As avid Midwest travelers based in Minnesota and Wisconsin, we are always on the hunt to discover new pockets of the Midwest. It is one of our favorite things about being travel bloggers – exploring interesting, yet affordable places right in our backyard!
Located only 3 hours north of the Twin Cities, Grand Rapids, is a quiet and quirky city in Northern Minnesota.
From scenic hiking trails to outdoor music festivals and local breweries, this city surprised us with its unexpected charm.
We partnered with @VisitGrandRapids and @Riverfest to highlight all of the reasons that make Grand Rapids, Minnesota an enticing and enjoyable destination for a budget-friendly getaway.
We break it all down in this ultimate guide to visiting Grand Rapids, Minnesota. We’ve also included an example itinerary at the end of this post for you to use on your trip.
Where to stay
Being a small town with under 12,000 people occupying the city, there are few options when it comes to housing. We stayed at the cozy Hotel Rapids located right in the downtown area. Hotel Rapids is walkable to many of the cities, shops, restaurants and bars. It also has a restaurant on site with the best bloody Mary’s!
With rooms as low as $60 a night, it’s a great value for an affordable weekend away. Traveling in a group? Hotel Rapids also has 3 bedroom suites available, which come with a full size kitchen and living room.
Things to do
Let’s talk activities! There are a lot of cost-effective things to do in Grand Rapids, which makes it an ideal destination for a quick weekend trip.
Regardless of the time of year you visit, we’ll make sure you have plenty to see and do while exploring the city.
- Check out the many boutique shops – What’s a small town without local shops to explore? We were impressed with the selection of boutique shops located right in Grand Rapid’s downtown. Some of our favorites are Lake & Company, and Wildflower Bookshop.
- Outdoor festivals and events – Don’t let the small town vibes fool you. Grand Rapids hosts various activities throughout the year that bring visitors to the city. We got to experience Riverfest, their buzzing annual musical festival. Outside of amazing music, Riverfest has a variety of vendors, food trucks and specialty cocktails to enjoy.
- Hiking and mountain bike riding the trails – This city is known for its outdoor activities. Check out the many trails – like Mesabi, (150 miles of paved trail stretching from the Mississippi to the boundary waters) or the Simpson Creek Trail (one of the many trails within the Chippewa National Forest) .
- Paddle Boarding along the river – Grand Rapids has over 1000 rivers and lakes running through its land. Spend some time on the water renting paddle boards with local company, Paddle Hoppers, during the summer months.
Where to Eat/drink
You can’t truly get to know a city without experiencing its food and drink scene! Here are some of the best spots to check out during your trip.
- Rapids Brewing Company – If you are in need of a modern, yet warm restaurant to welcome you to town, Rapids Brewing has you covered. Enjoy brick fire pizza, local brews, and live music on their incredible outdoor patio.
- Klockow Brewing – Interested in checking out another local brewery? This husband and wife duo created an atmosphere that is a fun spot for locals and visitors to delight in.
- Unwined – Located right downtown, we loved this spot for lunch and wine. They pride themselves in using many locally owned ingredients in their meals, with plenty of local beers and wines on the menu as well.
- NoPo Kitchen – This top notch brunch spot is a must stop while in Grand Rapids. From its modern aesthetic to its killer menu, there is a reason it’s a crowd favorite.
Two Day Sample Itinerary
Day 1
- Check in to your cozy accommodations at Hotel Rapids.
- Have a hardy brunch at NoPo Kitchen before a day of activities.
- Head out to Mesabi trail and spend 2-3 hours hiking or biking through the paved path. If the weather is nice, cool off with some paddle boarding.
- Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a few brick oven pizzas at Rapids Brewing. Stay for some local beers while listening to live music on their patio.
Day 2
- Start the day off with an extra spicy Bloody Mary at Hotel Rapids Bar & Bistro downtown.
- Support small and spend some time downtown shopping at the local boutiques. Lake & Company, and Wildflower books are all right next to one another.
- Grab a bite to eat at Unwined which is open for lunch and dinner. Don’t forget to order the MN shaped wine flight to try the local wine flavors.
- End the night at the annual Riverfest Grand Rapids enjoying music, food and drinks from the many vendors on site. The festival takes place every year in September.
We hope you enjoy your weekend away in Grand Rapids, MN! If you are looking for other Minnesota getaways, check out our guides on Brainerd, MN and Stillwater, MN as well!