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    Why Shoulder Season Is The Best Time To Visit | Grand Rapids, MN

    Shoulder Season Travel

    shoulder season

    Why shoulder season is the best time to visit Grand Rapids, Minnesota? Many Reasons! For many visitors, a up north trip is preferred in the summer months. But, we have a little secret for you, come in the shoulder season. Here is why…

    Rates are cheaper at Minnesota Resorts, in town Hotels and Motels, charming Bed and Breakfasts, and Vacation Rentals. Grand Rapids, Minnesota offers a wide variety of short-term lodging options. Whether you are looking for an urban oasis Air B&B, to seek solitude at an off the beaten bath Vacation Rental, be close to the shops and fun places to eat & drink, or a cabin with a view. You will find the options HERE.

    There are many things to do during the shoulder season in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The boutique shops are open year round. There are many Broadway style theater performances at The Reif Center. MacRostie Art Center and the Grand Rapids Arts host monthly art events. Many area attractions are also open year round. The breweries and other local bars and restaurants host live music and events weekly. And, there is a million accessible public forest acres to explore. Grand Rapids, Minnesota is a small town with lots of shoulder season travel options.

    Shoulder Season Lodging Options

    shoulder season

    Traveling during shoulder season gives opportunities at deals for lodging. Typically the rates drop for overnight lodging with discounts between 30-40% from peak season (June-August). This allows you to either stay longer, or to have more money to do things while you are in town. Grand Rapids, Minnesota might be a small town, but it doesn’t lack lodging options! You will find over 37 lodging options on www.visitgrandrapids.com/stay website. There are in town Hotels and Motels. There are two charming and historic Bed & Breakfasts. There are many Vacation Rentals By Owner. And there are several Minnesota Resorts that are open year round. All of these beautiful properties give visitors the option of in town, off the beaten path, full amenities, close to trails, rent the entire cabin/vacation rental or have room service delivered right to your room. Find your ideal Shoulder Season Lodging in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

    Things To Do In The Shoulder Season

    shoulder season

    Some assume that during the shoulder season small towns shut down, but not the case for Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Only a couple of area attractions close for regular season (June-August) but even these have special events and programming throughout the year. The Judy Garland Museum and Children’s Discovery Museum is a prime example; they change their hours, but they are open year round. The Itasca County Historical Museum and Escape Room are open year round as well; a must stop is to tour the Mississippi River Room. Downtown is a great place to come during shoulder season to take a Self-Guided Grand Rapids Art & Historic Site Walk. MacRostie Art Center offers two art galleries with new monthly exhibits, a gift shop, and a classroom for art classes year round. The locally owned boutique shops are open year round as well, and offer unique art, home decor, gift, clothing, jewelry, vintage, repurposed, and sustainable goods. Find places to Shop in Grand Rapids. The local breweries and locally owned restaurants and bars are open year round as well, and many offer weekly specials, events and live music each week. Find Fun Places To Eat & Drink in Grand Rapids. View the year round Grand Rapids, MN Area Events Calendar.

    Be Entertained In The Shoulder Season

    shoulder season

    Grand Rapids, Minnesota has a hidden gem called The Reif Performing Art Center. This state of the art facility offers two theaters for amazing up close and personal live performance experiences. The Reif’s peak season is the travel shoulder season. They offer over 50 performances September to May of each year. This means coming to Grand Rapids, Minnesota is the shoulder season will give you an opportunity to take in a Broadway style theater performance. There are performances for all audiences, so be sure to check out the family friendly performances. The local breweries, restaurants and bars are open year round, and offer weekly live music and events that will entertain you will you drink and dine. Many of the entertainment is free. Throughout the shoulder season there are also premiere annual events like Shop Hops, Bargains Are Great On Hwy 38,  First Friday Art Walks, Christmas in the Logging Camp, and Frozen Fairway. Make sure to check out our full Events Calendar before you arrive to know what events are happening HERE.

    Discover Minnesota's Nature In The Shoulder Season

    shoulder season

    One of the main reasons why shoulder season is the best time to visit Grand Rapids, Minnesota is because you have the opportunity to slow down, reconnect together and recharge in Minnesota’s nature. The Grand Rapids, MN area has over 1 million publicly accessible forest acres where you can hike, bike, hunt, ATV, fish, snowmobile, snowshoe, and cross country ski. Discover the many trails that you can enjoy Outdoor Recreation in the Grand Rapids, MN area.

    The Chippewa National Forest surrounds Grand Rapids, Minnesota. You will find many designated and well-maintained and mapped trails. During the shoulder seasons starting in October the forest changing and gives you a place to seek peace. Once the leaves fall, the forest point of view changes to allow you a front row seat to wildlife. There are no leaves that get in the way of viewing soring eagles ahead, and other northern Minnesota wildlife like deer, rabbits, and fox that are seeking food and places to rest in the forest. Many visitors seek the forest during this time of the year because they get a sense of calm, and find the solitude of the forest allows them to regain balance in their life. 

    Start Planning Your Shoulder Season Trip To Grand Rapids, Minnesota

    shoulder season

    You can start your shoulder season trip to Grand Rapids that is located in northern Minnesota by viewing the interactive Grand Rapids Visitor Guide. This guide gives you ideas for things to do all year long, showcases the amenities of overnight lodging, and highlights outdoor recreation trails and lakes.

    Another way to start your planning is to view the Visit Grand Rapids website which highlights everything you need to know about visiting the Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. Learn more by viewing www.visitgrandrapids.com now!

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