Grand Rapids is the perfect spring MN adventure location. Here is our Top 10 list of things to do, fun places to eat & drink and cozy lodging. Let’s be honest, winter has been great this year, but we all have a little cabin fever. That feeling of being cooped up inside is leaving all of us seeking spring adventures in Minnesota. Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the perfect up north spring road trip where you can get outside, seek adventure, and also enjoy a little rest and relaxation as well. Below is a list of Top 10 spring MN adventure you can find in Grand Rapids, Minnesota…
1. Hiking
Everyone gets a little, or a lot, of cabin fever around the transition from winter to spring. Grand Rapids, Minnesota offers over 1 million acres of public forest land made up of the Chippewa National Forest, UPM Blandin Foundation, George Washington State Forest, and the Scenic State Park. These are all great places to hike on well-maintained trails. We suggest the following: Simpson Creek (Easiest) is located in the Chippewa National Forest 45 miles northwest of Grand Rapids, Minnesota on the Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway. This trail is a nice entry-level that is perfect for families of young children. Enjoy rolling topography through pines and along glacial eskers, with overlooks onto Cut Foot Sioux Lake and journeys into the cedar swamp. Legion Trail (Easy/Beginner to More Difficult Level) located north of town inside the City limits of Grand Rapids is a 7-mile hand-cut trail that is fun, flowy, and twisty in a mixed forest that wraps around Hale Lake. Suomi Hills (More Difficult Level) is a remotely located hiking and skiing trail located twenty-three miles north of Grand Rapids up the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway. An interesting site is The Day Lake Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp remains, a prisoner of war camp during World War II is located on the north end of Suomi Hills. Learn more about places to Hike in the Grand Rapids, MN area.
2. Explore Minnesota’s History
Grand Rapids, Minnesota was established in 1872 and has rich forestry, logging, and mining history to learn about. You will want to check out the Itasca County Historical Society Museum. The Museum is FREE, houses a lot of interesting Minnesota artifacts, and houses a genealogy center, gift shop, and escape room. The Judy Garland Museum and Children’s Discovery Museum are two museums under one roof where you can learn about the life of Judy Garland, born as Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Find the largest Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz artifacts in the nation. Walkthrough the home Judy grew up in. The Children’s Discovery Museum offers hands-on educational exhibits, activities & programs for kids, plus a gift store. Learn more about Grand Rapids, MN area Historic Attractions.
3. Four Wheel Forest Adventures
Grand Rapids, Minnesota has over 300 miles of ATV trails to ride in the Spring. ATV/OHV trails open April -middle of May. The ATV trails that are located on old railroad beds open first (Alborn-Pengilly (39 miles), Blue Ox (74 miles), and Thistledew (25 miles). With Alvwood/Squaw Lake (159) and Island Lake Connection Trail (2 miles) opening May 2nd. The rest of the Itasca County ATV/OHV trails open middle of May (UPM-Blandin (21 miles), Balsam to Bigfork (33 miles), Little Moose (18 miles), and Northwoods Regional Trail (19 miles). All of these trails are well maintained and offer a wide variety of easy to moderate riding levels. All of these trails will take you through mixed forest, tamarack bogs, across boardwalks, and around lakes, rivers and streams. ATV/OHV is a wonderful opportunity for spring MN adventures. Download the Itasca County ATV Map.
4. Explore Grand Rapids Public Art & History Tour
Take a walking tour around Grand Rapids and visit different murals, sculptures, and historic buildings. The art and history around Grand Rapids represent what Grand Rapids was founded on and you can find different art pieces that represent the Ojibwa culture, forestry, logging, and mining history, and the splendor of surrounding Minnesota’s nature. Also on the tour is MacRostie Art Center and The Reif Center which have rotating art exhibits and galleries. The new walking bridge across the Mississippi River is a wonderful place to start this self-guided tour. Download the Grand Rapids Public Art & History Tour.
5. Indoor Water Fun
Many Grand Rapids lodging properties like Timberlake Lodge Hotel, AmericInn, Country Inn & Suites, and Best Western all offer pools and/or hot tubs. This allows kids of all ages to enjoy pool time while the parents relax in the hot tub. Timberlake Lodge Hotel has a Grand Splash waterpark, which offers a 98-foot slide, 20-person hot tub, and kiddie pool. A wonderful way for the kids and adults alike to burn off some energy and the parents to relax in comfort. Find Grand Rapids, MN places to Stay with pools and hot tubs.
