100 Things to Do in Minnesota Northwoods Before You Die

by Julie Jo Larson

Overview

Up in the land where Paul Bunyan statues are big and the tall tales about him are even bigger, lie some of Minnesota’s most beautiful resort communities. This is the land of 10,000 lakes and truly untouched wilderness surrounding Bemidji, Cass Lake, and Blackduck, among others, otherwise known as Minnesota’s Northwoods.
Though only the hearty live here year round and the winter averse just vacation here in the summer, there’s still no shortage of activities and sights to fill your itinerary, no matter the season. Whether you use this book as a bucket list, tour guide, or a cure for cabin fever, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll entice you to try new outdoor activities, such as wading across the headwaters of the Mississippi, eat unusual foods, and sip flavorful beverages. You’ll also find a plethora of things to do inside on rainy days, such as exploring the US Hockey Hall of Fame Museum. Carefully crafted itineraries and seasonal—yes, there are four seasons here—activities will provide plenty of inspiration for visitors and locals alike.
Local author Julie Jo Larson’s own wanderlust led her to share her penchant for her hometown with the world. Grab a friend or two, a copy of 100 Things to Do in Minnesota Northwoods Before You Die, and your sense of wonder because adventures await you in the Minnesota Northwoods.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681062976
Publisher:	Reedy press, LLC.
Publication date:	04/01/2021
Series:	100 Things to Do Before You Die
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	623,975
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Julie Jo Larson is a writer, storycatcher, public speaker, and professionally trained social worker. Julie Jo spent the last decade exploring the Minnesota Northwoods and writing MsStorian Adventures. She lives in rural Brainerd with her husband, family pets, and a flock of chickens. When not advising college students, Julie Jo can be found on the trail with a walking stick in hand and worn mukluks on her feet.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xiii

Preface xiv

Food and Drink

1 Taste Poor Gary's Chicken Wild Rice Pizza 2

2 Enjoy a Ms. Galena at the Roundhouse Brewery 4

3 Fill Up with a Pasty from Pasties Plus 5

4 Try Jams and Jellies at Butkiewicz Family Farm 6

5 Enjoy the View at Moose Lake Brewery 7

6 Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at Fancy Pants Chocolates 8

