Things To Do in Northwestern Region

Things To Do | Northwest Minnesota

Antiques

Antiques – Akeley

An Interesting Quaint Shop with thousands of vintage & collectables plus new gifts, spoon jewelry & greeting cards.  Includes many types of kitchen items – graniteware – copper – quality art glass – pottery – stoneware – furniture & primitives – fishing & hunting – tools – beer items – linens – books – framed art – piano – cd’s – new embroidered caps – wind jackets – hooded & crew sweat shirts (can be custom lettered) – toys – dolls – games – much more.

Biking Trails
Chippewa National Forest section

Northwest Bike Trails

It doesn’t matter why you hit the trails or how you ride, there’s a place for you in northwestern Minnesota. Whether you take the kids for a spin around the lake or set off on a multi-day tour, these bike trails are worth exploring.
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Family Fun and Extreme Adventure

Challenge Course – Park Rapids

A trip to C4 is more than a visit to the typical tourist attraction. Northern Minnesota tourism is abundant but C4 offers something different. Looking to zip line in Minnesota? Or maybe climbing a 35′ tall obstacle course is your type of challenge. The Character Challenge Course offers these high wire thrills and a whole lot more.

Fun Park – Park Rapids

Everyone will find fun at Evergreen Fun Park! Great memories await you and everyone in the family as you enjoy 15 attractions that range from high adrenaline to low impact.Evergreen Gifts and Fun Park is Just 10 miles north of Park Rapids, MN on Hwy 71, half-way between Park Rapids and The Mississippi Headwaters at Itasca State Park. 

Amusement Park – Detroit Lakes

Our mission is to offer the best, most popular amusements for your entertainment needs.  Our goal is to offer these amusements in a clean, save environment, coupled with excellent customer service in a friendly atmosphere.

Fishing

Department of Natural Resources

LakeFinder contains data for more than 4,500 lakes and rivers throughout Minnesota, including: lake surveys, lake depth maps, lake water quality data, lake water clarity data, lake notes, and fish consumption advice.
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Golfing

Golf Course – Menahga

Welcome to Blueberry Pines Golf Course and Ice Creek Restaurant & Lounge located near Park Rapids, MN and Menahga, MN featuring a Championship 18-Hole Golf Course, full service Restaurant & Lounge, serving all of your dining needs, plus Banquet and Wedding facilities.

Golf Course – Bemidji

Greenwood Golf Course is an 18 Hole Executive course with a par of 58 located near  Bemidji, MN.  We feature a challenging layout for golfers of all skill levels. We do not take Tee Times so there is no need to plan ahead, come anytime.

Country Club – Walker

Tianna Country Club.  For over 90 years, we’ve delighted golfers with our emerald fairways and manicured greens.  Open to the public, we’re located two miles south of Walker, Minnesota, in the heart of the lake country of North Central Minnesota.  An 18-hole, par 72 course, Tianna offers a scenic layout located on the edge of the Chippewa National Forest.

Hiking

Northwest Region Hiking Trails – Becker County to Cass County

Besides all the great hiking opportunities in our state parks, there are hundreds of miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) in our state. The NCT stretches 4,600 miles from North Dakota to Vermont. In Minnesota it shares part of its path with the Kekekabic, Border Route and Superior Hiking Trails. Take a look at these incredible day hikes.
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Historic Sights and Museums

Minnesota Historical Society

MNHS has an adventure just for you. Just browse the categories below. Mix, match, and visit as many places as you like. Amazing adventures await at all 26 historic sites and museums!
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Horseback Riding

Riding Stable – Pine River

Howdy, so ya like horses huh, what better place to ride than a peaceful 280 acre, family owned stable. We have beautiful, well-trained horses and ponies for everyone. Actually we own about 130 horses all together. We have horses that range from our biggest horse Hotshot which stands about 18 hands (six feet tall at the back down) to one of our smallest ponies named Zoe which sands about 34 inches at the back, and everything in-between.

Riding Stable – Shevlin

We invite you to come out to our farm to relax and enjoy God’s beautiful gifts! Come out for a trail ride and enjoy the country with your family, friends or co-workers.

