Forum Discussion

Explorer

Sep 12, 2016

Minnesota travel, Ely, Lake Itaska,What to see and do?

We plan to head from Cedar Rapids, IA to northern MN, such as Ely, Grand Rapids, Lake Itasca then back home. Would love to hear from folks as to what is a must see, do, great restaurants, good campgrounds etc.
Plan leave Sat. Sept. 17 and be on the road for about 2 weeks.
Thank you for your input.

12 Replies

we3
Explorer
Sep 12, 2016
In Ely Minnesota a great restaurant is Burntside Lodge I think is the name. It is a old style resort for actors and wealthy people form the 1920s. Not cheap but good and in the middle of the woods but good roads.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Sep 12, 2016
If you go to Itaska State Park, you can spend a day easily playing in the water and exploring and walking over the Mississippi River. When we were there a few years ago, they had boat tours, double decker boats that carried 75 or so people. Very interesting ride.

Fishing and hiking if you're into that at Itaska.

This is me standing in the middle of the Mississippi River:

And my wife standing at the head waters: