50 Great Family Escapes

In 1907, Joseph Burr Ludlow fell in love with an island on northern Minnesota's Lake Vermilion and decided to call it home. In 1946, the island was turned into a family-style resort, and today Joseph's grandson, Mark, operates Ludlow's Island Lodge with his wife and four children. A shuttle boat or deluxe Lunds allow guests to travel between the three destinations: the mainland, which houses a recreation center with a game room, bar, tennis and racquetball facilities, a twenty-four-hour grocery store, and nearby golf; a small island set up with sleepings bags and tents for overnight adventures, and the four-acre Ludlow Island, which houses many of the fully equipped cabins offering views of the expansive lake and surrounding woods. Cabin kitchens or outdoor grills are used for preparing meals, and a sandy beach leads to docks lined with a variety of boats while paths lead to sequestered niches.