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are a few of our favorite things to do as you travel up the Shore. Take walking tour of all the burgs and villages along the Shore. Drive some back roads. Make your own discoveries about the land that borders the big lake.
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| Along Scenic 61 |
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French River Fish Hatchery On Scenic 61 at the French River 218-723-4881 Self-guided tours of this cold water fish hatchery are available weekdays from 8am-4pm. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources incubates herring, suckers, walleye, rainbow trout, steelhead and salmon here. If you are traveling in the autumn, stop to see the heavy fall spawn run. |
| Stoney Point Drive A loop off Scenic 61 along Lake Superior, about 15 miles NE of Duluth. Locals love to wave watch in stormy weather, picnic on calm days and shoreline fish here. |
| Two Harbors & Gooseberry Area |
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Two Harbors Area Chamber of Commerce Serving Knife River, Two Harbors, Beaver Bay, Silver Bay, Isabella & Finland 800-777-7384 |
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Two Harbors Public Library 320 Waterfront Drive, Two Harbors 218-834-3184 Visit this terrific library to browse, be entertained and check out a great variety of books, magazines, videos, audio books and more. |
| Silver Cliff On Hwy 61 east of Two Harbors Silver Cliff is the highest bluff rising directly out of Lake Superior. In 1923, builders carved Highway 61 out of the cliffside 125 feet above the lake. The new tunnel provides a safer thoroughfare and features a wayside area, allowing visitors to take in the cliffside views. |
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Virgin Pine & Cedar at Encampment Forest As you come to the close of the first passing lane east of Two Harbors, observe the virgin, or uncut, pine and cedar stretching to the Lafayette Bluff Tunnel. The forest is located entirely on private land, so admire the view from your car. |
| Lafayette Bluff Tunnel On your return trip down the shore (heading southwest), admire the particularly nice vista that occurs as the bend of the tunnel gives way to the western view. |
| Beaver Bay & Silver Bay Area |
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Bayside Park & Marina Off Hwy 61 just east of Beaver Bay/west of Silver Bay This park has an overlook and lovely picnic site and a new marina. It is also a great spot to watch ships load at the North Shore Mining dock. |
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Palisade Head Off Hwy 61 about 4 miles NE of Silver Bay, watch for signs Follow the gravel road to the top for incredible views of Lake Superior, Shovel Point and over the 200-foot cliffs. Open seasonally. |
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Rock Climbing Rock climbing afficiandos will be pleased by the challenge and scenery presented at Palisade Head, Shovel Point in Tettegouche State Park and Section 13. Outdoor (Ed)Ventures Offers guided rock and ice climbing excursions for novices to advanced climbers all along the North Shore. Check out the additional guided adventures including activities for families, groups, individuals, women’s programs, day camps and special events. 218-391-0147 or 218-428-5990 |
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Silver Bay Library 9 Davis Drive, Silver Bay 218-226-4331 A small rural library providing service using current technology and old-fashioned friendly service. |
| Inland Area from Little Marais |
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Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center From Hwy 61 in Little Marais, north on County Road 6 218-353-7414 or 800-523-2733 Focusing on outdoor programs, this internationally recognized residential school offers workshops for school groups, families and the general public. Visitors welcome, but pre-registration for programs is required. |
| Finland, Minnesota Off the beaten track at the intersection of MN Hwy 1 and County Roads 6 & 7, about 7 miles north of Hwy 61 The community of Finland best represents what a number of the small shoreline villages were like 25 years ago. Tourism has an impact, but it is not the end all. Finland is set in the picturesque valley behind the Sawtooth range. The residential area spreads to either side of Finland's main street. Plan a stop on your way to nearby Crosby Manitou State Park or Isabella. |
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| Schroeder, Tofte & Lutsen Area |
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Waves of Superior Spa On Hwy 61 in Tofte, part of Surfside on Lake Superior 877-6-OUR-SPA (668-7772) At Waves of Superior Spa, nurturing you is our second nature. Our treatments and services are inspired by our surroundings, which are spectacular, pristine and holistic. We have created an oasis of tranquility for relaxing the mind, relieving the body and rejuvenating the spirit. Offering massage and body treatments, skin care, hands and feet and in-suite bath rituals. |
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North Coast Charters & Tours 6921 West Highway 61 in Tofte 877-6-OUR-SPA (668-7772) Join Captain Tom aboard the Lonestar for great fishing along the North Shore of Lake Superior! You will appreciate Tom's experience, easygoing attitude and helpful tips. Onboard the Lonestar, you are welcome to help set-up lines, or sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. Not interested in fishing? Call Captin Tom and take a Lake Superior tour! |
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North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum On Hwy 61 In Tofte Built across the bay from the original site of the Twin Fish Houses, the museum is a replica of the Tofte brothers' and Hans Engleson's 1905 fish house. Displayed within the museum are many relics, photos and artifacts that were passed down from the descendants of the families who settled the North Shore from Duluth to Grand Portage. This great little museum tells the story of commercial fishing along the Shore and at Isle Royale. The museum is open daily in the summer from 9 AM to 7 PM and Saturdays in the winter from 10:30am-3pm. The Lutsen-Tofte Tourism Association Visitor Center is also located here. |
