’s nature.
Cozy Lodging Options with a View
Come experience “Grand” hospitality in Minnesota’s nature. There are many lodging choices to choose from. Whether you are looking for a clean and economical motel or you would like a property that has full amenities we have you covered. You will find Hotels, Motels, Resorts, a Bed & Breakfast, Vacation Rentals, Lake Rentals, and Camping. Find Grand Rapids Lodging HERE.
Fun Places To Eat & Drink
Going out to eat is a big part of going on vacation. This small town offers a wide variety of places to enjoy a good bar burger, made from scratch wild rice soup, wood fire pizza, and grilled to perfection steaks. There are also craft breweries, a wine bar, and boat up restaurants that you can also drive to, giving you the opportunity to a unique experience of going out to dinner. All of our places to eat & drink are family friendly, here in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area we pride ourselves on being the up north destination for all members of the family. You will also find many places that allow you to bring your dog (as long as they reside in the dog friendly areas). Find all of the Grand Rapids Places To Eat & Drink.
Being up north for a Labor Day Vacation to Grand Rapids, MN you must do some type of outdoor recreation activities! There are over 1,400 area lakes, 2,000 miles of trails that are located in over 1 million publicly accessible forest acres within one hour of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. So, whatever type of outdoor recreation you are interested in, you will be able to enjoy it here. Mountain Bike at Legion Trail or at Tioga Recreation Area. Paddle on one of our 1,400 lakes and the Mississippi River that flows right through downtown Grand Rapids. Bike the Mesabi Trail which runs from the Mississippi River in Grand Rapids to the Boundary Waters in Ely. There are hundreds of acres to Hike in the Chippewa National Forest. There are over 300 miles of ATV Trails in and around the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. And then the outdoor activity that people have been coming to the Grand Rapids, MN area for hundreds of years – Fishing. With over 1,400 lakes, you will find a lake to catch fish on. End of the summer is the perfect time to catch panfish, bass, walleyes, northern pike and trout. Learn more about the Grand Rapids Outdoor Recreation.
Spend Your Labor Day Vacation in Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Grand Rapids Minnesota is that place where you can all come together to un-plug and reconnect! Grand Rapids is conveniently located, but far enough away to create a true destination vacation. We welcome you to join us Up North in Grand Rapids, Minnesota this Labor Day. Start by finding your ideal Grand Rapids Lodging, and viewing additional fun ideas for things to do in the Grand Rapids, MN area through the interactive Grand Rapids Visitor Guide.
Not all days can be sunshine, so this blog article highlights things to do on a rainy day in Grand Rapids, MN. We bet there is way more things to do than you ever thought!
Itasca County Historical Society & Escape Room
The Itasca County Historical Society Museum is a great place to tour on a rainy day in downtown Grand Rapids, MN. The museum is FREE to tour; they do request a free will donation. Historic and educational exhibits that they feature right now is the River Room that highlights actifacts that have been found along the Mississippi River, Native American jingle dress display and cultural pieces on display, and a beautiful hand painted river mural that showcases life along the river. Additional exhibits that you can discover are: Itasca area Veterans, Itasca Train Club Trains Villages, Itasca County History panels, and a gift shop. Itasca County Historical Society and Escape Room
Judy Garland & Children's Discovery Museums
The Judy Garland Museum is an eclectic Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz collection. The Museum hosts thoughtfully curated exhibits and artifacts, including the original carriage featured in the Wizard of Oz (once owned by President Lincoln), a Dorothy Gale test dress from the Wizard of Oz, and many personal Judy Garland items collected over 40 years. The Children’s Discovery Museum is located in the same building and is a great place for children to run off some steam by interacting at the kid friendly exhibits. It is the only Children’s Museums located in a MN rural towns (fewer than 10,000 population). The Children’s Discovery Museum is perfect for children age 1-12 years of age. Highlight of some of the exhibits: river water table, dino play, Teresa the talking tree, Lake life, Rivertown, Tot Park, Wind tunnel, and much more. Judy Garland Museum and Children’s Discovery Museum
Forest History Center