6. Bike the Mississippi to Boundary Waters
The Mesabi Trail is 145 miles of mostly paved bicycle trail that runs from the Mississippi River in Grand Rapids to the Boundry Waters in Ely. Cutting through the forests of northeast Minnesota, your adventure will take you past lakes, creeks, and ponds, by vast red pits of old iron ore mines now filled with emerald, green water. Learn more about the Mesabi Trail and purchase a wheel pass. The Tioga Recreation Area is a 25-mile single-track trail that was created for mountain biking and fat-tire biking. Playground Pathfinder will also be officially opening sometime in the Spring of 2022. Learn more about the Tioga Recreation Area.
7. Be Entertained
Mother Nature sometimes brings showers so our spring flowers can bloom. If this is the case, don’t fret, we have several indoor locations that can keep everyone entertained. The Reif Center is our hidden gem of a theater that brings the stars to northern Minnesota. Another place to relax and be entertained indoors is Mann’s Cinema Theater. Take in an afternoon matinee or evening show. They offer comfortable theater-style seating and a full-service concession stand. Thunder Alley XL offers a bowling and indoor adult-style arcade game area, an onsite bar that serves great pizza and other concession snacks. Find Grand Rapids, MN Area Attractions.
8. Eat, Drink & Shop Local
Check out the two craft breweries and Minnesota wine bar. At Klockow Brewing Company you can order or bring your own food in and enjoy live music every week. Rapids Brewing Company located in historic downtown offers wood-fired oven cuisine and live music and events occurring weekly. Unwined Up North is also located in historic downtown and serves Minnesota wine and craft beer, charcuterie boards, flatbreads, salads, and sandwiches. In Grand Rapids, you will find many locally-owned restaurants, bars, and grills that offer one-of-a-kind up north cuisine like hearty wild rice soup and juicy bar burgers. Find Places to Eat & Drink in Grand Rapids, MN. Downtown Grand Rapids is best known for boutique-style shops that offer one-of-a-kind gifts, home decor, clothing, shoes, jewelry, local art, and Northwood memorabilia to take home with you as a memento of your visit to Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids, Minnesota area has several other retail shops and vintage boutique-style shops where you can shop to your heart’s delight.
9. Grand Lakes of Golf
Three 18-hole championship golf courses make up the Grand Lakes of Golf: Eagle Ridge Golf Course, Pokegama Golf Course, and Sugar Brooke Golf Course. Each course is beautifully manicured with different degrees of difficulty. All have cart rentals and restaurants on-site. Whether you want 18 or 9 holes, to take an extended vacation, long weekend, or just get in a few holes after work, Grand Rapids has many options, and won’t disappoint. There are four additional 9-hole courses located in the Grand Rapids, MN area as well that are perfect for entry-level golfers and families. Find more information and book a tee time for Grand Rapids, MN area Golf Courses.
10. Seek Rest and Relaxation
Grand Rapids, Minnesota offers you a lot of spring MN adventures, but you will also find lots of cozy lodging options where you can find rest and relaxation while up north. You will find conveniently located in town Hotels/Motels and Bed & Breakfast. You will also find Minnesota Resort cabins and Vacation Home Rentals where you will have the opportunity to make your own meals and gather together. And we also offer in-town Air B&B’s as well that are hosted in a mixed commercial and residential area that is close to being able to walk to shops, restaurants, and breweries downtown. Find Places to Stay in Grand Rapids, MN.
Around Ground Hog’s day, many Midwesterners fall into a winter slump. Some call it cabin fever. We have been inside for way too long! The kids are getting on each other’s nerves from feeling pent up. Even the dog is sick of being inside the same four walls. This blog article gives you tips on what to do when you are in a winter slump.
Be Entertained
Even small towns have events, live music and theater performances. A change of scenery can help you get a new perspective. Your town might have all of these ways to be entertained too, however, each community puts their own creative flare and localness to their events, highlights different musicians. The Reif Center is a state of the art performing art center that offers two theaters that both give you an up close and personal view to the entertainment. They bring Broadway performances to northern Minnesota.
