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.