A hidden gem of Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the Forest History Center. This is a perfect place to tour on a rainy day in Grand Rapids, MN. Tour the interactive forestry and science interpretive center, climb the fire tower, walk the river trails to the Mississippi, tour the wanagan, and step back in time to life in the early 1800’s at the logging camp. The Forest History Center is open Wednesday-Saturday middle of June through Labor Day. A new feature is the kayak tours of the Mississippi River. There is an additional charge for this tour, but it is a bucket list for sure! A perfect Grand Rapids area attraction to enjoy the environmental learning center where all ages can connect and discover Minnesota’s history together. Forest History Center
Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center
The Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center is a great place to tour on a rainy day. The Discovery Center is located in Marcell, MN; and is worth the 40 minute drive north from Grand Rapids. This environmental learning center offers over 20 native Minnesota wildlife mounts and exhibits that highlight native species that can be found in Minnesota’s nature. The Discovery Center is one of fourteen discovery sites along the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway that runs 47 miles from Grand Rapids to Effie, Minnesota. The Discovery Center also offers Naturalist Programs on several Saturdays in the summer. Their Facebook page highlights these program dates and subject themes. These are offered at no cost to everyone. For nicer days, you can rent a kayak or canoe to paddle at Lake Ranier (located right at the Discovery Center). You can also fish off of the floating pier. There are also walking trails that will take you around a portion of Lake Ranier. You can have a picnic lunch at one of the many picnic tables or under the covered pavilion that overlooks the lake. A wonderful place for all ages to learn about Minnesota’s wildlife and Edge of the Wilderness history.Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center Facebook Page
Bowling, Movies and Live Music
Additional indoor things to do on a rainy day in Grand Rapids, Minnesota are, bowling, go to a matinee, and enjoy live music. Thunder Alley XL offers bowling, an kid/adult arcade area, limited bar/grille, and an outdoor batting case and mini golf center. Mann’s Grand Rapids Cinema 8 offers eight small theater recliner style seating that features the latest big screen movies. And then there is live music at the craft breweries, wine bar and local bars in the area. Check out the the Grand Rapids, MN area Events Calendar for more details of who has nightly live music offerings.
Self-Guided Tours & Boutique Style Shops
Self Guided Historic Buildings & Public Art Tours
Between the rain drops, while you are already downtown, you should take a self-guided historic building and public art tour. Grand Rapids is a very historic community with many existing buildings, being built in the late 1800’s. You can take a self-guided Grand Rapids History and Public Art Tourwhere you can walk around downtown Grand Rapids and discover all of the historic buildings and public art that features Native American culture and heritage, the Mississippi River, the forestry and papermaking industries, and wildlife in Minnesota’s nature. Old Central Schoolis one of the historic buildings on the self-guided tour that was built in1895. The three story building is the tallest building in Grand Rapids. This Romanesque style architecture is prominent throughout the building. The center staircase has hosted many events like community gatherings, events and even a few weddings. Even if you visit on a rainy day, make sure that you step outside to view the yellow brick road and the beautiful flower beds the wrap along it. The other famous yellow brick road can be viewed at theJudy Garland Museum (located on Hwy 169 S in Grand Rapids).
Going out to eat is a wonderful part of being on vacation – not having to cook! On a rainy day there are great places to Eat & Drink. Grand Rapids, Minnesota is home to two craft breweries and one wine bar. Klockow Brewing Company was the first to open. They are a production brewery that distributes their craft beer throughout Minnesota liquor stores. They offer clean classics and complex experiments from the Northwoods of Minnesota! They also offer live music and events at the brewery. Each week they feature a variety of food trucks. You can bring food in or order food to be delivered to the brewery. They offer non-alcoholic beer and Northern Soda’s. Rapids Brewing Co. is located downtown in the historic Rialto Theater. They brew and sell only onsite. They specialize in locally sourced products for their beer and wood fired oven menu. They offer non-alcoholic options as well. You can enjoy live music and events every week. Then, Unwined Up North is a wine bar that features Minnesota craft beer (including Klockow Beer) and Minnesota wines. Their menu offers charcuterie boards, panini sandwiches, salads and other small plates. They offer live music and events each week as well. And then the newest wine and cider facility called Smoke on the Water that also has a wood fired kitchen and crafted bar. Take a short drive 15 minutes east of Grand Rapids to Trout Lake in downtown Coleraine. They are hosting summer outdoor music every week. Find more places to Eat & Drink at the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and the Deer River Chamber of Commerce.
