This post featuring things to do with kids in Crosby, Minnesota + the Cuyuna Lakes Area, may contain affiliate links. This article also includes a hosted stay at Cuyuna Cove. All thoughts and opinions about the stay are my own. For more, please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy.
Once a bustling mining area, now Crosby and the Cuyuna Lakes area is a beloved tourist destination for its epic mountain biking, crystal clear pit mine lakes, and cozy summer getaways in Minnesota. Our recent visit was my third time exploring the area, and I think it’s safe to say that I am smitten! The area is brimming with outdoor adventures, beautiful scenery, and friendly locals. It’s quickly become one of my favorite weekend getaways in Minnesota with (or without) kids!
There are SO many fun things to do in Crosby with kids! Whether you want to hit the trails, paddle on some of the clearest lakes in Minnesota, or just relax at a cabin or campsite, Crosby has what your family needs. Plus, the dining scene here is fantastic! This small town knows how to impress a foodie family! Indeed, there is a lot to love about this area. If you’re planning a summer itinerary for Crosby with kids, this guide features all of our favorite things to do (nicely packaged in a 3-day itinerary), as well as the best places to eat and stay in Crosby for families. Keep reading to discover everything that Crosby has to offer!
Tips + Packing List for Crosby + Cuyuna Lakes Area, Minnesota
Before exploring the best things to do in Crosby with kids, there are a few things to know about visiting the Cuyuna Lakes area for families.
A Few Tips
Here are a few tips for visiting Crosby, Minnesota, + the Cuyuna Lakes area with kids:
- Stay in a cozy cabin! One of the best ways to experience Crosby with your family is to stay in comfortable accommodations surrounded by nature (ideas below!).
- Crosby is best explored in nature at a leisurely pace (unless you’re flying down mountain bike trails!) – don’t feel like you need to rush. Be sure to leave plenty of time to relax by the crystal-clear pit mine lakes, meander downtown, or simply play games together.
- Crosby is about a 2.5-hour drive if you’re traveling from Minneapolis (like we do).
- See our highlights of Crosby on Instagram here!
Packing
In addition to the things you usually pack for a weekend getaway in Minnesota, don’t forget these things on your Crosby packing list:
- If you plan to hike in one of the nearby state parks, don’t forget your hiking boots and gear. Here are the hiking shoes we like for kids and for women.
- Mountain biking is HUGE here! If you have your own equipment, plan to bring it (but rentals are available in the area).
- This area is perfect for paddling! Bring your kayak or canoe gear if you have it. This is an excellent, transportable kayak and paddle board if you want to invest in your own gear. Pack life jackets, too!
- Games for cozy afternoons at your accommodations
- Fishing pole and tackle (if you plan to fish) – remember that adults need a license to fish in Minnesota
- Swimming suits
- Insect repellent and sun protection
- Water bottles or a hydration pack
Ready to Pack? Here Are a Few More Family Travel Items We Love:
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Day 1 in Crosby with Kids
Day one in Crosby with kids is all about getting settled in your accommodations and getting a sense of the area. The downtown area is lovely; be sure to leave time before or after dinner to walk around a bit and get a lay of the land.
Alright, let’s go! Here’s how to spend your first summer afternoon together on this itinerary for Crosby with kids.
Crosby in the fall? Read why it’s one of the best 9 Colorful Fall Getaways from Minneapolis with Kids!
Where to Stay in Crosby for Families
If you’re wondering where to stay for small families in Crosby, we loved our recent stay at Cuyuna Cove! Two of their Bungalows sleep up to three (Rabbit Bungalow + Portage Bungalow) – perfect for only-child families (like mine!) or parent-and-me trips. Kids must be age 8+ to stay here. Of course, Cuyuna Cove is also ideal for a couple’s getaway or solo adventure! Couples and solo travelers can also consider their Cabins. The property is also dog-friendly.
We stayed in the Rabbit Bungalow, which is a lovely site nestled among towering oak trees (and a short walk to the shared shower and bathroom house). The Bungalow has a queen bed and small cot, as well as heat/AC, a mini fridge and microwave, a fire pit and grate for camp cooking, and a coffee/tea bar. Not to mention, all the supplies needed to cook over the campfire (including knives, cutting boards, cutlery, plates/bowls, and much more. It also includes access to the on-site redwood sauna (perfect for cool mornings or evenings!).
While the bathroom and shower area are shared with the other Bungalows, it’s made up for by the heated toilet seats and luxurious river rock showers (excellent water pressure!). Cabins have private bathrooms. Rabbit Bungalow is the closet to the bathrooms/showers and the parking lot.
