Summer is the best season to shop in northwest Minnesota, when resort towns such as Park Rapids, Walker and Detroit Lakes are in full swing. Tiny hamlets like Dorset, along the easy-to-bike Heartland Trail, buzz with activity as shoppers seek books for dockside reading, comfy slip-on shoes, and souvenirs that remind them of life at the lake long after the fall winds blow trees bare.
While a fat bike rides just fine on pavement and dry summer dirt, its natural habitat is snow. This is because its large, high-volume tires are designed to grab as much ground as possible for maximum traction. Here is everything you need to know about tackling the toughest downhill trails on two wheels in Minnesota — the country's best state for winter sports.
Northwest Minnesota, where all-terrain vehicle manufactures Polaris and Arctic Cat were founded, is truly an ATV-riding destination. This part of the state has long trails, great scenery and a remoteness rarely found. In fact, some trails take riders so deep into forests and bogs the nearest gas station is a good 50 miles away.
Bikers seeking the ultimate ride should point their tires to Minneapolis' sprawling Grand Rounds Scenic Byway.
Planning the perfect long weekend bike trip is a delicate thing. If your destination is too far away, you’ll spend the whole trip just getting there; if it’s not far enough from home, it barely even feels like a vacation. Here's a list to help make planning your next bike-led escape a little easier.
"The First City on the Mississippi" is an outdoor lover's dream, with easy access to hundreds of lakes and several state parks and forests. Enjoy fishing, hunting, hiking, biking and many more outdoor pursuits, plus shopping, dining, and rich history and folklore.
Bemidji's lodging options range from convenient hotels and resorts to cozy vacation rentals and charming bed & breakfasts. For the ultimate outdoor adventure, stay at a state park, forest or privately owned campground and sleep under the stars.
Boutique downtown hotels, family-friendly chains and charming bed & breakfasts are among the many lodging options in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. For something truly unique, stay in a floating B&B on the Mississippi River or a trendy North Loop hotel with a rooftop sauna and Minnesota flair.
Stay close to the action in Duluth's convenient hotels, waterfront resorts, cozy vacation rentals and historic bed & breakfasts. You'll also find campgrounds, cabins and a water park hotel.
Bed & breakfasts and historic inns are one of the hallmarks of a southern Minnesota vacation. Campgrounds, hotels and motels, and even teepees round out the many eclectic options.