Upcoming Grand Rapids, MN Winter Events:
Fat Forest Fourteen (Tioga Recreation Area) Feb 11
Northwood Pond Hockey Championship (McKinney Lake) Feb 11
Frozen Fairway Golf Classic (Hale Lake) Feb 25
Frederick Douglass: In the Shadow of Slavery (Reif Center) Feb 10
Simply Sinatra (Reif Center) Feb 14
Dragons and Mythical Beasts (Reif Center) Feb 16
Legally Blonde: the Broadway Musical (Reif Center) Feb 21
Blind Boys of Alabama (Reif Center) Feb 25
Weekly Live Music, Bingo, Meat Raffles, and other events that happen at fun local places to eat & drink.
View the Grand Rapids Event Calendar for the full list and details of the upcoming winter events to help you get out of the winter slump HERE.
Winter Recreation
Grand Rapids is known as the outdoor mecca of the north. Surrounding Grand Rapids is over 1 million acres of publicly accessible forest land. There are over 1,400 area lakes perfect for ice fishing. There are over 2,000 miles of trails to fat tire bike, cross country ski, and snowmobile on. Over 13 outdoor trail clubs keep the trails well groomed and maintained. View the Trail Conditionsbefore you arrive to know which trails will be perfect for you and your friends and family to enjoy. There are many places to recharge in Minnesota’s nature: Chippewa National Forest, Lost Forty, Scenic State Park, Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway, Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway and George Washington State Forest. Getting out in the winter wonderland will help you get out of the winter slump because it gives you a fresh perspective. The American Heart Association has said that being in nature helps reduce stress. Grand Rapids, Minnesota is a charming small town that can give you an opportunity to relax, reconnect with loved ones, and recharge within Minnesota’s nature so that your perspective remains fresh.
Snowmobile Trails – There are twelve Itasca County Snowmobile Clubs that keep our 300+ miles well groomed and in prime condition to ride through tamarack bogs, under tall pine forests, and over frozen lakes. You can access these trails from in town lodging properties to access gas, fun places to eat & drink, and also connections north, south, east and west to ride to other communities. The famous Taconite Trail starts in Grand Rapids at the Itasca Fairgrounds where there is lots of parking for trucks and trailers. By riding south to Hill City, Minnesota you can access the Soo Line which runs to Wisconsin.
Cross Country Skiing – Thanks to the Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club, there is over 200KM to ski in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area. Cross country skiing is the perfect sport where all members of the family can view northern MN forest trails. Along these frozen trails you will view northernn MN wildlife like deer, owls, and other birds that remain here in the winter. Ardent Bicycle and Mt Itasca offer rentals.
Fat Tire Biking – The greater Grand Rapids, MN area has become a premiere destination for mountain biking. The Grand Rapids and Itasca Mountain Bike Association keeps Tioga Recreation Area winter trails well groomed for fat tire biking in the winter. Tioga offers over 25 miles of single track mountain bike trails that are multi-level and a skills course too. Within 100 miles you can ride 145 miles at 4 different professionally built mountain bike trails. Visit Ridge The Range for more information.
Snowshoeing – In the Grand Rapids, MN area there is over 1 million acres of public accessible forest land that is perfect for snowshoeing. A few of our favorite places to snowshoe are: Simpson Creek and Lost Forty in the Chippewa National Forest. Tioga Recreation Area is also a great place to snowshoe. Just remember to walk flat footed to not create divots in the freshly groomed trail. And cross the trail at a 90 degree angle.
Skating, Downhill & Sledding – What would winter in northern Minnesota be without ice skating, pond hockey, downhill skiing and sledding? Mt Itasca is the perfect place to downhill ski, snowboard, snow-tube and cross country ski. They offer rental equipment on site. There are many outdoor skating rinks where you can ice skate and play pond hockey.
Find more information about winter outdoor recreation HERE.
Grand Rapids offers a wide variety of fun places to eat & drink. From locally owned craft breweries, a wine bar and the restaurants that the locals go to. From rustic and charming to fine dining, from American fare to cultural cuisine, you will find great places to dine in greater Grand Rapids, MN. Find fun places to Eat & Drink HERE. Downtown Grand Rapids is a great place to find locally owned boutique style shops that offer one of a kind items like Minnesota art, home decor, clothing, shoes, jewelry and vintage finds. There are lots of places to shop around the greater Grand Rapids, MN area too. Find great places to shop HERE.