Cuyuna Cove is conveniently located just a short drive from downtown Crosby. Then, if you are planning to bring your mountain bikes or hit the trails, staying here provides direct trail access to over 75 miles of mountain bike trails! It’s an ideal location for exploring the area!
If you have a larger family or are looking for more space to spread out, I’ve shared a few other accommodation options in the area below.
READ NEXT: 4 Reasons You’ll Love Staying at Cuyuna Cove in Crosby, Minnesota (+ My Honest Review)
Arrive in Time to Paddle Pennington Mine Lake
During our recent visit, we timed our arrival to hit the nearby pit mine lakes first, and check-in second. Two years ago, on a girls’ trip, I was able to paddle on Pennington Mine Lake, and I’ve been dreaming of taking my family ever since!
The Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area has two crystal-clear pit mine lakes: Pennington Mine Lake and Huntington Mine Lake. Both are exceptional places to paddle with kids. The water is so clear that you can see fish swimming beneath the lake’s surface and underwater plant life. For this reason, I think paddling one of the pit mine lakes is undoubtedly one of the best things for kids to do in Crosby!
As you paddle Pennington Mine Lake, keep your eye out for loons. If you’re lucky, you can hear their calls and watch them fish. We paddled with about four or five loons during our recent paddle. It was such a priceless moment! If you need to cool off, feel free to push off for a quick swim, too (just make sure you can get back into the kayaks before jumping out).
If you have more time before dinner, there is a great place to swim along the shores of Miners Mountain Rally Center Beach. It’s just off the largest parking lot in Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. Swimming is indeed one of the best summer activities in Crosby for families!
Please note that Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area requires a daily pass or annual Minnesota State Park pass for vehicles.
Where to Rent Your Gear
If you don’t have your own equipment (kayaks, canoes, or paddle boards), you can rent your gear from Cuyuna Outfitters. They offer kayaks, crystal kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes for half- or full-day rentals. I highly recommend the crystal kayaks! If your kids are anything like mine, they will love looking through the bottom of the kayak to spot fish and plants. Rentals include equipment drop off and pick up – making it a convenient option for families!
Cuyuna Outfitters also offers a great shop in downtown Crosby. Here, you can shop for outdoor supplies, clothing, small games, and more. It’s worth a stop while you’re meaning downtown!
Dinner at Croft Kitchen and Bar
Once you are settled and ready for dinner, head to Croft Kitchen and Bar in downtown Crosby. In my opinion, it is the best restaurant in Crosby. Since it’s just off the main drag, it also feels like a bit of a hidden gem. I promise it’s one of the best places for families to eat in Crosby!
The menu includes a host of great pub favorites like walleye fish tacos (with fresh walleye), handhelds, burgers, flatbreads, and more. Everything we’ve had here is fantastic! I highly recommend the cheese curds and walleye fish tacos. They also offer an excellent kids’ menu for littles. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, depending on your preference. If you choose to sit outdoors, keep in mind you’ll need to order inside at the bar.
Finally, they also offer a lovely Sunday brunch and lunch menu if you want to mix and match this summer itinerary for Crosby with kids with your own plans.
End Your Day with S’mores Around the Campfire
At the end of your first night in Crosby with kids, you must have a campfire with s’mores! Nothing quite says a fun summer Minnesota family getaway without a blazing fire and gooey s’mores. We love being able to sit around a campfire telling ghost stories. It’s such a quintessential childhood experience!
If you need to buy s’more or food supplies for the weekend, there is a Super One in Crosby.
Luckily, if you stay at Cuyuna Cove, you’ll have a private campfire pit and supplies.
Day 2 in Crosby with Kids
Day two starts with coffee and ends with dinner at your cabin. Not to mention, a fair share of exploring in between! This morning, refuel in downtown Crosby at Red Raven to start your day. In addition to fantastic coffee, they have an excellent breakfast, panini, and lunch menu. If you’re popping in for lunch, they also offer draft beer. Indoor and outdoor seating are available. Alternatively, you can take your items to go to enjoy them at a nearby playground – that’s our next stop!
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Play at the Crosby Serpent + Crosby Memorial Park Beach and Playground
Your first official stop this morning is to meet the giant Serpent along the shores of Serpent Lake and play together at Crosby Memorial Park Beach and Playground. Just a few blocks from downtown Crosby, this is a great place for families with toddlers and young kids to play and burn some extra energy.
As one of the best things to do in Crosby with kids, the HUGE playground is perfect for littles and older kids alike. There is a dedicated tot area for tiny trekkers, while older kids will love racing through the Nordic-inspired ship structure, swings, and spacious grassy area.
