29 Things To Do on the North Shore, MN (From a local!)
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A Local’s Guide to the Best Places on the North Shore, Minnesota
I’ve spent a lifetime honing my suggestions for the best things to do on Minnesota’s North Shore.
I know that sounds a little hyperbolic since this 150-miles stretch of Lake Superior shoreline from Duluth to the Canadian border is a beloved Midwest vacation destination and many Minnesota residents visit the North Shore multiple times a year. But I was actually born and raised on the North Shore (as were my mom and grandparents) and I still call Cook County, MN home.
Since I’ve been pounding up and down Highway 61 for the last five+ decades, I’m the perfect person to round up the best stops for your next road trip up Minnesota’s North Shore. I’m using that insider knowledge to share some true North Shore hidden gems to get you beyond the same ol’ tired state park and waterfall suggestions.
Whether you’re looking for coffee, pie, beaches, hikes, lighthouses, views, beer, or shops, I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know to make the most of your time in northern Minnesota. I’ve even included a brief North Shore travel guide at the end to help you plan, pack, and prepare for your “Up North” adventure.
29 Things To Do on the North Shore
Note: All the activities I suggest in this post are located either on or within a couple miles of Lake Superior. But if you’re planning to also explore the Superior National Forest during your time on the Shore, I have plenty of insight for you! (I own a Boundary Waters canoe outfitters as my “day job.”) Check out my posts on the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the Gunflint Trail for some inland inspiration.
1. Walk on the Lakewalk in Duluth
With both walking and biking surfaces, the Lakewalk is the perfect place to stretch your legs in Duluth, whether you’re looking for exercise or views. The only downside is that it’s susceptible to storm damage. It is sometimes closed for repairs after especially large November gales.
Easily accessed at various points in Canal Park, the Lakewalk is a paved pedestrian and bike path that runs for eight miles right next to Lake Superior. I recommend hopping on around the Canal Park hotels or Canal Park Brewing Company and walking at least a mile to enjoy views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and lighthouses.
You’ll pass war memorials and one of the most fascinating features of Canal Park’s waterfront: Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum, which is actually an abandoned sand and gravel hopper. Be sure to pop onto the cobblestone beach in Canal Park to practice your rock skipping!
Swing into the Fitger’s Complex for a little shopping and a wild rice burger and pint. You can grab the first malt of the trip at the nearby Portland Malt Shoppe. I usually turn around in Leif Erickson Park and Rose Garden, but you can actually continue all the way past Glensheen Mansion to Brighton Beach.
While Duluth is by far the most popular in summer, I actually think December is such a cozy time to visit the Christmas City of the North. Check out my Christmas in Duluth guideto start planning your holiday visit.
2. Drive Old Highway 61 between Duluth and Two Harbors
The Moon Market along Old Highway 61 between Duluth and Two Harbors offers a modern shopping experience with carefully curated clothing, homewares, and snacks.
Unless you’re pressed for time, you definitely wanted to take the North Shore Scenic Drive (Old Highway 61) from Duluth to Two Harbors. The road runs right beside Lake Superior and on the third Saturday of June serves as the Grandma’s Marathon course.
Along the drive you’ll pass impressive lakeside homes and several resorts, including Larsmont. Favorite stops include the New Scenic Café, Russ Kendall’s Smoke House, Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen, and The Moon Market.
3. Explore downtown Two Harbors
Two Harbors is the first small town you reach as you drive up the North Shore and you should plan to spend at least half a day in this charming town of about 3500. Start your day at one of my favorite North Shore coffee shops, Cedar Coffee Company. Hike out to the lighthouses, enjoy lunch at Madeira Bistro, and do a little shopping downtown.
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see a massive ore ship coming or going from the Agate Bay docks. Don’t forget to pick up a growler at Castle Danger Brewery.
Not to throw shade on another famous North Shore stop, but please skip the very large, very obvious pie shop just north of Two Harbors. Instead, set your cruise control and continue on until you reach the Rustic Inn Cafe.
