Overview
Not to be confused with Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Grand Rapids is a small city in northern Minnesota and county seat of Itasca County. With more than 1,000 lakes inside the county, Grand Rapids serves as a popular destination for anglers looking for a good spot to cast a line. There are several smaller lakes in and around the downtown area, but the big kahuna is Pokegama Lake.
3 sights · 3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Grand Rapids
Forest History Center
A recreation of a turn of the 20th century logging camp.
Itasca County Historical Society
Housed inside the Old Central School in downtown Grand Rapids. Home to the Little Gem's Gift Shop, The Itasca Museum, Judy Garland exhibit, and The Karjala Research Genealogy and History Center.
Judy Garland Museum
Located inside Judy Garland's childhood home.
Itasca Orchestra and Strings Program
The Itasca Orchestra and Strings Program offers lessons in violin, viola, cello and bass for all ages. The Itasca Symphony Orchestra performs three times a year at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids.
UPM Blandin Paper Mill Tour
Each summer, visitors can tour a large commercial paper mill to see how glossy magazine paper is produced. See mountains of logs piled up in the yard waiting their turn to be mashed into pulp. See enormous super calendar…
Grand Rapids Speedway
Fun local stock car track running various classes of cars, enduro and demolition derbies. Cheap, loud and dusty. Draws racers from Minnesota and northern Wisconsin.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 2°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby Duluth)
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.
- HIB Range Regional Airport, Hibbing — 34 mi away. Directions
- BRD Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, Brainerd — 64 mi away. Directions
- MSP Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field, Minneapolis — 163 mi away (major hub). Directions
U.S. Highways 2 and 169.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning UPM Blandin Paper Mill Tour, Forest History Center
- Lunch Forest Lake Restaurant
- Afternoon Judy Garland Museum
- Dinner Pasties Plus
- Evening Brewed Awakenings Coffeehouse
Day 2
- Morning Itasca Orchestra and Strings Program, Grand Rapids Speedway
- Afternoon Itasca County Historical Society
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Generations of American kids probably think Judy Garland grew up in Kansas with Auntie Em and Uncle Henry. Nope! She grew up in Grand Rapids as one of the Gumm kids. Ahhh! So that's why there's a yellow brick road outside the Old Central School.
Get in
U.S. Highways 2 and 169.
Get around
The Rapid provides mass transit throughout the area.
See
Do
Do UPM Blandin Paper Mill Tour
Each summer, visitors can tour a large commercial paper mill to see how glossy magazine paper is produced. See mountains of logs piled up in the yard waiting their turn to be mashed into pulp. See enormous super calendar machines that press pulp into flat, smooth printable surfaces before being spun onto rolls the size of boxcars. Tours are offered regularly, but only at certain times on certain days between early June and the end of August. Call ahead to inquire.
Festivals
- Itasca County Fair - mid-August, small, traditional county fair with livestock shows, a carnival midways, music, crafts, and lots of sugary, greasy food
Eat
Eat Forest Lake Restaurant
Local favorite for generations. Serves regional specialties like walleye and wild rice soup.
Eat Pasties Plus
Pasties are light pastry dough wrapped around a meat and vegetable filling.
Drink
Drink Brewed Awakenings Coffeehouse
Sleep
Nearby
Iron Range
Rural area · 11 listings · 32 mi away
Meadowlands
City / town · 3 listings · 39 mi away
Crosslake
City / town · 15 listings · 48 mi away
Aitkin
City / town · 10 listings · 49 mi away
Walker
City / town · 51 mi away
Cloquet
City / town · 5 listings · 62 mi away
Moose Lake
City / town · 1 listings · 65 mi away
Bemidji
City / town · 11 listings · 65 mi away
My experience
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