Tours & Day Trips

Town and country tours are available in our area. Depending on your interests and the time of year, a little prior planning can add excitement to your visit and help you learn more about our area's natural beauty and culture. Farmers here traditionally grow potatoes, kidney beans, soybeans, sunflowers, corn, alfalfa and other crops. Some rural residents have found creative ways to make a living off the land and offer tours of their interesting operations: milking time at a large dairy, a biodynamic farm and CSA garden, bison and emu ranches and a winery.

All Veterans Memorial Park, US Hwy 71 South, Park Rapids, near the Chamber of Commerce & Wayside Rest. A living Memorial honoring your veteran loved one. Stones and benches are available for purchase. Cash or in-kind contributions are being sought for completion of a museum and educational interpretive center. Guided tours by reservation (218)732-5601. For more information see: http://www.allvetmemorial.com/

Coborn's Lake Itasca Boat Tours, in Itasca State Park, 22 miles north of Park Rapids on US Hwy 71. Two-hour naturalist narrated tour around Lake Itasca. Weddings and group event tours may be chartered by calling: (218)266-3660. For more information see: http://www.lakeitascatours.com

Forestedge Winery, 35295 state Hwy 64, Laporte, 18 miles east of Park Rapids on state Hwy 34 through Akeley to state Hwy 64 and 9 miles north on 64. Open Mother's Day through December. On a tour of this three-person managed,10,000-bottle plus per season winery enjoy wine tastings and an art gallery. Attend their August Art Fair at the Winery. (218)224-3535. For more information see: http://www.forestedgewinery.com/

Hubbard County Historical Museum, 310 Court Avenue, Park Rapids. Open May-September from 11am-5pm. Closed Sunday-Monday. They showcase historical pioneer and military displays. Free admission. Donations accepted. (218)732-5237. For more information see: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mnhchs

North Country Museum of Arts, 310 Court Avenue, Park Rapids. Open May-September from 11am-5pm. Closed Mondays. Closed Sundays in May & September. Tour a rare variety of art, ranging from a renaissance collection from the 15th century to African and Native American creations to recent work of local artists. Admission free of charge. Donations accepted. (218)237-5900

Northland Bison Ranch - 23527, County 40, Nevis, north of Nevis on County 2 and west on County 40. Board the Buffalo Bus, learn the history of bison and hear the sounds buffalo make. See bison up close in their natural environment. A themed, log gift gallery is on site and visitors may purchase bison meat. Call (218)652-3582 or (877)453-9499 for reservations or see: http://www.northlandbison.com/

Sommerset Flea Market, on Hwy 34 East of Park Rapids. It is a treasure hunters dream! You never know what you may find there. They are open every Thursday after Memorial Day through the first Thursday before Labor Day. For more information call 218-732-5570.

Heart of Minnesota Emu Ranch, rural Nevis. A working emu ranch. Due to veterinarians' restrictions, visitors must follow strict biosecurity measures to protect the birds. Tours May to Labor Day by appointment only. Call (218)652-3790 or see: http://www.emumagic.com (ranch)

Park Rapids Antique Tractor & Engine Club, County 6, mile south of state Hwy 34 east, Park Rapids. Portraying the family farm and lifestyle during the early part of the 20th century. The club hosts Field Days in August. Call (218)732-8567 for tours other times of the season.

Secret Garden & Midheaven Farm, rural Park Rapids. Tour this biodynamic farm, CSA garden and business that creates all-natural, vegetarian soups and entrees. By appointment only. Call (218)732-4866 or see: http://www.secretgardengourmet.com or http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M6263

Aho's Dairy Farm, rural Wolf Lake. Milk doesn't just come from a bottle you buy at the grocery store. It comes from contented cows. Visit at milking time by appointment only (218-538-6744).

Be amazed by the Park Rapids area a place where the creative hand of man is inspired by its scenic marvels of nature! Come explore and discover: Contact Lezli Zimmerman, our tour coordinator, lezli@parkrapids.com or (800)247-0054 for an experience tailored to meet all your special interests, needs and objectives.

Sample Tour Itineraries: (Click on any tour to view full Itinerary)

A Trip through History 2- Day Tour - Tour 1

Arts, Eats & Other Treats 3-Day Tour

Fall Color Tour 1

Family Fall Fun Adventure Tour 1

Make History Tour 1

Mix & Match Couple Tour 1

Mix and Match Couples Tour 2

Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall For any Reason At All Tour 1

Two-Day Lake Country Scenic Byway Tour 1