Gull Lake is a great vacation destination any time of year, but a winter journey in this direction promises to thrill. The following are just a few of the activities and attractions that are sure to inspire you to book your Minnesota winter 2022 getaway today!
Enjoy Ice-Skating This Winter
When you’re looking forward to a winter getaway to the Gull Lake area and you can’t wait to sprinkle in a bit of nostalgic seasonal fun, you’re in luck! The Gull Lake region is known and loved for its many opportunities for ice skating that promise to be fun for the entire family. While the waterways that make up Gull Lake and the surrounding cities are nicely frozen over this time of year and open for outdoor ice-skating options, there are indoor opportunities for excitement on the ice as well. The Brainerd Ice Rink is a great starting point for ice skating excursions during the winter and is open Monday through Friday from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm for free skating as well as Saturdays from noon until 8:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Nearby Baxter also has an ice-skating rink that’s open to the public Monday through Friday from 3:30 pm until 8:30 pm with varying hours on the weekends that are worth checking into in advance of your arrival. If you’re more the type of winter traveler that’s still looking to spend as much time as possible outdoors, focusing on Brainerd for outdoor ice-skating is a must. Mill Avenue Park, Gregory Park, and Bane Park alike host outdoor ice-skating rinks where those with their own set of skates in tow can make the most of gliding their way through an afternoon in good company.
Add Ice Fishing to the Itinerary
Gathering family and friends and making the most of a winter getaway to the Gull Lake area of Minnesota puts travelers in the perfect position to add some ice fishing fun to their trip! During the summer months, the lake, rivers, and surrounding waterways are an oasis of potential for those that love to cast a line. In the wintertime, chilly temperatures freeze those same surfaces over, making it a prime place to drop a line and see what you can reel in as well. Fish species that you’re likely to catch while ice fishing this time of year include everything from panfish and bass to northern pike, walleye, trout, and beyond. While Gull Lake itself is a great place to settle in for a day of ice fishing fun, nearby Round Lake and North Long Lake are also good options when you’re ready to travel in the name of outdoor adventure. While experienced ice anglers are generally ready to take to the frozen terrain with ease, if you’re new to the sport, there are plenty of options for guided ice fishing fun in the area. Both S&W Guide Service, as well as Leisure Outdoor Adventures, are good starting points when you’re looking for a successful day of ice fishing alongside a knowledgeable and friendly guide. If you’re experienced in ice fishing to the level that you’re ready to take on the competition, the annual Ice Fishing Extravaganza is a must-try winter event held in Brainerd on Gull Lake each year. More than 10,000 participants flock to the lake in late January to take part in the largest ice fishing contest around. The cash prizes for this event are impressive if you take the top spots, but the fun promises to be priceless.
Head Over to Mount Ski Gull
A winter trip this way is hard to imagine without some time set aside to enjoy downhill fun at Mount Ski Gull. Whether you’re looking to ski, tube, or snowboard your way through a day, this destination provides a place to enjoy the best of it all in good company. This winter fun stop has trails and slopes that can accommodate outdoor adventurers of all ages and skill levels. Whether you’re looking for a challenge or signing up for your first ski lesson, Mount Ski Gull should definitely be added to your winter adventure itinerary. When you’re looking to warm up after a day of fun on the slopes, there are a variety of indoor water park options near Mount Ski Gull that offer up hot tubs in addition to pools that are well worth experiencing while you’re in the area as well!
Make Cross Country Skiing a Priority
Exploring the scenic and wintery landscape around Gull Lake is easy to do when you make the most of cross country skiing fun while you’re in town. This area of Minnesota is packed with fantastic trails to check out, many of which reside within Crow Wing State Park. Visitors will also find that time cross country skiing in the winter through the Northland Arboretum is exciting! Some other notable trails to add to your must-try list include the Wolf Lake Ski Trail, Forestview Ski Trail, and Pine Beach Ski Trail just to name a few.
Head Over to Mount Ski Gull
Book Your Journey Today
When you’re ready to explore Gull Lake, the team at Gull Lake Beach Resorts has the luxurious accommodations in place to top off your trip in style. Reach out today to learn more and to start planning!
