Come to Grand Rapids, MN this summer for fun FREE things to do with kids!
Do you remember some of your favorite summer vacation memories were when you were a child? What made them special – the scenery? The people you were with? The delicious food? There are so many different things you can do with a family to create those forever memories that always leave a smile on your face.
In Grand Rapids, some of the best activities where your family can cultivate dreamy summer memories are FREE! Here is a list of the free family adventures you can tackle when you visit:
Walk About Downtown
Small town downtown’s are the heart of the community! This is definitely true for Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Downtown Grand Rapids is a vibrant place to shop, dine, view public art, and enjoy historic buildings and attractions. The Itasca County Historical Society Museum is FREE to tour. Here you will find interesting history of Itasca County and annual exhibits include: The Picture Grace, Veterans Memorial, and Itasca Camps to name a few. Kids enjoy the trains and woolly mammoth tusk. The cute gift shop includes responsibly priced items that represent your trip to Grand Rapids. Make sure to stop and take a picture at Paul Bunyan’s Chair located on the corner of Pokegama Ave and 4th Street.
Land Of 10,000 Lakes
You can enjoy Minnesota’s beauty from dry land, but in the land of 10,000 lakes, we have got to show you Tioga Beach on Pokegama and Blandin Beach on Forest Lake! These two beaches and recreation areas make for the perfect summer swimming afternoon for your family. Pack lunch and enjoy a picnic. Don’t forget to protect your skin from the sun and keep a close eye on swimmers so everyone can leave your beach day happy and healthy. There are fishing piers to fish from on both of these lakes. The fishing piers maybe located just down from the beach area.
Taste The Harvest Rainbow
Have you ever seen a child’s eyes light up when they see a humongous watermelon? Or how interesting it really is to see fruit and veggies go from farm to table? Grand Rapids has an amazing farmers market every Saturday and Wednesday from 8am-1pm.
Take a group or your whole family here to get the inside scoop on what we grow and harvest in northern Minnesota. Kids are often curious to check out the handmade syrups, jellies, and canned goods and market members are always delighted to share their process with anyone willing to learn! Kids can sign up for Power of Produce (POP) Members (ages 2-17) to receive FREE produce. Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/POPClubGrandRapidsFarmersMarket
You can pre-order from the Grand Rapids Farmers Market:https://www.localline.ca/grand-rapids-farmers-market
Dabble In Deep Woods 
Quite a few outdoor enthusiasts attribute their wilderness yearnings from exploring state and national parks with their families when they were young children. Grand Rapids has everything you need to spark the back-country bug in your little ones.
The Chippewa National Forest has many trails to go exploring safely into the forest to view mix forests of tall pines and hardwoods, view wildlife and native plants. Take a step back in time and spend the day in the serene, secluded Lost Forty, located in the Chippewa National Forest, where the pine trees are over 300 years old! Here your family can enjoy camping, hiking, picnic areas, and amazing fishing. This location is definitely worth the drive north about 1 hour of Grand Rapids.
Visit The Forest History Center where you get a chance to look into the past with a recreated 1900 logging camp, nature programs, trails and visitor center. Their hours are Wednesday-Saturday 10am-4pm.
We hope these suggestions can help your family create the bellyaching, Popsicle stained laughs that freeze in a brain’s memory for later. Grand Rapids is ready to take you on a memorably Minnesota vacation.