Grand Rapids, MN

Wilderness and Wizard of Oz

For this trip, our purpose was to celebrate my birthday, and what better way to celebrate (if you love musicals as much as I do), than to go to the Wizard of Oz Festival in Grand Rapids, MN?  If you are lucky, you’ll get to sing and dance with characters from the Wizard of Oz.  The Scarecrow taught us the steps, and we (along with the Tin Man and Cowardly Lion) sang “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.” So fun!!!

The route we took was US 35 North to Moose Lake, then MN 73 to MN 2 to Grand Rapids.  On the way home, we took US 169 S to MN 210 E, then MN 27 S (which turns into MN 65).  

Rush City, MN

First stop: Rush City.  You will know you are getting close to Rush City when you see the “Don’t Drool and Drive!” billboard for the Rush City Bakery on the side of Interstate 35.  Before you head to the bakery, “catch” a photo op by the largest walleye next to the gas station!  When you get to the bakery, make sure to tell the staff that it’s your first time and they will give you a free apple fritter (delish!).  On top of all of the normal bakery offerings: cakes, cupcakes, cookies, donuts, breads, and rolls; they also offer gluten free breads and treats.  If the staff are busy at the moment order your special occasion cake at the Cake Kiosk.

Moose Lake, MN

There are several routes to Grand Rapids, but why not stop and take your picture with the largest moose?  Moose Lake Brewery sits right next to Moose Lake; next time we will make sure to get there after 12PM!  We drove through the city around 10:30AM, so we were a little early as the brewery opens at noon!  We took a little walk by the lake as the weather was lovely.

Grand Rapids, MN

After arriving in Grand Rapids, we popped over to the Judy Garland Museum as it was right next door to our hotel.  The Wizard of Oz festival was in full swing, with a candy truck out front, booths for the kids, carriage rides, and Wizard of Oz characters milling about.  The Judy Garland museum is informative and interesting.  Learn about Frances Ethel Gumm (later Judy Garland) and how she began performing at the age of two and moved to California with her family when she was four.  Tour their house and learn more about the time period, where the Gumm sisters practiced, and Judy’s career.  The cost of admission ($9.00) includes the Judy Garland Museum, the 1892 House (where Judy spent the first few years of her life), and the Children’s Discovery Museum.
  

Since you are there anyway (and it’s included), take a peak in the children’s museum.  An entire gallery in the Children’s Discovery Museum is dedicated to dollmaker Faith Wick’s fairytale collection of dolls, Fairyland.  Take the scavenger hunt and admire the craftsmanship of the dolls, while you reminisce about your childhood with the nursery rhymes and fairytales (so fun!).  Another fun activity is the full wall United States Presidents matching game in which you match the president's name to the his picture (it’s never to early to start learning US history!).

Most of the shops downtown close at 5PM, but we were able to check out a cute little shop called Lake Lover Vintage and a local antique store, Pluemer’s Furniture (they had many beautiful and interesting of women’s hats in addition to most of the items you would normally see at an antique store!).  Then we stopped at Three Bears Candy shop!!!  The shop is right next to the town information booth, so get a treat and ideas at the same time!  They serve ice cream, chocolates, old fashioned candy, gummy candies, and fudge.  The handmade chocolates are delicious!  Besides tasting a chocolate orange and fudge, we tried the ice cream and found a gummy snake (it’s super long!) and a chocolate troll on a stick!  Oh, and don’t forget to take your picture by the little red house!

Take a walk by the Mississippi River right off Pokegama Way and SE 1st St., or walk on the other side of the river off of NE 2nd St. by the Grand Rapids Library.  Believe it or not, there are several large solar sunflower sculptures (part of the Riverfront Alternative Energy Center Project) in the library parking lot (so cool!).  A side note about Grand Rapids… after the logging died off, the Blandin Paper Mill opened at the grand rapids for which the town was named.  Next time we visit Grand Rapids (if we can make it on a weekday) we will head to the Blandin Paper Co for a free tour (during the summer months).  

For dinner, The Pickled Loon hit the spot… and was the best spot to sit on the deck and watch the sunset over Pokegama Lake.  Be brave and try the Pickletini!  It was delicious!

Went to the hotel next-door (the Sawmill Inn) and hung out with the locals at the bar… they even serve ice cream drinks like a Pink Squirrel and Grasshopper… which were quite tasty!

On our way home the next day, we stopped at Schoolcraft State Park, a lovely little state park a pretty (and pretty short) drive east of Grand Rapids.  We drove a little out of the way, but it was worth it!  The park is small, so you could probably walk all of the trails in a couple of hours.  We walked about half of the trails and spent a short while by the Mississippi, taking in the beautiful, peaceful views.  The park has a campground, picnic area, and boat launch in addition to trails with information about the wetland habitat as well as the history of the area and park.

