Many of us think when winter comes to the northern states, we can only hibernate and slowly begin to dream of our vacations for next summer. Actually, there are many all-season vacation spots within a short driving distance that can provide a fun filled vacation for the entire family. From water parks and snowmobiling trails to bear, moose and wolves, from ice fishing to bird watching, from sleigh rides to dog mushing – it’s all within a short drive, so plan your winter vacation now!
Ely
A Place for the Adventurous
If you are in an adventurous mood, Ely is the place to experience a natural and rugged outdoor environment. This area of Northern Minnesota offers many excellent snowmobile trails, including the famous Taconite Trail, which is over 120 miles in length. Moose, deer, fox and other wildlife are abundant and can be seen in their natural environment. The Tomahawk Trail is also very popular with tourists who enjoy the majestic scenery and woodlands as they snowmobile through this northern wonderland. Conveniently located near the trails, the Grand Ely Lodge provides comfortable accommodations for visitors as they experience the majesty of the north woods.
The North American Bear Center is a top attraction in the Ely area and visitors can see Ted, Honey and Lucky, as these resident bears go about their daily routines. In addition, the International Wolf Center is a “must see” if you visit the Ely area. Both attractions have regularly scheduled days for visitors, so be sure to check ahead of time.
Perhaps the most famous resident of the Ely area was Dorothy Molter, who was originally a nurse from Chicago. Years ago, after visiting a friend who operated a resort near Ely, Dorothy fell in love with the area and took over the resort after her friend’s death. Later, Dorothy lived alone in her small cabin on Knife Lake for over 56 years and often welcomed guests with her famous home made root beer. She passed away in 1986 - a true example of a modern day pioneer. Her cabin has been restored and visitors can tour it now in it’s new location in Ely.
Brainerd Lakes Area
A Winter Sports Capital
For those vacationers who really enjoy winter sports and ice fishing, the Brainerd Lakes Area with over 465 lakes will be the perfect destination. The area is composed of several different neighborhood communities, all interconnected and tied together by a large network of lakes. Many of the trails are groomed for snowmobilers and cross-country skiers who choose to enjoy the beauty of the winter landscape. There are 1200 miles of connected snowmobile trails and a color-coding system is used to guide snowmobliers traveling the various routes. In January of each year, many riders enjoy taking the Paul Bunyan Trail to Pequot Lakes for the Antique Snowmobile Rendezvous.
Ski Gull is the perfect place for those who enjoy downhill skiing. There are thirteen runs with chair lifts; rentals and refreshments are provided for the convenience of guests. Cross Country skiing is also very popular in the Brainerd Lakes area and there are 240 miles of groomed and ungroomed trails Some of the trails are even lighted to enhance night time skiing through sparkling undisturbed natural wonderland.
Lodging accommodations are available to fit all budgets, from deluxe to economy. Whether you enjoy the elegance of a top rated resort, the coziness of a Bed and Breakfast or a relaxed winter camping vacation, there are many choices for you at the Brainerd Lakes Area. Many restaurants and resorts provide fine dining, or visitors can choose a hometown diner, coffee shops, fast food - or even candy shops with delicious confections.
The history and background of the area is very interesting and there are several local museums that provide valuable information and interesting displays. The Northern Trackers Railroad Museum at Cross Lake focuses on models that replicate the logging and mining industries in Northern Minnesota in the early 1900’s. Also, the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post depicts the history of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe as well as providing displays of Indian made arts and handicrafts that can be purchased when visiting the museum. The Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce website features on on-line calendar of events so visitors can perfectly time their vacation to include the festivals or attractions that they would like to include on their vacation.
Lutsen
The Destination for Unusual Winter fun
Lutsen, located on the north shore of Lake Superior, is often considered to be the gateway to the Thunder Bay area and the great Canadian outdoors. This northern resort area offers some unusual activities for families, including the exciting Alpine Slide at Lutsen Mountain. A chair lift at the Alpine Slide elevates the visitors to the peak of Eagle Mountain and then each person rides down the mountain on a breathtaking ride of twists and turns. Each rider is able to control the speed of their descent, depending on their tolerance for sharp turns and acceleration. Two to four hour-long dog sled rides are available with an experienced “musher” driving the sled. Longer rides of five or six days in length can also be scheduled. For these longer sled dog rides,
over night accommodations can be in cabins or even tents, if people wish to experience the reality of real life on the trail. For those who want to be in control the dogs, a short instruction session from an experienced musher is required, but then they can actually become the “musher” for a team of five to six sled dogs, Even children can be instructed on how to control a sled of three to four dogs. What a great way to experience the life of an early fur trader!
