The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway follows the country roads passing between Pequot Lakes and Manhatten Beach. Remnants of the earliest days of resorting are displayed at the Minnesota Resort Museum Near Pine River.

On the eastern edge of the Brainerd Lakes Area, is Cuyuna Country, an area of Lakes and woods on the Cuyuna Iron Range. The area was named after Cuyler adams, the surveyor who discovered iron ore here in the 1890's, and his dog Una.

Mine pits have since filled in with clear water, and now stocked with over 40,000 rainbow and brook trout. These new lakes are now popular for fishing, boating and scuba diving. There are several resorts and campgrounds around the towns of Crosby, Ironton and Deerwood. Crosby's main street is home to many antique shops.

To the Southwest, at Little Falls, the boyhood home of Aviator Charles Lindbergh is open for tours, nearby is the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Museum, with more about the area's past. This Mississippi rivertown is also home to a fishing museum with a vast collection of antique lures.

Between Little Falls and Motley is the Lincoln Lakes area, with several lake side resorts and campgrounds. Nearby is Camp Ripley, a training center for the National Guard and Army Reserve, The Minnesota Military Museum here has weapons, uniforms and other memorabilia.