Other Local Favorite Places To Eat & Drink
Restaurants on the Lake
Despite Grand Rapids being a small town, there are many fun places to eat & drink. Zorbaz on Pokegama Lake is one of them. A franchised restaurant specializes in pizza, spaghetti, tacos and burritos. The eclectic environment showcases going to the lake themes of boats, motors, water skis and more hanging from the walls and ceiling. Kids enjoy the free popcorn, kiddie cocktails and kiddie arcade area. Pickled Loon Saloon offers views of Pokegama Lake from their harbor location. Their large menu offers everything from italian nachos, burgers, nightly chef specials, and steak tips and shrimp. There is something special about boating to your restaurant. The Pokegama Grille is another great place to drive to or boat to restaurant in Grand Rapids. Pokegama Grill is located at the Pokegama Golf Course that offers a covered outdoor patio as well as indoor dining with stunning views of Pokegama Lake. Enjoy burger baskets, fresh handcrafted salads and more.
Places Where the Locals Eat & Drink
Every town has the favorite places where locals like to eat & drink. Boulder Tap House is one of those places. They offer over 20 different beers on tap, and are known for their burger, cheese curds and handmade ice cream shakes. If you are looking for local favorites then you will want to go to Forest Lake Restaurant and get a burger and a cup of their chicken wild rice soup. Timberlake Restaurant offers an endless fresh salad bar, soup, wings and breadstick lunch that is a fantastic deal. And they also offer chef inspired dinners like cedar plank salmon, Walleye Ala Ritz, and walleye cakes. And then there is the Italian favorite Sammy’s Pizza. They specialize in thin crust hand-tossed pizza’s where all of the ingredients are from fresh vegetables, meats and cheeses. Additional cultural experiences are: Fuji Japanese sushi and hibachi grill and El Potro authentic Mexican restaurant that are both great places to eat & drink.
Additional Places To Eat & Drink
There are places that are located just a little bit outside of downtown Grand Rapids that are all worth the drive. Heading to the east of Grand Rapids you will find several places to get a great bar burger like The Locker Room in downtown Coleraine, Wizards in downtown Nashwauk. Then there is authentic Mexican at Mucho Si in downtown Nashwauk. Florio’s Grill & Tavern is located in downtown Cohasset right on Hwy 2 that is known for their burger, shrimp and fish baskets and Saturday night prime rib. Then there is Cedar Creek Grille that offers American cuisine made from scratch recipes and hand-cut steaks. Blueberry Bowl is located north of Deer River where you can bowl and get awesome thin crust pizza made to order. Drive a little further north along the Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway and you will find the Gosh Dam Place that will cook your freshly caught fish and include made from scratch tartar sauce and sides to make a meal. Fish Tales, Leino’s Pub, and Hoot N Holler Bar are located in Squaw Lake and Alvwood area. These are great options if you are interested in driving up for a hike at the Lost Forty (definitely a bucket list item). All of these establishments offer signature drinks and menu items.
There was probably way more than you thought there was to do on a rainy day in the Grand Rapids, MN area, right?! If you are still looking for MORE, check out the Visit Grand Rapids website that showcases all things to do and see in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area within 50 miles! www.visitgrandrapids.com.
A Grand Rapids, MN Summer Vacation is one where you can reconnect with loved ones, recharge your batteries, and relax in Minnesota’s nature. Going on vacation with your loved one’s is about the deeper connections you make, the memories you make, and the stories that you will always share. This up north vacation destination is a small and charming northern Minnesota town that boasts amenities of a much large community. You will find a wide variety of short-term lodging options, boutique style shops, fun places to eat & drink, public art & historic sites, events and festivals, and a lot of outdoor recreation opportunities!
