Bemidji, MN

Bemidji is a small and fairly secluded city in northern Minnesota, located roughly halfway between Duluth and Grand Forks, MN on Highway 2. The city is surrounded by vast expanses of the region’s lush natural landscape, with lakes, rivers, and massive forests providing gorgeous scenery and endless opportunities to spend quality time outdoors. Bemidji’s nickname, “The First City on the Mississippi,” refers to the community’s location next door to the Mississippi River’s headwaters. Though not a particularly large city, Bemidji hosts a thriving economy and a vibrant local culture. Locals enjoy a packed calendar of community events ranging from the Paul Bunyan Triathlon in the summer to the Bemidji Polar Days and Minnesota Finlandia Ski Marathon in the winter. The city is also home to Bemidji State University, which serves around 6,500 students and employs hundreds of locals at its campus on the shore of Lake Bemidji.