With a new year just around the corner, now is the time to begin putting exciting plans in place to celebrate New Year’s Eve in style! When you’re looking for a celebration location that pairs scenic beauty with impeccable access to New Year’s fun, there’s no better place to find yourself when the clock strikes midnight than the Gull Lake region of Minnesota. This outdoor enthusiasts’ dream come true of a location is also packed with great dining and shopping options as well as seasonal events that make New Year’s Eve a blast for everyone in your traveling crew. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities, adult-only dinners, or something in between, you’ll find its simple to customize your New Year’s adventures when you head this way. The following are just a few of the many best places across the Gull Lake region to explore and enjoy when you can’t wait to ring in the new year in just the right way.
Enjoy Family-Friendly Fun with Gull Lake Ministries
If you find yourself in the Gull Lake area this New Year’s Eve with the entire family in tow and little ones to entertain too, Gull Lake Ministries has you covered! They’re hosting a fun and family-friendly New Year’s celebration that starts December 30th and runs through January 1st that promises to be unlike anything else in the area. This event will include a long lineup of unlimited activities that range from indoor rock climbing and glow bowling to outdoor ziplining and beyond. There’s a balloon drop planned for midnight which is sure to thrill guests of all ages. Spots can be reserved by calling 269-671-5155. Don’t delay, because when you’re part of this two-day event, you’ll enjoy performances by talented illusionists as well as full access to amazing gourmet treats and sweets. What could be a better way to start 2022?
Enjoy a New Year’s Eve Dueling Piano Dinner
If music and amazing eats are more your New Year’s Eve style, finding your way to B Merri Gastro Pub in the Gather on 3Event Center on December 31st is a must. The fun starts when the doors open at 6:00 pm and the cash bar is open for business. Guests will enjoy a four-course meal starting at 7:00 pm which includes Tandoori grilled crab cakes with mango coconut sauce and crisp Indian slaw as well as Kabocha squash bisque and a winter arugula salad. The third course is a saffron seafood paella risotto and caramelized bistro tender with shrimp while dessert will highlight the best of dulce de leche cheesecake and apple crisp panna cotta! Everyone will want to plan on sticking around for the show as well as the midnight ball drop. Pricing starts at $89.99 a person, but seating is limited, so make sure to get your place in advance for this fun Brainerd event.
Try a DJ Dance Party
On December 31st starting at 9:00 pm, Zorbaz on Gull Lake is hosting a DJ Dance Party for those looking to ring in the New Year at a faster pace. Zorbaz on Gull Lake is located at 8105 Lost Lake Road in Lake Shore and those who participate in this event will be thrilled to learn that the fun continues on well past midnight, not ending until 2:00 am! Grab your dancing shoes and sense of adventure for this New Year’s Eve event you won’t soon forget.
Enjoy Trivia Night
If you’re going to be closer to the Crosslake area this New Year’s Eve, consider participating in a fun Catch the Mania Trivia Night at Moonlite Bay. Starting at 8:00 pm, this interactive trivia is the perfect option for those looking to put their facts skills to the test in a fun setting. Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant & Bar is located at 37627 County Road 66.
Make It a Cozy New Year’s in Your Vacation Rental
If your idea of the perfect New Year’s Eve is one where you’re cozied up in a luxurious vacation rental near Gull Lake alongside those you love most, it’s entirely possible when you partner with Gull Lake Beach Resorts. Our vacation rentals are spacious, inviting, and fully equipped with the amenities that make for a New Year’s getaway you won’t soon forget. Book a rental with a kitchen when you’re looking forward to serving up a traditional New Year’s Eve meal or make it a night of hot cocoa by the fireplace if you choose. Either way, you’ll ring in 2022 living in style in a place that promises to inspire.
Reach Out Today
No matter when your travel plans bring you to Gull Lake, the team at Gull Lake Beach Resorts has you covered. Reach out today to learn more about our many beautiful area properties to choose from and how we can help you start planning your next trip.