You can do as much or as little as you would like on a Grand Rapids , MN Summer Vacation. You will find a wide variety of places to stay in Grand Rapids. There are conveniently located in town Hotels and Motels that offer a variety of on-site amenities like a pool, restaurants, continental breakfast, walkable shops and restaurants, and in town trails. You will also find in town Air B&B’s that are located above downtown shops that have room to spread out, kitchens, dining areas and living room spaces to gather together. Then there are vacation rentals in town and on area lakes, and Minnesota family resorts on area lakes; located on a lake, offer full kitchens, living room areas, screened in porches, firepits, dock slips, and sometimes . The choice is yours.
Summer Vacations are best spent up north at the lake! In the greater Grand Rapids, MN area you will find over 1,400 lakes. These lakes range in size from less than a hundred acres to over 4,000 acres. On these lakes you can paddle, fish, swim, boat, ski, tube, and just float. “Going to the Lake” in the summer is the number one favorite summer vacation memory that kids share about their Grand Rapids, Minnesota vacation. “Fishing” is an activity that most resort guests say they enjoyed while on their Grand Rapids, MN Summer Vacation. From panfish to trophy fish like walleye, northern and musky; we have a lake to catch them on. All of our Minnesota Family Resorts offer boat rentals, but you can fish from the dock, shore or a fishing pier too. There is something special about watching a child catch their first fish. All you need is a fishing pole, a hook and some bait. The Grand Rapids Library lends out fishing poles and tackle where you can fish from their fishing pier on the Mississippi River. Fun for the entire family!
Grand Rapids, Minnesota is becoming to be known as the outdoor recreation mecca of the north. Whatever type of outdoor recreation that you enjoy, you will find a trail or lake to do it on. You will find over 2,000 miles of trails in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area. Many of these trails are in the Chippewa National Forest and George Washington State Forest. From ATVing, biking, hiking, mountain biking, paddling, fishing, and boating. Enjoy yourself in Minnesota’s nature. Take in the fresh air in our mixed forests of tall hardwood and pine trees, pristine clear lakes, or mighty Mississippi River. So many new outdoor recreation trails to make memories.
Grand Rapids is home to three championship level golf courses known as the Grand Lakes of Golf Courses; Sugarbrooke Golf Course, Pokegama Golf Course, Eagle Ridge Golf Course. Each course is beautifully manicured with different degrees of difficulty. All have cart rentals and restaurants on site. In addition to the three-championship courses, there is also several smaller 9-hole courses located in the greater Grand Rapids, Minnesota area.
The greater Grand Rapids, MN area offers a wide variety of public art and historic sites that are fun for all ages! This summer head north to Grand Rapids for an awesome Summer Vacation! In downtown Grand Rapids you can take a Self-guided Art and Historic Site Tour.
There are several places to view art in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area. MacRostie Art Center is located downtown Grand Rapids and offers three galleries to view monthly exhibits. The Reif Center offers their main season performances September-May in their theater, but during the summer they take the show on the road and lakes. Check out their Boat in Concerts and MN Discovery Center Ampitheater performances that are on the Events Calendar this summer.
There are several area attractions that showcase Minnesota history and historic places like the Itasca County Historical Society that offers a free will museum and an escape room that features bigfoot. The Judy Garland and Children’s Museum are under one roof that showcases both art, history, and an opportunity for kids to use their imaginations through the kid friendly exhibits. The Forest History Center is an environmental learning center located right in the city limits of Grand Rapids. The 1900’s logging camp and interpretive center is open Wednesday-Saturday and it is perfect for all ages. They even offer guided kayaking on the Mississippi River. there are many more fun area attractions and sites to discover in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area this summer.
