Top Things to Do in Bemidji
Whether you wake up at the crack of dawn to get on the lake, sleep in til noon at a Minnesota resort or head into town for a mimosa-filled brunch, our guide will help you find what you're looking for in Bemidji.
Where to Eat and Drink
Bar 209
Juicy Lucy burgers, pizzas and everything from Thai lettuce wraps to walleye tacos are served up at the casual and popular Bar 209 downtown.
Bemidji Brewing
Bemidji Brewing makes a thirst-quenching German blonde beer (among its dozen other styles), walleye po’ boys, smoked lake trout dip and crackers, and beer brats — all fittingly casual when you’re fresh off the trails.
Big River Scoop Ice Cream
For dessert, head across the street from the visitor center to try a five-flavor sampler at Big River Scoop Ice Cream, which features creative flavors and options from soy ice cream to dairy-free sorbets.
Minnesota Nice Cafe
The Minnesota Nice Cafe is a family-owned and operated restaurant that serves up comfort foods with a Minnesota twist. Look out for freshly baked pies and dishes like wild rice omelets, wild rice pancakes, blueberry pancakes with house made blueberry sauce, and strawberry rhubarb waffles.
Tutto Bene
With a sweet patio and menu fit for special occasions, Tutto Bene features seasonal Italian fare such as snow crab ravioli, green olive soup, bacon-and-truffled-egg pizza, and gelato.
Wild Hare Bistro & Coffeehouse
Fresh twists on wild rice, a local staple, can be found at Wild Hare Bistro & Coffeehouse, which serves blueberry muffins with wild rice, a vegetable wild rice salad tossed with lemon curry dressing, plus hearty soups and sandwiches. Another sweet breakfast and lunch option is Rap
Where to Shop
Bemidji Woolen Mills
Made-in-Bemidji wool blankets, shirts, coats and warm outdoor gear can be found at the almost 100-year-old Bemidji Woolen Mills, which also sells socks, felted footwear, knits, hats and Paul Bunyan souvenirs. Some lucky shoppers may even get an impromptu behind-the-scenes tour.
Downtown Bemidji
From the visitor center, it’s just a short walk to the charming streets and storefronts of downtown Bemidji, where you’ll find things to do for everyone in the family.
Find your next read at Four Pines Bookstore, Minnesota pride gear at 218 Clothing + Gift or My Bemidji, and home goods and unique gifts at Compass Rose or Boutique on Fox.
Things to See
Beltrami County History Center
The Beltrami County History Center delves into the area’s rich history, from its earliest inhabitants and Ojibwe culture to the arrival of fur traders and loggers. It's located within the historic Great Northern train depot.
Bemidji Sculpture Walk
Art appreciators can find dozens of conversation-sparking artworks in front of local boutiques, antique and sports shops as part of the Bemidji Sculpture Walk.
Concordia Language Villages
People come from across the country to visit Concordia Language Villages, which hosts nationally known language and cultural immersion programs at replicated Finnish, Spanish, French, German and Norwegian villages. Adults can join family weeks or weekends or try adults-only cultural workshops with crafts and global meals.
Headwaters Science Center
Young families love the animals and kid-focused exhibits at the Headwaters Science Center.
Historic Chief Theater
The Historic Chief Theater plays home to the Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Minnesota’s oldest professional summer stock theater with almost seven decades of comedies and musicals under its belt. The theater also hosts Bemidji Community Theater productions, movies and special events.
Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox
Few things scream “selfie!” quite like the giant Paul and Babe statues found outside the Bemidji Visitor Center where Paul and Babe have welcomed tourists since 1937. Inside the center, an eclectic, comical display of supersized artifacts continues the Paul Bunyan theme: a baby moccasin, rattle, rifle and more.
In addition to Paul’s artifacts, the center’s unique Fireplace of States was built with stones from every Minnesota county and U.S. state.
Watermark Art Center
Regionally inspired paintings, jewelry, pottery and more can be found at the Miikanan Gallery, which is dedicated to indigenous art and part of the newly expanded Watermark Art Center. The center also organizes the Bemidji First City of Arts Studio Cruise the third weekend in October and the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail weekend featuring basketry, beadwork and rugs influenced by pioneer, voyageur and indigenous heritage in April.
Outdoor Activities
Lake Bemidji State Park
About 7 miles north of downtown, Lake Bemidji State Park on the lake’s northern shore offers a beach, boat launch, hiking trails, and a rare 1.25-mile spruce-and-tamarack bog walk. Unique plants and flowers along the bog include magenta dragon’s mouth, water-collecting pitcher plants, insect-eating sundews and the state flower: the pink-and-white showy lady’s slipper orchid. In addition to semi-modern campsites, the park rents log camper cabins.
Lake Life
With over 400 lakes within a 25-mile radius, including its largest (Lake Bemidji), there are endless ways to get out on the water. Bemidji is a year-round destination for fishing for walleye, bass, muskie, perch, crappies, panfish, and trout. Fishing guides service many lakes, as well as plenty of places to buy bait or other gear.
The area has 60 designated public water access points throughout Beltrami County and boat rentals are available at Lake Bemidji or Bemidji State University. Lake Bemidji was named a top spot to swim by Conde Nast Traveler and swimming beaches are at Cameron Park, Diamond Point Park, or Lake Bemidji State Park.
Just 25 miles south is Itasca State Park and the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. You can walk across the small stream by bridge or on stones, take a boat excursion on the lake, rent a boat yourself, or rent a bike to enjoy the park’s trail.
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Paul Bunyan State Trail
For a bike ride as legendary as its namesake, be sure to explore the Paul Bunyan State Trail, the longest continuously paved rail-trail in the country. The 115-mile trail begins at Bemidji State Park and extends all the way down to Crow Wing State Park in Brainerd. Whether you ride for a few hours or a few days, the scenic lakeside trail is a true treat for cyclists in Minnesota’s North Woods.
Where to Stay
Traditional Minnesota resorts with cabins and lake homes can be found throughout the area and offer direct access to Bemidji’s many lakes, including Big Turtle and Pimushe Lake. Lake Bemidji Bed and Breakfast and several nationally known hotel chains on Lake Bemidji also offer picturesque views and easy access to the shore.
Festivals & Events
In the summer, Bemidji is bustling with top events like the Dragon Boat Races, Loop the Lake Festival, Anishinaabe Art Festival, Watermark Art Festival, Bemidji Jaycee’s Water Carnival, and the Beltrami County Fair. After Thanksgiving, the Night We Light Parade rings in the holidays with a nighttime parade, window display contest, home décor contest, fireworks, Santa’s Workshop, and more.
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