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Lutsen Mountains
Alpine Slide & Summer Park From Hwy 61 in Lutsen, north on the Ski Hill Rd 218-663-7281 Spring, summer and fall fun at the Mid-America's largest and highest alpine ski center. Take the chairlift to the summit of Eagle Mountain and return on the exhilarating half mile ride through dips and turns. You can access hiking trails at the top of Moose Mountain. Alpine Rides can be purchased singly, in a book of five or eight. Gondola Ride fees are per person. An Unlimited Ride Day Pass is available. |
| Grand Marais Area |
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Sawtooth Mountain Stables |
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Arrowhead Center for the Arts From Hwy 61 in Grand Marais, north on the Gunflint Trail, east on 5th Street 2 blocks; in the School Campus 800-385-9585 This is the performing arts center in Grand Marais and home to the Grand Marais Art Colony and Grand Marais Playhouse. To learn more about the Art Colony, call them at 218-387-2737. The Grand Marais Playhouse produces a number of shows throughout the year, with a number of plays, readings and musical events held in the summertime; Call 218-387-1036. |
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Cook County Community Radio The North Shore's only radio station was established in 1998. Tune in to WTIP at 90.7 FM! |
| Good Harbor Bay Panorama Just past Thomsonite Beach, Highway 61 curves left, revealing picturesque Good Harbor Bay, Seagull Rock and Grand Marais in the distance. Vehicle pull-overs are on the lakeside of the road or stop at the Cutface Creek Wayside Rest on the eastern edge of the bay. |
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Grand Marais Public Library On Hwy 61 in Grand Marais at 2nd Ave West 218-387-1140 This is one of my favorite places to go in town. Our library has a great layout with sun streaming in from the south-facing windows and groupings of comfortable chairs. The library has an impressive selection of books, tapes and videos and offers computer use and Internet access. Check it out! |
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Grand Marais Rec Area Off Hwy 61 in Grand Marais, go south into the park 218-387-1712 or 800-998-0959; 218-387-1275 pool complex Fun, fun and more fun on Grand Marais' harbor. Pool building is open daily with a large pool, kids pool, whirlpool and sauna. Campground offers over 300 sites. Recreate at the playground, ballfield, picnic pavilion, public boat launch, cobblestone beach, hiking trail and winter sledding hill. |
| Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery From Hwy 61 in Grand Marais, take the main street downtown 218-387-2314 The works of Anna Johnson, Lloyd's mother, are permanently displayed in the west wing. The great room and east wing display rotating exhibits of area and regional artists. |
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North House Folk School On Hwy 61 in Grand Marais on the harbor 218-387-9762 or 888-387-9762 A school dedicated to promoting and preserving the knowledge, skills, crafts and stories of the past and present and to use these elements as a way of helping people develop their creative natures. Half, full and multi-day classes offered include boat building, from Inuit Kayaks to Glouster Dories to 18', Mackinaw boats, felting, making boiled wool clothing, maple sugaring, wild ricing, basic timber framing, building with rock, rock climbing, toolmaking, basket weaving, spinning, and woodworking. The North House is also home of the Hjordis, a 50-foot vintage, gaff-rigged schooner. Onboard the Hjordis, the Lake Superior Education Program will take place. Half, full and multi-day sails cover everything from an introduction to the vessel, to the geology and biology of the lake, navigational instruction, scientific studies and basic seamanship. Plus its a great opportunity to get out on the big lake! |
| Gunflint Trail Area |
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Gunflint Trail Association Woods. Water. Wildlife. Year-round vacations of a wildly different nature ... in northeastern Minnesota. The Gunflint Trail is a year-round vacation area surrounded by the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
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| Grand Portage Area |
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Grand Portage Lodge and Casino On Hwy 61 in Grand Portage, about 30 miles northeast of Grand Marais 218-475-2401 or 800-232-1384 The casino is open daily with bingo, video slot machines and live blackjack. Adjacent to the Grand Portage 100-room lodge with restaurant, lounge, fire lit lobby and nearby tennis, hiking and marina. |
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Grand Portage Isle Royale Transportation Lines "Providing passenger and mail service from Grand Portage to Isle Royale for more than 50 years." 888-746-2305 GPIR Line currently has two vessels travelling to the island, the MV Voyageur II, which circumnavigates the island 3 times per week; and the MV Wenonah, which makes daily trips to and from the southwestern end of the island. |
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Grand Portage National Monument off Hwy 61 is about 40 miles NE of Grand Marais Grand Portage Great Hall or Ranger Station (mid-May to mid-October): 218-475-2202 The Monument preserves a vital headquarteres of 18th, 19th and 20th century fur trade activitiy and Ojibwe heritage. It includes the reconstructed headquarters and the 8-1/2 mile Grand Portage, or Great Carrying Place. Monument grounds, trails and the Grand Portage are open year-round. The reconstructed palisade and buildings are open mid-May to mid-October, 9am to 5pm. |
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The International Border between the USA and Ontario, Canada on Hwy 61 is about 40 miles NE of Grand Marais |
Here are links to everything you need for your next North Shore visit!
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