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National Travel & Tourism | Visit Grand Rapids

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NATIONAL TRAVEL AND TOURISM WEEK

National travel and tourism week

National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), is an annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. tourism and hospitality industry. Tourism is VITAL and VIBRANT in Grand Rapids, MN and Itasca County!

Grand Rapids, Minnesota is a small rural town located in the middle of Minnesota’s nature surrounded by over 1 million publicly accessible forest land that have 2,000 miles of designated trails and 1,400 area lakes. The perfect road trip destination that offers small town charm, an abundance of outdoor recreation, local craft breweries, boutique style shops, beautiful local art & cultural experiences, live music and performances, and cozy lodging. This is the perfect place to reconnect, recharge and relax on vacation in northern Minnesota. LEARN MORE: www.visitgrandrapids.com/about

Celebrated annually in May, National Travel and Tourism Week was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 42nd annual NTTW (May 4-10, 2025 ) is a time for the U.S. travel community to recognize the value of travel for the economy, businesses, and person well-being. 

Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the perfect travel destination to seek personal well-being for family and friends. Whether on a solo getaway or with friends and family; there are so many ways to relax, reconnect and recharge in Minnesota’s nature in Grand Rapids.

There are many studies that show being out in nature reduces stress, improves your mood, and can help regain perspective of the importance of down time to untap from the crazy scheduled lives most of us live on a daily basis. Most people that visit the Grand Rapids, MN area come here for some type of outdoor recreation: ATVing, biking, cross country skiing, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, foraging, mountain biking, paddling, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, etc. Some of the point of interests that visitors seek that outdoor recreation is: the Chippewa National Forest, Tioga Recreation Area, Scenic State Park, Legion Trail & Park, Sugar Hills Cross Country Ski Trail, Pokegama Dam and the Mississippi River.

In 2025, everyone deserve a vacation getaway, if even for a long weekend. Grand Rapids, Minnesota is one of those destinations that are ideal for year round travel where you can relax, reconnect with friends and family, and recharge in Minnesota’s nature.

Please visit: https://www.ustravel.org/events/national-travel-and-tourism-week to learn m ore about National Travel and Tourism Week hosted by the U.S. Travel Agency.

Wildfire Alerts

At this time there are no wildfires in the Grand Rapids, and Itasca County, Minnesota area. The wildfire smoke from the Cook, Lake, and northern St Louis County fires has moved into the greater Grand Rapids, and Itasca County, Minnesota area today. Predictions with wind and weather conditions that it will clear up significantly this weekend (July 17-19, 2026). Below are some resources and updated information regarding the air quality and wildfires in Cook, Lake, and northern St Louis County:

MN DNR Wildfire Updates/Alerts:
 https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/forestry/fire/index.html

US Forest Department, Superior National Forest Updates/Alerts: 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/superior/alerts

MPCA Information:
 https://www.pca.state.mn.us/news-and-stories/air-quality-alert-issued-due-to-wildfire-smoke-for-wednesday-july-15-through-friday-july-17-for-east-0

INCI Information : 
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/mnsuf-july-2026-superior-nf-wildfires/superior-national-forest-and-july-lightning-event-combined-daily-update-07-14-2026