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From Skylines to Treelines

1-3 Day Tour Along The Great River Road National Scenic Byway
Follow the history of the Great Missisippi from Minneapolis to the Headwaters at Itasca State Park - where the Mississippi River springs from. See how the Mighty Mississippi has shaped area culture with arts and entertainment intertwined into the itinerary on the Great River Road National Scenic Byway.

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Day One

    • 9:00am: Depart Minneapolis
        • OPTION 1: St. Cloud

       

       

 

    • 10:00am Munsinger Gardens, Flow Pot Lunch
        • OPTION 2: Little Falls

       

       

 

    • 10:00am: 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.

LITTLE FALLS, MN

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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. Walk an interpretive trail along the river.

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

    • 1:00pm: Depart for Grand Rapids

 

    • 3:00pm: Forest History Center or Judy Garland Museum

 

    • 5:00pm: Lodging Check-in

 

    • 6:00pm: Dinner

 

    • 7:30pm: Itasca Heritage Center

 

GRAND RAPIDS, MN

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Forest History Center

Discover the past, present and future of Minnesota's forests through guided tours of a 1900s era logging camp with hands-on environmental learning programs.

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Judy Garland Museum

Visit the famed birthplace of Judy Garland and home of the world's largest Wizard of Oz collection. The museum features educational exhibits, lectures, performances, seminars and film screenings.

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Itasca Heritage Center Museum

Explore the people, places and resources from the turn of the century that shaped this region. Discover how the Mississippi allowed access to provide the nation with lumber and iron ore.

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Day Two

    • 8:30am: Depart for Bemidji

 

    • 10:00am: Headwaters Science Center

 

    • Noon: Buena Vista Logging Village with Chuckwagon style lunch

 

    • 2:00pm: Bemidji Woolen Mills Factory & Store

 

    • 4:00pm: Raphael's Bakery or Downtown Artwalk

 

    • 6:30pm: Dinner

 

    • 8:00pm: Entertainment

 

BEMIDJI, MN

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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."

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Bemidji Woolen Mills & Outlet Store

Part of a long and rich tradition, Bemidji Woolen Mills & Outlet Store is a 5 generation operation home to the Bemidji Paul Bunyan Plaid. Individually made, high-quality woolen clothing, garments and blankets have been made here in Bemidji for nearly 100 years.

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Downtown Art Walk

Since 1999, Bemidji's Sculpture Walk displays work by area artists throughout downtown, with new works added to the program every year.

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 Three

    • 8:30am: Depart for Itasca State Park

 

    • 9:15am: Mississippi Headwaters or Step-On Naturalist Tour or Lake Itasca Boat Tour with optional lunch cruise

 

    • 11:30am: Lunch

 

    • 1:00pm: Depart for Minneapolis

 

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.