Labor Day Minnesota Family Vacations

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.

Top 5 Things To Do Downtown

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.

1. Events

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.

3.Shopping

Downtown you will find locally owned stores with unique Up North souvenirs. Also, we have a wide variety of antique shops to explore and of course we have stores with new items. Find a new top, a Minnesota mug, or an antique record. When shopping downtown, there are so many treasures to find. Here is a list of great places to check out. Central Square Mall, Old Central School, Lake Lover Vintage, Wings and Willows, Lake & Co., Stained Glass with Class, Briers, Benders, Shaw Florists, North In Bloom, 218 Style and Plumer’s Fine Furniture .

4.Live Music

There is live music most days in the downtown area. Check out our events calendar to see a full list. Places that typically host live music include Rapids Brewing Company, UnWined Up North, Klockow Brewing Company and The Reif .

5.Meet the Community

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.

National Travel and Tourism Week 2021

Visit Grand Rapids Is the Power of Travel

National Travel and Tourism Week 2021 (May 2-8) spotlights the 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.

attractions Grand Rapids MN travel

Spring Fun In Northern Minnesota

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.

What To Do When You Are In A Winter Slump

Even in the cold of winter Grand Rapids, MN has indoor and outdoor fun!

What’s Going on This Week in Grand Rapids

Tuesday-Sunday: The Fat Forest 14 is virtual. Sign up on the GRIMBA website to race 7 miles or 14 miles on Tioga Recreation.

Tuesday: Harry Potter Trivia with UnWinded Up North. Trivia begins at 7pm on Facebook Live or in person!

Wednesday: Zocial Diztant Trivia at Zorbas. Trivia begins at 6:30!

Wednesday: Artist Talk Series with Monika Lawerence. Join at 6pm on Zoom. Click HERE to get to more information and the Zoom link.

Thursday: Live music at Rapids Brewing Company. Stop in and see Mckeon Hugh Roberts at 6pm.

Saturday: Pond Hockey is one. Head out to McKinley lake and have some hockey fun. For more information on how to sign up click HERE to be directed to their Facebook page.

Saturday: Bundle up and bring the kids out to McKinney Lake on February 20th for some family fun. From 11pm-2pm compete in a snow sculpture competition! For more information and to register contact Myrna Peterson at 218-301-6028.

Saturday: Join the traveling art pub and Timberlake Lodge from 5:30-7:00pm and paint the “Bright Winter Sunset”. The cost is $35 a person and food and beverage is additional. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.

Winter Recreation

Grand Rapids has over 1,000 lakes perfect for ice fishing and in Itasca County alone there are over 600 miles in snowmobile trails. In addition, to that there is a wide variety of snowshoe and cross country skiing trails for all levels. Of hit the slopes at Mt. Itasca for tubing, snowboarding or skiing.

Drive Up For Some Winter Fun!

No matter if you are an indoor out outdoor person in the winter, Grand Rapids has something for everyone. To book your stay click HERE to find the perfect place to stay to get out of the winter slump.

Spend Valentines Day Up North…. Plan Or WIN Your Trip To Grand Rapids!

How to Win A Trip

Head to the Visit Grand Rapids Instagram account. To be entered you must follow the account and tag someone you want to bring on a trip to Grand Rapids. For an extra entry share our post on your Instagram story and tag us! The Winner will be announced Sunday February 10th at 5pm and will receive 1 FREE night stay at AmericInn in Grand Rapids, a half day of snowshoeing or cross country skiing for 2 from Ardent Bicycles and a 50 dollar Gift Card to Forest Lake Restaurant. For more information DM us on Instagram or Facebook!

Plan A Trip

Want to surprise your significant other with a weekend getaway? You can now book a hotel/motel, vacation rental or Bed and Breakfast right through the Visit Grand Rapids website. Click HERE to be directed to book. Enjoy the bliss of being up north with your loved one or make it a Galentine’s weekend with the girls! We have a variety of outdoor recreation, dinning and craft breweries to make you Valentine’s weekend unforgettable.

Here Are A Few Things To Do During Your Stay

Snowshoeing or cross country ski on the trails

Brewery hop or check out the wine bar

Mt. Itasca– snowboard, ski or tube!

Enjoy bowling or an arcade at Thunder Alley XL

Snowmobile on 600 miles of trails in Itasca County

Ice fish on 1,000 lakes in the area

Check out McRostie Art Gallery

Shop Downtown Grand Rapids or Central Square Mall

Ice skate on one of the rinks in town

*Check out our things to do tab for more information-HERE

Valentine’s Deals!!!!

Have more questions?