Although the café has significantly outgrown the little 1920s cabin it started in, the restaurant retains a cozy, Northwoods feel with a homey menu of Minnesota comfort foods. However, most people stop in for their homemade (yes, as in made from scratch) pies. You must try their raspberry cream pie!
5. Explore North Shore State Parks
Far and away the leading North Shore attractions are the state parks. You’ll find a whopping eight Minnesota State Parks along the North Shore. The parks are especially celebrated for their hiking trails and waterfalls.
1. Gooseberry Falls (pictured above) 2. Split Rock Lighthouse 3. Tettegouche 4. George H. Crosby Manitou 5. Temperance River 6. Cascade River 7. Judge C.R. Magney 8. Grand Portage
If you’re driving up from the Twin Cities area, you’ll also pass Banning and Jay Cooke parks, which are both worth a stop as well.
6. Listen carefully at Iona’s Beach (The Pink Beach)
Love the color pink? Don’t miss Iona’s Beach about 16 miles north of Two Harbors. This beach is covered in smooth, pink rocks that have been created by wind and waves breaking off chunks from the pink cliffs visible on the eastern edge of the beach’s bay.
Keep your ears peeled during your visit. The beach makes a unique tinkling noise as Lake Superior laps the shoreline.
7. Find the actual Split Rock
When you hear “Split Rock” you probably think of the iconic lighthouse that’s basically the poster child for northern Minnesota. But did you know that the lighthouse is probably named for the nearby Split Rock River which in turn gets its name from two glacial erratic rocks that look like they’ve been split down the middle?
An approximately two-mile hike up the banks of the Split Rock River brings you to this unique rock formation. It’s one of my favorite North Shore winter hikes.
8. Get a drink at Timber Coffee Company in Silver Bay
Can I tell you a secret? Every time I’m driving up and down Highway 61, I try to time my trip so I can swing into Silver Bay’s Timber Coffee Company. Their special seasonal drinks are the best.
While you’re in Silver Bay, check out the Northshore Scenic Overlook or hike the hands-down most popular section of the Superior Hiking Trail: a 7 mile lollypop loop that gets you to the infamous Bean and Bear Overlook.
9. Walk along Black Beach
Another unique North Shore beach, this beach can “thank” the nearby taconite plant for its beautiful black sand. For decades, the Silver Bay plant dumped their taconite tailings (by-product) straight into the lake, but those tailings didn’t go far. Most of them washed up just one cove over to create this popular attraction.
The black sand really showcases the beautiful basalt rocks that frame the beach and you get a great view of the west side of Palisade Head.
10. Visit Shovel Point at Tettegouche State Park
Reach this dramatic spit of land via an easy .6 mile (one way) hike in Tettegouche State Park. The trail starts right behind the Visitor Center.
While Shovel Point makes an especially beautiful winter destination, you can visit year-round for a great view of Palisade Head and the Lake Superior shoreline.
View of Palisade Head as seen from Shovel Point in Tettegouche State Park
11. Hike a section of the Superior Hiking Trail between Tettegouche and Lake County Road 6
Of all 300 miles of the Superior Hiking Trail – which starts in Jay Cooke State Park and ends at the Canadian border – I think the section between Tettegouche State Park and Lake County Road 6 is the most rewarding for day hikes.
From the Highway 1 Trailhead, you can hike to High Falls on the Baptism River which is the highest waterfall completely in Minnesota. Or head the other direction towards the Fantasia Overlook. The topography can be steep and dramatic; it might remind you a little of New Hampshire!
12. Find the sea caves at Crystal Bay
If you’re driving north, you’ll see a decent sized pulloff area on the right shoulder of Highway 61 right after you pass the Highway 1 intersection. Follow the user developed trail to the left to reach a view of some Lake Superior sea caves. Head to the right to reach a small cobblestone beach.
