This winter get outdoors into a winter wonderland to the best winter getaway in northern Minnesota. This small, charming town located in northern Minnesota is known for an abundance of outdoor recreation. You can most always count on snow and ice (with the exception to last winter when nobody had snow in Minnesota). This northern Minnesota town has over 1 million publicly accessible forest acres surrounding it. And within these publicly accessible forest acres, there are over 1,100 area lakes and over 2,000 miles of designated trails. This small town up north will surprise you with its big offerings in the winter, plus, enter for a chance to WIN a Winter Getaway HERE!
Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is not a sleepy town in the winter. There is way more to offer than people would think for a small town in northern Minnesota. Check out the winter seasonal page that has sample winter travel itineraries, winter trail and ice fishing reports, winter events, festivals, live theater, music performances, winter attractions attractions, and more.
Grand Rapids is the best place for a winter getaway because it offers a winter wonderland experience. Find cozy lodging, new places to eat and drink, and lots of outdoor recreation. The splendor of the outdoors is enhanced by the indoor places to stay, area attractions, fun places to eat and drink, and event and theater spaces.
Whatever type of outdoor recreation you enjoy, you can enjoy it here! There are 288km of cross-country ski trails, over 200 miles of snowmobile trails and over 25 miles of mountain bike trails, and lots of forests to snowshoe on. For cross-country ski trails, we suggest viewing the Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club Trail Map. For snowmobiling, we suggest viewing the Itasca County Snowmobile Map, and for mountain biking, we suggest viewing the Grand Rapids and Itasca Mountain Bike Association (GRIMBA). There are not snowshoeing trails or a map, but where there is public lands like the Chippewa National Forest, you can snowshoe there. Just remember to stay off of the groomed snowmobile and cross-country ski trails, and cross these trails at a 90-degree angle. Located just 15 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids is Mt. Itasca, where you can enjoy downhill skiing, snowboarding terrain, snow tubing, and cross-country skiing. Grand Rapids is where you can get outdoors into a winter wonderland.
When a day in the north woods has worked up your appetite, let us fill your belly with an array of places to eat. There is a wide variety of fun places to eat and drink in the greater Grand Rapids area—from places you can grab a quick-bite on the run, sit down locally owned restaurants where the locals go, and off-the-beaten path bar and grills that are located right on the trails. We bet that you will be surprised by the number of places to eat and drink here in the greater Grand Rapids area.
You may be surprised to learn just how many attractions Grand Rapids has to offer. We are home to many talented artists that you can explore through live performances, art walks, galleries. You can also be a part of the history in Grand Rapids by stepping back in time at one of our many historical attractions. You are sure to find things for all ages in Grand Rapids!
You will find an abundance of lodging options in the Grand Rapids area. The choice is yours from in town hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, AirBnBs, and vacation rentals that are accessible to the snowmobile trails, cross-country ski trails, mountain bike trails, and just a 15-minute drive to ski hills. Several of the in-town lodging properties have on-site amenities like a pool, hot tub, and continental breakfast. Then, there are resort cabins and vacation rental homes that are located on frozen lakes and on the snowmobile, cross-country ski trails, and mountain bike trails. These properties have full kitchens and places for the entire family to gather together.