No matter if you are an indoor or an outdoor person Grand Rapids has something for everyone,, and all ages. You will find a wide variety of cozy lodging places to stay overnight or for an entire week. These year-round lodging properties offer a wide range of amenities and locations. From conveniently located in town Hotels/Motels, Bed & Breakfasts, Air B&B’s to Resort Cabins and Vacation Home Rentals. The choice is yours, and you can search on https://visitgrandrapids.com based on the amenities you are looking for, date and price range through Book>Direct online booking system. To book your stay click HEREto find the perfect place to stay to get out of the winter slump.
You can start your planning by downloading the Grand Rapids Visitor Guide. This guide offers a wide variety of seasonal articles, event highlights, things to do, places to eat & drink, and places to stay. Learn more HERE.
Top 10 Reasons to book Spring Break in Grand Rapids, MN this year. Everyone get’s a little, or a lot, of cabin fever around the transition from winter to spring. Grand Rapids, Minnesota is known as the outdoor mecca of the north. In and around Grand Rapids families will find over 1 million acres of public forest land, 1,007 lakes, and over 2,000 miles of trails to explore. Families will also find fun places to eat & drink, kid-friendly art and historic places to explore, and cozy lodging.
Cross Country Skiing is a great way to get the entire family outside to explore the many forests around Grand Rapids, MN. The Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club created a ski trail map that is over 200KM in total. Some of our favorite kid-friendly ski trails are Legion, Forest History Center, and MN Power. Both the Legion and MN Power are lit at night until 10pm. There is something very magical to ski at night on a lit path in the winter. The glistening snow, the cool crisp air, and the sparkling stars above the tall pine trees. If you do not own, Ardent Bicycles rents equipment. View Cross Country Ski Trails HERE.
Snowshoeing is a wonderful outdoor recreation activity, and kids love it. Kids strap on snowshoes and enjoy the big footprints in the snow that is left behind as they trek through the forests of white winter wonderland. A few of our favorite places to snowshoe are Simpson Creek and the Lost Forty in the Chippewa National Forest. Explore the mixed hardwood and pine forests of over 200 year old trees that takes four people to hold hands together to fit around. If you do not have snowshoes for the entire family, Ardent Bicycle rents. Find more information about Snowshoeing HERE.
The Grand Rapids, Minnesota area has over 100 miles of bike trails that you can ride all seasons. In the Winter, we suggest: Tioga Recreation Area (25+ mile world class, purpose built multi level mountain bike trails), Chippewa National Forest trail roads, and Legion Trail. Tioga has trails for all levels from green to double black diamond. Legion is a 7-mile loop that winds around Hale Lake. The Chippewa National Forest offers an opportunity to ride packed winter forest roads, and to get an up close personal view to northern MN wildlife. If you do not own fat tire or mountain bikes, Ardent Bicycles rents.
The Grand Rapids, MN area is known for some of the best snowmobile trails in Minnesota. Over 300 miles of snowmobile trails that makes for a great way to spend a March Spring Break. The Grand Rapids, MN area snowmobile trails are open until March 31st each year. From the in town trails you can access the famous state Taconite Trail. The Taconite Trail is 165 miles long, and once on you can ride to Ely, Minnesota. If you do not own snowmobiles, R & R Rental rents snowmobiles. Learn more about Grand Rapids area snowmobiling HERE.
Kids love ice fishing as much as adults. The Grand Rapids area has some of the best ice fishing destinations, and has been referred to as an “Ice Fishing Paradise” – with an abundance of interconnected lakes, creeks, and ponds perfect for fishing success. In Northern Minnesota ice fishing goes through March and sometimes April. Later in the season walking out on the lake is the best way to catch big panfish. This is perfect for kids because they just want to catch something. Don’t have Ice Fishing Gear, give R&R Rental a call, and Bowstring Shores has hard ice house rentals. Learn more about Ice Fishing in Grand Rapids HERE.
Grand Rapids and surround communities have outdoor skating rinks that are maintained weekly. These outdoor rinks offer on-site rink attendants and warming shacks. Clafton Skate is a great place to sharpen your skates, and also check on their rental supply. When there is low snow, skating on the frozen lakes is a common past time. Located only 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids is a the Mt. Itasca Winter Sports Center that is the perfect family-friendly ski, snowboard, cross country ski, and snowtubing located in Coleraine, MN. Mt Itasca is also home to Olympic biathlon and ski jump training.