Snowboarding and alpine skiing are very popular in the Lutsen area since there are 90 runs on 1000 acres of undisturbed and pristine wilderness. Gondolas transport skiers to the top of the mountains and rental equipment is available for those who prefer to travel light. For those who choose to take the path less traveled, try snow shoeing to get a good work out and experience the quiet beauty of the great undisturbed north woods. Horse drawn sleigh rides are a popular attraction for families as they are transported through the woods near the Cascade River State Park, where visitors often stop to enjoy the hiking trails, cross country skiing, snowmobling trails and year round camping areas.
Lake of the Woods
An Island Destination
If you would like to see “The Top of the Nation”, it’s closer than you think. Lake of the Woods County is the state’s youngest county and was organized in 1922 when local residents voted to be separated from Beltrami County. The area is officially a part of Minnesota, but is only connected to it only by water or by traveling on a scenic road, which will take visitors 45 miles across Manitoba. When traveling along this remote route, tourists often see timber wolves, bob cats, lynx and cougars in the distance. A magnificent lake, also appropriately named the Lake of the Woods, occupies parts of Ontario, Manitoba and Minnesota, and separates this small area of land from the rest of Minnesota. There are over 14,522 islands on the Lake of the Woods. The entire area has been preserved, protected and cared for in order to protect the natural and undisturbed wilderness and continue to make this a refreshing and peaceful destination for visitors.
There are over 500 miles of groomed trails available to snowmobilers in the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River areas. Trails lead through the wilderness to the Beltrami State Forest, International Falls, the Northwest Angle and many other interesting places. At Zipple Bay State Park, cross-country skiers enjoy the quiet peacefulness as they glide across the groomed trails, which are provided especially for their enjoyment. Many visitors prefer the relaxing solitude of ice fishing and are often rewarded with a good catch of walleye, perch and other varieties of fish. Both in winter and summer months, bird watching is a popular attraction in the area.
Over 300 species of birds call this densely wooded wilderness area their home. Warblers, raptors, pileated woodpeckers and snowy owls are commonly seen when venturing quietly into the woods. Over 40 resorts and motels remain open all winter and are generally located on the Northwest Angle Mainland, Flog Island and Oak Island.
Wisconsin Dells Area Water parks
The Destination for Family Fun
Even in the winter months, there are many great indoor water parks that are wonderful destinations for a family vacation. The Dells area of Wisconsin has over 20 indoor water parks that welcome visitors all year long. Seven of these water parks are located within large lodging facilities and most of them are built with a specific theme such as Roman, Polynesian, Wilderness, Hawaiian, Rain Forest, Atlantis and a variety of others. The largest of the water parks is the Kalahari Water Park, which features a water roller coaster, family raft rides, and water slide plus many other exciting water activities.
The Los Rios Water Park encompasses 200,000 square feet with 26 water slides plus wave pools, lazy rivers and many other family oriented attractions. Mount Olympus Water and Theme Park boasts 37 waterslides and also whirlpools, water basketball and bumper boats.
In addition to this myriad of water parks, the Dells area is a great place for other interesting vacation destinations. The Tommy Bartlett Interactive Science Center will truly amaze both children and adults. There are over 150 exhibits including robotics, magic, puzzles, optical illusions and many other scientific wonders. Visitors are actually able to electrify their bodies so that their hair will literally “stand on end.” The original Russian space shuttle is on display to give us all an idea of what it was like to be an astronaut and live in very small quarters while traveling at record speed through space. Before leaving the Dells Area, be sure to stop by Ripley’s Believe it or Not Museum, which features two theaters, eight galleries, and seven video presentations. You will be amazed at the unbelievable things you will see at this museum!
So start to plan your winter vacation now. The fun and excitement at Ely, Brainerd Lakes, Lake of the Woods, Lusten and the Dells awaits you and your family!
