How to Spend a Weekend in Duluth and the North Shore
When you hear “North Shore,” the lush and tropical lands of Hawai‘i’s Oahu island may be what comes to mind for most, but here in Minnesota, we know it means the North Shore of the stunning and vast Lake Superior.
The largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, Lake Superior is also the largest of the Great Lakes and a pretty big deal around here. Not only is it a major shipping port that connects Minnesota to the rest of the world by water, but the ancestral homes of the Ojibwe and the Chippewa, now known as the North Shore of Lake Superior, are about as scenic as can be.
Many people with more time on their hands opt to bike along the North Shore, but with just a weekend to explore, you’ll want a car. After landing at MSP and grabbing your rental, head north on I-35 for a short two-and-a-half-hour drive to Duluth to get your weekend started.
FRIDAY
Gaze at the Grand Aerial Lift Bridge
Your first stop in Duluth has got to be the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge that rises above the water to accommodate the comings and goings of boats of all sizes, including large shipping vessels. When it’s not winter, you can time your visit with the schedule of ships entering and departing Lake Superior Harbor to ensure you see the bridge in action.
Soak it all in from the bridge’s site, or sit back and relax at Grandma’s Saloon & Grill. The local favorite is located right next door and is the longtime sponsor of Grandma’s Marathon, which attracts more than 15,000 runners to the area every year. Snag the right seat to enjoy close-up views and a round of robust beer from the nearby Bent Paddle Brewing Company.
Enjoy an Upscale-ish Dinner at Lake Avenue
Once you’ve seen the bridge do its thing, head over to Lake Avenue for a relaxing yet refined dinner. The space is outfitted with sprawling windows that offer equally expansive views of the city.
It may be on the fancier side, but it’s certainly not stuffy. The environment is relaxed, and kids are welcome; there’s even a dedicated kids’ menu. Lake Avenue offers creative dishes from locally sourced ingredients (many of which are foraged when the weather allows) alongside spirits, wine, and beer from across the Midwest and the globe.
Sip a Nightcap at Vikre Distillery
Once dinner wraps, head just a few blocks over to Vikre Distillery for one more drink before calling it a night. Not only is it family-owned, Vikre (a Norwegian word meaning “people of the bay”) is known for its use of local botanicals and grains, as well as water from Lake Superior, to compose its spirits and cocktails. They offer kid-friendly NA options (and “regular” adult NA options as well), plus they’re pup-friendly as long as dogs are kept on a leash.
When it’s time to head to bed, The Oliver Inn — a historic nod to Duluth’s original city hall — and The Intrepid are excellent options.
SATURDAY
Head Up Scenic Highway 61
When you wake up, prepare for a scenic and outdoorsy day along the North Shore with breakfast at Duluth Grill. The place is packed full of nicely prepared comfort food and was featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." Owner Tom Hanson is also behind the nicely stocked international shelves of Goat Hill World Market and such beloved local spots as OMC Smokehouse, Corktown Eatery & Bar and Burger Paradox.
Once you’ve got a full belly, start cruising up Highway 61 of Bob Dylan fame to take in the woodsy shores of Lake Superior and the small towns that dot it.
Stop off at Stoney Point
Your first stop along the highway is a short 25-minute drive north to Stoney Point. Take a right off the highway at Homestead Road towards Palmer, and then keep going until you reach Stoney Point Drive along Lake Superior. Pull off to the side of the road at the midpoint for sweeping views of the lake and, if you’re lucky, local lake surfers catching sizable winter swell waves too! (There's a reason why Duluth has a highly respected surf/coffee shop called The Back Alley.)
Explore Gooseberry Falls State Park
Next, you’ll head back on the highway to Gooseberry Falls State Park, less than a half hour away. Spend the late morning and early afternoon enjoying the park’s 20 miles of hiking trails, its visitor center packed with programming and exhibits, and, of course, waterfalls.
Got people in your group who aren’t that into the outdoors? Don’t worry — Gooseberry Falls has plenty of picnic sites for relaxing, too. Among the park’s many aspens and birch trees, expect to see an array of the 225 species of birds that either nest in or visit the park, like ravens and herring gulls.
For hikers, there are four waterfalls in the park. The two found in the Upper and Middle Falls sections are quite accessible by short, easy hikes along paved paths. The two waterfalls in the Lower Falls are also just a short hike away, but the trail is unpaved, can be a little rocky, and includes stairs.
The park’s waters are also a favorite for trout fishing for those interested in dropping a line in (just be sure to grab a fishing license if you don’t have one already).
Look Up at Split Rock Lighthouse
There’s one more stop for the day after Gooseberry Falls: the quintessential Split Rock Lighthouse located just a bit south of Beaver Bay, about a 10-minute drive up the highway. The octagonal lighthouse is perched atop a jagged, tree-shrouded, and very photogenic cliff.
Admission is free. The lighthouse grounds and visitor center are open year-round, but interior tours of the lighthouse itself aren’t offered in the winter.
Unwind in Grand Marais
Next, you’ll get back in the car for a little over an hour’s drive to Grand Marais for the night. This way, you’re ready to explore one of the most beloved towns along the North Shore and all it has to offer first thing in the morning.
If you’re not quite ready for bed after you arrive, head to Up Yonder, a lively local bar that has lots of live music and events, especially on Saturday nights. When you are ready to hit the hay, some good places to catch some zzz’s in Grand Marais include The Mayhew Inn and Aspen Lodge.
SUNDAY
Get Artsy in Grand Marais
Start your day early with breakfast at Blue Water Cafe (and consider buying a mug to bring home as a souvenir). Your first stop on a day filled with art will be the Grand Marais Art Colony, the state's oldest collective of its kind (since 1947!). It always hosts exhibitions and community events, so be sure to check out what’s on the calendar when you’re there.
After that, you’ll want to see the Sivertson Gallery, which is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 4 or 5 p.m. What started in Howard Sivertson’s basement some 40 years ago is now a destination gallery in Grand Marais showcasing the brilliant work of artists across Northern Minnesota.
Finally, head to the North House Folk School to learn about craftier versions of the arts from across the northern hemisphere. Events range from Wood Week—which, you guessed it, celebrates woodworking—to a summer solstice festival complete with a wooden boat.
The school's curriculum includes crash courses in everything from sourdough bread to metalsmithing. Check out its current and upcoming classes here if you'd like to book one beforehand and build it into a longer itinerary.
Swing by Lutsen on the Way Home
When you’ve had your fill of art, it’s time to start the 4.5-hour drive back to the MSP airport.
But don’t fret; your adventuring isn’t done yet! Take a detour to Lutsen Mountains, just a 25-minute drive south of Grand Marais. Take the Summit Express up Moose Mountain to the Summit Chalet any time of the year. Have a drink, grab some grub, and take in spectacular views from the sprawling patio before descending, getting back in the car, and heading home.
Just be sure to come back soon!
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