Top Things to Do Along Minnesota's North Shore

For those who love the lake (Superior) life, the place where Interstate-35 ends is the spot where all the fun begins. From the port city of Duluth all the way up the coast to Canada, you'll find stellar state parks, both modern and throwback resorts, historic lighthouses, water activities and spots to celebrate the region's arts, dining and culture scenes.

Things to Do

Aerial Lift Bridge

Duluth's 172-foot-tall bridge rises more than 20 times each day for sailboats and skyscraper-length ships traveling between Lake Superior and Duluth Harbor.

Artists Point

A ½-mile hike from the parking lot at Grand Marais Harbor leads over lava rock and through forest to the scene at the end—a rocky shore and lighthouse, popular with photographers.

Boundary Country Trekking

Along with other adventure vacations, this small outfitter plans lodge-to-lodge routes on the Superior Hiking Trail, arranging accommodations, meals and shuttle service.

Canal Park

Near the foot of the Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth's revived warehouse district contains shops, restaurants and attractions, such as the Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center and the Great Lakes Aquarium.

Cascade River State Park

Hiking or cross-country skiing trips lead past waterfalls crashing over black volcanic rock in a gorge at Cascade River State Park 10 miles southwest of Grand Marais.

Glensheen

Tour the 39 rooms and 7 acres of gardens of this 1908 mansion, built by a Duluth iron-mining baron.

Gooseberry Falls State Park

North of Two Harbors, pull off State-61 for a ¼-mile walk to the first overlook of a series of copper-color falls at beautiful Gooseberry Falls. Displays at the visitors center explain the geology and history of the area.

Grand Portage National Monument

At Grand Portage National Monument, 35 miles northeast of Grand Marais and close to the Canadian border, learn about the partnership of the Grand Portage Ojibwe and the North West Company during the North American fur trade. Films, a museum and living-history interpreters enhance your visit.

Grand Portage State Park

A ½-mile trail and boardwalk at Grand Portage lead to Minnesota's highest waterfall, the 120-foot-tall High Falls of the Pigeon River on the U.S.-Canada border.

Great Lakes Aquarium

Check out the freshwater critters (otters and gigantic sturgeon) at this Duluth aquarium, which recently opened the exhibit H2O: Watersheds at Work, with hands-on activities to splash, play and learn about water.

Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway

This two-lane road winds 57 miles inland from Grand Marais to hiking trails, fishing spots and wildlife viewing areas. Make reservations for dinner at Loon Lake Lodge, which serves a different entree each night. Gunflint Lodge offers horseback riding, fishing, ziplining and dining.

Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve

More than a dozen species of raptors stop at Hawk Ridge during their fall migration. Bring binoculars to see them from the trails off Duluth's East Skyline Parkway.

Jay Cooke State Park

Hikers get a view of the St. Louis River from the swinging bridge in this trail-loaded park 20 miles southwest of Duluth.

Lutsen Mountains

A gondola at Lutsen takes you to great views of Lake Superior; an alpine slide speeds you down Eagle Mountain. Eagle Ridge Resort puts you in the middle of the action.

North House Folk School

In Grand Marais, year-round lessons (some available virtually) keep alive traditional crafts like basket weaving and canoe building.

North Shore Scenic Railroad

Interesting narrated train rides chug along Lake Superior's rugged shore.

Park Point Beach

Swim in the clear waters of Lake Superior or just lie on the long, sandy beach and watch freighters go by in the distance. The park also includes sand volleyball courts and grills.

Spirit Mountain

Zoom down the Timber Twister—an alpine slide and roller coaster combo—or take the chairlift to mountain bike runs at the Duluth area resort.

Split Rock Lighthouse

Costumed interpreters at Split Rock talk about the daily life of a lightkeeper. Stairs at the 1910 lighthouse lead to lake views.

SS William A. Irvin

Climb aboard Duluth's 1937 iron ore workhorse to learn about Great Lakes freighters.

Superior Hiking Trail

This trail stretches more than 300 miles along the ridge above Lake Superior.

Tettegouche State Park

Sixty miles northeast of Duluth, lava flows, like Palisade Head, rise 300 feet above Lake Superior, while a 60-foot waterfall on the Baptism River rewards hikers at Tettegouche.

