Family Winter Getaway

Arrival: Check into your choice of family lodging — from hotels with pools and hot tubs to cozy vacation rentals or a charming historic bed and breakfast downtown.

Evening Fun:
Head into town for dinner and music at Rapids Brewing Co. — enjoy smashburgers, wood-fired pizza, craft beer, 1919 root beer for the kids, and live music.

Both Rapids Brewing Co. and Klockow Brewing Co. are family-friendly!

After dinner, unwind back at your lodging — play cards, let the kids swim, and settle in for a relaxing night together.

Morning: Take your time getting up and ready for a day of winter fun! Depending on your family’s interests, pick the perfect adventure:

Snowtubing & Skiing: Head to Mt. Itasca for downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.

Fat Tire Biking: Try Tioga Recreation Area — rentals available from Ardent Bicycles.

Snowmobiling: Ride over 300 miles of trails, including the famous Taconite Trail. Don’t have your own? R&R Rental rents snowmobiles and helmets.

Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides: For a slower pace, enjoy a magical ride through the snowy forest at the Forest History Center.

If you’re ready to warm up or the weather turns chilly, Grand Rapids has plenty of indoor excitement:

Escape Room (Itasca Historical Society): Great challenge for tweens, teens, and adults.

Children’s Discovery Museum: Perfect for little ones 10 and under to play and explore.

Judy Garland Museum – Stolen Ruby Red Slipper Tour: A fun history stop for Wizard of Oz fans.

Ravenstone Abby: Teens and adults can try axe throwing in a safe, supervised environment.
Afterward, take a walk downtown to explore shops, public art, and even stroll across the Mississippi River pedestrian bridge near the library.

Saturday Evening

Enjoy a easy going night at one of Grand Rapids’ kid-friendly favorites:

Klockow Brewing Co - this family friendly location offers you the opportunity to bring in your dog, adults to order craft beer, and craft sodas for the kids. Have Sammy's Pizza delivered, and enjoy together.
Zorbaz on Pokegama – fun, casual, and full of energy

Pickled Loon Saloon – lakeside dining with something for everyone

Sammy’s Pizza – a local classic

Head back to your lodging for family games, a cozy movie, or a nightcap by the fire while the kids unwind.

Morning: Enjoy a slow start — sip coffee, eat continental breakfast at your hotel, or cook up pancakes together at your vacation rental.
Before You Go: If conditions are good, squeeze in one last adventure:

Mt. Itasca – skiing, snowboarding, or tubing

Tioga Recreation Area – open trails for winter biking and exploring

Check-out: Pack up, wave goodbye to Grand Rapids, and drive home safely — with new winter memories made together!