Hygge Girlfriend Getaway To Grand Rapids: Relaxation, Cozy Cabin, Entertainment and MORE.

For Day 1 - typically this is not a full day. It is arrival day. If you are not able to check-in until later in the afternoon. Take the opportunity to start by strolling through downtown Grand Rapids, MN boutique style shops and view beautiful local art. Grab lunch at Rapids Brewing to sample a flight of craft beer or try one of the craft cocktails. Enjoy wood-fired menu items like wood-fired pizza, a smash burger, brisket nachos, or chicken wings. Then head back to your lodging property to just chill, change, and then head to Ravenstone Abbey which offers medieval axe throwing. Enjoy one of their charcuterie trays, a warm bowl of soup, a salad, one of their delicious sandwiches or flatbreads. Heading back to your lodging property to enjoy drinks, snacks, and lots of laughs cuddled up by the fireplace.

Day 2 is about sleeping in, slowly getting up, and enjoying coffee and breakfast with friends in your PJ's. If you are staying in a cabin or vacation rental you can all make breakfast together. If you are staying in town at a Hotel or Bed & Breakfast then go enjoy the continental breakfast. There are many local coffeehouses in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area.

A hidden gem in Grand Rapids where you will feel like you are in the middle of an off the beaten path, but you will be right in town is the Forest History Center. Here you can get outdoors in Minnesota's nature (located along the Mississippi River), learn about Minnesota's logging history, and enjoy a horse-drawn carriage/sleigh ride through the forest. You can spend several hours at this location. So, it makes for a great afternoon group activity. You can snowshoe the trails, cross-country ski their groomed trails here too.

Fine dining is on the menu tonight. Reservations are required if you want dining, but walk in at the bar is first come basis. We suggest: The Pines where their Chef was nominated for a James Beard Award. This restaurant offers upscale dining, farm to table options, seasonal chef inspired menu's, craft cocktail and wine pairing options. After dinner, head back to your lodging property where you can get back into cozy clothing, and enjoy conversation, games, and beverages and snacks.

Day 2 is about sleeping in, slowly getting up, and enjoy Breakfast out at one of the locally owned made from scratch menu. We suggest Sportsman Cafe; note: they only take cash, and first-come basis. If they are full here are additional options: Dottie's Cafe, and Country Kitchen for great breakfast restaurants.

When breakfast is over, it is time for some outdoor activity. A great activity that is fun for all ages is snowshoeing. You do not need groomed trails for snowshoeing. You can snowshoe on public land and any private land you have approval to be on. Good public places to consider snowshoeing on the American Legion Trail (located at the Reif Center parking lot). If you don't own snowshoes, Ardent Bicycles (218-999-5470) rents them, but you will want to reserve before you arrive, and schedule pickup and drop off as well.

When you are done snowshoeing, everyone can head for home. Your weekend leaves you fulfilled and recharged.