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The Minnesota North Shore Scenic Drive is a ceremony of passage with regards to experiencing rugged “Up North” magnificence!
The breathtaking environment and unspoiled modern air listed below are one factor that merely cannot be expert elsewhere.
That features a plethora of dashing waterfalls, scenic mountaineering trails, state parks, and epic views of Lake Superior, the pristine improbable factor concerning the Minnesota North Shore leaves a long-lasting impression on its many company.
This textual content provides you with a mile-by-mile data of the must-see stops on Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive to help data your epic outdoor journey.
Proper right here’s our guidelines of top-of-the-line stops alongside the Minnesota North Shore!
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Minnesota North Shore
What is the Minnesota North Shore?
Minnesota’s North Shore refers again to the shoreline of Lake Superior that runs from Duluth, Minnesota to Ontario, Canada.
The shore is characterised by cobblestone seashores, rocky cliffs and ridges, scenic rivers, waterfalls, and hillside forests.
People experience Minnesota’s North Shore by means of driving the 145-mile North Shore Scenic Drive.
This All-American Roadway follows Freeway 61 and winds its method by the use of small cities, historic web sites, and untouched wilderness.
The Minnesota North Shore might be expert by means of quite a lot of completely completely different itineraries and would possibly embrace combos of driving, biking, and mountaineering – making it a highlight of any Minnesota bucket guidelines!
Our Minnesota North Shore must-see stops are listed in order from the gateway metropolis of Duluth, MN to our endpoint, Grand Marais, MN.
It’s a 110-mile stretch of the North Shore Scenic Drive positioned solely alongside Hwy 61.
This complete itinerary and listed stops are doable in 1-day.
1. Duluth’s Lake Superior Harbor
Duluth, Minnesota
As a result of the gateway to Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive, the lakeside metropolis of Duluth, MN is a family journey trip spot in itself.
With dozens of pleasing and free points to do in Duluth, our 3-day Duluth itinerary incorporates all of the excessive factors of curiosity.
If solely passing by the use of, nonetheless, be sure to go to Duluth’s Lake Superior harbor, additionally referred to as Canal Park.
Proper right here you will experience the world-famous Duluth Aerial Elevate Bridge, North Pier Lighthouse, and the free Duluth Maritime Museum.
Time your go to good by viewing the harbor’s supply schedule to catch a 1,000+ feet-long bulk cargo ship exiting Lake Superior and heading into the Port of Duluth/Superior.
2. Russ Kendall’s Fish Market
Knife River, Minnesota
Russ Kendall’s is certainly not a elaborate place, nevertheless it is the best spherical with regards to utterly smoked fish on Minnesota’s North Shore.
When wanting to try top-of-the-line native delicacies, of us line as a lot as select purchases from the wide selection of smoked fish on the market in a grab-n-go style.
Favorites embrace sugar-cured silver smoked salmon, smoked trout, and whitefish.
With a odor so good, you’ll be consuming it inside the automotive as you draw again!
3. Good! Lakes Candy Kitchen
Knife River, Minnesota
You presumably can’t miss the colorful Good! Lakes Candy Kitchen retailer that sits alongside scenic Freeway 61.
Full with picnic tables, an interactive “Bear Path” for teenagers, and a quick-service window, the Candy Kitchen will get rave opinions for its handmade candies and completely different candies.
The street can get prolonged proper right here as vacationers line as a lot as purchase favorites along with Bear Tracks, Turtles, Scorching Air, caramels, frozen bananas, and ice cream treats!
4. Fort Hazard Brewery
Two Harbors, Minnesota
Fort Hazard Brewery is a delicious addition to the Minnesota North Shore!
Very similar to Duluth’s best breweries, they’re nationally acknowledged for his or her hand-crafted brews, significantly the favored Fort Cream Ale.
This huge, gorgeous brewery full with a pet-friendly outdoor patio would not serve meals, nonetheless.
Instead, they supply chips, salsa, and pretzels for purchase, along with encourage patrons to herald their very personal meals or takeout from native consuming locations.
The setting proper right here is pleasing and laid once more! They supply 30-minute brewery excursions every Friday and Saturday at 5:00 PM.
5. Betty’s Pies
Two Harbors, Minnesota
Serving up deliciousness since 1957, Betty’s Pies is doubtless one of many hottest and talked-about stops on Minnesota’s North Shore!
Not solely does Betty’s serve delicious selfmade pie (by the slice, or full), nevertheless they serve superior breakfast, lunch, and dinner picks as properly.
With a staff that is an epitome of Minnesota-nice, its sensible white and blue diner decor, and a rotating pie menu makes Betty’s Pies a spot that folk come once more to 12 months after 12 months.