Fun fact: This beach is where the start-up company that would become today’s 3M (yes of Scotch tape and Post-it notes fame) had mining operation where they hoped to mine corundum to use in their sandpaper. You can learn more about this chapter in northern Minnesotan history at the 3M Birthplace Museum in Two Harbors.
13. Discover Sugarloaf Cove
Peaceful, yet dramatic, Sugarloaf Cove offers an easy hike and great beach access. In the summer, visit their nature center for area information and special events. There’s a small fee to park and explore.
Schroeder Baking Company makes a perfect road trip pitstop. Swing in to for coffee, pastries, malts, or sandwiches.
After you’ve shot the breeze with the locals drinking coffee, stroll to the nearby highway bridge for an up close view of Cross River Falls. Swing into Cross River Heritage Center next door and check out Father Baraga’s Cross. A Catholic priest Father Baraga erected a smaller wooden cross in this spot in 1846 to celebrate safe passage across Lake Superior.
15. Bike (or walk or rollerblade) on the Gitchi-Gami State Trail
Schroeder is also home to Electric Trails, an e-bike rental shop. Rent one of their bikes and check out the section of the paved, multi-use Gitchi-Gami State Trail that runs between Schroeder and Lutsen.
Eventually this North Shore bike trail will span 89 miles from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. Today the longest completed section runs for 17 miles from Gooseberry State Park to Silver Bay. You’ll find another five-mile section on the west side of Grand Marais.
16. Take the gondola at Lutsen Mountains
One of the most memorable (although definitely not the cheapest) things to do on the North Shore is to ride the gondola at Lutsen Mountains. It’s an especially lovely autumn activity. For extra adventure, take the gondola to the top of Moose Mountain and then use the Superior Hiking Trail to hike the 3.5 miles back to your vehicle parked near the ticket office.
Alternatively, thrill-seekers might prefer to check out Lutsen Mountains’ Alpine Slide. Come snowfall, this landscape transforms into the Midwest’s premiere ski resort.
At the bottom of the hill, North Shore Winery makes the perfect place in unwind, whether you’re visiting “apres ski,” “apres gondola,” or in the midst of a fun Minnesota girls’ weekend.
In recent years, the gondola has become a very popular fall activity on the North Shore. Almost too popular . . . . If you want to avoid very long lines, I recommend visiting midweek. I have a full guide to North Shore fall activities to help you plan your leaf-peeping visit.
Fall colors as seen from Moose Mountain at the top of the Lutsen Mountains gondola
17. Enjoy “downtown” Lutsen
You don’t have to go to Sweden to “fika.” Fika Coffee is a sweet Scandinavian-inspired coffee shop located in the Clearview Building in downtown building. It’s the perfect place for your mid-morning coffee break.
Pop into next door Clearview General Store to stock up on snacks and anything you might have forgotten.
18. Shop at The North Country
It’s easy to whiz past this charming gift shop. Check out The North Country for local artwork and a great selection of cunning gifts including candles, stickers, housewares, and much more.
19. Find Rosebush Falls
Definitely not as magnificent as Gooseberry or other better known falls, Rosebush is still my favorite North Shore waterfall. Located just west of Grand Marais and accessed from the Fall River bridge on Highway 61, this little falls was a favorite haunt of me and my brother when we were growing up.
Be sure to take one of the user-developed paths all the way down to the small Lake Superior beach at the mouth of the river.
20. Spend a day in Grand Marais
Grand Marais is definitely the “seaside town” darling of the North Shore. It’s also my hometown. I don’t like playing favorites, but some favorite activities including Java Moose Coffee, Crosby Bakery, hiking out to Artist’s Point and the lighthouse, Sisu and Löyly sauna, and the Big Lake gift shop.
