Virginia
Virginia is a city in Minnesota.
Understand
Virginia, "The Queen City of the North," is in St. Louis County on Minnesota's Mesabi Iron Range. Recently, Virginia gained notoriety as the city in which the movie "North Country" was filmed.
Get in
Take I-35 North from Minneapolis to Duluth, then US 53 North from Duluth.
Take US 53 South from International Falls, or North from Duluth.
Take US 169 North from Hibbing.
Get around
See
The Loon In the summer, Virginia sets a large fiberglass loon (Minnesota's state bird) afloat on Silver Lake, in the middle of town.
Mineview in the Sky A scenic overlook that features a huge mining truck, a visitor's center and gift shop, and a playground. The Mineview offers a view on the entire city.
Do
- Land of the Loon. A festival held in Olcott Park the third week of June, the Land of the Loon features a parade, ethnic foods and dancing, and an arts and crafts fair.
- Big Aspen Recreation Area. This is in the Britt area about 9 miles north-west of town and is great for summer hiking and biking, and for cross-country skiing from late fall through early spring. Groomed trails, wide range of skill levels.
- Lookout Mountain. The trailhead for Lookout Mountain hiking and cross-country
trails is located 4 miles north of town. Sights along the highway include glacier-scraped granite hill-tops and vestiges of taconite mining operations. A Laurentian Divide geological marker is found about a mile north of the trailhead, near where MN 169 turns toward Ely while US 53 heads for Britt, Cook, Orr, and International Falls.
Buy
Eat
- La Cocina & Cantina, 407 Chestnut St, ☏ +1 218 749-8226. A great, reasonably-priced Mexican restaurant.
- Natural Harvest Food Cooperative, 505 3rd St N, ☏ +1 218 741-4663. M-F 8AM-8PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 10AM-3PM. This popular co-op sells organic, locally-grown and health food.
Drink
- Flaimer's Bar, 127 Chestnut St., ☏ +1 218 749-6802.
- Rainy Lake Saloon & Deli, 207 Chestnut St, ☏ +1 218 741-7665.
- Sawmill Saloon, 5478 Mountain Iron Dr, ☏ +1 218 741-8681.
Sleep
- Coates Plaza Hotel, 502 Chestnut St, ☏ +1 218 749-1000, fax: +1 218 749-6934. $60-80.
Go next
| Routes through Virginia |
| END ← International Falls ← | N  S
|
→ Hermantown → Duluth |
| END ← | N  S
|
→ Hibbing → Grand Rapids |
| Ely ← Tower ← | N  S
|
→ END |