Timberlake
Lodge – Hotel, Event Center & Grand
Splash
The new 84 room hotel, Timberlake Lodge,
is now open in Grand Rapids and guests
are giving the new facility rave
reviews. The new hotel offers a long
list of amenities including a large
event center, onsite evening dining and
lounge, large breakfast area with free
expanded continental breakfast, fitness
center, and Grand Splash Waterslide for
the kids. Guest rooms are elegantly
appointed with flat screen televisions,
beautiful linens, and upscale touches
that create a truly special atmosphere
for your next getaway. Families can
enjoy the family suites which are
kid-friendly and kid-approved, but the
hotel also caters to couples and
discerning business travelers. The deep
soaker bathtubs in the king spa suites
are enough to make a person wonder, “Who
needs a pool?” A photo gallery for the
new hotel is now available online by
clicking the
Timberlake Lodge link on
the Visit Grand Rapids website.
Pain at the
Pump? Think Grand Rapids for a
Refreshing Change.
Even with the trend toward higher
gasoline prices, Minnesotans can enjoy
their vacations this summer by traveling
within the state. Might we suggest Grand
Rapids? Grand Rapids is located 185
miles north of the Minneapolis/St. Paul
metro area and is far enough to
provide you with a relaxing vacation
experience, but close enough to save you
miles, time and money. With an average
round trip of less than 400 miles –
including mileage to visit lots of cool
local attractions–you can vacation in
the Grand Rapids area and easily keep
your transportation expense under $100.
That means more money left for shopping,
dining, and all those fun activities
that make a vacation memorable. Wouldn’t
you rather spend the money filling up
your scrapbook with great vacation
photos? Grand Rapids is an affordable
vacation experience where you get more
quality for your dollar. Unlike the
airlines, we won’t even charge you extra
for luggage–I promise.
 Judy
Garland Festival
The 33rd annual
Judy Garland Festival on
June 26-28 to celebrate the life and
career of Judy Garland, born in Grand
Rapids as Francis Gumm. Judy’s son Joe
Luft will serve as honorary master of
ceremonies. Festival events include
several Mingle with the Original
Munchkins events, Get Acquainted
Banquet, Gown & Clothing Exhibit
moderated by collector Michael Rivers,
Munchkin Marketplace, Judy Jeopardy
Game, Piano Concerts, and restored
Wizard of Oz movie showing on the big
screen. Tickets are still available and
a
short preview video is available
online through the Visit Grand Rapids
website.
 Mississippi Melodie Showboat
Ahoy! The last three full weekends in
July mark the 53rd season of the
Showboat in Grand Rapids. This
vaudeville variety and musical
performance has entertained enthusiastic
crowds for generations and is a
“must-see” event. With colorful
costumes, humor, dance and songs, the
all volunteer cast and band transport
visitors back to the early 1900s when
the Showboat performers brought
entertainment to lumber towns. This
year’s show features an interactive
melodrama, pre-show, and circa 1920s
music under the direction of Jim Mason.
You can view a
short online Showboat
video and tickets are available in
advance or at the Showboat landing site
the night of the performance. 2008
Performance dates are July: 10, 11, 12,
18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26
Nature & Learning Vacations
 You can sneak some education into your
child’s vacation this summer. The Grand
Rapids
area calendar of events lists a
number of educational and naturalist
programs throughout the summer months.
The Minnesota Historical Society’s
Forest History Center offers educational
programming that can be enjoyed by the
entire family. From nature hikes, to
classes in birding or wild edibles, the FHC connects people to the environment
in meaningful ways. The Marcel Ranger
Station in the Chippewa National Forest
hosts a series of summer naturalist
programs that educate visitors on
wildflowers, forests, and wildlife.
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