6 Best Things To Do In North Shore Minnesota Taking a drive along the Minnesotan North Shore,
going all the way from Lake Superior to Ontario, Canada, is possibly the best
way to discover the state’s hidden gems. The shoreline is characterized by ridges,
rivers, hillside forests, cobblestone beaches, and waterfalls - basically,
everything to do with water, rocks, and nature. The 145-mile North Shore Drive follows Highway 61
and passes through the wilderness, sleepy towns, and historical sites.
You can experience the North Shore through various itineraries and activities.
We’ll take you through 8 must-do things when driving on North Shore Drive.
Number 6: Duluth Harbor and Canal Park While Duluth is a beautiful town in itself,
you’ll only get to see a small portion of the area when driving through it.
If you’re not planning to stay in town, make sure to at least see the highlights.
You must visit the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, which is one of the most popular bridges in
the world. The over thousand feet long bridge lifts up every day, taking cargo
ships to the other side of Lake Superior. The 172-foot tall bridge rises over 20 times
daily, so it’s a hard sight to miss. Canal Park
If you’re planning to stay a bit longer by the bridge, don’t forget to go to Canal Park.
It’s the town’s warehouse district, containing local attractions, restaurants, and shops.
Spend the day at the Great Lakes Aquarium to photograph local marine life or learn
history from the installations at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center.
Number 5: Grand Marais Grand Marais is a lakeshore town on the
banks of Lake Superior and is known to be one of the most charming, adventurous towns in Minnesota.
And has even gained national notoriety, at one point being named the best small town in America.
The town features a number of boutique shops and restaurants,
plus excellent outdoor camping and hiking. As you approach the Grand Marais harbor,
hike half a mile to Artists Point. Living up to the name, the Artists Point offers inspiration
stemming from the local geology, birds, scenic views, and a historic lighthouse.
Number 4: Cascade River State Park Another must-do activity in Grand Marais
includes cross-country skiing at the Cascade River State Park. Around ten miles south of Grand
Marais, the state park has many hiking trails, stunning waterfalls, and black volcanic rocks.
Number 3: Gooseberry Falls When driving between Duluth and Grand Marais,
the first stop you’ll see is the Gooseberry falls. It’s the perfect place for travelers
who’re not huge fans of hiking and would rather take a shorter route to enjoy scenic views.
Park your car at the visitor parking and walk up to the Lower Falls.
If you want to enjoy the view from the top, walk all the way to the Middle and the Upper Falls.
You can either stop to take pictures of the waterfalls, play in the shallow ponds, or make
a picnic out of it - the options are limitless. Number 2: Lutsen Mountain
Another must-visit adventure park along the North Shore Drive is the one at Lutsen Mountains.
It turns into a ski resort in the winter, providing fun activities throughout the year.
When visiting in the summer, you can enjoy the alpine slides, hiking trails,
Gondola rides, and much more in the park. Since on-site lodging is available,
you can make a weekend trip out of your stay at Lutsen Mountain.
Lutsen is also home to the Cascade River State Park, offering a magnificent view of waterfalls,
gorges, and interesting landscape. Some in-season activities include birdwatching,
hiking, and fishing. Number 1: Tettegouche State Park
Another attraction in the Silvery Bay area is the Tettegouche State Park,
which is home to the highest waterfall in the whole state. You’ll have to hike up a
three-mile trail to get to the High Falls. But if you don’t fancy walking that much,
you can stay at the bottom and watch Lake Superior meeting the Baptism River.
It’s an ideal place to take pictures, rock-skip, or hold a picnic.
If you’re RV-ing across the great North Shore, TettegoucheState Park is perfect for camping.
It has many campgrounds, such as Illgen Falls, Lake Superior Cart-In, and The Lodge.
Check out the ViaTravelers.com blog post about Minnesota state parks
before visiting to avoid any disappointments. Trust us when we say this; as you get back on
Highway 61 after visiting the attractions that fall in the way, you’ll surely want to come back.
What are your favorite things to do in the North Shore? Let us know in the comments below.