Grand Rapids, Minnesota was established in 1872, and has a rich forestry, logging and mining history to learn about. You will want to check out the Itasca County Historical Society Museum. They just opened a new escape room. The Museum is FREE, and houses a lot of interesting Minnesota artifacts, and also houses a genealogy center and gift shop. The Children’s Discovery Museum is a great indoor museum that offers unique kid-friendly exhibits that have an up north theme. Perfect for kids ages toddler to early teens. The Judy Garland Museum is housed in the same building. Did you know Grand Rapids, MN is the birthplaces of Judy Garland? When you purchase a ticket to the Children’s Museum, you also get access to the Judy Garland Museum. Pay a little bit more money and get a VIP tour that includes access to an exclusive Judy Garland memorabilia exhibit.
Take a walking tour around Grand Rapids and visit different murals, sculptures and historic building. The art and history around Grand Rapids represents the what Grand Rapids was founded on and you can find different art pieces that represent the Ojibwa culture. MacRostie Art Center offers youth classes, and has monthly art exhibits that the entire family will enjoy. MacRostie also lends out an art suitcase that includes everything families will need to create art while visiting Grand Rapids. Let nature inspire you. To view the self-guided Grand Rapids Art & History Tour map click HERE.
In Grand Rapids you will find many lodging options to choose from while on Spring Break in Grand Rapids, and many offer onsite pools and hot tubs. This allows the kids of all ages to enjoy pool time while the parents relax in the hot tub. Timberlake Lodge Hotel has a Grand Splash waterpark, which offers a 98 foot slide, 20 person hot tub, and kiddie pool. A great way for the kids to burn off some energy and the parents to relax in comfort. Additional properties that have a pool and hot tub are: AmericInn, Country Inn & Suites and Best Western. To find Hotels with pools as amenities, learn more HERE.
Mother Nature sometimes brings showers, and sometimes she brings snow storms. If this is the case, don’t fret, we have several indoor locations that can keep the everyone entertained. The Reif Center is our hidden gem of a theater that brings the stars to norther Minnesota. Each year the Reif staff selects family friendly theater performances. Another great place to relax and be entertained indoors is Mann’s Cinnema Theater. Their reclining seats offer a great place for families to attend an afternoon matinee or evening show. Thunder Alley XL offers bowling and indoor adult style arcade game area, and onsite bar that serves great pizza and other concession snacks. Lastly, check out our new craft brewing. Then check out fun places to eat & drink that also offer live family-friendly entertainment like Klockow, Rapids Brewing Co and Unwined Up North. Check out the Grand Rapids Events Calendar for all of the details.
Grand Rapids, MN is a family-friendly destination for Spring Break. Find lots of cozy family-friendly lodging options in Grand Rapids. From conveniently located Hotels, Motels, Air B&B’s and Bed & Breakfasts to Resort Cabins and Vacation Rentals located on the lakes and trails. Book your Spring Break Vacation HERE. Also, check out the Last Minute Openings for short-term lodging properties that have a last minute opening because someone was not able to head north and had to cancel.
Itasca County is vibrant with fall colors, and a warm fall breeze! Come explore and see what’s happening up north this fall. Here is a list of the top 10 things to do this fall!
1.Rasmussen’s Cowhorn Crossing Farm
Pumpkins, hayrides, animals and fall activities can all be experiences from September 25th- October 31st at Rasmussen’s Cowhorn Crossing Farm. Hours include: Thursday & Friday evenings 4-6pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am-6pm.
2. Fish in Itasca
There are over 1,000 lakes to fish in Itasca County. Fish from a variety of fish and stay up to date on fishing conditions by checking out our weekly fishing report done by local fishing guides. To see a full list of lakes in Itasca County, click HERE.
Jim Linder caught this nice smallmouth bass on a Grand Rapids, MN area.
3. Fall Colors Tour Road Trip!
Fall colors have began to show on the trees up north in the greater Grand Rapids area. Take a fall colors tour on Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway. Stop along 4 communities and 14 discovery sites along 47 miles. On your way up, travel along the Great River Road.
4. Live Music Downtown
There is always live music going on downtown at Klockow, Rapids Brewing Company and UnWined Up North! In addition, see music at The VFW, The Eagles Club and The Reif.
5. Fall Hiking
Hike two beautiful State parks in Itasca. Scenic State Park is located in Bigfork and Schoolcraft State Park in Deer River. Both are great groomed trails, perfect to experience fall leaves. For other great hiking spots in Itasca, click HERE.
6. See a show at The Reif or Edge Center for the Arts
The Reif is located in Grand Rapids and the Edge Center for the Arts is located in Big Fork. Both have a variety of shows in the upcoming fall season. To see the full list of show, Click the hyperlinks.