Start Planning Your Summer Vacation To Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the perfect location for an up north Summer Vacation. There is an abundance of outdoor recreation, interesting area attractions for the entire family, boutique style shops, fun places to eat & drink, cozy lodging, and entertaining events. Start your planning now by downloading the official interactive Grand Rapids Visitor Guide. This guide will give you seasonal itinerary ideas, outdoor recreation trail information, fishing tips, fun places to eat & drink, and cozy lodging broken down by amenities.
This Summer come relax, reconnect and recharge in Minnesota’s nature!
This Northern town offers BIG charm through its welcoming shops, restaurants, unique attractions, public art, live music, and cozy lodging. Grand Rapids is a going to the lake community that is an outdoor recreation mecca of the north. Enjoy time on our lakes and trails and take in the fresh air of the Minnesota forests. The official Visitor Guide has lots of information to help you plan your Grand Rapids, MN Summer Vacation. Read articles that highlight outdoor recreation, public art, historic places, fun places to eat. Review the lodging options based on the amenities they offer. Learn more about downtown, living here, and other seasonal trip ideas and itineraries.
Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the perfect road trip destination for any season vacation where there is something for everyone in the family.
Snowshoeing in Grand Rapids, MN is a great way to explore the forest in northern Minnesota. Winter can be experienced in two ways, snuggled up indoors enjoying the warmth, or layering up and exploring Minnesota’s nature. One of the best ways to experience the outdoors in the winter is by snowshoeing. This is an activity that anyone can do! Below are the Top tips for snowshoeing for beginners. In addition, resources for rentals and guides.
Tips!
Layer up. Minnesota winter can be chilly especially if you’re snowshoeing near water. Wear snow pants, waterproof winter boots, a hat, gloves, and a warm winter coat. Make sure to check the weather before going out.
Bring a friend or go with a guide! If it is your first time going out snowshoeing, it is a great idea to have someone with you.
If you’re snowshoeing out at Tioga or anywhere where the trails have wooden bridges make sure not to use your poles to avoid them getting stuck in the bridge.
Check out trail info before hitting the trails.
Make sure your snowshoes and poles are adjusted properly.
Grand Rapids, MN offers a lot of overnight lodging options from in town Hotels, Motels, Air B&B and Bed and Breakfasts. You will also find MN Resorts cabins that are open year round, and lake vacation rentals. The decision on what type of lodging can be searched based on the amenities that you are looking for. In town lodging is close to in-town trails, shopping and dining. Cabins and vacation rentals are located on beautiful lakes and near trails systems. For snowshoeing you don’t need designated trails. Just make sure that if you are on a cross country ski trail or a mountain bike trail that you cross the trail at a 90 degree angle to not disrupt the grooming. Find Grand Rapids Lodging HERE.
Fun places to eat & drink
Snowshoeing can work up quite the appetite. Grand Rapids, MN might be a small town, but it boosts fun places to eat & drink. Whether you are looking for a quick bite on the run, or you are looking to sit down at the favorite place the locals go, you have options! There are two craft breweries and a MN wine bar in addition to some franchise properties and locally owned restaurants. Find fun places to Eat & Drink HERE.
Fall is our favorite time of the year to hike in Grand Rapid, Minnesota. The Grand Rapids forests have a high concentration of hardwood trees that show their brilliance color in the fall time of year. Below are highlights the Grand Rapids, MN area hiking options that are dog-friendly. Dogs are required to be on a leash while on the trails.
Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the perfect Fall Vacation Destination because of our communities position located in the middle of the Northwoods of Minnesota. We are surrounded by nature, and we LOVE it and think you will too. There are many places to hike in the fall around Grand Rapids. There are short distances that are a couple of minutes from downtown and places that are well worth the hour drive north where you can experience some of the most breathtaking views.
COLOR VARIATION: Yellow to Gold Colors TYPES OF TREES: Basswood, Birch, Oak,
COLOR VARIATION: Khaki Green to Yellow TYPES OF TREES: Balsam Poplar
COLOR VARIATION: Brown, Orange & Red TYPES OF TREES: Oaks, Maples
*Note: After mid-October, it is still a good time to hike in the forests, just be mindful that rifle season will start beginning of November 6, 2021. Be safety smart and wear bright orange when walking in the forests during these seasons.
