Things to do
UP NORTH.
BOOK NOW
START HERE...
Grand Rapids, MN is a small town with lots of charm, surrounded by Minnesota’s nature with numerous things to do to keep everyone busy or as relaxed as they want to be. This rural up north destination is a picturesque area that has been a favorite of those planning MN family vacations, fishing trips, couple’s getaways, winter skiing and snowmobile trips, and family reunions for over 100 years. The distinguished fishing lakes, forest and trails provide the perfect backdrop for leisure and sports adventures. Grand Rapids is close enough to be convenient, but just far enough away to provide a real escape. You will find a truly unique Northwoods experience; filled with abundant outdoor adventures, scenic beauty, preserved heritage and vibrant arts and entertainment. The Grand Rapids area offers a wide variety of lodging, rustic and charming dining and unique boutique style shopping opportunities to meet everyone’s wants and needs for a grand getaway.
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
- Spring
![Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (2) Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (2)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn-ikplmjn.nitrocdn.com/YCpCxKmpGANUAJeULcmgSOQNqnkbgUYp/assets/images/optimized/rev-40dc886/visitgrandrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Fall-on-Sugar-Lake-Oct-2015.jpg)
FALL COLORS TOUR GUIDE
Directions for touring fall colors in Grand Rapids, MN and surrounding area.
![Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (3) Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (3)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn-ikplmjn.nitrocdn.com/YCpCxKmpGANUAJeULcmgSOQNqnkbgUYp/assets/images/optimized/rev-40dc886/visitgrandrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Old-Central-School-Aerial-Weis-Guy-IMages.jpg)
AREA ATTRACTIONS
Grand Rapids offers top rated attractions including the theatre, outdoors, art and entertainment and many family friendly things to do.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The Judy Garland Museum, the Macrostie Art Center, The Grand Rapids Players or the Wine and Paint you'll have a full array of colors in the north country.
ATV & OHV
The Itasca County area offers thousands of acres of federal, state, county and industrial forest land that are open to off-highway vehicle riding.
BIKING
The Grand Rapids, Minnesota area has over 100 miles of bike trails that you can ride all seasons.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
Northern Minnesota offers miles of groomed trails for all expertise. Take a peek at all the area has to offer and plan your winter trip this year!
EVENTS
Race cars, horses, fairs and good 'ole fashion fun. Grand Rapids has something for everyone. Check out our events to see what's new all year round.
EVENTS
Theatre, art, concerts and festivals. Grand Rapids has something for everyone. Check out our events to see what's new all year round.
FAT TIRE BIKING
100 + miles of bike trails you can ride all year round. Off the beaten path from novice to expert. Find your way up north.
![Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (11) Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (11)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn-ikplmjn.nitrocdn.com/YCpCxKmpGANUAJeULcmgSOQNqnkbgUYp/assets/images/optimized/rev-40dc886/visitgrandrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tioga_Fall_Calvin_Miller_Oct_2019.jpg)
FAT TIRE BIKING
100 + miles of bike trails you can ride all year round. Off the beaten path from novice to expert. Find your way up north.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Restaurants, history, sports, hiking, beaches and water sports. There is something to suite the entire family in Grand Rapids, MN.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Restaurants, history, skiing, sledding, hockey and snowmobiling. There is something to suite the entire family in Grand Rapids, MN.
![Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (14) Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (14)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn-ikplmjn.nitrocdn.com/YCpCxKmpGANUAJeULcmgSOQNqnkbgUYp/assets/images/optimized/rev-40dc886/visitgrandrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-15-at-10.34.16-AM.jpg)
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Restaurants, history, skiing, sledding, hockey and snowmobiling. There is something to suite the entire family in Grand Rapids, MN.
FISHING
The state of 10,000 lakes....and LOTS of fish. Find clear water, bogs and rivers with a robust amount of fish. Walleye, Crappie, Northern Pike and more.
FOOD & DRINK
Breweries, Wine Bars or just a good 'ole fashion plate of fried walleye. There is something for all palettes in Northern Minnesota.
HIKING
Chippewa National Forest, Suomi Hills, Simpson Creek Trial, The Lost Forty.....just a few trails to check out!
ICE FISHING
The state of 10,000 lakes....and LOTS of fish. Frozen lakes with a robust amount of fish. Walleye, Crappie, Northern Pike and more.
