Dorset

Dorset coins itself the "Restaurant Capital of the World" because it is a small town with a population of 22 with various restaurants and gift shops. Enjoy a delicious meal of American, Mexican or Italian cuisine. Delight in an ice cream cone on a hot summer day. Do a little shopping: there is an antique store with lots of treasures;  a book store with lots of popular books, games and toys for kids along with clothing; Minnesota based store featuring locally designed cards, prints, clothing, gift and home decor; a store with candy and up north decor; a store with handmade items including bird feeders, a store with an endless amount of housewares that are perfect for treating yourself or are great for one of a kind gifts. Most of these shops are seasonal, only open during the summer.

Park Rapids area dining offers your taste buds a treat. Savor distinct local flavors and down-home old-fashioned comfort food. You can enjoy a lumberjack breakfast, sample delectable locally sourced ingredients and take your taste-buds on an adventure in the Northwoods – they have authentic Italian, German and Scandinavian cuisines. Park Rapids has been honored as one of the Top Ten Charming Minnesota Main Streets.
Stores stock a wide inventory from sporting goods, clothing and souvenirs to furniture, kitchen accessories and books. Explore great options for “Up North” shopping. Watch delectable fudge being made right before your eyes. Find a treasure in one of our antique or thrift stores. 

Nevis is home of the world's largest Tiger Muskie! Also has a wide variety of restaurants to dine at both indoors and outdoors. Enjoy a delicious ice cream treat or espresso drink while taking a break from fun at the lake or your bike ride along the Heartland Trail. Shop for that perfect souvenir, unique gift, or lodge decor, but don't forget to bring home a bag full of our old-fashioned candies or chocolates. Shenanigan’s Family Fun is your break from the lake during summer. Shenanigan’s offers mini golf, water wars, art from local artisans, gifts, and a fossil dig for kids.

You will be delighted with the delicious food served family style as you sit down to a lumber jack meal in the cook shanty. A tour through the Rapid River Logging Camp is like exchanging an hour of your life today for an hour half of a century or more age. You will thrill to the panorama of a booming early logging camp and sawmill... to the exciting scream of the steam whistle... to the pungent smell of freshly sawed pine. You will marvel at the equipment and methods used in bringing out the giant logs. Open Memorial Weekend thru Labor day. 

View more info at: https://rapidriverloggingcamp.com/

Carters’ Farm has been a part of the northern Minnesota landscape since the mid-1950s. Since then, they have engaged with the Park Rapids and wider community to offer fresh produce and on-farm entertainment for nearly 70 years.

14766 119th Avenue, Park Rapids

View more info at: 

Website: https://cartersfarm.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CartersFarmPR/

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Sunflower Festival

Late July/Early August

Dependent on Bloom Times

View more Info: https://cartersfarm.org/events/

 Carter's Fall Festival

Weekends 

September 26 - October 31

View more Info: https://cartersfarm.org/fallfestival/

At Itasca State Park, the mighty Mississippi River begins its 2,552-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. Walk across the rocks where the river begins. The park totals more than 32,000 acres and includes more than 100 lakes. Learn about the natural and cultural history at the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center. Visit the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center that features area information, educational exhibits and an interactive play areas for children. Sit and relax in the fireplace lounge and watch the birds through large observation windows. Buy a souvenir at the gift shops. 

The Character Challenge Course Company, (also known as C4), is an Aerial Adventure Complex located in Park Rapids, Minnesota. The course features a high ropes course, low ropes initiatives, obstacle course, and extreme free falling challenges. Looking for things to do in the Park Rapids area? Family fun? We have you covered! Our Aerial Adventure course will challenge you 35' high and you can add the Power Swing (40' free fall) or the Leap of Faith (try jumping off the top of a telephone pole for a bit of a rush). C4 will work with you and your budget to design a program that is perfect for your group or provide a thrill seeking package for tourists to northern Minnesota.