7. Lavaliers Berry Patch
Although Lavaliers doesn’t have any apples this fall, visit Saturdays and Sundays September 15th- October 24th to get pumpkins, squash, brussels sprouts, honey and sunflowers. Hours at 9am-2pm. Stop by to get get the perfect sunflower photos!
8. Fall ATV Ride
The Itasca County area offers thousands of acres of federal, state, county and industrial forest land that are open to off-highway vehicle riding, and several designated trails. Forest or logging roads are an excellent choice for ATV/OHV use as well. In Itasca County, there are over 200 miles of ATV trails to ride. To see the different trails to ride and learn more, click HERE.
Fall is a great time to get out and explore beautiful Northern Minnesota. To see events happening, go to our calendar page. Some fun events coming up include Klockotober Fest, Fall Phenology at Forest History Center and First Friday Art Walk.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, see our lodging page for a list of Hotels, Motels, Vacation Rentals, Airbnb’s and Resorts.
To receive a physical Visitor Guide or see a interactive version, click HERE.
Welcome to Grand Rapids! This Labor Day weekend there is so much to do and explore. Here are a few ideas to make for a fun 3 day weekend!
Things To Do
1. Forest History Center
Join meteorologist and astronomer Mike Lynch to view the wonders of the night sky such as planets, stars, nebulae and more. Lynch will have his large reflecting telescopes set up for viewing, including two giant 20-inch reflector telescopes that are among the largest mobile telescopes in Minnesota. Learn about celestial photography, as Lynch takes amazing photos that will be made available to participants at no additional charge. This event will take place September 4th from 8:30-11:00. In addition to regulars hours, they will be open Monday from 10am-4pm. For more information click HERE.
2. Bovey Farm Days
Bovey Farm Days was established in 1912. Enjoy a variety of events happening this weekend.
3. Spend Time On The Lake
There is nothing better than a cruise on the lake or a day of fishing. As summertime comes to a close, relax with an extra day on one of the many many lakes in the greater Grand Rapids area.
4. Hike Great Trails and Explore State Parks
Hike over 1.6 million acres of the Chippewa National Forest. If that wasn’t enough ground to cover, check out Hill Annex Mine State Park, Scenic State Park and Schoolcraft State Park!
5. Live Music Downtown!
All weekend you can hear music downtown! Rapids Brewing Company, Klockow Brewing Company and UnWined Up North all have music. Also, you can Sam and Matthew Miltich, Nathan Norman, and Briand Morrison performing from 6 – 8 at Old Central School for First Friday! Also, see Michael Smith at Hotel Rapids.
6. Mountain Bike at Tioga Recreation
Looking for an adventurous way to spend the extended weekend? Check out Tioga Recreation. Ride 25 miles of easy to hard curves, loops, and hills. These world class trails make for the perfect biking adventure. Hop in the crystal blue mine pit after a ride.
7. 27th Annual Wissota Classic at the Speedway
Have a fun date night or family night at the Grand Rapids Speedway for their annual Wissota Classic. For more information on the races, click HERE.
Lodging Options
The greater Grand Rapids area offers a variety of lodging options. Choose from a Hotel, Motel, Airbnb, Resort, Vacation Rental and a Bed and Breakfast. To see a full list of properties, click HERE.
Next Weekend in Grand Rapids
Already have plans for Labor Day Weekend and still want to Visit Grand Rapids? Next weekend September 10th-11th is Grand Rapids Riverfest! See Headliners Trampled by Turtles and Yonder Mountain String Band. Get your tickets today!
Grand Rapids, Minnesota is a great location for Labor Day Minnesota Family Vacations. Head North for the perfect drive destination located in rural northern Minnesota. Grand Rapids offers an abundance of outdoor recreation, lodging options with a view, arts & history, scenic byways, great shopping and fun dining for all ages. Come escape, experience and explore to Grand Rapids Minnesota this Labor Day Weekend.
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.
