Fall Scenic Byways With Wacky Roadside Attractions
We have the best scenic route for you to find beautiful Fall Leaves and Wacky Roadside Attractions in the Grand Rapids, and Itasca County, Minnesota area. Our Fall Leaves Color Tour includes four scenic driving routes where you will discover beautiful mixed hardwoods and pines forests, crystal clear northern MN area lakes, outdoor recreation trails, and historic sites. And along these routes are also wacky roadside attractions. Several small rural communities have created these large statues to attract visitors, and represent their natural habitat, history, and heritage. Click the button below to discover beautiful fall colors, area attractions, places to eat & drink, and cozy lodging.
Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway Wacky Roadside Attractions
The Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway is a great route to take a scenic drive where you will discover Fall Leaves and Wacky Roadside Attractions. The 46 mile scenic byway starts in Deer River, Minnesota and ends in Northome, Minnesota. This scenic byway is known for its towering stands of mature red and white pine trees that create a cathedral-like canopy over the road. Along this route you will discover many forest roads, and designated hiking trails located within the Chippewa National Forest. There is the Cut Foot Visitors Center (open on weekends during the fall), Cut Foot Sioux Fishing Pier, Simpson Creek Hiking Trail, and the Cut Foot Sioux Horse Camp that are located right off of the Avenue of the Pines Scenic Byway. There are several places to get gas, snack, and public restrooms. And there are several restaurants/bars to stop for new bites and sips.
avenue of the pines Wacky Roadside attractions
All of these wacky roadside attractions are a great opportunity for a picture, and a change to stretch your legs. The big northern is located in front of the Northern Star Cenex in Deer River, MN where you can get gas, food, beverages, and use the public restrooms. The big goose and the Native American art are located not far from one another in Squaw Lake and Alvwood. Leino’s Riverside Pub and the Hoot n Holler are located nearby. Both are great places to grab food and beverages, play some pull tabs, and Leino’s now has a casino inside. And the big black bear in Northome, MN is located next door and across the street from two restaurants, and the city municipal bar and liquor store.
Great River Road - Mississippi River
The Great River Road is a 3,000 mile scenic byway that runs from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Here in Minnesota the Great River Road has six regions: Headwaters, Northwoods, Crossings, Scenic, Metro, and the Bluffs. The Grand Rapids, and Itasca County area is included in two: Northwoods and the Crossings.
Northwoods Region:
Experience nature in the whisper of the pines and the crisp northwoods air. Follow the river through Bemidji, Cass, Winnibigoshish and Pokegama — mighty lakes, with mighty good fishing. Discover the stories of the Ojibwe and the history of the lumberjacks. Visit Grand Rapids to tour the paper mill, Forest History Center and Judy Garland’s birthplace. Get out and enjoy.
Crossings Region:
By river. By rail. By road. People of this region have traveled the Mississippi for centuries. Today it plays host to thousands of vacationers each year who bike, golf, fish, bird or simply seek respite. Come to play and to explore the
historical routes inspired by the river. Grand Rapids, Aitkin, the towns of the Cuyuna Range, Brainerd and Little Falls will be your hosts. This route is where the Mississippi runs right through downtown Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Downtown Grand Rapids is a great way to discover historic sites like the Itasca County Historical Museum, discover beautiful art like at MacRostie Art Center, stop in the many boutique style shops, and eat at bars, restaurants, and the coffee shop. Learn more by clicking the buttons below.
Great River road wacky roadside attraction
The wacky roadside attraction in Grand Rapids on the Great River Road is the big red chair that was created as a fundraiser for the chair auction by the Friends of the Grand Rapids Area Library. The chair was made structurally more sound and beautiful flowers were planted around. This is located on the major intersection of Hwy 169 and Hwy 2 right downtown Grand Rapids across from the historic Old Central School.
There is a locally owned coffeehouse on the opposite corner of the big red chair and plenty of parking in the adjoining parking lot. This makes for a great photo opportunity. In downtown Grand Rapids there are historic sites, beautiful public art, locally owned boutique shops, bars and restaurants, and very walkable.
Click the below button to learn more about the ten-state Great River Road that runs from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The two Great River Road Interpretive Centers in Grand Rapids are: Itasca County Historical Society and the Forest History Center. The Forest History Center is open seasonally on Saturdays in the Fall.
Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway
The Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway that was the first one to receive the designation in the state of Minnesota. It is a 47-mile byway that runs from Grand Rapids to Effie, Minnesota. this curvy and windy road runs between dozens of crystal clear northern Minnesota lakes, tamarack bogs, and area rivers. There are many discovery sites that are numbered green reference signs that mark cultural and historical discovery points along the route, including the Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center in Marcell.
The EOW Scenic Byway makes the perfect fall road trip because of the mixed hardwoods forests that are made up of aspens, birch, elm, maple, and oak; with red and white pine mixed in. This presents forests of golden yellow, orange, red, and green. A beautiful mix that makes for a brilliant scenic drive.
There are many places to stop to eat & drink at area bars and restaurants. There are several gas stations to get gas, snacks, and use public restrooms. And there are many places to lodge. Grand Rapids, Minnesota is a regional hub for retail and services.
The Edge of the Wilderness is perfect for a motorcycle and vintage car ride because the average speed along the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway is 45 MPH. Click the below button to learn more about the Edge of the Wilderness Scenic Byway and view the Fall Leaves Color Tour where the EOW Scenic Byway is included.
Along the Edge of the Wilderness there are several wacky roadside attractions to stop, take photos at, and learn about their history. There is the Lumberjack (located at City Hall) and Wannigan (located on the Bigfork River) in Bigfork. And then there is the big Misquitto and Bucking Bronco in Effie, Minnesota. All of these are very unique and are handmade of metal and synthetic materials.