International Falls MN Travel
Voyageurs State Park, Blast on the Border, & Northern Minnesota Fun
Where is International Falls, Minnesota? International Falls is on the northern Minnesota border with Ontario, Canada. The Rainy River separates International Falls from Fort Frances, Ontario, and the two cities (and countries) are connected by the Fort Frances-International Falls International Bridge. I-Falls is the county seat for Koochiching County, a county with an unforgettable name.
What's special about International Falls, Minnesota? International Falls has a fascinating history as a French-Canadian trading post. It's synonymous with northern beauty, and is the nearest city to Voyageurs National Park, the stunning park that draws over 200,000 visitors annually. International Falls is also synonymous with winter cold (its average annual temperature is about 36 degrees), and during drastic cold spells, TV news reporters from the Twin Cities venture into town for amusing stunts. For example, as various reporters have discovered, if you freeze a banana overnight during an International Falls cold spell, you can use it to nail a hammer into a board. During these cold spells, the hotels in International falls are packed with tourists from warmer climates who want to experience true cold.
What attractions are in International Falls?
- Voyageurs State Park. International Falls is the gateway to this mesmerizing and popular 200,000 acre national park. The park contains four major lakes and many minor ones, and hearty Minnesotans and Canadians venture to the park to canoe and fish for walleye and sturgeon. Much of the park is only accessible by boat, snowmobile, or skis. One of the most popular stops in the park is the historic and remote Kettle Falls Hotel and Resort, located by the Kettle Falls Dam and only accessible in the summer by boat. For more information about the park, call 218-283-9821.
- Blast on the Border! Winter Festival. This fun January festival celebrates the extreme cold with a bit of tongue-and-cheek. Formerly known as Icebox Days, the festival features the Freeze Your Gizzard Blizzard Run, frozen-turkey bowling, the Ode to Cold Poetry Contest, and Backwoods Karaoke.
- Boise Cascade Paper Mill tours. 2nd Street and 4th Avenue. During the summer months, visitors can tour this paper mill-- the largest employer in International Falls-- and see the second largest and fastest paper machine in the world. Tours are free. Due to safety concerns, no children under 10 are admitted. (218) 285-5011.
- Koochiching County Historical Museum and the Bronko Nagurski Museum. 214 Sixth Avenue. Located in Smokey Bear Park, this museum is filled with artifacts of the area's rich history. Learn about Native Americas, fur trading, logging, gold rushing, and homesteading, In addition, learn about International Falls most famous native son, NFL star Bronko Nagurski. Admission is free. (218) 283-4316.
See also: Duluth Minnesota Travel Guide and Minneapolis & St. Paul Attractions