Mountain Biking

Northwest Regional Mountain Bike Trails

Many of the most popular mountain bike destinations in northwestern Minnesota can be found in state parks and forests. This area offers more twists and turns and a greater chance to come across wildlife while rolling down a hill or along a hard-packed singletrack.
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Museum

The Shed – Warroad

The Model T was produced by Henry Ford’s Ford Motor Company from October 1, 1908 to May 27, 1927. It is generally regarded as the first affordable automobile, the car that opened travel to the common middle-class American; some of this was because of Ford’s innovations…

Natural Settings
Lost Forty – Deer River Experience the forest of old at the Chippewa National Forest’s “Lost Forty.” The original Government Land Survey in 1882 described the land of the Lost Forty as part of Coddington Lake. This mapping error caused the virgin pine of the area to be left behind by loggers at the turn of the century. The Lost Forty is actually 144 acres.
Chippewa National Forest – Cass Lake Chippewa National Forest offers a wide array of resources for all. Visitors come to the Chippewa year round to enjoy the lakes, forests, abundant wildlife and history of northern Minnesota. Twenty-three developed campgrounds, 200 backcountry sites, 290 miles of hiking trails, 900 miles of river and three of the largest lakes in the state make the Chippewa a fantastic place to visit. Summer visitors should be sure to stop by the two Visitor Centers at Norway Beach and Cut Foot Sioux!
Deep Portage Nature Preserve – Hackensack You have arrived at the region’s finest full service environmental education/outdoor recreation center. Here before you lies Minnesota’s largest outdoor classroom. Nearly ten square miles of rolling hills, pristine lakes and dense forests await your exploration. It’s a quiet land of sandy glacial hills, where the majestic red pine grows and Orion shines with unparalleled clarity. At the end of the drive, nestled between a glacial ridge and Big Deep lake, is your home away from home — the 54,000 square foot cedar and fieldstone Resource Heritage Center Lodge. Our friendly staff and home cooked meals make your stay an extraordinary experience.
Tamarac Wildlife Refuge – Ponsford Tamarac lies in the heart of one of the most diverse transition zones in North America. Here Eastern deciduous hardwoods, Northern coniferous forests and Western tall grass prairie converge, creating a rich assemblage of both plants and animals. Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge was established as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.
Playhouse / Live Theater

Bemidji Community Theater – Bemidji

The theater season usually includes three shows varying from comedies to mysteries to tragedies to children’s theater. In 1998, BCT ventured into the realm of dinner theater, including an audience participation mystery. The last few years have seen a return to open air shows with the advent of the melodrama at the amphitheater at Bemidji State Park.  

Theater – Park Rapids

Thank you for a fantastic 10th anniversary season in 2014.  We enjoyed record attendance and an abundance of laughter.  We sincerely appreciate all of your support and have enjoyed many wonderful memories together over the years.  Make plans to visit Jasper’s Theater in 2015 as we create a whole new show full of fun, family entertainment, featuring music, magic and comedy.  

Minnesota Folklore Theater – Walker

The mission of Minnesota Folklore Theater is to create, develop and present professional community based musical and dramatic productions that will further the knowledge and appreciation of the culture and heritage of the United States.  

Musical Jamboree – Akeley

This theater personifies the spirit of music and comedy of the popular public radio show, Prairie Home Companion. And though it may not look like Nashville’s Grand Old Opry, the talent of its performers seems to leave audiences just as satisfied.

Scenic Byways
Scenic Byway

Minnesota’s Scenic Byways

America’s Byways® is the umbrella term we use for the collection of 150 distinct and diverse roads designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. America’s Byways include the National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads.  America’s Byways are gateways to adventures where no two experiences are the same.
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State Parks

Minnesota’s State Parks

It’s no secret. We love our parks. They’re our weekend getaway, our quiet place, our classroom, our gym and our playground. With so many possibilities, it can be tough to choose. Find your favorite northwestern Minnesota State Park here. More Info

Unique Shops

Summerhill Farm and Gifts – Park Rapids

Welcome to Summerhill Farm – a summer tradition for 30 years. Experience the charm of our eight specialty shops and discover our distinctive clothing, unique home accessories, specialty food and toys. Let us help you find the perfect gift for you or a friend. It’s a fun day out with family and friends!

Winery

Winery – LaPorte

Located on the edge of the Paul Bunyan State Forest, this winery offers it’s visitors a peaceful setting in the woods. Enjoy the gardens and cobblestone patio; taste our elegant fruit wines; visit our gallery with art and fine crafts made by MN artisans. Stay for an hour or for the day. Bring a picnic, share wine by the glass or bottle on the patio; and be sure to take some wine home with you to share with family and friends.

Winter Fun

Nordic Skiing

From the edge of Lake of the Woods to the Headwaters of the Mississippi, northwestern Minnesota offers the widest variety of cross-country ski trails in the state.
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Ski Area – Bemidi

Downhill Skiers, Snowboarders & Tubers will find this ski area to be the area’s premier spot to enjoy their sport. Sitting astride the continental divide, there are 16 downhill runs, the longest 2,000 ft. boasting a 230 ft. drop. The ski area features 4 chairlifts, a beginners tow, and a three-story chalet with warming fireplace and cafe.