ADVENTURES
The Ultimate Family-Friendly Adventures to Go On Up North
BY RACHEL M. ANDERSON • EDITOR & CONTRIBUTING WRITER
( Brainerd) – The Brainerd Lakes Area is one of the most popular places in the state to bring the family on vacation, and for good reason. There is a lot to do for the grown-ups and kids of all ages.
Among the most popular family-friendly activities to consider: going on a cruise, fishing, visiting a historic site or waterpark, going to a theme park and even interacting with animals you wouldn’ t expect to see in Minnesota.
Safari North Wildlife Park Since it opened for business in 2014, more than 70,000 people have paid a visit to the Safari North Wildlife Park, a private zoo located at 8493 State Highway 371 in Brainerd. Several hundred animals call the 43-acre property home, including such local favorites as deer and wolves, otters and porcupines. next to it,” said Kevin Vogel, whose childhood dream of owning a zoo came true when he and his wife, Kelly, opened Safari North Wildlife Park.
“ My first memory of wanting to one day own and operate a zoo is from when I was 12 years old and working on my dad’ s farm. He asked me what I wanted for helping him. I told him I wanted a pet racoon,” Vogel said.
The Safari North Wildlife Park is also home to exotic animals from around the world. Among them, lions and tigers, zebras, giraffes and bears, camels, primates, wildebeests, hyenas, kangaroos, leopards, cheetahs and cougars, hundreds of parakeets and a whole lot more.
4 2025 | destinationupnorth. com
“ We have 125 different species of animals here. Our newest resident is a white rhinoceros. It arrived in 2024. You don’ t realize what a big animal it is until you’ re standing right
Photos Courtesy: Safari North Wildlife Park