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Enticing the tourist

Two states and a province dangle prizes and getaways.

If you're trying to get a tourist's attention these days, it's apparently not enough to brag about your pristine lakes and fragrant forests.

Ontario is giving away the seven-day Great Ontario Outdoor Adventure of a Lifetime, worth $12,500, including air fare to and from Thunder Bay in August. Also included: a charter sailboat tour, a float-plane wilderness flight, a visit to Fort William Historical Park (pictured), Nikon cameras and binoculars and a hiking, paddling and camping adventure with renowned Canadian photographers Joanie and Gary McGuffin. Enter through May 31.

Minnesota is promoting its Summer of Fun Giveaway, where prizes include a two-year lease on a Toyota Prius Hybrid, a getaway at Cragun's Resort near Brainerd, a Specialized mountain bike and a $500 Mall of America gift card. Enter through June 30.

In Wisconsin, the Department of Tourism is offering a Spring Getaway Giveway to subscribers of its newsletter. Winners receive one of three two-night getaways, one to Madison worth $585, one to the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake worth $1,200 and one to the Waters of Minocqua resort worth $1,500. Winners are selected randomly, though entrants are asked to tell how they'll spend their tax rebate on a Wisconsin vacation. Enter through May 25.

Many regions also are giving away vacations.

In northern Minnesota, the Iron Range Tourism Bureau is giving away a two-night stay at the Chisholm Inn & Suites, four Mesabi Trail passes and a family membership to Ironworld. The drawing is June 6.

Last updated on May 13, 2008