Destinations the whole family will love!

island inhabitants

QUICK, CALL THE TRAVEL AGENT—WE’VE GOT CABIN FEVER FOR NORTHERN MINNESOTA’S LUDLOW’S ISLAND RESORT

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to write about Minnesota. As a former resident of this jewel of a state, I have to say Minnesota summer is a little slice of heaven. Wait…Hawaii is a little slice of heaven…Minnesota is a little puff of honeyed sweetness. And Ludlow’s Island Resort is here to prove it. At least from June-September.

LUDLOW’S RESORT WEBSITE

As a family-run resort that’s been operating for the last 60+ years, Ludlow’s had a lot of time to get things right—and it shows. Not only is it a great ‘get-away-from-it-all’ escape, the island is open only to visitors, which means parents can turn down the child vigilance level from ‘high’ to just ‘elevated’.

the contemporary 4-story design of the  Dreamcatcher cabin by Sala Architects

things move pretty fast on this northern Minnesota island

I could wax on and on about the rustic luxury, the attention to little details and the almost overwhelming amount of available activities, but I’ll let other, far more credible sources do it instead:
• declared by the National Geographic Society as one of the top 10 most scenic lakes in the country
• ”Superior facilities and quality service geared to today’s family…” – Jacqueline Leo, editor-in-chief Family Circle
• ”Top 30 best new courses you can play in the world” – Travel and Leisure Golf Magazine
“The best Smallie in the state” -Al Linder, founder, In-Fisherman magazine

LOCATION
Cook, Minnesota
about 3 1/2 hours north of Minneapolis (you’re pretty much in Canada)

PLAYING
• There’s pretty much every imaginable water sport, besides maybe scuba diving, available every day…tubing, swimming, pontoon rides, canoes, kayaks, hydrobikes…
• For those who like their leisure a little more ‘plugged in’, theres a a Wii and other video games
• workout room
• tennis
• playstructure for the wee ones (plus daily kids activities)
• golf
• fishing including fishing clinics held weekly (see ‘Smallies’ above’;)
• lots more

EATING
• all cabins come equipped with kitchens
• there’s local restaurants
• some buffets are held on the resort, check with staff for more info

SLEEPING
• choose from 1 bedroom to 5 bedroom cabins or pontoon boat rentals
• some cabins are are the island, with a few on the mainland, and renters on the island will be ferried by Ludlow’s to the island
• most cabins are multi-bath
• check out the contemporary design of the 4-storied Dreamcatcher cabin, by Minneapolis-based Sala architects; warning: the contemporary design stops at the doorstep, inside it’s early 80s cabin-style

TIPS
• don’t tell the boss, but there’s wifi available throughout the resort
• Mainland/off-island cabins include tv and telephone, some island cabins include tvs/vcrs for watching videos
• requires a 30% deposit to secure, refunds only if you cancel 100 days prior to your arrival
• no jet skis allowed, but I’m sure muscle-tees are acceptable
• firewood is left at your door daily, which in my opinion is a much better option than the USAToday (aka McNews) waiting for me each morning outside the door of my hotel room
• cottages on the island and the north shore are accessible by boat only; a Ludlow staff will ferry you to and fro
• Pets also welcome in the mainland cabins for an additional $30/day
• check out the MOTHER’S DAY PACKAGE DEAL

LUDLOW’S RESORT WEBSITE
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all photo from ludlowsresort.com