Minnesota - Woods and Waters Region Attractions

The Depot Museum is housed in the 1916 Northern Pacific Depot in Aitkin. Exhibits feature riverboating on the upper Mississippi, native culture and unique artifacts. The Log Museum was the first home of the Aitkin County Historical Society, constructed in 1950 of native cedar logs. Displays include the county's logging heritage, agricultural implements, and tools from the building trades.

The Woodtick Musical Theatre offers a variety show that includes country, bluegrass, gospel music and comedy routines.

Bemidji is home to massive statues of Paul Bunyan who was a mythical lumberjack and Babe, his Blue Ox.

The Hill Annex Mine State Park features a Mine Tour that is offered through the park by 90-minute bus ride. Visitors learn about the history and methods of iron ore mining in northern Minnesota.

Chippewa National Forest, central North Minnesota, is an area with many lakes, the largest being Lake Leech, which has more than 4,500 members of the Minnesota Chippewa tribe living along its shores.
The Chippewa National Forest encompasses 1.6 million acres with aspen, birch, pine, balsam fir and maple trees located upland. More than 1300 lakes, miles of rivers and streams, and 400,000 acres of wetlands are found within the boundaries.

The Carlton County History & Heritage Center in Cloquet presents exhibits that depict the history of the area from about 1860, including a description of the 1918 fire that destroyed much of the county and the original town of Cloquet.

Polk County Museum in Crookston displays hundreds of historical items representing local 19th-century life. Part of the exhibit includes a small chapel with an altar, pulpit, pews, and religious artifacts.

The Deep Portage Conservation Reserve and Interpretive Center features hiking, hunting, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The wildflower garden has displays about local geology and wildlife.

The Hinckley Fire Museum is housed in a restored railroad depot and commemorates the fire that destroyed the town in 1894 as well as the survivors and heroes. Photographs, newspaper accounts and items from the fire are on display.

The Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge was drained and destroyed as a habitat in the early 1900s through an unsuccessful farming attempt. The area has since been restored and is home to more than 100,000 water and shore birds. Observation towers allow visitors to view a variety of bird, animal and plant life.

Father Hennepin State Park west of Isle offers swimming, fishing, and hiking opportunities. The park was named in memory of Father Hennepin and his party who were captured by American Indians in 1860.

The Heritage Hjemkomst Interpretive Center in Moorhead features a 77ft/23m replica of an ancient Viking ship, the Hjemkomst, built by Robert Asp. The Hopperstad Replica Stave Church located on the grounds is a replica of the 12th-century church Hopeprstad Stavkyrkje in Vik, Norway.

The Moose Lake Depot is housed in the former Soo Line Depot featuring exhibits about the history of the area railroads as well as telling the story of the huge 1918 fire. The fire burned through 250,000 acres, took more than 450 lives, and devastated the Moose Lake-Kettle River area.

The North West Company Fur Post near Pine City (pop. 3,000) is a reconstructed 1804 trading post and an Ojibwe wigwam. Costumed guides demonstrate frontier cooking and describe the lives of fur traders.

Named after a local Norwegian immigrant, the Peder Engelstad Pioneer Village in consists of 19 buildings including a museum, two railroad depots, a one-room schoolhouse, a church, log houses, a general store, a two-story Victorian house, a blacksmith shop, and a barber shop.

Walker (pop. 1,000) was founded in 1896, shortly after the railroad came from Brainerd to Walker. The town was named for Thomas Walker, a pioneer lumberman. This popular vacation spot features fishing, biking, boating, hiking and swimming opportunities.

The Cass County Museum in Walker features archival files, photos, newspapers, and a library that present the history of the county through pioneer relics, including an early 20th-century school.

The Museum of Wildlife and Indian Artifacts in Walker features wildlife dioramas and Ojibwe Indian artifacts.