Casinos
Spend an evening challenging Lady Luck in one of Northwoods Country’s three great casinos: The Palace Casino, Northern Lights Casino and White Oak Casino courtesy of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Enjoy an evening of slots, blackjack, bingo, or poker. Some of the casinos offer shows for your entertainment. If you're hungry, you will find dining to meet your needs at these casinos as well.
Dining
Whether you’re in the mood for luxury or are vacationing on a budget, Northwoods Country offers the type of dining that will suit your needs.
Experience fine dining in the Northwoods area. Stretch out your feet under a table loaded with succulent plum duckling, sniff the pungent aroma of garlic-mushroom sauce as you dive into a plate of lasagna or soak in the rustic ambiance of a northern Minnesota supper club as you prepare to slice into a juicy Rib Eye.
For those preferring an informal environment with quick service, head for a hometown café, family restaurant or even a nationally known fast food outlet. Enjoy!
Shopping
Merchandise ranging from antiques, to collectibles, to rustic décor, to that one-of-a-kind souvenir can be found in the unique Northwoods shops. Discover a piece of fine art, perhaps hand- milled pottery, or an original oil painting by an area artist or a locally crafted deer antler lamp. Perhaps you collect souvenir-type items, like travel spoons, or bells or mugs. You will find them here.
Shopping
Merchandise ranging from antiques, to collectibles, to rustic décor, to that one-of-a-kind souvenir can be found in the unique Northwoods shops. Discover a piece of fine art, perhaps hand- milled pottery, or an original oil painting by an area artist or a locally crafted deer antler lamp. Perhaps you collect souvenir-type items, like travel spoons, or bells or mugs. You will find them here.
Cultural Events
Pow Wows
by Larry Aitken Leech Lake Tribal Historian
Nee-Bin is an Anishinabe word for summer. [Anishinabe is used interchangeably with Ojibwe and Chippewa to denote the American Indian people living in the Cass Lake area.] During this time of year, many visitors may have pleasure of witnessing a native powwow.
The word "powwow" is an invented word used by early Westerners to depict a grand council or dance that was to happen among the indigenous people.
Dances and ceremonies of indigenous native people convey a deep spiritual meaning. Songs are sung during specific seasons of the year, with special purpose and significant customs accompanying them. Colorful outfits represent personal reflections and traditional meaning connected with the earth. Some represent birds, others flowering grass. Still others honor animal beings, the bear, the fox, and the deer. The dancers themselves interpret the meaning of their outfits.
A recent addition to the powwow is the grand entry, used to begin the event. During this time, a single line of all the dancers enters the arena, dancing. After the dancers have encircled the drum and are in position, a spiritual or medicine man performs a pipe ceremony. This is a prayer for all the people, including the dancers and visitors.
Powwows that are advertised are open to the public. Picture taking is permitted, with one exception -- no pictures should be taken of the pipe ceremony.
There are ceremonies around the drum that are not public. These are conducted in local communities at special times of the year, giving thanks for the bounties of the earth or paying tribute to veterans who died in action during a war, for women, for elders, youth, teachers, medicine people and leaders or warriors.
Powwows that are public are meant for everyone. Visitors and friends are encourage to attend and visit. This is a time for celebration, a time for fun and healing, a time for family and a time for community.
Updated list of dates and times of Powwows in the Northern Minnesota area.
Family Fun
Headwaters Science Center
Science stirs the imagination. It opens minds to new and exciting frontiers, from ridiculously tiny things in an atom to the mind-boggling hugeness of the Universe.
Sometimes it takes a spark to ignite a sleepy imagination to undertake the discovery of things yet to be found, and to understand the complexities of our World.
Headwaters Science Center often provides this spark, offering a unique opportunity for young and old to begin this journey of discovery.
For more information, visit the Headwaters Science Center website.
Beltrami County History Center
Beltrami County Historical Society offers exhibits and resources that tell stories that help connect individuals and communities to Beltrami County's rich history.
BCHS preserves historical artifacts, photographs, and manuscripts in the History Center archives. What will you discover when you visit?
Learn more about the Beltrami County History Center.
Paul Bunyan's Animal Land
Located on Hwy 2 East, between Bemidji & Cass Lake, Animal Land is home to nearly 100 animals representing every continent on earth.
Lions, tigers, bear, camels, lemurs, kangaroos, monkeys, raccoons, three species of deer, bobcats, wolves, reptiles, exotic birds, amazing bugs and various small mammals are just a FEW of the animals who make their home at Animal Land.
Walk among the deer, feed the bear, pet the camels, and learn about each of the amazing creatures in our animal family.
To learn more, visit the Paul Bunyan's Animal Land website.
