Looking for family friendly resort

[Woody3]

I'm looking for a family friendly resort the weekend of August 6th. My son is 4 and enjoys fishing but he would love a place with a pool and water slide. My daughter is 6 months and obviously could care less. I know my wife would be happier with a place that is fun for the kids and her. I'm not expecting to spend much time in the boat with the family and I will mostly be fishing alone. I want to find a place that I can dock the boat and go fishing at my leisure and bring the boy fishing when he's willing. I'm open to pretty much anywhere in MN. The only place I've been able to find is a hotel on Pelican Lake in Orr. Any other ideas are greatly appreciated.

[jwmiller33]

Try Grandview Lodge on Gull Lake in Nisswa. They have everything possible to make the rest of the family happy (water slides, pool, hot tub, exercise room, spa, golf courses right down the street, great food). Gull Lake is one of my favorite lakes to fish, regardless of time of year. If possible, try to get one of their cabins at Interlachen or Gull Haven (separate properties of Grandview) as they are the nicest IMO. One of my favorite parts about staying at Grandview is they have a buffet style breakfast every morning free for all guests, and it is REALLY good food.

[BrainerdCity]

I agree Grandview is an excellent choice with a location that allows you access to a wide variety of activities. Plus if you do get out fishing what a great lake to do it on. If you do decide on the Brainerd lakes area and would like some insight on fishing feel free to ask here and I would be glad to point you in a few directions!

[Woody3]

Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like they're booked that weekend, we've been talking about a weekend trip for over a month and I've been procrastinating; stupid me. Thank you again!

[Fever]

Woody,

Check into Veronin's Resort on Bad Medicine lake. The lake is gorgous, very clear. Walleye fishing can be tough but there is some great history with that lake. Very large fish have been caught there. Huge 18 lb plus walleye several years back by some lady from Iowa, 20 plus lb pike a bit more recent than that. Overall Pike fishing is good for average size. Great structure, and a good rainbow trout population. I haven't been there for a few years, but loved it when we did go. Cabins are beautiful, comfortable and People are fantastically friendly and helpful. Very nice family run place. I have great memories from that place and would love to go back. We used to go there before my inlaws bought a place on a lake in the west metro. Now, the family just hangs out there. I only mention it because I was there with my (at the time), 3 and 1 year old daughters, wife, and inlaws and we all had a good time. I did what you mentioned, went out from time to time fishing mostly alone and had a blast. Now they're 9 and 7, along with my 6 year old son. Check it out, I'm sure you'll see that it's affordable, and offers peace and quite. Not sure that there will cabins available. Good luck.

[jwmiller33]

Are you sure ALL of their properties are booked? Grandview owns several different groups of cabins and lodges, along with their properties at the main lodge. Gull Haven and Interlachen are a group of really nice cabins on the north east shore Gull. They also have several groups of cabins/lodges on Roy Lake, which is about a half mile across the street north of the main Grandview lodge. I think they have a few others as well.

[Sergio M]

Try In-We-Go Resort and Motel in Nevis on 8th crow wing lake. We just got back from there and the wife and kids (4 year old and 1 year old) loved it. They have everything you are looking for.

[WaveWacker]

There is also Arrowwood Resort on Lake Darling in Alexandria.

[Tom7227]

Grandview and Arrowwood cost huge bucks don't they? Maybe that's the norm these days but isn't there a few places that don't require a tap to the home equity line of credit?

[Woody3]

Wow, looks like we picked the busiest weekend of the summer; everyone is booked. I'm sure we'll find somewhere to go and knowing my luck it will rain all weekend.

[jigging-matt]

Check Craguns on Gull Lake. They are very family oriented, and have lots of activities for the kids. Our family goes there every year for a week. My daughter looks forward to the trip every year.

[Tom7227]

There's a resort forum in the Main Forum section of FM here. It isn't used very much from the looks of it but have you checked it out?

[bucketmouth64]

There is also Arrowwood Resort on Lake Darling in Alexandria.

+1, price includes admission to their water park, and all their activities on the grounds are free which include 2 executive puttting greens, tennis, bikes, bb, swimming beach, indoor/outdoor pools. You can also rent jet skis, boats, golf, or horseback. Costs about $130/night unless you find some specials.

[quackersmacker]

Big Sandy Lodge on big sandy. Very family friendly, great resort, great food. I highly recommend it. They have every ammentity you could want. A big beach, fishing right off one of their many docks, boat launch and gas on the dock. They offer a hotel or condos for rent. As I previously mentioned the food is great, three full meals a day are offered. You can view the full menu online as well as all the activities and options available.

[walleyemaniac]

Chippewa Lodge Resort it's on the east side of Leech. Jim and Karen are the best. Your wife and kids will love it. Good fishing on that side of the lake as well.

This is our 4th year there and the thing that's nice is I never hear "I'm Bored". We're there for a week and the wife and kids are content staying right at the resort the whole time.

www.chippewalodgeresort.com

[wahoo]

Pehrsen Lodge on Lake Vermillion is very nice. Special stuff for the kids, nice beach, clean cabins, good boat ramp, bait, etc. Also, walleyes, Muskies, bass, sunnies, northerns, etc.

[EyeGuide]

If you want good fishing, a great beach and a quiet resort... check out Woodland Resort. The resort is on Lake Miltona just North of Alexandria. You'll be hard pressed to find a nicer place.

If you end up going there give me a shout and I can help you out with some fishing info too. Have fun!

[rkhinrichs]

River Point Resort they will treat you right!

[Walleye Guy]

Everett Bay Lodge on Lake Vermilion has all those things. Great people too.

[FisH_SLaYer24]

I would give my vote to either Craguns located on Gull Lake or Breezy Point located on Pelican Lake, these two are both family friendly and include arcades, swimming pools, swimming beaches, and also good fishing for all ages

[Tom7227]

Ah, for the good old days.

When you went to the lake you stayed in a cabin, not a motel with log siding. When you went fishing with dad in a 14 foot boat with a 10 horse motor. When for excitement you walked up to the main lodge and spent 20 cents on some candy. Where you actually sat in the sand and played with the kids from the other cabins. Where you caught sunnies from the dock and put them on a stringer and had mom take your picture...

Where there wasn't any golf, anything that needed batteries, any golf clubs, cell phones, arcade game, towns full of shops full of cabin clutter...