North through the Border

Travel North to Winnipeg along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway. Take a naturalist tour to cross the Mississippi headwaters at Itasca State Park. Get a taste of pioneer life shaped by the mighty river with tours at Bemidji Woolen Mills, Buena Vista Logging Village and don't forget to take your photo with Paul and Babe!

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Featured stops include…

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Day One

    • 9:00am: Depart Minneapolis
        • OPTION 1: St. Cloud
          10:00am: Munsinger Gardens, Flower Pot Lunch

       

        • OPTION 2: Little Falls
          10:30am: St. Francis Convent or Charles Lindberg Home

       

       

 

    • 11:30am: Restaurant Lunch

 

ST CLOUD, MN

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Munsinger & Clemens Gardens

Garden lovers and photographers alike will enjoy this garden on the east bank of the Mississippi River. Enjoy a flowerpot lunch while taking in the beauty of Clemens Rose Garden, which has more than 1,000 rose bushes. Gift shop.

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Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site

Charles Lindbergh's 1927 flight from New York to Paris launched an aviation revolution. Tour his boyhood home, explore the Visitor Center exhibits, including a "Spirit of St. Louis" flight simulator.

LITTLE FALLS, MN

St. Francis Convent & Campus

For 124 years, the convent has distributed altar breads to churches throughout Minnesota, and across the United States. A Romanesque influence can be seen in the building's pillars, rounded arches and the symbolism of the stained glass windows. Visitors are welcome to tour the campus and Sacred Heart Chapel, Franciscan Gift Shop and Candle Shop. Food and beverage service is available

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Day One

    • 12:30pm: Depart for Itasca State Park

 

    • 3:30pm: Step-on Naturalist Tour

 

    • 5:00pm: Depart for Bemidji

 

    • 5:45pm: Lodging Check-in

 

    • 6:30pm: Dinner

 

    • 8:00pm: Entertainment

 

PARK RAPIDS, MN

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Itasca State Park

Stop at the Visitors Center to see interpretive displays and exhibits on the history of the forest and wildlife. "Step on" tour with the park naturalist along Wilderness Drive with a stop at the Headwaters area.

Bemidji Evening Entertainment Options

  • Paul Bunyan Playhouse Live theatre productions June through Mid-August.

  • Native American Flute Performance and narrative on the history of flutes.

  • Timeless Traditions An ensemble that blends the Native American flute and Celtic folk harp in ethnic and contemporary music.

  • Alabaster Falls An acoustic "folkgrass" band. Dinner performances or evening entertainment.

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Day Two

    • 8:00am: Photo stop with Paul & Babe

 

    • 8:30am: Bemidji Woolen Mills Factory & Store

 

    • 10:00am: Headwaters Science Center

 

    • 11:45am: Lunch at the Buena Vista Logging Village

 

    • 2:00pm: Depart for Winnipeg

 

BEMIDJI, MN

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Paul Bunyan and Babe his Blue Ox

Stop for a photo opportunity with the legendary lumberjack statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe his Blue Ox. Visit the Tourist Information Center for Paul's memorabilia and view the Fireplace of States.

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Headwaters Science Center

Explore the sciences through 70 self-guided, hands-on activities and interactive exhibits. Hold a snake or bunny, make a harmonograph picture, watch the kinetic sculpture, have fun at the popular bubble wall or echo tube, and 210-gallon salt water aquarium

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Buena Vista Logging Village

Board horse-drawn covered wagons at the Lumberjack Hall of Fame building in the Buena Vista Village to ride to the "Top of the World."