Overview
Bemidji is a city in Minnesota. It is the unofficial home of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.
1 sights · 4 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bemidji
Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox
Original Paul Bunyan Statue erected in 1937, 2nd most photographed roadside attraction in the nation.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 1°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Fargo)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TVF Thief River Falls Regional Airport, Thief River Falls — 73 mi away. Directions
- BRD Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, Brainerd — 82 mi away. Directions
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 196 mi away (major hub). Directions
Bemidji is a beautiful, medium sized city with interesting people. Coming into the city from the south along Highway 71, visitors become immediately aware that they are in a city and not one of the many towns along the way. The highway enters the city to the east, allowing the traveler a view of the town along the main thoroughfare "Paul Bunyan Dr." The prominence of the character shows as you pass the statue of the character on the right of the road, at the lake front access to Lake Bemidji. The old downtown district is to the left of the highway. A rectangular area is home to numerous shops and restaurants that cater to the city's tourist trade. The lake stretches to the north and is lined with large homes and access points and provides a wonderful view. The main road through town makes a left, leading to the major commercial center of town.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Bemidji is a beautiful, medium sized city with interesting people. Coming into the city from the south along Highway 71, visitors become immediately aware that they are in a city and not one of the many towns along the way. The highway enters the city to the east, allowing the traveler a view of the town along the main thoroughfare "Paul Bunyan Dr." The prominence of the character shows as you pass the statue of the character on the right of the road, at the lake front access to Lake Bemidji. The old downtown district is to the left of the highway. A rectangular area is home to numerous shops and restaurants that cater to the city's tourist trade. The lake stretches to the north and is lined with large homes and access points and provides a wonderful view. The main road through town makes a left, leading to the major commercial center of town.
By plane
By train
- Amtrak Service from nearby Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
See
Do
- Fishing and hunting
Learn
- Bemidji State University
- Concordia Language Village
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Stay AmericInn Lodge & Suites
Stay DoubleTree by Hilton Bemidji
Nearby
Itasca State Park
Park · 2 listings · 22 mi away
Walker
City / town · 29 mi away
Big Bog State Recreation Area
Park · 53 mi away
Erskine
City / town · 54 mi away
Detroit Lakes
City / town · 13 listings · 64 mi away
Grand Rapids
City / town · 13 listings · 65 mi away
Crosslake
City / town · 15 listings · 66 mi away
Wadena
City / town · 3 listings · 72 mi away
My experience
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