Nearby, this park is also home to Kanabec, a giant, colorful serpent statue – an iconic Crosby site! It was installed lakeside in 1977, standing 20 feet tall and weighing 2,500 pounds. It’s a great photo opp – not to mention a fun spot for kids to runabout.
If you are interested in swimming while visiting Crosby, there is a great little beach here, too. Under the watchful eyes of Kanabec, you can lounge in the grassy area or go for a quick swim in the relatively shallow waters of Serpent Lake. Alternatively, you can also swim at Miners Mountain Rally Center Beach. Neither beach has a lifeguard on duty.
Learn About Local History at the Soo Line Depot Museum
If you are traveling to Crosby with kids during the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day), you must visit the Soo Line Depot Museum. Great for all ages, this museum is volunteer-run and dedicated to telling the stories of Crosby and the Cuyuna Lakes area. This historic train depot-turned-museum has four small rooms to explore.
Each room is chock-full of historical artifacts, from antique snowmobiles and medical equipment to mining tools and military exhibits. We couldn’t believe how many cool things we found exploring the museum! The staff is very kind and knowledgeable about the area – they love telling stories and answering questions!
Outside, you’ll find the remnants of the train tracks that once crossed through this part of Minnesota, as well as an old train car and well-manicured gardens.
Lunch at Cuyuna Brewing + Burritos California
When tummies get hungry, head to Burritos California and Cuyuna Brewing for lunch. No summer itinerary for Crosby for families with kids is complete without a quick stop here!
Cuyuna Brewing is one of my favorite breweries in Minnesota. The family-friendly taproom even provides a shelf full of games to keep everyone occupied and having fun! Indoor and limited outdoor seating is available.
The brewery is also connected to Burritos California (a Chipotle-style eatery). Cuyuna Brewing allows you to bring your own food in, so Burritos California is a tasty and convenient option. One of the best restaurants in Crosby, they offer burritos, bowls, tacos, and quesadillas. Or, grab chips, salsa, and guacamole if you only need a snack. They also have their own seating if you want to skip the brewery.
Explore Downtown + Go Shopping (Don’t Miss the Many Murals!)
One of the reasons I love visiting small towns is to check out their shops! Often, small towns offer a unique collection of boutiques, antique shops, and other shops – and Crosby is no different! Here are some of my favorite places to shop in Crosby:
- Cuyuna Outfitters for outdoor clothing, supplies, and gifts.
- Smith + Trade Mercantile, beloved in Stillwater, they just opened a new location in Crosby featuring local makers, leather goods, woodworking, and other unique gifts.
- Lake and Company for clothing and unique lake-inspired trinkets.
- Nord Hus offers Scandinavian imports like kitchen items, rain gear, gifts, and more.
- Victual for specialty foods, kitchen items, wine, and cocktail supplies. I’ve included more on them later!
- Cuyuna Range Farmers Market is open on Saturday mornings.
If you want to walk around but skip the shopping, meander downtown and find the many colorful murals around town. While there isn’t a dedicated self-guided tour route, you can find several fantastic murals around town, ranging in size and theme. You’ll be able to see murals featuring everything from bears and historic business logos to scuba divers and more!
Play Games at the Cabin
If you have time in the afternoon, head back to your accommodations and play some games together. Minnesota summer getaways are made for card and board games at the campsite or cabin!
Check your accommodations beforehand; they may already be stocked with games. If not, here are a few of our favorites to travel with. If you need a moment to slow down in Crosby with kids, playing games together is a great way to do it!
Take in the Views from Miners Mountain Overlook
You can’t leave without visiting Miners Mountain Overlook, one of the best things to do in Crosby with kids because of its epic views and photo opportunities. Located in the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, this is one of the area’s best viewpoints of Pennington Mine Lake, Huntington Mine Lake, Crosby, and Ironton. You won’t believe the intensely blue water color from this vantage point!
As one of the best summer activities in Crosby, you can drive or walk to reach the viewpoint. On busy summer days, driving is recommended due to the traffic. To walk, park at the final parking lot and walk up the paved road. Since Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area is mainly designed for mountain bikers, watch for them zipping through along dedicated trails.
Remember that Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area requires a daily pass or annual Minnesota State Park pass for vehicles.
Grab Take Out from Rafferty’s Pizza (Or, Dine In)
One of the best places for families to eat in Crosby is Rafferty’s Pizza. It’s a great spot to end a long day of exploring Crosby and the Cuyuna Lakes area together. With a growing, dedicated following around the state, it’s easy to see why Rafferty’s Pizza is a favorite for young and old visitors alike.
You can dine in or order takeout. Ordering is very easy online or by phone. We opted to take out and enjoy dinner at our accommodations on this trip. We couldn’t pass up having dinner outside amongst the trees! Rafferty’s Pizza also has indoor and outdoor seating.
