I love to travel and am grateful for the places around the country and world I have been able to spend time. I can’t wait to share them with you in the hopes that if you ever find yourself in that same space, you will have some helpful hints on travel, sites to see, foods to taste, and so on! Although traveling is one of my hobbies, there is also no better feeling than that of home. That is why I call myself a homebody who loves to travel! I feel fortunate to know the comfort of home in two different places; Grand Forks, ND which is where I live now and Bemidji, MN which is where I grew up. I have so many beautiful memories attached to Bemidji and still look forward to making those trips back home to spend time with family and friends. So even though this portion of the blog will eventually be filled with many places to visit around the world, I found it only fitting to start with the one most near and dear to my heart, home.
Bemidji, Minnesota was established in 1888 and is known for being the first city on the Mississippi. It is located in the Northern part of the state with an estimated 15,279 people calling it home. It is a small and charming city with many beautiful lakes surrounding the area. https://www.visitbemidji.com
In this blog post, I plan to share my top ten favorite places to be when traveling back to my hometown of Bemidji. I hope you enjoy the read and are able to add Bemidji, MN to your bucket list if you haven’t already!
Lake Bemidji will always hold such a special place in my heart. Much of my childhood was spent enjoying time on this lake with friends and family. If we weren’t on the lake, we were biking around it. Just recently, we rented the electric bike you will see above from the Tourist Information Center near Paul and Babe. Bemidji State Park is also a wonderful place to spend time walking the trails, swimming, grilling, and camping!
When I was growing up in Bemidji, we spent many hours on the lake in the summer. Part of our lake tradition was when it was nearing supper time, we would have Giovannis pizza delivered to the dock so we could spend more time on the lake, but with some really good pizza. This continues to be one of my favorite places to stop when I am home!
My dear friend, Megan’s, family owns this sweet bakery downtown in Bemidji. One of my favorite memories here is pulling up to the bakery in her white van (license plate titled “Great Buns”) early in the morning, entering through the back door because it was not yet open, and filling boxes with freshly made doughnuts to bring on our out of town softball trip that day! This bakery is filled with pictures on the wall of local sports teams and the people there make you feel like you are right at home… not to mention the delicious bakery goods and home-made restaurant food!
The Bemidji Boardwalk is a beautiful space to enjoy some miniature golf right off of Lake Bemidji. The Snack Shack attached to this golf course includes an array of delicious food ranging from salads and appetizers to pizza and ice cream. I would recommend the Dole Whip, a popular frozen treat!
Movil Maze is located about 5 miles south of Bemidji and is beautiful in all seasons! The fall leaves on the walking trail are like no others I have seen. In the winter months, it is filled with walkers, cross country skiers, and snowshoers.
Both Ruttger’s and Kohl’s Resorts are great options for both overnight stays and daily visits. Rutgers is located on Lake Bemidji. The view on their patio at supper time is pitureesque. The sweet little cabins off of the lake make it a fun place. Kohl’s is located on Big Turtle Lake and also includes cabins and a restaurant. There is just something about pizza and ice cream right on the lake that makes it that much more delicious!
If you are looking to do a little shopping, Merry Piglets is the place to go! You will more than likely not leave empty handed! It is filled with holiday and house decor ranging from candles, blankets, and cards, to coffee mugs, and jewelry. The owner, Heidi, is a treat as well and will make your time there a wonderful experience!
The Paul Bunyan Playhouse downtown offers wonderful musicals! We recently enjoyed Elf the Musical! Chocolate’s Plus across the street is a fun place to grab some treats at intermission! Brigid’s Cross located across the street is also a fun to place to enjoy a drink with adults!
Diamond Point Park is one of the most beautiful spots in all of town! It includes a walking path on the lake, a play and swimming area, and beautiful indoor and outdoor venues. Fun fact, our groom’s supper took place in the indoor space here!
One of my very favorite families in this world owns the local meat market in town. Stittsworth Meats has been in Myke and Danielle Sittsworth’s immediate family since 1993 with the building originally established in 1899 as a local grocery store. After much popularity with the brats at various events around Bemidji, a decision was made to expand the service area, as demand continued to increase. The menu has expanded throughout the years and business is booming. Myke and Danielle are always kind enough to bring their well-known brats to our annual 4th of July get together to enjoy! Myke even gets behind the grill and prepares them for us each year!
