Grand Rapids is the Outdoor Mecca of the North
Grand Rapids offers over 1 million acres of public forest land made up of the Chippewa National Forest, UPM Blandin Paper Company, George Washington State Forest, and the Scenic State Park. These are all great places to hike on well-maintained trails. You will find hundreds of miles to hike in the Grand Rapids, Minn., area that range from easy/beginner to intermediate levels.
If you are looking for a place to bike, then Grand Rapids is the perfect place. The Mesabi Trail is 145 miles of mostly paved bicycle trail that runs from the Mississippi River in Grand Rapids to the Boundary Waters in Ely. The Tioga Recreation Area is a 25-mile single-track trail that was created for mountain biking. Opening this May is the new mountain bike skills course, Playground Pathfinder.
Photo credit: Weisguy Images
Come Golf the three Grand Lakes of Golf courses which are all 18-hole championship golf courses: Eagle Ridge Golf Course, Pokegama Golf Course, and Sugar Brooke Golf Course. Each course is beautifully manicured with different degrees of difficulty, and all are located on stunning northern Minnesota lakes. All have cart rentals and restaurants on site.
Grand Rapids is also a great place to offroad on four wheels or two wheels. There are over 300 miles of wooded trails and roads where you can get deeper into the forest, to explore on ATV or off-highway motorcycle. You will find these trails are a mix of hardwood and pine forests, across wooden boardwalks that run over tamarack bogs, tight wooded corners, and rolling hills. Explore the Outdoors in Grand Rapids.
Intriguing Art & Cultural Area Attractions
Grand Rapids offers a wide variety of Things To Do that are inside as well as outside. Grand Rapids is home to Judy Garland, so the Judy Garland Museum is a top attraction to tour. Attached to the Judy Garland Museum is the Children’s Discovery Museum which is perfect for children toddlers to teens; with many exhibits connecting to the grandeur of the outdoors. MacRostie Art Center offers a free art gallery with new exhibits each month featuring Minnesota artists. You can also shop and purchase locally created art in the art shop. Itasca County Historical Society offers a free museum that showcases historic artifacts found in the Grand Rapids area, a new River Room exhibit, and an Escape Room that is perfect for 9 years of age and up. Learn more about the Grand Rapids Area Attractions.
Eat & Drink Local
After you have worked up an appetite on the trails and touring the area attractions, check out the craft breweries and wine bar. Rapids Brewing Company offers craft beer, Minnesota soda, and a variety of craft spirits, and wood-fired oven menu items from appetizers to main courses. Klockow Brewing Company offers craft beer and snack items, and the opportunity for you to order in or bring in your own food from the local restaurants. Unwined Up North is the Minnesota war bar that serves Minnesota soda and Minnesota wines, and charcuteries boards, sandwiches, flatbreads, and sandwiches. You will find weekly entertainment, like special programs and live music at the craft breweries and the wine bar. In addition you will find locally owned coffee shops, restaurants, bars and grills, and national franchise restaurants as well. Find places to Eat & Drink in Grand Rapids.
May is the perfect time for a spring road trip up north to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The wildlife comes alive in the forests, there are less people on the trails and courses, and lodging is at a lower rate than the peak months of summer. Make sure to book early for best availability. Grand Rapids offers a wide variety of lodging from conveniently located Hotels/Motels, downtown Air B&B’s, one Bed & Breakfast, resorts and vacation rentals located on northern MN lakes. Find places to Stay in Grand Rapids.
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