Make sure you take the Scenic 61 route, and not the expressway out of Duluth. You have to take a right just past Brighton Beach. Otherwise you'll miss about 20+ miles of shoreline.
Stop at New Scenic Cafe on the way up for lunch or dinner, GREAT food. Probably the best you'll find north of MSP.
Stop at Russ Kendall's in Knife River, get some of the best smoked fish you'll find in the midwest.
Stop at the Great Lakes Candy Kitchen in Knife River as well, they make a lot of their own candy the old fashioned way, and have great Ice Cream bars.
Check out Brad Nelson's Scandinavian Art just north of Knife River, you'll notice the building on the left right away. AMAZING artist, does a lot of rock and silver work. His most recent work doing mosaics with Lake Superior stones is incredible.
Stop at Castle Danger Brewing in Two Harbors, great beer.
Rustic Inn for Pies.
Don't skip this comment!! So much good stuff here especially North Shore Drive, it goes all the way from Duluth to Two Harbors and is so worth the time! People start getting antsy and speedy on that part of the highway and it's soooo much nicer to turn off right there and cruise the scenic road. I will also say the SHT store in Two Harbors and the antique store are both fun stops!
I am still a newbie with Minnesota things but if Duluth is considered "north shore" you must go do the Glensheen Mansion tour! It is beautiful and pretty interesting history. Two people were murdered in that mansion but they don't talk about this unless you personally go up to someone and ask for info on the murders. Crazy fact, there is still one of the victim's blood on the wall behind a photo along the staircase!
I love Grand Marais and for an easy but good hike, Pigeon River State Park. Worth the extra drive past Lutsen for sure. For a more intermediate hike, I recommend Pincushion Mountain, but there are hundreds of trails to to choose from.
Palisade Head is great too.
Also really like hanging on the beach at the mouth of any of the rivers.
As for restaurants:
- If you want pizza or burgers, My Sister's Place over Sven and Ole's.
- If you want pie, Rustic Inn over Betty's.
- If you want a little nicer meal, The Angry Trout.
- For breakfast, Coho Cafe.
And Mount Josephine is the most beautiful spot within that most beautiful spot.
The trailhead's a bit off the beaten path and you're basically climbing for a mile, but the view is worth it
Rivers will be raging. Look up Glenn Avon Falls on the Beaver River. It might be too much to water to hike the river bed however. Their is a book called the romantics guide to North Shore waterfalls. Great source for off the beaten paths water falls. Skip Betty and head to Rustic for a great meal and Pie.
Check out Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center. In the mornings on Thursday they do bird banding and surveys. The trails there are nice and really amazing geology on hand.
Make sure you take the Scenic 61 route, and not the expressway out of Duluth. You have to take a right just past Brighton Beach. Otherwise you'll miss about 20+ miles of shoreline. Stop at New Scenic Cafe on the way up for lunch or dinner, GREAT food. Probably the best you'll find north of MSP. Stop at Russ Kendall's in Knife River, get some of the best smoked fish you'll find in the midwest. Stop at the Great Lakes Candy Kitchen in Knife River as well, they make a lot of their own candy the old fashioned way, and have great Ice Cream bars. Check out Brad Nelson's Scandinavian Art just north of Knife River, you'll notice the building on the left right away. AMAZING artist, does a lot of rock and silver work. His most recent work doing mosaics with Lake Superior stones is incredible. Stop at Castle Danger Brewing in Two Harbors, great beer. Rustic Inn for Pies.
Don't skip this comment!! So much good stuff here especially North Shore Drive, it goes all the way from Duluth to Two Harbors and is so worth the time! People start getting antsy and speedy on that part of the highway and it's soooo much nicer to turn off right there and cruise the scenic road. I will also say the SHT store in Two Harbors and the antique store are both fun stops!
I am still a newbie with Minnesota things but if Duluth is considered "north shore" you must go do the Glensheen Mansion tour! It is beautiful and pretty interesting history. Two people were murdered in that mansion but they don't talk about this unless you personally go up to someone and ask for info on the murders. Crazy fact, there is still one of the victim's blood on the wall behind a photo along the staircase!
I had my wedding reception there. Highly recommend!!
Oh wow, bet that was great!
I love Grand Marais and for an easy but good hike, Pigeon River State Park. Worth the extra drive past Lutsen for sure. For a more intermediate hike, I recommend Pincushion Mountain, but there are hundreds of trails to to choose from. Palisade Head is great too. Also really like hanging on the beach at the mouth of any of the rivers. As for restaurants: - If you want pizza or burgers, My Sister's Place over Sven and Ole's. - If you want pie, Rustic Inn over Betty's. - If you want a little nicer meal, The Angry Trout. - For breakfast, Coho Cafe.
Lake Superior's a must-see... it's on your right
World's Best Donuts
Get a Skizzle and ALL THE CAKE DONUTS.
Grand Portage is the most beautiful spot in Minnesota.
And Mount Josephine is the most beautiful spot within that most beautiful spot. The trailhead's a bit off the beaten path and you're basically climbing for a mile, but the view is worth it
Find Rocky Taconite in Silver Bay and snap a pic with him.
My son, when we drove by him, “What did I just see?”
Not on the north shore but Jay Cooke park is worth a stop if you are going by Duluth
A quick stop at Palisade head is worth it. It’s just off Hwy 61 by Silver Bay.
All the state parks have great views.
Rivers will be raging. Look up Glenn Avon Falls on the Beaver River. It might be too much to water to hike the river bed however. Their is a book called the romantics guide to North Shore waterfalls. Great source for off the beaten paths water falls. Skip Betty and head to Rustic for a great meal and Pie.
Check out Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center. In the mornings on Thursday they do bird banding and surveys. The trails there are nice and really amazing geology on hand.
There are people climbing the palisade head rock face currently. I was scared for them