The menu is FILLED with excellent pizzas, calzones, nachos, wings, and more. Personally, I love their Baked Potato and Taco Pizza. Little ones can also select from several great options on the dedicated kids’ menu (like chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, and kid-sized pizza).
Day 3 in Crosby with Kids
Start your last day on this summer itinerary for Crosby with kids by cooking breakfast over the campfire together! We opted to make fresh toast skewers and bacon over the open fire—and it was delicious! French toast skewers can easily be made like you make French toast at home. Instead, just cube it in large cubes, skewer it, and cook it over the fire grate. Bacon can also be skewered and placed on the fire grate. Need more campfire recipe ideas? Snag this campfire cookbook.
If you would prefer not to cook before checking out, North Country Cafe or Sunday Brunch at Croft Kitchen and Bar would be great alternatives.
Shop Victual + Grab Some Ice Cream
While you may have already popped into Victual while shopping in town, we usually save it for our last stop before leaving Crosby with kids. They have so many great meat and cheese options that I like to be able to stock up before heading home. Their specialty foods and wares are top-notch! Their staff is also very knowledgeable about flavors and pairings. I’m like a kid in a candy store every time we pop in!
If you need some quick supplies while visiting Crosby (like charcuterie items, wine, or snacks), Victual is a great stop for that, too!
Plus, they have the best lactose-free ice cream in Minnesota! Made on-site, it comes in several flavors that will appeal to everyone in the family. Old favorites like Oreo (a personal favorite) are featured alongside unique flavor combinations. A scoop or two is a great way to cap off a fun visit to Crosby with your family!
More Summer Activities in Crosby + the Cuyuna Lakes Area with Kids
Do you have more time to fill in your Crosby itinerary with kids this summer? Or, perhaps you are planning a more extended visit? Don’t miss adding these fun things to do in Crosby with kids to your summer itinerary.
- Explore the charming nearby towns of Ironton, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, and Brainerd.
- Mountain Biking! This area is an EPIC option for mountain bike enthusiasts. While that’s not us, if mountain biking is your jam, there are plenty of trails at the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. It boasts 50 miles of trails and 30 biking routes! If you need gear, check Red Raven and Cykel in Ironton.
- Milford Mine Historical Park is a great hiking option. The boardwalk trail winds along, featuring signs sharing tidbits about the local history. The signs focus on the area’s mining history, including the state’s largest mining disaster in 1924.
- Check out a nearby Minnesota State Park: Crow Wing State Park (30 min away), Mille Lacs Kathio State Park (40 min away), or Father Hennepin State Park (50 min away)
- If you love antiquing, or at least peaking in fun shops, there are plenty of antique shops in the area to keep you happy!
More Great Places to Eat + Stay in Crosby and the Cuyuna Lakes Area with Kids
To help you enjoy your time with kids in Crosby and the Cuyuna Lakes area, there are plenty of great places to eat and stay! We enjoyed only a few great restaurants during our recent trip. Here are a few more family-friendly dining and accommodation options to add to your summer itinerary!
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A Few More Places to Eat in Crosby + Cuyuna Lakes Area with Kids
- Iron Range Eatery for low-key appetizers, pizza, handhelds, and more. Indoor + outdoor seating is available.
- Drunken Noodle Crosby serves seasonal specials and classic Asian noodle dishes.
- Trailside Tavern & Patio for burgers, broasted chicken, appetizers, and more. Indoor + outdoor seating.
- Mixed Company – A Kava House – coffee, delicious cinnamon rolls, sandwiches, and more.
- North Country Cafe for a fantastic, home-cooked breakfast with huge portions! They also do lunch.
- Hudson Smokehouse is in nearby Ironton. It offers an excellent BBQ menu and coffee in the morning.
READ NEXT: A Foodie Parent’s Guide to Amazing Restaurants in Crosby, MN, with Kids
A Few More Places to Stay in Crosby with Kids
- Nature Cabin at Cuyuna Matata
- Cuyuna Range Campground
- Crosby Lofts
- The BirchBox Container
- The Sanctuary
- Check VRBO for more great, family-friendly options
Enjoy Crosby + the Cuyuna Lakes Area with Your Kids this Summer!
Now that you know all the best activities for families in the area, it’s time to plan your own summer itinerary for Crosby with kids. From paddling and playing together to dining at some of the best restaurants in the area, Crosby will surely provide a scenic backdrop to unforgettable family memories this summer. Enjoy Crosby with your kids!
Unless otherwise noted, all images in this article were taken by and belong to the blog’s author, Antonia Grant. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer & Disclosure Policy for more information.