Additional planning tip: Located 8 miles extra down the freeway, The Rustic Inn Cafe is one different widespread North Shore restaurant.
Acknowledged for its wild rice meatloaf, made-from-scratch onion rings, and selfmade pie, your tummy, and your coronary coronary heart will every be full after consuming proper right here.
6. Gooseberry Falls
Two Harbors, Minnesota
When touring the Minnesota North Shore from Duluth to Grand Marais, Gooseberry Falls is the first nature-filled stop – and it’s a wonderful one!
The Increased, Middle, and Lower Falls are positioned solely a short stroll (or wheelchair-accessible route) from the shopper parking and nature center making this an excellent spot in case you’re not looking for an prolonged hike.
Kids and adults alike can rise up shut and personal with the waterfalls as this park may be very interactive.
The waterfalls all have superior climbing rocks and transfer into shallow ponds that imply you’ll be able to actually really feel (or play in!) the dashing water.
Additional planning tip: Maintain tuned until the highest of this textual content the place I guidelines obligatory solutions for visiting the North Shore web sites and waterfalls.
7. Splitrock Lighthouse
Two Harbors, Minnesota
Splitrock Lighthouse is a must-see North Shore attraction and provides one of many important iconic photo-ops on the whole North Shore Scenic Drive.
The historic website online and adjoining state park provide spectacular views of the lighthouse and of Lake Superior.
The views of Lake Superior might be expert from every the cliff excessive and from trails alongside the shoreline.
Do observe that Splitrock Lighthouse has hours and admission prices that change from month to month and it’s positively worth wanting into them sooner than your go to.
Though the grounds are free to go to inside the winter, you need to purchase a Grounds Transfer with a objective to enter the historic grounds in the midst of the spring, summer season season, and fall.
Regular admission (that options entry to the lighthouse) and a private Keeper’s Tour are moreover on the market for an additional worth.
8. Black Seashore
Silver Bay, Minnesota
The black sand seaside in Silver Bay, MN is actually probably the most distinctive place alongside Minnesota’s North Shore.
The sand is outwardly black proper right here as a consequence of iron ore dumping into Lake Superior, which then created a man-made peninsula and seaside.
Black Seashore is a free public swimming seaside full with restrooms, picnic tables, hearth pits, and a great deal of room to lounge.
It is positioned on a gravel road and has restricted parking.
The seaside was a bit littered after we visited however it absolutely was nonetheless undoubtedly well worth the stop!
9. Palisade Head
Silver Bay, Minnesota
Palisade Head is a large rock cliff that sits on the sting of Lake Superior.
It is my favorite spot on the Minnesota North Shore!
You start by driving up an prolonged, slender, and hilly roadway, to get to the lookout area.
As quickly as there, you’re dealt with to among the many most breathtaking (and terrifying!) views of Lake Superior.
The drop-off is dangerous, so be sure to use warning when visiting proper right here.
10. Tettegouche State Park
Silver Bay, MN
Possibly the popular mountaineering spot on Minnesota’s North Shore, Tettegouche State Park, is one different North Shore must-see stop!
This park requires some planning to go to should you want to see the whole park or hike the 3-mile moderately troublesome Extreme Falls Path to experience Extreme Falls – which happens to be the very best waterfall solely inside the state of Minnesota.
On account of time constraints, we chosen to walk solely a short distance from the shopper center to a cobblestone seaside the place the Baptism River meets Lake Superior.
Proper right here, we laid down seaside towels and had a picnic whereas the children cherished rock-skipping.
11. Cross River Falls | Temperance River State Park
Schroeder, Minnesota
Cross River Falls and the Temperance River lookout are two epic waterfalls that could be cherished in merely 5 – 10 minutes each.
Every of these lookout areas are positioned immediately adjoining to Freeway 61 and do not require a hike to get to them.
In precise truth, Cross River Falls might be thought-about as you’re driving by.
Keep in mind to stop at them every, nonetheless, and seek for the sign that explains why the dashing waters seem like a root beer float!
12. Lutsen Mountains
Lutsen, Minnesota
Lutsen, Minnesota is positioned contained in the Superior Nationwide Forest and is residence to one among Minnesota’s best wineries, along with the regionally well-known, Lutsen Mountains.
Lutsen Mountains is an unbelievable ski resort-turned-adventure park within the summertime months, making it the epicenter of pleasing on the MN North Shore.
Along with offering top-of-the-line snowboarding in Minnesota in the midst of the winter months, Lutsen Mountains is residence to mountaineering trails, alpine slides, Summit Gondola rides, and voyageur canoe excursions in the midst of the warmer months.
With onsite lodging on the market, Lutsen Mountains provides summer season season train packages to make a go to proper right here a visit in itself.