WHERE TO HIKE
The Chippewa National Forest is one of the best places to hike, but there are other trails that we will highlight for you in this section. Depending on the difficulty level of the hike that you are looking for, we are ranking our Top 5 Places to Hike with dogs in the Grand Rapids, MN area:
1. Golden Anniversary State Forest – (LEVEL: EASY TO INTERMEDIATE) Located 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids on the Great River Road. This forest was established in 1961. 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. Trees that you will see in this forest: Aspen, maple, ash, oak, and balsam fir cover much of the forest. White, red, and jack pine grows on sandier soils. Other conifers include spruce, cedar, and tamarack. Wildlife that you can expect to see is white-tailed deer, black bear, ruffed grouse, woodcock, waterfowl, gray wolf, bobcat, beaver, fisher, pine marten, snowshoe hare, otter, mink, muskrat, trumpeter swan, and eagle. *Note: the signs that state no dogs is for the cross country skiing season.
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. The trees along this trail are very old and tall pine trees that This trail is a great place to view birds like bald eagles, osprey, and loons. Enjoy rolling topography through pines and along glacial eskers, with overlooks onto Cut Foot Sioux Lake and journeys into the cedar swamp. This is also a great trail to snowshoe in the winter because it is not groomed for cross country skiing. *Note: the signs that state no dogs is for the cross country skiing season.
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. This is the trail is well known for cross country skiing, but this is a fabulous place to hike. Suomi is located on the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway, which is the oldest scenic byway in the state of Minnesota. *Note: the signs that state no dogs is for the cross country skiing season.
4. Lost Forty – (LEVEL: EASY) Located one hour twenty minutes northwest of Grand Rapids. Lost 40 Scientific Nature Area (SNA) owes its old-growth pine forest to a surveying error that occurred during the Public Land Survey in 1882. In this forest, you will find over 200-year-old pine trees that take three people to connect their hands together to wrap around. The easy-to-hike trails are perfect for a 1/2 day trip up north with the family. There are public restrooms and picnic tables at this location, so pack a lunch to enjoy before or after your hike.
5. Joyce Estates – (LEVEL: EASY) Located 32 minutes north of Grand Rapids. The trails to the Joyce Estates are kept mowed by the Chippewa National Forest, so it is a great place for hiking, mountain biking, and snowshoeing. The Joyce family created a beautiful private resort area that at one time had 40 building sites and covered over 4,000 acres. Today there are only a couple of buildings that remain standing. This hike is approximately 4 miles in front of the entrance kiosk. The Joyce Estates is located on Trout Lake. It is a beautiful area that has a lot of history.
Click HERE for more information about hiking in the Grand Rapids, MN area.
Click HERE for additional hiking trails located within Itasca County.
Pet-Friendly Lodging – Grand Rapids, Minnesota is dog friendly. Grand Rapids is a perfect place to get away in the fall and find dog-friendly lodging. You can search Pets Allowed in the amenities search tab located on the left side of our STAY page. You will find a wide variety of lodging properties that are pet friendly, from conveniently located in town Hotels & Motels, Minnesota Resorts that are located on beautiful lakes, and Vacation Rentals that allow you flexibility.
Please Share Your Images: Visit Grand Rapids would love to see images of you, your family, and your dog on hiking trails while in the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. Please feel free to email images to: info@visitgrandrapids.com, and we will share them on our social media pages and tag you. Also, use the following hashtags when you share your images on your social media pages: #GrandRapidsMN. Thank you!