*Details are subject to change.*
Winter is a time of year that brings exciting snowfall, dropping temperatures, and for the outdoor enthusiast, plenty of options for recreation too! While the ice and cold have plenty of travelers heading for warm destinations as soon as possible, those that are inspired by the fresh powder and can’t wait to make the most of the fun head to places like Gull Lake, Minnesota instead! Here, winter is a season of celebration and recreational opportunities that are unsurpassed. Enjoying significant snowfall totals this time of year, Gull Lake swaps out summertime fun in the way of boating, swimming, and savoring the shorelines for winter-focused activities that are just as intriguing.
Gull Lake, Minnesota is known for wintertime activity options that range from snow biking and skiing to snowboarding, ice fishing, skating, ice hockey, and more! Even those that aren’t so much about the cold, but love the wintery view will find that time snuggled up in a space that frames the great outdoors is an ideal situation. No matter what your winter itinerary entails when you head to Gull Lake, making the most of the savory stops and Gull Lake restaurants is a must when a hot winter meal would hit the spot. The following are just a few of many options to consider the next time you’re in the area.
Sidetrack Bar and Grill
When mouthwatering comfort food selections and dishes that remind you of a savory home-cooked meal are what you’re craving, ordering up something sensational at Sidetrack Bar and Grill is bound to delight. Located at 18071 MN-371 in Brainerd, Sidetrack Bar and Grill is open to the dining public daily between 10:30 amand8:00 pm making it a fantastic all-day destination to curb a craving. This fan-favorite meal destination is ideal in winter thanks to its grilled selections that are paired with just the right beverage choices too. Currently, Sidetrack Bar and Grill offers up many options on its menu for taking away all day long, providing for convenient dining that can be enjoyed in the comfort of your winter vacation rental.
The menu at Sidetrack Bar and Grill is designed to cater to visitors of all types of culinary preferences. Juicy, piled-high burgers paired with oversized fries are a staple at Sidetrack Bar and Grill and leave no appetite unattended to. While the main course selections are sure to please, the appetizer listing are just as appealing. Guests can pick and choose between savory options like cheesy fried pickles and shrimp shooters or sweet potato fries and sidetrack poutine. Salads and soups are readily available for those that are looking to dine lean while the pasta and fish selections make for a mouthwatering event. When you’re up for a more robust main course, be sure to try the ribeye, shrimp dinner, BBQ ribs, or Backtrack chicken. If you’re ordering up dinner for the entire family, the little ones might love the hot chocolate provided by Sidetrack Bar and Grill for savoring during a cold, wintery evening.
Visit Amazing Gull Lake Restaurants – 371 Diner
Sensational American meal favorites are yours for enjoying when you plan for a winter meal to be enjoyed at 371 Diner. Situated at 14901 Edgewood Drive in Baxter, this eatery is a favorite amongst those craving all American traditional dishes enjoyed with a side of dining nostalgia.
Leaning on drive-through diners of the past, 371 Diner is simple to spot thanks to the sleek silver façade and red trim that offers up a retro aesthetic and tons of fun!
371 Diner is currently open for take-away but provides guests with all of its mouthwatering menu options to choose from. The diner is open daily from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm and conveniently caters to crowds that appreciate curbside pickup in these unprecedented times. The menu is a delight whether you drop by in the morning or for dinner. Country breakfast selections included loaded hash browns, piled-high pancakes, and omelets are served up until 11:00 am. After that time, the lunch and dinner menu takes center stage! Soups, salads, and sandwiches are readily available upon request at 371 Diner while wraps, burgers, and finger foods make it easy to satisfy everyone in the family. When your tastes lean towards a particularly hearty dinner, you can’t go wrong with choice sirloin, walleye filet, or steak and shrimp.
Make the Most of the Gull Lake Adventure
No matter what season you find yourself in Gull Lake, taking time to unwind in a luxurious vacation rental provided through Gull Lake Beach Resorts is a must. Elevate your experience from the moment you arrive and indulge in the comfort, convenience, and proximity to fun that you deserve! Contact our team today to learn more about our many area rental options and to start planning your next adventure to Minnesota!