North Shore Activities - Minnesota Vacation Blog

2 01, 2020

Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op
Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op

Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op

Martha Finley2021-09-06T14:29:49+00:00Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

More than 40 years ago, the Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op started on the front porch of a local artist in Grand Marais. The idea was to put donations into a coffee can and people could take the number of bulk coffee beans, grains, and other items for an amount they felt was fair. In 40 years, much has changed. Now located in downtown Grand Marais, the Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op is a bustling enterprise that's open seven days a week. It features an assortment of fresh, organic produce, meat, dairy products, grains, bulk products and homemade soups, salads, [...]

2 01, 2020

Root Beer Water
Root Beer Water

Root Beer Water

Martha Finley2025-04-16T16:35:56+00:00Activities & Attractions, Lutsen, Nature, Waterfalls|

Cascade Falls and Root Beer Water The beautiful stair-step waterfalls that cascade down the river are what give this park its name: Cascade River State Park. With a nice waterfall near the footbridge on Highway 61 and additional waterfalls two miles inland, the views make the hike very worthwhile. Whenever we talk about Cascade State Park, one question frequently comes up. Why does the water in the Cascade River look like root beer? If you have explored rivers and lakes along the North Shore, you’ve probably noticed that the water is often the color of root beer. Why? Most [...]

2 01, 2020

Lake Superior Trading Post
Lake Superior Trading Post

Lake Superior Trading Post

Martha Finley2021-09-07T15:20:07+00:00Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

No trip to the North Shore can be truly enjoyed without the right equipment. And in these parts, ‘equipment’ often means outdoor gear and clothing. And for many, stocking up on these accessories begins at the Lake Superior Trading Post. Featuring an assortment of high-quality clothing for all four seasons, outdoor gear, footwear, trail maps, and camping supplies, the Trading Post is a must-visit during your trip. For those less inclined to venture outdoors, there are sections for books, kitchenware, jewelry, Scandinavian gifts, and other home and personal accessories found in the Trading Post. The Trading Post is conveniently located [...]

2 01, 2020

Tom’s Logging Camp
Tom’s Logging Camp

Tom’s Logging Camp

Martha Finley2021-09-30T17:53:05+00:00Activities & Attractions, Local Businesses, Scenic Drive|

If you've visited the North Shore in the past, you've likely passed the large sign along Highway 61 on the expressway that reads "Tom's Logging Camp". Perhaps you're like me and you see the sign frequently and think "I should check that place out someday", but as you're heading up the shore to your destination the thought quickly leaves your mind. It did mine for many years. That is until I decided to finally swing into Tom's Logging Camp from the North Shore Scenic Drive on a sunny afternoon to see what the place is really about. Now, I am [...]

2 01, 2020

Sven & Ole’s Pizza
Sven & Ole’s Pizza

Sven & Ole’s Pizza

Martha Finley2021-02-25T18:50:33+00:00Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

Tourists, locals, travelers, anglers, hikers, snowmobilers, skiers, cyclists and everyone else who’s ever had a reason to set foot in Grand Marais during the past 35-plus years can all agree on one thing: “Uffda… that Sven & Ole’s makes a good pizza.” Sven & Ole’s pizza parlor and restaurant is considered by many the heart and soul of the downtown casual dining scene in Grand Marais. The family-friendly atmosphere, delicious pizzas and authentic North Shore vibe are a magnetic draw for many who visit the area. Showcasing the quality of the eatery, locals are just as likely to be standing [...]

2 01, 2020

Glensheen Mansion
Glensheen Mansion

Glensheen Mansion

Martha Finley2021-10-19T16:35:52+00:00Activities & Attractions, Duluth, History|

Glensheen Mansion sits on 22 acres of beautiful land in Duluth right on Lake Superior. This mansion has 39 rooms, and is an incredible 27,000 square feet. It sounds like this might be describing a luxury Lake Superior resort, but it's actually a single-family home. By far, the Glensheen Mansion is the most widely recognized home on Lake Superior's North Shore. History of the Glensheen Mansion Chester Congdon spared no expense when constructing his family's home and landscaping beginning in 1905. Renowned architect Clarence H. Johnson and landscape architect Charles W. Leavitt took Chester Congdon's ideas and turned them into [...]

2 01, 2020

Fika Coffee
Fika Coffee

Fika Coffee

Martha Finley2021-02-25T18:59:03+00:00Local Businesses, Lutsen|

In 2015 Fika Coffee Shop opened in Lutsen, Minnesota. Since its opening it has become a destination that people from all over the country flock to, not only because of the delicious coffee served, but because the owner, Josh, has big dreams for the company. Find a video and our interview with him below. Q: Tell us about yourself. A: I have three children: Claire 9, Sophia 8, and Leif 5. My wife Stephanie is a kindergarten teacher at Sawtooth. I was born in Grand Marais and my family moved away when I was 8. We moved away for reasons that are still [...]

2 01, 2020

Crosby Bakery in Grand Marais
Crosby Bakery in Grand Marais

Crosby Bakery in Grand Marais

Martha Finley2021-02-25T20:18:49+00:00Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

If your visit to the North Shore includes the celebration of a birthday, your wedding, anniversary, or another occasion in which one may want to purchase a baked good- be sure to remember Crosby Bakery in Grand Marais. In May of 2019, baker Hana Crosby purchased a little bakery located in an old church (now an art gallery) in Grand Marais. Hana had been working a regular 9-5 job when the opportunity arose to build up her little side gig making cakes and cookies into a full-time job. Since then, Hana's creations can be found all over Grand Marais and [...]

2 01, 2020

Cedar and Stone Sauna
Cedar and Stone Sauna

Cedar and Stone Sauna

Martha Finley2021-09-30T21:50:16+00:00Activities & Attractions, Duluth, Local Businesses|

On a cold December afternoon, we pulled into the parking lot of Chambers Grove Park in the Gary/New Duluth area of Duluth. Duluth had recently received almost two feet of snow the weekend prior leaving behind massive snowbanks. Although the park sits on the St.Louis River right near the Minnesota/Wisconsin border, it wasn't the beautiful scenery we were there for. We were there to participate in Duluth's newest guided sauna experience: Cedar and Stone Sauna. Cedar and Stone Sauna is the brainchild of Justin Juntunen, a Duluth local of Finnish descent. Justin has been raised on the culture of sauna [...]

2 01, 2020

Blue Water Cafe
Blue Water Cafe

Blue Water Cafe

Martha Finley2024-02-01T16:51:23+00:00Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

“The Meeting Place in Grand Marais’, the Blue Water Cafe, has been sitting at the corner of Wisconsin Street and 1st Ave West since the 1970s. Before that, the building has always been a popular eatery in Grand Marais. The restaurant was a traditional American eatery- with pancakes for breakfast and burgers for lunch and dinner. However, in 2024, new ownership brought an Indian flair to the restaurant which now offers authentic Indian dishes alongside the traditional American menu.Tony's Eats and Du NordLongtime residents and visitors of Grand Marais may recall that Tony’s Eat, a small eatery with just a [...]