Additional planning tip: Our children cherished driving up the chair elevate to the very best of the mountain, then driving the alpine slide down. Rely on that your kids will want to go down larger than as quickly as and bundle your tickets for cheaper prices.
13. Cascade River State Park
Lutsen, Minnesota
Though Cascade River State Park is a whole experience, we chosen to view the favored waterfalls found proper right here from the park’s temporary roadside lookout path.
Look forward to a road sign indicating “Cascade River” and there could be a few parking spots on all sides of the freeway.
Park your automotive with out value, observe the trail map, and take a short stroll to this magnificent 6-tiered waterfall!
14. World’s Most interesting Donuts
Grand Marais, Minnesota
There are so many very good points to do in Grand Marais, and a go to to World’s Most interesting Donuts is actually one among them!
World’s Most interesting Donuts in Grand Marais, MN has been in enterprise for over 51 years (and 5 generations of bakers).
This longevity, along with its amazingly modern selfmade donuts make World’s Most interesting Donuts a staple trip spot on Minnesota’s North Shore.
With very restricted hours of operation, plan ahead should you want to indulge of their well-known Chocolate Knots, Bavarian Cream-Stuffed Prolonged Johns, or Raspberry Jelly-Stuffed Bismarcks.
15. Artist Degree
Grand Marais, Minnesota
No go to to North Shore, MN might be full and never utilizing a stop at Artist Degree in Grand Marais.
The colored rocks and distinctive pure magnificence found listed below are so picturesque and utterly reward the harbor’s quaintness.
Spend time exploring the lakeside by means of the massive boulders along with by strolling the 4-foot huge concrete breakwater wall out to the Grand Marais lighthouse.
16. Voyageur Brewing Agency
Grand Marais, Minnesota
End your tour of the Minnesota North Shore from Duluth to Grand Marais with a go to to Voyageur Brewing Agency.
Its rustic decor and pet-friendly outdoor patio, along with a full menu of brews and meals, make this the right possibility to complete an unbelievable day.
Head as a lot because the rooftop bar to benefit from a Palisade Porter or Misplaced Compass Imperial Stout whereas having enjoyable with panoramic views of Lake Superior.
Brewery excursions are provided on specific Saturdays all yr lengthy at 10:30 AM.
Additional planning tip: Moreover positioned in Grand Marais is Indignant Trout Cafe. This widespread North Shore restaurant is an space favorite with extraordinarily modern meals and an unbeatable view.
Minnesota North Shore: You in all probability have further time!
You in all probability have further time, proceed to watch Freeway 61 earlier Grand Marais for further outdoor journey!
Though we didn’t get a possibility to experience them ourselves, the subsequent stops might be added to your North Shore road journey:
- The Gunflint Path.
- Select C.R. Magney State Park, residence of the well-known Devil’s Kettle Falls. Moreover, have lunch or dinner on the Naniboujou Lodge positioned proper right here.
- Wayswaugoing Bay Overlook, a 400-foot tall overlook in Grand Portage, MN.
- Grand Portage State Park, residence of the majestic Pigeon Falls.
- The Worldwide Canadian border (the border between Canada and the US).
Ideas for Visiting the Minnesota North Shore
- Local weather might be unpredictable on the North Shore, with cooler temperatures even in summer season season. Put collectively to your go to by dressing in layers.
- Journey slowly. A lot of the best stops on the North Shore Scenic Drive are solely marked by small road indicators which may be merely missed in case you’re driving too fast or not paying consideration.
- The complete North Shore actions and factors of curiosity might be expert for as little or as long as you need. Regulate the time you spend at each trip spot in step with what variety of days you’re spending inside the area. (For the wants of this textual content, we seen all of these sights in in some unspecified time in the future with out feeling too rushed.)
- Keep in mind to placed on tennis footwear or mountaineering footwear and steer clear of sandals and flip-flops. Many trails have uneven terrain and the rocks spherical waterfall areas are slippery when moist.
- Carry swimsuits and towels as there are a variety of sudden options to swim and get moist. Moreover, take into consideration bringing water footwear in case your kids are considerably inquisitive about getting into into the rivers and streams.
- Mountaineering maps might be found on the trailheads with paper copies positioned inside the buyer services.
- Have persistence when visiting the Minnesota North Shore. Summer season season website guests and crowds might be overwhelming, nevertheless the slower tempo lets you experience it to the fullest!
Have you ever ever traveled the Minnesota North Shore sooner than? In that case, what was your favorite issue to see or do?
Jen
Do you have to appreciated finding out about our favorite stops on Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive, check out our Related Articles:
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*Sooner than leaving, be sure to confirm our Journey Belongings Internet web page to hunt out distinctive journey reductions and to e e-book motels, rental automobiles, and guided excursions.*