7 Find Bacon and More at Thielen Meats 9

8 Prioritize Dessert at Betty's Pies 10

9 Choose a Minnesota Northwoods Wine 12

10 Bike to Bites Grill & Bar 14

11 Enjoy Premium Ice Cream at Victual 15

12 Try Poutine with Your Beer at Fitger's Brewhouse Brewery and Grille 16

13 Eat with Unregistered Guests at the Palmer House Hotel, Restaurant, and Pub 18

14 Enjoy a Milkshake at Gordy's Hi-Hat 20

15 Taste Thai at Udom's Thai Restaurant 21

16 Relax at Cuyuna Brewing Company 22

17 Get Breakfast at Duluth Grill 23

18 Eat Lutefisk at a Lutheran Church 24

19 Pick Up Farm-Fresh Produce and More at Farmers Markets 25

20 Savor Brown Sugar Trout at Russ Kendall's Smokehouse 26

21 Step into Yesteryear at Last Turn Saloon and Eatery 27

Music and Entertainment

22 Start Your Holidays at the Christmas City of the North Parade 30

23 Attend Live Entertainment with Central Lakes College Performing Arts 31

24 Find Your Groove at the Bayfront Blues Festival 32

25 Get Scared at Haunted Hidden Hollows 34

26 Take In a Performance at the Historic Chief Theater 35

27 Dance at Lakes Jam 36

28 Bring in the Holidays with Concordia College's Holiday Concert 38

29 Ride in a Horse-Drawn Carriage by Duluth's Waterfront 39

30 Celebrate Bob Dylan 40

31 Watch a Movie at Lake Theatre 41

32 Visit Bemidji's Watermark Art Center 42

33 See Judy Garland's Ruby Slippers at the Judy Garland Museum 43

34 Dance at the Iskigamizigan Powwow 44

35 Hear Poet Laureates at Verse Like Water 45

36 Discover Music and Art in the Park 46

37 Find Polka Music, Food, and Beer at Oktoberfests 47

38 Tour the Lights at Bentleyville 48

39 Meet Spooks on the Haunted Irvin Ship 49

40 Experience Stage North Theatre Company's Original Productions 50

41 Catch Live Music at Wussow's Concert Café 51

Sports and Recreation

42 Interact with Animals at Safari North Wildlife Park 54

43 Wade across the Mississippi Headwaters in Itasca State Park 55

44 Canoe the Boundary Waters Canoe Area 56

45 Bike at Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails and Cuyuna Lakes State Trail System 57

46 Watch Hawks at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory 58

47 Win a Truck at the Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza 60

48 See Bears Up Close at the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary 62

49 Join Rock Hounds at Minnesota Northwoods Rock and Gem Shows 63

50 Score a Hole in One on a Professional-Grade Golf Course 64

51 Watch the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon 65

52 Get Splashed at Gooseberry Falls State Park 66

53 Count Birds at the Annual Sax Zim Bog Birding Festival 67

54 Get Active on the Paul Bunyan Trail 68

55 Explore the US Hockey Hall of Fame Museum 69

56 Hike across the Swinging Bridge at Jay Cooke State Park 70

57 Walk Up to the High Falls at Grand Portage State Park 71

58 Feel the Breeze as You Downhill Ski 72

59 Get Your Heart Racing at Brainerd International Raceway 74

60 Hike at Fritz Loven Park 76

61 Ride, Bike, or Hike Scenic Highway 61 77

62 Be Amazed by the Ski Loons Water Ski Show 78

63 Stock Up at Tint's Bait & Tackle 79

64 Climb a Rock Wall at Banning State Park 80

65 Catch Legendary Walleyes on Mille Lacs Lake 82

66 White Water Raft with Swiftwater Adventures 83

Culture and History

67 Find Treasures on a Glensheen Mansion Tour 86

68 Learn Ojibwe Culture at Mille Lacs Indian Museum 88

69 Meet Voyageurs at Grand Portage National Monument 90

70 Share Verbal History at the Harvest Moon Festival 91

71 Explore Three Floors of History at the Crow Wing County Historical Society Museum 92

72 Check Out the Lake Superior Marine Museum 93

73 Find Paul Bunyan(s), Babe the Blue Ox(en), and Lucette 94

74 Listen to Old-Fashioned Steam Threshers 95

75 Visit the Humphrey Center for American Indian Studies 96

76 Reflect at the Milford Mine Memorial Park 97

77 Discover Military History at the Minnesota Military Museum 98

78 Find the Lost 40 99

79 Visit Watermark Art Center 100

80 Work the Soo Locks at the Great Lakes Aquarium 101

81 Stroll the Boardwalk at Crow Wing State Park 102

82 Visit the Moose Lake Depot and Fires of 1918 Museum 103

83 See the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library 104

84 Climb on Trucks at the Minnesota Museum of Mining 106

85 Take a Ride on the North Shore Scenic Railroad 107

Shopping and Fashion

86 Warm Your Toes with Steger Mukluks & Moccasins 110

87 Find Variety at Christmas Point 111

88 Indulge in Luxury at Serenity Now Yarn & Alpaca Shop 112

89 Go North to Ryden's Border Store 114

90 Dazzle Yourself at EL. Menk Jewelers 116

91 Find Warmth at Bemidji Woolen Mills 117

92 Browse Fashion and More at the Olde Open Window 118

93 Lose Yourself Shopping in Nisswa 119

94 Buy an Agate at Agate City 120

95 Shop Books and More at CatTale's Books & Gifts 122

96 Buy Indigenous Art at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post 123

97 Get Outfitted at Piragis Northwoods Company 124

98 Exceed Your Expectations at Design Consign 126

99 Shop 'Til You Drop at Fitger's Shopping Mall 127

100 Wander through Walker 128

Suggested Itineraries 131

Activities by Season 135

Index 139