Big Turtle Lake
Last, but certainly not least, is my very favorite place to spend time when I come home, Big Turtle Lake. My parents purchased a home on this lake ten years ago now and this is where we spend most of our time! Whether we are pontooning, having a bonfire, swimming, or simply enjoying the beautiful view from the dock, I am grateful for the many memories we have made together in the place we continue to call home!
Other Bemidji Options
Restauraunts:
Tutto Bene
Dave’s Pizza
Keith’s Pizza
Wild Hare Bistro and Coffee House
Mi Rancho Authentic Mexican Restaurant
Minnesota Nice Cafe
Lucky Dogs
Big Apple Bagels
Paul Bunyan Sub Shop
Red Stu Breakfast Bar
Bemidji Town & Country Club: North Shore Grille
Cantabrea
Tara Thai
A couple nights out at Tutto Bene with the girls! I highly recommend the squash tortellini, a glass of Moscato wine, and ALL the desserts!
Bar and Grill
Brigid’s Pub
Bar 209
Slim’s Bar and Grill
The Corner Bar and Grill
Bar 209 is a great place to enjoy a wine and appetizer night! The only problem is choosing from all the wonderful appetizers… beer battered onion rings, giant pretzels, fried pickle chips, boneless wings, egg rolls, steak tips, truffle parmesan fries, tai lettuce wraps, quesadillas, Wisconsin cheese curds, and pizza pan nachos!
Dessert
Chocolate’s Plus
Big River Scoop Ice Cream
Dairy Queen
Both Ice Cream places are right on Lake Bemidji, making the scenery divine while enjoying a treat!
Enjoying some ice cream at Big River Scoop!
Shops
The Yellow Umbrella
218 Clothing and Gift
McKenzie’s Place
Bemidji Woolen Mills
Four Pines Bookstore
Compass Rose Boutique
More Bemidji Fun!
Watermark Art Festival
Headwater’s Science Center
The Sandford Event Center
Bemidji Movie Theatre
Beuna Vista Ski Area
Bemidji Town and Country Club
Bemidji State University
The talented Blair Treuer proudly displays her work of art at the Watermark Art Festival. Blair is a storyteller who paints with fabric and draws with thread.
“Using what has historically been described as women’s domestic work, sewing, I’ve embraced that intimate relationship to re-design cultural narratives.”
Dragon Boat Races: The Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival offers something for everyone, including: great food, music, kid’s activities, a parade of teams, cultural performances, 5k race/kids fun run and much more all along the shores of beautiful Lake Bemidji.
2. Loop the Lake: Celebrate biking in Bemidji by participating in the annual Loop the Lake Festival!
Bike Bemidji was created to:
Celebrate Bemidji as a Bicycle Friendly Community
Promote outdoor physical activity, health, and clean air
Encourage a bicycle-centered culture
Showcase our community to visitors
Provide a festive atmosphere that is family friendly
Contribute to the local economy
3. The Night We Light: Each year, the streets of downtown Bemidji are packed on a Friday evening before Christmas, as community members gather to ring in the holiday season in style! It starts with a Night We Light parade, and follows with a lighting of the trees celebration at Paul Bunyan Park!
4. Fourth of July: This is always a fun time in the town of Bemidji with a water ski show, carnival, entertainment tent, grand parade, corn hole tournament, and fireworks show! If you find yourself on Big Turtle Lake over this holiday, make sure to join our annual Fourth of July Boat Parade!
5. Watermark Art Festival: art and craft fair has been a summer highlight for Northern Minnesotan residents and tourists since 1967. Vendors sell a wide variety of items including handcrafted wood items, ceramics, apparel, jewelry, photography, metalworking, greeting cards, homemade preserves, soaps, stained glass, original paintings, garden art and more!
6. Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon: The Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon weekend is a fun packed weekend for friends and family to enjoy. Whether you’re up to the challenge of a marathon, or training for your first 5K, this will be a race for you that you won’t want to miss.
“Home, the comfiest place to be”
WINNe the pooh
Stay in the Know
Stay up to date & receive the latest posts in your inbox.
Leave a Reply