Things To Do in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids has an abundance of outdoor recreation. We have hundreds of miles of Hiking/Biking trails, 1,400 area Lakes. We are known for our lakes and trails. Check out our NEW Tioga Recreation Area is northern Minnesota’s premier outdoor adventure destination. Five hundred wooded acres located on two of the region’s most unique lakes features 30 miles of world-class, single-track mountain biking, snowshoe trails, beaches, and access to hundreds of miles of waterways. Every season is adventure season at Tioga. You will also find outstanding Art and History Attractions that offer visitors a chance to see a wide variety of exhibits and performances, both indoors and out. You can pick up a public art walk map at MacRostie Art Center to take a self-guided public art tour. Create special memories by weaving some fascinating history into your Grand Rapids vacation. Grand Rapids has a rich history having originally been founded as a logging town on the Mississippi River. Check out the FREE museum at the Itasca County Historical Society located in downtown Grand Rapids where you can view fabulous preserved historic artifacts. Take a drive up the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway and stop at the Edge of the Wildereness Discovery Center in Marcell to get an environmental history and view many northwoods wildlife in their natural settings. Tour the Judy Garland Museum for a self guided tour of the 3,000 piece Wizard of Oz exhibit and to tour the home that Judy lived in while living in Grand Rapids. Make sure to check our Event Calendar before you arrive.
Come Together in Minnesota’s Nature This Labor Day
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.
Downtown Grand Rapids is a great place to explore no matter the season. But, in summer it is full of live music, blossoming art, events, shopping opportunities and a chance to experience the history under the sun on a warm day. Here are the top 5 things to do downtown from a local perspective.
Every first Friday of the month is First Friday Art Walk. Businesses downtown host local artist and musicians. There is also food trucks and live music in the Old Central School grounds. Also, downtown August 6th-8th is Tall Timber Days. Come downtown for a weekend of vendors, a street dance, pet parade and of course lumberjack shows. New to downtown is Grand Rapids Riverfest!!!! September 10th-11th we have headliners Trampled by Turtles and Yonder Mountain String Band. Get your tickets HERE.
2. Visiting Art & Historic Sites
Grand Rapids is known for the art and history that the downtown has. Great historic spots to check out are Old Central School, Pokegama Hotel, and Pokegama Bridge. For art spots, head down to the Mississippi River to see the Angel of Hope, the metal canoe sculpture, and the Blandin Paper Company Grinderman Stature. To see the full list of art and historic sites click HERE. Lastly, don’t forget to stop at heart of downtown and get a picture on the Big Red Chair.
When you visit downtown, there is an instant sense of community. If you go into a store, a place to eat or drink, you get the Minnesota Nice and will more than likely meet the owners. Grand Rapids is home to many locally owned businesses. We welcome everyone with open arms to visit out community and hopefully for summers to come. There’s no place like Grand Rapids.
NationalTravelandTourismWeek2021(May2-8)spotlightsthe collective strength of the U.S. travel industry.
This National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), there is more reason than ever to celebrate the collective strength of the U.S. travel and tourism industry and its dynamic workforce.
The 38th annual NTTW, taking place May 2-8, recognizes the Power of Travel and the critical role our industry will play in bringing back our vibrant communities, restoring the economy, rebuilding our workforce and reconnecting America.
Prior to the pandemic, the travel industry was a powerful economic engine, supporting jobs and driving local economies in every pocket of America. The industry had experienced 107 straight months of growth, generated $2.6 trillion in economic output, supported 17 million American jobs and delivered a $51 billion trade surplus to the U.S.
Unfortunately, that strong growth trend plummeted last year due to the pandemic. Travel spending in the U.S. declined 42%, costing the economy $1.1 trillion, while hardworking Americans supported by travel made up a staggering 65% of all U.S. unemployment. In Minnesota travel spending has decreased by 7.1 billion dollars in 2020 alone. It is also estimated that over 202,000 jobs in the hospitality industry have been lost due to covid-19.
However, Visit Grand Rapids—and the travel industry—is resilient.
While we faced extraordinary challenges in the past year, our industry united like never before, lifted each other up, aided one another, and devoted ourselves fully to the task of supporting and restoring all sectors of travel. This year’s NTTW is an opportunity to turn the page to a new chapter in our industry’s story and celebrate its collective power by spotlighting the innumerable ways travel will drive recovery, bring Americans together again and help define our country’s path forward.
Visit Grand Rapids is participating in NTTW by sponsoring The Grand Rapids Downtown Spring Celebration, a safe and family friendly orientated event to bring back our community and tourists together.
From The Itasca Historical Society to MacRosties Art Center, Visit Grand Rapids travel and tourism industry contributes so much to our local economy and our community’s unique character. From all of us at Visit Grand Rapids, we are so excited to share the full power of our industry—and the strength and spirit of Visit Grand Rapids—this NTTW.