McGregor, MN 

We made a stop at the Schoolhouse Cafe (because it looked so cool on-line).  The cinnamon and caramel rolls are ginormous.  Make sure to get there before four as they close early.  Before or after eating or drinking at the cafe, shop at the little stores (Grandpa’s Up North Cabin and Garden Shed and Grandma Millie’s Antique Shop) or have tea at the Country House in the Tea Room (there’s also an ice cream room!).

Mora, MN

If you are looking for some Swedish culture, stop in Mora, MN.  Again stores close early, so get there before five (even the gas station store closes at six).  There are several little parks and we stopped at one, next to the thirty nine foot tall Dala Heritage Society Bell Tower, to have a lovely picnic (in the rain).  Make sure to see the Mora Dala Horse (and take your picture!) at the county fairgrounds.  Walk around the city commons area and check out the twenty foot tall Mora Klocka, erected to honor the relationship with sister city, Mora, Sweden.

To Duluth and Back

If you are lucky enough to have time for a slightly longer road trip… say an overnight or weekend trip here are some places to check out on your way up to the Duluth area and back along I-35.

Hinkley, MN: 

On your way to Duluth, please, please stop at Tobie’s (just off I-35) in Hinkley… it’s a one stop shop for gas, food, restrooms, and a bakery (the most important part is the bakery, of course).  We can’t speak for everything in the bakery case, but definitely try the cinnamon and caramel rolls (so tasty).

Duluth, MN: 

There are many unique places in Duluth, but these are just a few (right in Canal Park) we tried out this trip.

   

If you like smoked fish, meats, and cheese stop at the Northern Waters Smokehaus deli in Canal Park.  Order a la carte, or grab a sandwich to eat there or to go.  As with all worthwhile eating establishments, bring your patience as there will probably be a line, but it is totally worth it!

If you like beer, definitely stop by one of the newest breweries in Canal Park, Hoops Brewing, opening soon.  Hefeweizen, Dunkel wise, Pale Wheat, and Amber ales are some of the first brews (worth a taste!) on tap.  The space is modern, with purse hooks and outlets at the bar; comfortable, with backs on the chairs (yay!); and reminiscent of days past with exposed brick, two by two wood pillars, and original hardwood floors.

Another drinking establishment nearby worth checking out is the Vikre Distillery.  An old manufacturing building with exposed brick, beams, and hardwood floors.  Grab a cocktail or tasting flight, and if you happen to be there around at 5… learn more by taking a free tour.

Superior, WI: 
 

 OMG… if you are looking for a dive bar with an inexpensive, tasty burger, make a stop at Anchor Bar.  Be prepared to order as they might pass you by if you aren’t ready (don't worry, they are friendly, just efficient).  Oh, and listen to the server… he’ll tell you what to order (and he’ll be right)… definitely go with the french fries!  Just reading the menu is entertaining as it is a mix of sarcasm and humor.  The tiny bar is also a nautical museum of sorts, with a life preserver from the Edmund Fitzgerald and much more.

   

Pine City, MN: 
 

On your way back to the Twin Cities, stop at the Rock Creek Motorstop (also just off I-35) for gas, dumpling soup, restrooms (singles, so you might have to wait in line), and a photo op with the chicken!  A way better stop than the Mobil station down the road.  The dumpling soup is just what you need on a cold day, or if you have a cold.  Daily specials are cheap and make room for dessert as there is pie (my fav)!  If you don’t have time to sit down and eat, grab the dumpling soup to go.  Come back for the Rodeo in the fall (that’s our plan) to see children riding the sheep, or wild cow milking!   

Road Trip Adventures along North America’s scenic byways…

The adventures began shortly after we were married… one day, to be precise. Ted has many skills and talents; planning (trips, events, presents, etc.) is one of his BEST. I was lucky enough to find this guy and snatch him up!

So… in addition to planning almost all our wedding (with my input, of course)… Ted planned our ENTIRE honeymoon. And what an amazing adventure it was… a Great Lakes tour starting in downtown Chicago, then heading up to Ontario, Canada via Pelee Island on Lake Erie, over to Niagara Falls (the Canadian side), then back through Sudbury to Wasaga Beach (the longest freshwater beach in world) on Lake Huron in Ontario, Canada, and finally back through Sault Ste. Marie, MI (and through Wisconsin) to get back to our home in the Twin Cities. Our trip was a mix of camping, hotel and bed and breakfast stays. If you know us, that makes perfect sense, as we love exploring big cities just as much as we love hiking, walking, and biking in the wilderness.


Fast forward to this year. What has prompted us to write about our adventures? Well, we wanted to find out what we could see within a few hours of home. We began searching out small towns to find points of interest such as bakeries, breweries, wineries, murals, statues, roadside attractions, etc.

After going on one of our “adventures" we tell all our friends and family because we love to share about places we think might be interesting to others. Now friends, family, and coworkers ask us where to go and what to do for fun… or they ask, “Where are you going next?”


You don’t have to go far to go on “vacation” or have an adventure… Minnesota (and the entire Midwest) has amazing, interesting, and quirky places to visit, all within driving distance… hence the “Road Trip” and “Day Trip” adventures! So, read on and choose one that interests you… and take your own adventure!