Two Harbors Light Station Museum

Tour the oldest continuously operating light station—since 1892—in the state.

Where to Eat

Angry Trout Cafe

This sunny favorite on the harbor in Grand Marais is local to the core: Lake Superior fish and artisan decor in an old fish house.

Betty's Pies

If five-layer chocolate pie or apple-strawberry crunch pie sound good, you've found your happy place at Betty's Pies in Two Harbors.

Coho Cafe and Bakery

Breakfasts like sourdough French toast and wild rice sausage add big flavor at a small lakeside cafe in Tofte.

Duluth Grill

Local, organic, gluten-free, vegetarian? Yep, those buzzwords rule at Duluth Grill. Even the ketchup and coffee mugs are locally made.

Grandma's Saloon and Grill

At the original location in Duluth's Canal Park, diners sit practically at the foot of the Aerial Lift Bridge. Choose from a hearty array of salads, sandwiches and entrees.

Gun Flint Tavern

A diverse menu near Grand Marais showcases microbrews, organic ingredients and a mix of ethnic dishes. Live music entertains many nights of the week.

Hungry Hippie Tacos

Large fry bread tacos drizzled with house chipotle sour cream make for deliciously filling meals at Hungry Hippie in Grand Marais.

New Scenic Cafe

Fourteen miles northeast of Duluth, nab deli items, artisan baked goods and more at this popular stop.

Northern Waters Smokehaus

Duluth deli owner Eric Goerdt marries classic with modern at Northern Waters, piling smoked salmon on a salad with Marcona almonds and wasabi mayonnaise.

Papa Charlie's

Mountain views from the deck of this Lutsen spot make a meal of barbecue ribs or chicken Florentine all the better.

PortLand Malt Shoppe

Slurp salted caramel malts from PortLand Malt Shoppe while admiring Lake Superior from the Duluth Lakewalk.

Rustic Inn Cafe

Tasty fruit pies and hot, made-to-order sandwiches satisfy at a cozy cafe 10 miles northeast of Two Harbors.

Va Bene Caffe

The scent of garlic pulls diners into this cafe perched above the Lakewalk in Duluth. After homemade pasta, savor an espresso and gelato.

Valentini's Vicino Lago

Years of experience feed the Italian menu at the family-owned Duluth eatery.

Vikre Distillery

Lake Superior water goes into craft products like aquavit, a spiced Scandinavian liquor, at Vikre.

Voyageur Brewing Company

Cheese and ale fondue pairs well with Devil's Kettle, a pale ale with pine notes. Relax on a Voyageur's rooftop patio with views of the Grand Marais harbor.

Where to Stay

Bluefin Bay Resorts

Three resorts in the Tofte area offer a variety of accommodations, restaurants and activities such as guided hikes, canoeing and biking.

Breezy Point Cabins on Lake Superior

Twelve recently renovated cabins just south of Two Harbors perch in a prime location on rocks at the lake's edges.

Caribou Highlands Lodge

In Lutsen's Sawtooth Mountains, the ski resort is an all-season destination.

East Bay Suites

Stay in lakeside condos with balconies and fireplaces at the edge of Lake Superior in the heart of Grand Marais.

Fitger's Inn

Top-notch staff work at this stylish inn in walking distance of Duluth's Canal Park.

Grand Superior Lodge

North of Two Harbors, the resort offers amenities like kayak tours. Choose from rooms, cabins or lakefront homes.

Gunflint Lodge

All-inclusive packages draw guests to a lakefront resort at the edge of the Boundary Waters, 43 miles northwest of Grand Marais.

Larsmont Cottages on Lake Superior

Twenty miles north of Duluth, luxurious rentals line Lake Superior. Swim in the indoor pool and unwind in the wood-fired Finnish sauna.

Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior

Reasonable prices for the lodge, condos and cabins include kayaking, yoga, campfires, fly-fishing, stand-up paddleboarding and naturalist programs.

Poplar Haus

Five Northwoods-theme cabins sit along the historic Gunflint Trail 30 miles northwest of Grand Marais. The on-site restaurant serves creatively prepared local fish and more.

South Pier Inn on the Canal

Second-floor rooms with private balconies facing the canal give the best view of ships passing under Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge.