Celebrate Hygge Together With Your Girlfriends
Come celebrate Hygge (pronouned “hoo-gah” or “hooga”) together with your girlfriends this winter season. Hygge is a Danish/Norweigan word that means a sense of coziness, comfort, enjoying the simply pleasures in life.
The Grand Rapids, Itasca County, Minnesota area provides a place where you will find a wide variety of lodging that allows you to host several friends with an atmosphere of coziness and warmth in a natural setting. This atmosphere is the perfect opportunity to relax, reconnect together, and recharge in Minnesota’s nature.
Enjoy the simply pleasures of cuddling up by the fireplace glow, enjoying beverages and snacks, and reconnecting together for a weekend getaway in northern Minnesota.
Recharge in Minnesota's Nature
Another aspect of celebrating Hygge is to get outdoors to recharge in Minnesota’s nature. Whether this is a snowshoe hike across a frozen lake, through the wooded forest, or trying something new. Being in nature has proven stress reduction qualities that have
The Grand Rapids, Itasca County, Minnesota area has over 1M publicly accessible acres of mixed hardwood and pine forests to get outdoors. There are several winter outdoor recreation opportunities: cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, fat tire biking, ice fishing, skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and snowtubing. So whatever type of outdoor recreation you enjoy or want to try, you can do it here.
And don’t worry if you don’t own the equipment. Mt Itasca rents ski’s. Ardent Bicycles rents snowshoes and fat tire bikes. R&R Rental rents snowmobiles.
Get Pampered
Center – 210 SW 21st Street, Suite B – 218-259-8955
Elements – 1421 NW 4th Street – 218-999-9008
Solace Spa – 1421 NW Street (upper level) – 218-301-6372
Muah Spa & Salon – 1247 Pokegama Ave S – 218-999-5200
Nails Salon – 3150 S Pokegama Ave, Suite 106 – 218-999-5472
Tru North Salon & Spa – 10 NW 5th Street, Suite 102 – 218-999-0070
Willow Woods Wellness – 1325 NW 4th Street SW – 507-456-3690
Discover Shopping, Historic Sites & Beautiful Art
If you are looking to get out of your cozy lodging property to find something to do. There are several shopping opportunities in the Grand Rapids, Itasca County area. From art, clothing, gift, home decor, and vintage finds; there are unique shopping experiences here.
Starting at the end of October to the middle of December there are annual craft sales, bazaars, and bake sales where you will support “local” artisans and purchase one of a kind items from homemade food, baked goods, holiday gifts, decor, clothing, jewelry and more. These make great gifts for the hard to buy person on your holiday shopping list.
Many of the local boutique style shops are located in downtown Grand Rapids, but you will find locally owned and locally made as a common theme. These shops feature distinctive items that only small retailers can offer. A great opportunity to come into town with the girlfriends to stroll through walkable “main street” shops.
While you are downtown, make sure to upload the Grand Rapids Art & Historic Sites self-guided map to discover beautiful art, historic sites, and learn about what’s happening in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area.
Try New Bites and Sips
Going out to eat is a big part of being on vacation, and there are over 50 restaurants, bars/grill, and breweries in the Grand Rapids, and Itasca County area. There are the places the locals love. The best bar burgers. The best pizza north of the Cities. Upscale and fine dining. Whether you are looking to dine in or order out; there is a wide selection of places to eat and drink while on vacation for a Hygge Girlfriend Getaway. Grab a glass of wine and charcuterie board to share. Maybe getting dressed up and trying one of the new upscale restaurants in downtown Grand Rapids. Or maybe ordering to pickup or have food delivered. Enjoy hygge together with friends and loved ones by trying new bites and sips in the Grand Rapids, Itasca County, Minnesota area.
Live Entertainment
People assume because the greater Grand Rapids, MN area is made up of very small towns that there is nothing to do. Well, that is not true; there is always something going on! Enjoy live music at local bars and breweries. Take in a live Broadway style performance at The Reif Performing Arts Center. Find out all the juicy details of how the Ruby Red Slippers were found by purchasing tickets to the VIP Tour at the Judy Garland Museum. Take a horse-drawn carriage/sleigh ride through the forest at the Forest History Center. Try your skills in the Itasca Historical Society Escape Room. And, give Medieval style axe throwing at Ravenstone Abbey. Checking out the Itasca Events Calendar is a great way to discover what’s new, what’s coming up, and what’s going to be happening when you are planning to arrive.
Girlfriend Getaway Group Resources
Planning and coordination of a Hygge Girlfriend Getaway of six people or more can be daunting, but don’t worry, Visit Grand Rapids has you covered. Amanda Templin, Group Marketing & Community Engagement Manager, is here to help with group coordination and resources. She has all of the contacts you will need to help find the perfect group lodging property, group dining options, group discounts (typically 10 people or more), and group activities. Make sure to check out our Group Travel webpage and feel free to reach out to Amanda when you are struggling and need some assistance.
The Grand Rapids, Itasca County, Minnesota area welcomes groups of all sizes. You will find a wide variety of places to host group gathering events and travel. From bus tours to conferences attended by hundreds; Grand Rapids, Minnesota provides the perfect natural setting for your group to untap, reconnect, and have a great experience while here.
FAQ’s About The Grand Rapids, Itasca County Area:
What Are The Top Reasons For Vacationing in Grand Rapids, MN: Most of visitors come to vacation here for the combination of relaxation, reconnecting with loved ones, and also to recharge in Minnesota’s nature. Visitors also come to the Grand Rapids, MN area for cultural experiences, historic sites, boutique style shops, beautiful art, live performances, seasonal events, and new places to eat & drink.
How to Get Here: The best way to get to Grand Rapids, Minnesota from the Minneapolis and suburbs is Interstate 94 to Hwy 101 (Rogers exit) to Hwy 169 through Elk River and north all the way to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The best way to get to Grand Rapids, Minnesota from St Paul and suburbs is taking 35E north to Moose Lake exit and then take Hwy 27, to Hwy 73, to Hwy 2 west into Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Both of these routes vary from 3-4 hours. Taking the Great River Road is a scenic route where you will discover some interesting historic sites, landmarks, and scenic wayside rests along the way.
What to Pack: Temperatures in the late fall and winter range between 40°F to –20°F (evening temperatures in the months of January & February). Because of this fluctuation, packing layers is a good idea. If you are going to be outdoors, depending on the outdoor activity will determine the number of layers and type of gear you pack as well. The basic: winter coat, lined pants and winter weight outer shell bibs or pants, boots, warm socks, mittens/gloves, and a hat. Packing several long sleeves and high collar shirts/sweatshirts is a good idea. But also remember a large reason people vacation here is to relax, so pack comfy clothes like sweatshirts, sweatpants, leggings, and your favorite blanket to cuddle up next to the fire. Check prior to arrival of what your lodging property provides and does not provide. Some resorts do not provide bath towels, shampoo, or conditioner. Some properties offer a hot tub, sauna, or even a pool. Checking before you arrive will ensure you are prepared.
What Happens If I forget Something – Don’t worry! Grand Rapids has a variety of locally owned stores and big box shops where you will be able to purchase any item you may have forgotten like a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, or even a swimsuit (depending on the time of the year).
Where else can I find inspiration for traveling to the Grand Rapids, Itasca County area? Visit Grand Rapids has a Facebook & Instagram social media pages, and a YouTube Page where you can view a wide variety of videos highlighting each season, different types of outdoor recreation, and travel inspiration.