Photos courtesy of Visit Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is a beautiful road trip destination in the fall for the stunning fall colors, fun craft breweries, live music, apple orchards, pumpkin patch, hayrides, live theater, public art, and historic sites. Come to Grand Rapids, Minnesota this fall to reconnect in Minnesota’s nature with friends and family.
Cozy Lodging
Visit Grand Rapids has 32 cozy lodging properties that are open this fall to serve a wide variety of options for overnight lodging. From Minnesota Resorts located on beautiful lakes, in town hotels and motels located near shops, craft breweries and in town trails, downtown Airbnbs that are located above a retail shops, and Vacation Rentals that are located on pristine northern Minnesota lakes. Because fall is such a short season, you will want to book your lodging early.
Outdoor Recreation Mecca of the North
With over 1 million publicly accessible forest acres around Grand Rapids, Minnesota, this is the perfect place to hike, bike, and ATV this fall. The Chippewa National Forest, the George Washington State Forest, and the UPM Blandin Forest are perfect perfectly positioned within 10-45 minutes of downtown and perfect for a scenic road trip that offers stunning fall colors. The mixed hardwood and pine forests provide the ideal backdrop for outdoor adventure in the fall. Whatever your outdoor recreation passion, there is a new trail for you to explore.
Pumpkin Patch, Apple Orchards & Fall Events
In Grand Rapids there are two apple orchards, a charming farmers market and a pumpkin patch that offers hayrides and a corn maze. This is fun for all ages, and perfect for families with young children to learn about Minnesota-grown producers, and to enjoy local fall harvest food and products.
There are many fall events that are worth driving up north to enjoy. The second annual Grand Rapids Riverfest is headlining Wilco the second Saturday in September. The local craft breweries and local bars host weekly live Minnesota musicians, and the Reif Arts Center hosts over 15 Broadway-style entertainment shows at their state-of-the-art performing arts center.
Public Art, Educational and Historic Attractions
Did you know that Judy Garland was born and performed for her very first time in Grand Rapids, Minnesota? Tour unique educational and historic museums like the Judy Garland/Children’s Discovery Museum to step back in time when life was hard, but much simpler. Tour the downtown public art and enjoy free art gallery and exhibit centers like the MacRostie Art Center and the Reif Center. Make sure you stop into the Giinawind Creative Space which features native art and projects.
Fall Color Tour
Whether you are looking to feel the wind through your hair on two wheels, or you are looking to take that vintage hot rod out for one last ride of the year to view stunning fall colors, these fall color tours were created for you. Several of the tours run through and around the Chippewa National Forest, and the George Washington State Forest. You do not need a state forest park sticker to go on any of these fall color tours. Along each of these routes you will find places to stay, shop, places to eat and drink, places to grab gas and snack, and several places to stretch your legs and walk on the designated recreation hiking trails.
