Winter Family Things To Do In Grand Rapids, MN
In Grand Rapids, Minnesota there are many winter family things to do! While people typically know Grand Rapids as the Summer Family Leisure destination (Going to the Lake destination). Grand Rapids, Minnesota is also a great place for a Family Winter Vacation as well. If your family likes exploring the outdoors, trying new things, and a place that offers things to do for everyone in the family, then you need to look into Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids, MN area offers a wide variety of family friendly places to stay. There are in town Hotels, Motels, Vacation Rentals and one Bed and Breakfast that are close to the in town trails, restaurants, and shops. There are off the beaten path Resort Cabins, and Vacation Rentals that offer a full cabin/house for the family to spread out that offer full kitchens, 1-5 bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, and are located on area lakes and on or close to the trails.
There is an abundance of outdoor recreation like cross country skiing, downhill skiing, ice fishing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and snowtubing. Mt Itasca is the perfect place for downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding and
snowtubing. Tioga Recreation Area is perfect for snowshoeing and fat tire biking. Legion Trail is perfect for fat tire biking and cross country skiing. Legion Trail and Minnesota Power Trails are lighted at night for cross country skiing. There are over 1,100 area lakes to ice fish.
Then there are fun historic attractions for additional winter family things to do, like the Stolen Ruby Red Slipper Tour at the Judy Garland Museum and the Children’s Museum for younger children 10 and under. The Escape Room at the Itasca Historical Society is perfect for tweens to adults. Ravenstone Abby is the perfect place for teens to adults to try axe throwing in a safe environment. And then all ages will enjoy a horse drawn sleigh ride through the wintry forest at the Forest History Center. Grand Rapids offers a wide variety of places to stay like in town Hotels that offer on site amenities like a pool, hot tub, continental breakfast, and on site bar/restaurant. Then there are economical Motels that are close and convenient to places to eat & drink, fun attractions, and in town trails. There also are in town Air BnB’s and a charming historic Bed and Breakfast that is perfect for the family that is looking for an enchanted historic stay. Check out the sample itinerary below for some Winter Family Things To Do in Grand Rapids Minnesota:
Winter Family Vacation Itinerary For Grand Rapids, MN
FRIDAY:
- Check into your lodging property, get settled, and then head into Rapids Brewing Co for a smashburger, wood fired pizza, 1919 rootbeer, and adult cocktails and craft beer, and live music. Both locally owned breweries (Klockow Brewing Co and Rapids Brewing Co are both family friendly). Head back to your lodging property to enjoy a card game, let the kids swim in the pool (if staying at an in town Hotel), and just relax.
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SATURDAY:
·      Relax, and take your time getting up and out of the lodging property. Today we suggest you try some outdoor recreation opportunity and one unique attraction. Based on your families ages and abilities
·     Outdoor Recreation Ideas: mountain biking and fat tire at Tioga Recreation (Ardent Bicycles offers rentals) or snowtubing at Mt Itasca. If your family has snowmobiles, there is over 300 miles of trails including the famous state Taconite Trail. R&R Rental rents snowmobiles and helmets if your family is interested in riding the trails. And then there is the horse drawn sleigh rides at the Forest History Center for the less outdoor adventurous families to still get outdoors into a winter wonderland.
·      Winter Indoor Fun: The Escape Room is a fun family activity that takes around 1-1.5 hours, and afterwards you can walk downtown among the local shops and beautiful art. You can also walk across the Mississippi River on the walking and biking bridge next to the Grand Rapids area Library. Families with younger children, the Children’s Discovery Museum is perfect to let the kids play and discover. For families with older children into history the Stolen Ruby Red Slipper Tour is perfect.
·     We suggest a fun atmosphere like Zorbaz on Pokegama, Pickled Loon Saloon, or Sammy’s Pizza are all perfect kid-friendly menu places to eat & drink.
·     Head back to the lodging property to relax, play some games together, and enjoy a nightcap by the fireplace.
SUNDAY:
·      Again, take your time getting up. Enjoy the view outside while you enjoy coffee, continental breakfast (if you are staying at an in-town Hotel) or enjoy making breakfast together at your vacation rental or resort cabin rental.
·      Sunday’s are limited for attractions open, but (if the weather conditions permit) Mt Itasca is open for down hill skiing, cross country skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing to enjoy before you head home. Tioga Recreation Area is open based on trail conditions.
·        Check out and drive home safely.
FAQ's Family Vacation Things To Do In Grand Rapids, MN
What are the Family Friendly Places To Stay in Grand Rapids, Minnesota?
Grand Rapids offers a wide variety of places to stay from in town Hotels, Motels and one Bed and Breakfast to Vacation Rentals and Resort Cabins located on beautiful area lakes. They are all family friendly, and many are pet friendly as well. Use the AMENITITES field to search properties based on amenities that you are looking for.
What are the Family Friendly Outdoor Recreation Opportunities in Grand Rapids, Minnesota?
There is a lot of family friendly outdoor recreation to enjoy year round in Grand Rapids, Minnesota! There is ATVing, biking, boating, cross county skiing, downhill skiing, fat tire biking, fishing, hiking, ice fishing, ice skating, mountain biking, paddling, sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snowboarding, snowtubing, swimming. Whatever season, and whatever outdoor recreation activity you would like to try, you can do it in the greater Grand Rapids, Minnesota area. There is over 1M publicly accessible forest acres with 2,000 miles of trails and 1,100 area lakes.Â
A couple of area attractions that offer outdoor recreation are: Chippewa National Forest, (cross county skiing, ice fishing, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing), Forest History Center (cross county skiing and horse drawn trolley rides), Mt Itasca (cross county skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing), Legion Trail (cross country skiing and mountain biking/fat tire biking), Scenic State Park (cross country skiing and snowmobiling), Tioga Recreation Area (fat tire biking, ice fishing, and snowshoeing), and the Itasca County Cross Country Ski Trails.
What are the Family Friendly Indoor Things To Do in Grand Rapids, Minnesota?
There are several family friendly things to do, year-round in Grand Rapids, Minnesota! For families with children toddler-tweens (2yrs-10yrs) the Children’s Discovery Museum is a great indoor attraction that has kid-sized exhibits that allows kids to play and learn. Families with children aged tweens to early adults will enjoy the Itasca County Historical Society Escape Room and Ravenstone Abbey Axe Throwing. Families of all ages will enjoy the indoor interpretive center at the Forest History Center. Families with children ages 5-yrs-young adults will enjoy the bowling alley and mini-golf and batting cage at Thunder Alley XL. Mann’s Cinnema 8 is also a great option for inclement weather days and blustering winter days. And then there are many family friendly places to eat as well.
