Visit Cook County MN

Proud to announce that we received the Outstanding Marketing Award from Explore Minnesota at the 2025 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We are beyond proud to announce our Explore Minnesota award for Outstanding Marketing Campaign for promoting our vast night sky! Also, shout out to the several Cook County businesses in attendance at the conference: Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts, Cascade Vacation Rentals , Caribou Highlands Lodge , Odyssey Resorts , Lutsen Mountains Resort , North Shore Explorer.

Gunflint Lodge celebrates 100 years in 2025! To kick off their centennial year, they are hosting a ribbon cutting at the NEW Northern Lights Lodge on Friday, January 31. Gunflint Lodge and Outfitters has been a cornerstone of the Gunflint Trail community since its establishment in 1925, offering unparalleled access to the natural beauty of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and beyond. The addition of the Northern Lights Lodge underscores its dedication to enhancing guest experiences while honoring its rich history. Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters will be adding additional events throughout our Centennial Year to commemorate this milestone anniversary. Explore Minnesota Gunflint Lodge, Inc. John Fredrikson Mindette Kale Fredrikson https://lnkd.in/g-KXMZV3

Linda Newman of Points Unknown is an incredible entrepreneur who for the last two decades has guided people into the outdoors, sharing skills and showcasing the beauty of northern Minnesota’s landscape. Her business began in 2005 and offers dog sledding experiences, paddling & hiking adventures, off-grid lifestyle immersion, and more. Listen to her interview on the latest WTIP North Shore Community Radio Spotlight Series. https://lnkd.in/gWH8rFB4

It is still very much so winter up on the North Shore and Gunflint Trail. While much of the state is without snow on the ground, the majority of Northeastern Minnesota remains snow-covered. Check out our report on winter activities and upcoming events right here: ?? https://lnkd.in/grV-cd5H

Saunas are a hot topic this season! Have you tried one yet? To inspire you, check out this article by Stephanie Pearson in The New York Times about the benefits of sauna culture and Lake Superior featuring Grand Marais' very own Sisu + L?yly Nordic Sauna. ?? Explore Minnesota #donorthmn https://lnkd.in/gigF7RPR

An event local business owners won't want to miss! Visit Cook County and The Minnesota Star Tribune invites you to join us for?Minnesota Matters: The Future of The Outdoors Journalism in Our State. ? This interactive session will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 3:30 - 5:00 pm at Surfside Resort in Tofte, and will feature light bites and conversation on the future of outdoors journalism in Minnesota. This interactive session will feature a panel of experts followed by roundtable discussions on topics pertinent to the outdoors industry and Northeastern Minnesota. Several Minnesota Star Tribune journalists and staff will be in attendance. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to connect with these individuals and participate in the conversation. This event is?FREE?but please?RSVP to save your seat. https://lnkd.in/gdeYMrH6

Check out the 15th episode of the Local Business Spotlight with Kalli Hawkins of WTIP North Shore Community Radio featuring Chris Homyak of Clearview General Store in Lutsen. Learn more about some of the changes Chris has made to the store along with some of the big changes on the horizon here: https://lnkd.in/gWH8rFB4

NASA Returns to Grand Marais for the 6th annual Dark Sky Festival! Mark your calendars for the 2024 Dark Sky Festival, an awe-inspiring celebration of the night sky, taking place from December 12-14, 2024 in the beautiful wilderness of Grand Marais, Minnesota. Hosted by Visit Cook County MN, this unique event invites stargazers, nature enthusiasts, and families to immerse themselves in the pristine night skies of the North Shore—one of the darkest and most stunning places to view the stars in the United States. Learn more about this event right here: https://lnkd.in/gf9SQkAR

Executive Director Linda Jurek recently was a guest on the Growing Destinations Podcast as part of a panel of tourism industry professionals. Tune in to hear the discussion on the state of the visitor economy and the various challenges and opportunities within the industry. Visit Cook County MN Experience Rochester MN Visit Roseville https://lnkd.in/gyKvRu4p