FALL FISHING
The state of 10,000 lakes....and LOTS of fish. Frozen lakes with a robust amount of fish. Walleye, Crappie, Northern Pike and more.
LAKES & BEACHES
Sandy shores, sand castles and a crappie or two. Find your feet relaxing in sand on many surrounding lakes (16 to say the least).
NIGHT LIFE
Not your typical sleepy town. Check out live music, special events, fun and games all year round.
EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
A million acres of trails. Do we need say more?
EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
A million acres of trails. Do we need say more?
EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
A million acres of trails. Do we need say more?
SHOPPING & SERVICES
Quaint shops with modern twists. Check out Grand Rapids, Minnesotas small town shops.
SNOWMOBILING
Groomers carve hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails through snow-packed forests and onto Minnesota area lakes.
![Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (27) Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (27)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn-ikplmjn.nitrocdn.com/YCpCxKmpGANUAJeULcmgSOQNqnkbgUYp/assets/images/optimized/rev-40dc886/visitgrandrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Lacrosse.jpg)
SPORTS & RECREATION
5K races, bike races, and golf tournaments. All year round find fishing tournaments and ski events.
![Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (28) Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (28)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn-ikplmjn.nitrocdn.com/YCpCxKmpGANUAJeULcmgSOQNqnkbgUYp/assets/images/optimized/rev-40dc886/visitgrandrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DJI_0079-HDR-Edit.jpg)
SPORTS & RECREATION
5K races, bike races, and golf tournaments. All year round find fishing tournaments and ski events.
SPORTS & RECREATION
During the winter months catch a high school or youth hockey tournament or try hockey right on the lake!
STATE PARKS & FORESTS
Take a scenic drive and discover mixed forests, tamarack bogs, old mine reclaimed areas, a few rolling hills and a view vistas and many lake overlooks.
STATE PARKS & FORESTS
Fall brings color in Northern Minnesota. Don't miss the scenic drives that await with blaze orange, reds and yellow mixed with forest greens. A painting can't do it justice.
![Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (32) Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (32)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn-ikplmjn.nitrocdn.com/YCpCxKmpGANUAJeULcmgSOQNqnkbgUYp/assets/images/optimized/rev-40dc886/visitgrandrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/VGRPaddleboard-136-scaled.jpg)
Paddling
Paradise is just a paddle away. Paddle lakes, rivers, and mine pits in Northern, MN.
![Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (33) Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (33)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn-ikplmjn.nitrocdn.com/YCpCxKmpGANUAJeULcmgSOQNqnkbgUYp/assets/images/optimized/rev-40dc886/visitgrandrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Grand-Lakes-Golf.png)
Golf
Choose between 3 pristine grand golf courses.
EXPLORE MORE
GRAND RAPIDS, MINNESOTA
SHOPPING
FOOD AND DRINK
![Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (36) Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (36)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn-ikplmjn.nitrocdn.com/YCpCxKmpGANUAJeULcmgSOQNqnkbgUYp/assets/images/optimized/rev-40dc886/visitgrandrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/vgr-summer-2024-15-1024x705.jpg)
EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
![Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (37) Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (37)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn-ikplmjn.nitrocdn.com/YCpCxKmpGANUAJeULcmgSOQNqnkbgUYp/assets/images/optimized/rev-40dc886/visitgrandrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DSC0716-1024x683.jpg)
TRAILS
![Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (38) Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (38)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn-ikplmjn.nitrocdn.com/YCpCxKmpGANUAJeULcmgSOQNqnkbgUYp/assets/images/optimized/rev-40dc886/visitgrandrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/DJI_0371-HDR-1024x768.jpg)
PLACES TO STAY
![Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (39) Top 10 Things To Do This Summer in Grand Rapids, MN (39)](https://i0.wp.com/cdn-ikplmjn.nitrocdn.com/YCpCxKmpGANUAJeULcmgSOQNqnkbgUYp/assets/images/optimized/rev-40dc886/visitgrandrapids.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/vgr-summer-2024-14-1024x682.jpg)
THINGS TO DO
WHAT'S NEW
Fishing Report
Grand Rapids MN Fishing Report 7-17-24
warm weather put fish into a transitional summer pattern This last stage of warm weather definitely put
Read More
Latest News
Wacky Roadside Attractions
Road Trip 2024 Part of the fun of road trips are the wacky roadside attractions, and you
Read More