Cascade Vacation Rentals Blog | A Guide to all things North Shore

21 05, 2025

Summer Solstice and Wooden Boat Festival
Summer Solstice and Wooden Boat Festival

Summer Solstice and Wooden Boat Festival

Jaye2025-06-03T14:56:25+00:00Events & Holidays, Everything Else|

Each June the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, Minnesota, hosts the Summer Solstice and Wooden Boat Festival. The weekend long festival is a vibrant celebration of traditional craft, the summer solstice, community, and the natural beauty of Lake Superior’s North Shore. Held each year on the weekend closest to the Summer Solstice on June 21. The annual event invites visitors to immerse themselves in hands-on experiences, maritime heritage, and the welcoming spirit of summer on the North Shore. The Wooden Boat Show Set against the stunning backdrop of Grand Marais harbor, the festival is hosted by the [...]

21 05, 2025

Cook County Pride
Cook County Pride

Cook County Pride

Jaye2025-05-21T20:37:37+00:00Events & Holidays|

Every June, the charming harbor town of Grand Marais, Minnesota, transforms into a vibrant celebration of love, identity, and community during the Cook County Pride Festival. This family-friendly festival offers a unique blend of natural beauty and inclusive festivities. All set against the stunning backdrop of the Grand Marais Harbor! 2025 Pride Festival The 2025 Cook County Pride, themed "Love Is Our Resistance", is scheduled for Saturday, June 14. This years' festival promises to be a day filled with engaging activities for all ages. The festivities kick off at 9 a.m. with free yoga in Harbor Park, providing a [...]

13 05, 2025

Fire Safety
Fire Safety

Fire Safety

Jaye2025-06-03T14:59:04+00:00Nature|

Summer on Minnesota’s North Shore is nothing short of magical—sparkling waters, rugged cliffs, and lush forests beckon adventurers from near and far. But with all that beauty comes a responsibility: practicing fire safety. As warm, dry conditions increase the risk of wildfires, it’s essential that visitors do their part to protect this incredible landscape. Stay Safe This Summer: Fire Safety Tips for Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior Here are just some ways you can stay safe and support fire prevention on the North Shore. From campfire safety to resources to follow if fire danger comes near. The best [...]

13 05, 2025

2025 Road Construction Projects
2025 Road Construction Projects

2025 Road Construction Projects

Jaye2025-05-13T15:37:40+00:00News & Updates|

Everyone knows it wouldn't be summertime in Minnesota without some road construction! But don't let the woes of potential driving delays keep you from enjoying your North Shore vacation! Here is the list of 2025 road construction projects that may affect your trip so you know best how to avoid road construction all together, or know when you're going to have to slow down and give yourself a little more time to get around. St. Louis County - Duluth Most notable of the 2025 road construction projects for guests driving north to the North Shore will be the ongoing "Can [...]

1 04, 2025

Grand Marais Municipal Liquor Store
Grand Marais Municipal Liquor Store

Grand Marais Municipal Liquor Store

Jaye2025-05-13T18:33:48+00:00Grand Marais, Local Businesses, News & Updates|

The new municipal building which houses the liquor store. Did you have a little too much fun saying, "I need to go to Beaver Liquors to get my Prosecco!" this past summer? If you, too, have the maturity of a 12-year-old, I hate to be the one to bring you the bad news. Beaver Liquors is no more. The Grand Marais Municipal Liquor Store has returned to its previous location. Albeit, in a brand new building! Wait, Beaver Liquors?? No, it was not the official name of the liquor store when it temporarily moved into the Beaver [...]

5 03, 2025

Erin Aili Wins the 2025 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Erin Aili Wins the 2025 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

Erin Aili Wins the 2025 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

Jaye2025-03-05T16:38:57+00:00Events & Holidays, News & Updates|

In a remarkable display of endurance and skill, Erin Aili from Ray, Minnesota, clinched her second title at the 40th John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. The 2025 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon concluded at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino, where Aili and her team of eight dogs crossed the finish line just after 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning. A Challenging Race The 2025 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon presented unique challenges for the teams. The course was shortened to 267 miles due to the lack of snow between Duluth and Two Harbors. Temperatures during the race also exceeded [...]

22 01, 2025

Scruffy Dog Vintage Emporium
Scruffy Dog Vintage Emporium

Scruffy Dog Vintage Emporium

Velena Addams2025-02-20T18:22:10+00:00Grand Marais, Local Businesses|

Step into Scruffy Dog Vintage Emporium, and it’s like opening a treasure chest full of stories located in Grand Marais. Nestled at the edge of town, the shop might be easy to miss—but for the curious and nostalgic, it’s a haven. Owner Annette Block-Valdivia has traveled miles across the country, most recently exploring Vermont. Her latest trip was so fruitful that her friend is shipping home an overflow of treasures she couldn’t fit in her car. Annette has a knack for spotting the extraordinary. Guided by her keen eye, she curates a collection that feels like a journey through [...]

8 01, 2025

The History of the Gunflint Mail Run
The History of the Gunflint Mail Run

The History of the Gunflint Mail Run

Velena Addams2025-01-08T18:28:44+00:00Activities & Attractions, Animals, Gunflint Trail/BWCA, History|

The Tradition of Dog Sledding on the Gunflint Trail In winter, the boreal forest along the Gunflint Trail transforms into an enchanting wonderland. Towering pines and spruce stand cloaked in shimmering snow, their heavy branches bowing gracefully under its weight. The forest floor lies beneath a flawless white blanket, and the snow-covered landscape exudes a hushed stillness. This tranquility is occasionally broken by the distant calls of wildlife or, in the early months of the year, the energetic sounds of sled dogs launching eagerly into the trails. This is the land in which the Gunflint Mail Run was born [...]

8 01, 2025

Trail Center Lodge
Trail Center Lodge

Trail Center Lodge

Velena Addams2025-01-08T18:02:45+00:00Activities & Attractions, Dining and Food, Gunflint Trail/BWCA, Local Businesses|

Located on the stunning shores of Poplar Lake, Trail Center Lodge has been a beloved landmark on the Gunflint Trail since 1938. Originally built as a logging camp, this versatile destination has transformed over the decades into a hub for adventurers, locals, and visitors alike. Today, it serves as a restaurant, gas station, gift store, grocery shop, and information center—a one-stop shop for anyone exploring the Northwoods. Under the ownership of sisters Anna and Sarah Hamilton, Trail Center Lodge has gained a reputation for its delicious home-style cooking, warm hospitality, and rustic Northwoods charm—and I have to say, their [...]

30 12, 2024

Jay Cooke Swinging Bridge
Jay Cooke Swinging Bridge

Jay Cooke Swinging Bridge

Martha Finley2025-01-08T18:13:53+00:00Activities & Attractions, Duluth, History, State Parks|

One of the most iconic structures in Jay Cooke State Park is the Swinging Bridge, a historic landmark that has withstood numerous challenges from both nature and time. This beloved bridge has undergone multiple reconstructions, surviving floods, repairs, and restorations. The Original Construction In 1924, the Forest Service constructed the first version of the Jay Cooke Swinging Bridge using logs and rope. This simple yet functional bridge provided a way to cross the St. Louis River, offering visitors a scenic view of the river below. By 1934, the bridge had undergone its first major upgrade. Between 1934 and 1935, [...]