Head north to northern Minnesota for Spring Fun! Even though this past winter was fairly mild in comparison to previous winters, we know that everyone is feeling a little cabin fever because of COVID-19. So, we have created our Top 5 list for Spring Fun In Grand Rapids, located up northern Minnesota. Head north where you can relax and reconnect safely.
Spring Relaxation Getaway
1. Cozy & Safe Lodging
Up north Minnesota makes for a great place to get away in the spring for rest and relaxation. Grand Rapids, Minnesota makes for a perfect spring destination where you can watch the forests come alive. The abundance of public accessible forest land – over 1 million acres, makes for many trails to seek solitude and recharge your soul. You will find a wide variety of lodging properties to suit your needs. From conveniently located hotels, economical motels, charming bed and breakfast, vacation home rentals, lake home rentals and Minnesota resorts. Discover a new place to stay up north in Grand Rapids: STAY.
2. Nightlife in Grand Rapids
“We moved back to my home town to be close to family, and saw an opportunity to create a place where people can be entertained and enjoy good beer,” shares Tasha Klockow. Minnesotans love a good beer! There is two craft breweries in Grand Rapids. Klockow Brewing Company is Grand Rapids’ first brewhouse and taproom! Rapids Brewing Company opened in the summer of 2019 located in the renovated Rialto Theater in downtown. Both breweries showcase live music every week. Unwined Up North is the new Minnesota wine bar that serves small plates and flatbread, and hosts weekly events. For additional nigh life check out the Reif Performing Arts Center that showcases over 50 professional performances a year.
3. Biking & Hiking in Grand Rapids
“I like that I can step outside of my door and access trails and ride,” shares Dr. Phil Imholte, GRIMBA member. The local Grand Rapids and Itasca Mountain Bike Association have created several trails to ride mountain bike and fat tire bike. A couple locations to consider to ride in the spring are: the newly built Tioga Recreation Area, and Legion Trail. Hiking in the Chippewa National Forest is a favorite past time of locals. Being outside in the spring is wonderful to smell fresh grass, see the wildlife come to life, and take in the sunshine through the trees. Places to consider to hike are: Simpson Creek and Suomi Hills. Watch signage to see if any trails close due to weather conditions. For paved bicycling we suggest the Mesabi Trail that is over 90 miles of paved trail from Grand Rapids to Ely, Minnesota.
4. You Will Find More Than Hotdish
“I like the fact that when we come in the door, people know us by name, and we can go to a place like Brewed Awakenings to get good food and exposure to wide diverse audience and culture,” shares Tasha Connelly, Grand Rapids City Counselor. We know the stereotype that is out there about people up north only eat hotdish. We do love our hotdish, but we enjoy a charbroiled steak, fresh suishi, and Italian pasta. Our Grand Rapids restaurants range widely from rustic and charming to chef inspired dining. Each restaurant offers a local favorite like popovers, wild rive soup, and prime rib. You can work up quite the appetite out on our trails, so be sure that our restaurants are ready to serve you a quality meal when you are ready. For more information check out our Dining web resource page.
5. Experience The Forest From Four Wheels
“When you get on our trails you can access a lot of other trail systems. You can just get on and go,” shares Al Lauer, ATV Club member. The local ATV Clubs have worked to create designated wooded trails to ride. There is over 300 miles in the Grand Rapids/Itasca County area to drive your All Terrain Vehicle on. There is something special about riding through the woods on an ATV. The advantage of being on an ATV is you can cover more ground than you can on foot. Our ATV trails are special because they are a good mix of wooded trails through hardwood and pine forests, on top of old railroad grade, and around beautiful lakes and bog areas. Our ATV Trails connect to state ATV trails so you can ride from Grand Rapids, south, east, west and north for hundreds of miles. Download the Itasca County ATV Map.
BONUS: Live performances are back at The Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids this spring! We are excited to announce that there are limited seats available to view an in-person performances this spring. With COVID-19 guidelines opening up, the Reif Center is able to host in-person performances again. To view performances, dates and details view The Reif Center page.
Things To Do in Grand Rapids
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BONUS: Live performances are back at The Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids this spring! We are excited to announce that there are limited seats available to view an in-person performances this spring. With COVID-19 guidelines opening up, the Reif Center is able to host in-person performances again. To view performances, dates and details view 