Making summer memories on vacation is all about reconnecting with loved ones, recharging your batteries, and relaxing in Minnesota’s nature. A summer vacation up north with your loved one’s is about the deeper connections you make and the stories that you will always share. Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the perfect up north summer vacation destination. You will find a wide variety of short-term lodging options to gather together in, charming boutique style shops, fun places to eat & drink, beautiful public art & historic sites, summer events and festivals, and a lot of outdoor recreation opportunities! This summer make memories in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
A summer vacation in Grand Rapids allows you to do as little or as much as you want. In Grand Rapids, Minnesota, there is a wide variety of places to stay in Grand Rapids. There are conveniently located in town Hotels and Motels that offer a variety of on-site amenities like a pool, restaurants, continental breakfast, walkable shops and restaurants, and in town trails. There are two charming Bed and Breakfasts where the host provides a clean and comfortable bedroom, access to the home gathering spaces, and breakfast each morning. You will also find in town Air B&B’s that are located above downtown shops that have room to spread out, kitchens, and separate bedrooms. The Vacation Rentals are in town and on area lakes that offer you kitchens, living rooms, separate bedrooms. Minnesota Family Resorts are located on one of of 1,400 pristine lakes, offer full kitchens, living room areas, screened in porches, firepits, dock slips, and water toys. The choice is yours.
Minnesota Summer vacations are best spent up north at the lake! In the greater Grand Rapids, MN area you will find over 1,400 lakes. These lakes range in size from less than a hundred acres to over 4,000 acres. On thousand grand lakes you can paddle, fish, swim, boat, ski, tube, and just float. “Going to the Lake” in the number one summer vacation memory. “Fishing” is a main activity that most resort guests say they enjoyed while on their Grand Rapids, MN Summer Vacation. From panfish to trophy fish like walleye, northern and musky; we have a lake to catch them on. All of our Minnesota Family Resorts offer boat rentals, but you can fish from the dock, shore or a fishing pier too. There is something special about watching a child catch their first fish. All you need is a fishing pole, a hook and some bait. The Grand Rapids Library lends out fishing poles and tackle where you can fish from their fishing pier on the Mississippi River. Fun for the entire family! Learn more about Lakes and Fishing in the Grand Rapids area.
Grand Rapids, Minnesota is known as the outdoor recreation mecca of the north. Whatever type of outdoor recreation that you enjoy, you will find a trail or lake to do it on. You will find over 2,000 miles of trails in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area. Many of these trails are in the Chippewa National Forest and George Washington State Forest. From ATVing, biking, hiking, mountain biking, paddling, fishing, and boating. Enjoy yourself in Minnesota’s nature. Take in the fresh air in our mixed forests of tall hardwood and pine trees, pristine clear lakes, or mighty Mississippi River. So many new outdoor recreation trails to make memories.
Grand Rapids is home to three championship level golf courses known as the Grand Lakes of Golf Courses; Sugarbrooke Golf Course,Pokegama Golf Course,Eagle Ridge Golf Course. Each course is beautifully manicured with different degrees of difficulty. All have cart rentals and restaurants on site. In addition to the three-championship courses, there is also several smaller 9-hole courses located in the greater Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
Around the Grand Rapids, MN area there are several places to enjoy beautiful public art and historic sites. Tour a historic museum, 1900’s logging camp, Children’s Museum, or an art gallery. Take a self-guided public art tour in downtown Grand Rapids, walk across the Mississippi, or take in a live performance or concert at The Reif Center. There is probably way more to do than you would think in a small northern town. Grand Rapids boosts historic and art attractions that draw people from across the country.
Going out to eat while on vacation is a must. In Grand Rapids you will find a large selection of fun places to eat & drink from craft breweries, boat in options, a Minnesota wine bar, locally owned restaurants, places to get juicy bar burgers, fine dining, Mexican, Sushi, and more! This small town has locally owned restaurants that offer made from scratch and restaurants that work with local farmers for fresh and seasonal menu items. So, when you work up an appetite on the lakes and trails, sit down for a homemade meal from the places the locals like to eat and drink at.
This Northern Minnesota town offers BIG charm which is a perfect place to make vacation memories this summer. Grand Rapids is a going to the lake community that is an outdoor recreation mecca of the north. Enjoy time on our lakes and trails and take in the fresh air of the Minnesota forests. The official Visitor Guide has lots of information to help you plan your Grand Rapids, MN Summer Vacation.