Drive two miles up out of Grand Marais on the Gunflint Trail to reach the Pincushion Mountain Overlook. If you want, you can just enjoy the birds-eye view of Grand Marais and Lake Superior. However I recommend making the four-mile hike via the Superior Hiking Trail out to the actual Pincushion Mountain.
Have you ever heard it said that the most beautiful things in life are temporary?
That’s certainly true of the Kadunce River Walk. Although you can hike alongside the river year-round on a Superior Hiking Trail spur trail, this river is best experienced by using the river itself as your trail. But you can only hike up this shallow river a couple times a year. Either wait until mid-summer when it’s warm enough to hike in shorts and water shoes or until the dead of winter when the river (mostly) freezes over.
Because this hike involves scrambling up several waterfalls, it’s best done with a safety buddy along. If you do the hike in the winter, make sure you bring along a change of dry footwear . . . just in case. It’s worth waiting for perfect conditions to experience the river’s slot canyons and gorgeous waterfalls.
Commonly called “the Lake Walk” this cobblestone beach is actually part of the Superior Hiking Trail. In between this beach and Highway 61 is an Icelandite Coastal Fen.
The only place the Superior Hiking Trail actually runs along Lake Superior is also home to a very rare wetland known as a coastal fen. There are only two known coastal fens along the North Shore and in 2024, the MN DNR protected to this special place with a Scientific and Natural Area designation.
24. Check out the dining room at Naniboujou Lodge
Located just across the highway from Judge C.R. Magney State Park and Devil’s Kettle, Naniboujou is a historic North Shore lodge with incredibly bad timing. It opened in 1929 and served as a clubhouse for America’s elite with charter members like Jack Dempsey and Babe Ruth.
While the Great Depression ended the property’s grandiose dreams, the magnificent lodge remains. The dining room features a massive 20’ tall stone fireplace and truly unique Cree-inspired designs. Swing in to grab dinner or simply shop their gift shop at this spectacular North Shore must-see.
25. Shop Objects To Crave
Dear little Hovland never gets the love of other North Shore villages like Tofte and Lutsen. But this sweet little lakeside hamlet deserves a spot on your North Shore itinerary.
Objects To Crave is quirky roadside gift shop located in a couple rustic cabins. Afterwards, swing into Chicago Bay Marketplace for their signature cinnamon and caramel rolls or a homemade deli sandwich.
26. Visit Grand Portage National Monument
During Fur Trade days, the small Ojibwe village of Grand Portage served as a trading post for the North West Company. Voyageurs came to Grand Portage Bay seeking a way around High Falls so they could continue inland to modern day Manitoba and Saskatchewan to trade goods.
Today the National Monument tell both the story of the North West Company in Grand Portage and also celebrates the local Ojibwe who still call Grand Portage home. During your visit, tour the replica stockade and take in exhibits and films at the visitor center. If you don’t want to follow in the footsteps of Voyageurs on the nine-mile long Grand Portage that takes off behind the stockade, you can head up nearby Mount Rose for a short (but very steep) hike to a beautiful overlook of Grand Portage Bay and stockade.
27. Stop at the Susie Islands Overlook
The North Shore topography takes a drastic turn for the dramatic when you head north pass Grand Portage. Soak up the stunning views at the Susie Islands Overlook on the lakeside of Highway 61. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Isle Royale National Park!
You can also see the backside of Mount Josephine which can be summited via popular hike that starts on the Upper Road in Grand Portage.
28. Look across the border at High Falls
The tallest waterfall in Minnesota (although half of it is in Ontario, Canada), you reach High Falls via an easy .6 mile paved path at Grand Portage State Park that leads to three observation platforms. If you visit in the spring, wear a rain jacket, even in sunny weather. The mist created by all that snowmelt is no joke!
29. Bonus: Explore Thunder Bay, Sleeping Giant and beyond!
Remember, the North Shore doesn’t end at the U.S./Canadian border at the Pigeon River Border Crossing. I highly recommend you throw in your passport and continue up Highway 61 into northwestern Ontario.