If you want recommendations for things to do or places to stay, contact us via email at info@visitgrandrapids.com or call us at 218- 326-9607. Pack up for the weekend and experience all the winter fun in Grand Rapids has this Valentine’s Day!

Why Grand Rapids is a Grand Place to Live!

The one thing that Grand Rapids has that is so unlike any other place is the amount of lakes, trails, outdoor recreation and natural beauty. The motto It’s in Minnesota Nature is 100% true. I have lived in Washington, Wisconsin and now Minnesota and can say the short time I have lived in Grand Rapids, I have experienced the true beauty of living up north.

Grand Rapids Gems

I have created a top 8 list of my favorite places things to do in and around Grand Rapids.

1. Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway Drive

This day trip with my boss was the first time I was able to see surrounding towns around Grand Rapids besides the few trip I took moving things up here. I have now driven the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway a few times. No matter the season it is a beautiful drive of twist and turns and with different stops to get out and explore. Now you can follow along with a virtual tour of Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway. Click HERE to view the interactive map.

141010420 3751162041612329 6225199219637129821 n — Photo taken at Little American Falls

140426380 3751161931612340 3902352900770921682 n — Photo taken during Fall Colors Tour

140778816 3751161921612341 2331372989596145412 n — Soumi Hills

2. The Breweries and The Wine Bar!

Grand Rapids has AWESOME craft breweries. Klockow and Rapids Brewing both have a variety of craft beers. Even during Covid they still make it a fun place to sit out by a fire, enjoy some music and a beer. They both offer safe social distancing indoors! For anyone that enjoys wine, there is a wine bar called UnWinded Up North. They always are featuring new wines and is a great place to play trivia on Tuesdays and wine tastings on Fridays. Both can be done in UnWinded or on Facebook live.

141727676 3751162404945626 7047446622187070603 n — Photo taken at Rapids Brewing Photo taken by Jordan Weis

140772977 3751162411612292 7237787485745673091 n — Photo taken at Klockow

142942295 3751422198252980 4934118555412362296 n — Photo taken at UnWinded Up North

3. Side by Side Riding on the Trails

One of the perks of moving up here is getting out on the trails. One day we took a side by side ride from Grand Rapids to Hill city. The trails are super fun to ride. They are well maintained and have rest areas to stop and relax.

140625359 3751162058278994 2893866482166935877 n — Side by Side ride to Hill City

4. Mt. Itasca

This has become one of my favorite spots to spend this winter. The tubing hills are fast and the tow rope pulls you up the hill. They also have skiing and snowboarding.

140758669 3751162391612294 4187201189790656674 n — Tubing at Mt. Itasca

5. Tioga Recreation

This place is fun to adventure all year round. During the fall the reflection of the leaves along the pit is breath taking. This winter, I am excited to try fat biking at Tioga. Ardent Bicycles offers tours and is perfect for beginners like me.

142347655 3751162044945662 922422717914491594 n — Tioga Recreation Area during the fall

140385908 3751162201612313 3630842275205061595 n — Trails at Tioga Recreation Area

6. Exploring and Shopping Downtown Grand Rapids

Downtown Grand Rapids has a variety of locally owned stores, antique shops and the Central Square Mall for shopping. I was able to find some unique items to furnish my new place. Besides shopping the Itasca County Historical Society is an educational site to learn about the history of Itasca County. Of course while exploring downtown we had to get a picture at the Paul Bunyan’s Chair.

140731353 3751162171612316 1358039669863621389 n — Paul Bunyan Chair with Finn!

7. Soooooo Many Good Places to Eat

I love trying new food and since moving up here I have done that. Sushi is one of my favorite meals and Fuji is a great place in town. One my favorite spots on the water that you can pontoon up to is Pickled Loon and of course my weekly coffee stop is at Brewed Awakenings. Lastly, I never mind a drive to Marcell for a meal at the Timberwolf Inn. They have the best french onion soup and cream cheese wontons.

140759863 3751161908279009 5596750779148438869 n — French Onion Soup form Timberwolf Inn

141378120 3751162328278967 4640896842995541171 n — Sushi form Fuji

143119897 3751385824923284 3267224620306025689 n — Wings from Pickled Loon

8. The Art & History of Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids is rich in art and history. Many of the buildings are original or renovated. Visit Grand Rapids has a virtual tour of the murals, sculptures and buildings around the city. My favorite art spot is the metal canoe by the Mississippi and my favorite historic spot is The Old Central School. I love working this building and getting visitors who share stories of going to school in The Old Central School.

DSC0914 HDR 1 — Metal Canoe by the Mississippi

141729211 3751162194945647 5824035575728274137 n — Old Central School

If you are thinking of moving to Grand Rapids, MN check out Thrive Up North to learn more about the opportunities and adventures you can have up north.

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