Northern Minnesota offers far more than logging, mining, and fresh air. It is an excellent place to consider going on vacation whether you’re traveling with young children or checking things off your bucket list. Here are six fun things to do in northern Minnesota.
Fishing
Fishing can be an excellent family-friendly activity. Children can learn how to fish, whether they learn to cook it or catch and release. Parents and grandparents can join in the fishing, go boating, play on the shore, or try bird spotting. Consider going walleye fishing on Pelican Lake. Pelican Lake Orr MN has tons of great cabin resorts to enable you to go walleye fishing whilst lodging right next to the lake.
Camping in State Parks
Northern Minnesota has a number of state parks. At parks like Itasca State Park, you can go on boat tours, hike, bike, or enjoy other naturalist activities. And in many parks, you can go camping for a relatively low cost. Parks like Voyageurs contain thousands of acres of lakes and forest.
Immerse Yourself in History and Local Culture
Whether or not you’ve heard the story of northern Minnesota native Paul Bunyan, you can find a number of statues dedicated to the colorful character and attractions like the Beltrami County History Center.
Iron ore mining has been part of the local economy for years. Soudan Underground Mine State Park allows you to see how miners worked and lived. If you’re interested in the subject, take a trip to the Iron World Discovery Center. You could take a train ride around the perimeter of one of the largest pit mines in Minnesota.
You could drop by the Headwaters Science Center and see the hands-on science and technology exhibits or go shopping at any of the boutiques and antique shops downtown in any number of small towns. Another option is to go berry picking at a number of farms in the area, assuming you arrive at the right time of year.
Play Golf
While northern Minnesota’s golf courses aren’t as famous as those located elsewhere in the country, the rolling, wooded land creates a picturesque golf setting. And unlike locations further south, you can enjoy temperate weather when golfing over the summer vacation.
Try Your Hand at Gaming
There are three casinos in northern Minnesota. These facilities offer a variety of games, and they have excellent restaurants too. If you’re tired of gaming, there’s a fair chance you can go golfing at one of the nearby courses.
Take a Seaplane Trip
Seaplanes land on water instead of on a runway. If you want to see northern Minnesota from another point of view, arrange for a float plane trip. You could also take the seaplane to a campsite or cabin, making it a great way to reach a final, remote destination. Or use a seaplane to arrive at small towns far from the highway.
Northern Minnesota offers everything from modern resorts to relaxed camping trips with hiking, biking, and fishing. Whether you want to get away from civilization to bond with your family or go on an affordable educational day trip, this is the right place for you.