If you think the Lake Superior shoreline between Duluth and Grand Portage is stunning, the section between Grand Portage and Thunder Bay is going to have your jaw on the floor.
Some of my favorite things to do across the border include picking strawberries at Belluz Farms, stocking up on cheese at Thunder Oaks Farms, exploring the amazing provincial parks, including Sleeping Giant and Kakabeka Falls. Don’t forget to get your Tim Horton’s and ketchup chips fix!
Map of all North Shore stops included in this guide
North Shore Travel Guide
Best time of year to visit
While people travel up to the North Shore year-round, folks seem to enjoy it most in the summer and fall. It’s a popular summer vacation destination, although Lutsen Mountains does generate more tourism than you might expect in winter.
Seasons on the North Shore
Late December – March: Deep winter on the North Shore. While some restaurants and shops are closed all winter, it’s very much “visitors expected” from year-round businesses starting around the December holidays. Weekends are especially busy.
Late March – April: Local tourism boards are always trying to hype up waterfall season which can start anytime from mid-March – late April when all the Lake Superior tributary streams and rivers start gushing with snow melt and spring rain.
To be honest, this is a really gloomy, mucky time of year. We’re still many weeks removed from any green up and many locals do their best to skip “mud season” so expected plenty of shuttered businesses or very limited hours, especially with restaurants. Depending on the winter, Lutsen Mountains sometimes continues to operate until late April.
May – June: Visitors start to pick up, especially folks passing through to start Boundary Waters canoe trips, but it’s still a pretty quite time of year until school is out. Seasonal businesses start opening up. First surge of summer tourism comes over Memorial Day weekend. As everything starts to bloom, the bugs come out.
July – August: High season runs from late July – late August. Everything is green and open, although it can still be quite chilly right next to Lake Superior. Around mid-August, visitors start to taper off as school extracurricular activities start up and State Fair festivities begin.
September – October: Sometimes the first couple months after school is back in session are even busier than July and August as the North Shore backroads fill with retired leaf peepers. If you plan to visit during fall color season, book well in advance. Colors typically peak sometime between September 20 – October 7.
November – mid-December: All the leaves are down, snow is in the air (or on the ground), and it is aggressively “shoulder season” on the North Shore. Expect many closed businesses and lots of blustery, grey days. The “gales of November” are a very real thing; the wave action on Lake Superior can be crazy this time of year.
Where to stay
Here are some of my favorite places to stay on Minnesota’s North Shore. I’ve stayed at the vast majority of these hotels and resorts. The ones I haven’t personally stayed at come highly recommended by close friends.
Here are some things to remember to pack for your North Shore vacation. This is definitely a very “outdoorsy” destination so plan to get a lot of fresh air in very variable temperatures. On a summer day next to Lake Superior, temperatures anywhere from 45 – 98°F would be considered perfectly reasonable!
You could truly devote your entire life to finding all the hidden gems along Minnesota’s North Shore. I mean, I have! I’m still discovering new favorite spots along Highway 61 and I update this guide frequently to make sure it reflects the best of the best.
This guide strives to go deeper than other North Shore guides. Just because I didn’t include well known North Shore destinations like Betty’s Pies, Oberg Mountain, Palisade Head, or Devil’s Kettle doesn’t mean you should skip these stops. However, I wanted to nudge North Shore visitors towards some beautiful, less publicized spots that deserve just as much love.
Whether you’re a frequent visitor or planning your first trip up to Lake Superior’s North Shore, I hope this post gave you some brand-new ideas for things to do on the North Shore. I’m always available to help you plan your North Shore vacation, so don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
Ada is a travel writer based in northern Minnesota. She’s spent two decades as a freelance writer. She’s lived in three countries and has visited all 50 states. In addition to traveling the world, she runs a Boundary Waters outfitters and helps people plan canoe trips and other outdoor adventures in northeastern Minnesota.
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