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Bus Tour: Northern Minnesota Lake Country & Lake Itasca w/ Historian Dave Bredemus - July 7-10, 2026 (Southwest)


Adult Enrichment / Trips, Tours & Special Events -
Adult Enrichment Summer 2026

Land of Natives, Explorers, Fur Traders, Lumbermen and lake lovers -- Our trip to Itasca Country will include 5 of Minnesota's largest and more legendary lakes:  Leech, Cass, Itasca, Winnebegoshish & Mille Lacs Lakes.  Plus Minnesota's largest expanse of virgin pine in Lake Itasca State Park.

We will visit two of Minnesota's most popular resort towns:  Walker and Bemidji. We will explore, like past explorers, to Itasca Country to find the source of the Mississippi River. 

Tour Highlights:

  • Museum Tour of Mille Lacs Lake Indian Museum & Trading Post
  • Boat Cruise on Mille Lacs Lake
  • Lunch at Twin Pines Resort
  • National Loon Center
  • Yellow House Ice Cream Shop
  • Tour of Menahga - the most Finnish town in Minnesota
  • Traditional Finnish Dinner
  • 16-Mile Scenic Ride through Lake Itasca State Park
  • Walk with Naturalist to the Headwaters of the Mississippi River
  • Mary Gibbs Museum & Jacob Brower
  • Dinner at Clancy's of the Island
  • See Largest Statue of Paul Bunyan
  • Visit Historic Chase on the Lake on Leech Lake
  • City Tour of Bemidji
  • Tour Lost 40 Acres with Walking Path
  • Judy Garland Childhood Home
  • Forest History Center
  • City Tour of Grand Rapids

All adults 21+ are welcome to join the tour!

Price includes: Coach Bus Transportation, Guide, Three Nights Lodging (2 Nights AmericInn & 1 Night Best Western), 3 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners, 2 Lunches, All Admissions & Bakery Stop.

NOTE:  Meals on your own - 2 lunches

First Pick-Up Location:    West 7th Community Center - 265 Oneida St, St Paul, MN 55102

      - 7:30 am Board Coach Bus 

      - 7:45 am  Bus Departs

Second Pick-Up Location:  Southwest High School - 3414 W. 47th Street, Mpls, MN. Meet bus at the Chowen Ave. (west side) parking lot between 46th & 47th streets

      - 8:15 am  

Deposit of $400 due with registration.

NOTE: Final payment due May 7th.

Final Payment Due: 60 Days Prior to Departure

Overnight Tour Cancelation Policy:

  • - 60 Days Prior to Departure: 100% Refund of Trip Fee less $5 Processing Fee
  • - 59-45 Days Prior to Departure: 90% Refund of Trip Fee OR $50 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot)
  • - 44-16 Days Prior to Departure: 50% of Trip Fee OR $100 admin fee if we can fill your spot (or if you find someone to fill your spot)
  • - 14 Days or Less: We will work to get you a return for some recoverable costs. This will vary by tour and date of cancelation. No guarantees.

If tour is sold out, please enroll for the waitlist. We will contact you if a space becomes available. 


Dave Bredemus

Dave Bredemus was born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota. After attending schools in Saint Paul he graduated from St. Cloud State University with a teaching degree in history and social studies. He taught junior high social studies and was an administrator with Community Education in Saint Paul for 38 years.

Dave developed a tour program for adults starting at 1981. Dave has done hundreds of day trips and many overnight trips covering every state in the United States. He has led 17 trips to Europe. Dave has also led educational trips to Mexico, Cuba and other Caribbean locations. The trips are an educational experience exploring history, geography, and cultures in a fun and interesting way.

AE-56114-Su26-SWT-2

  Dave Bredemus


Southwest High School : West Parking Lot
Tue Jul 7 - Fri Jul 10
7:45 AM - 8:15 PM

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Min Age   21 yr.

Registration begins  
Dec. 12th at 8:00 AM