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

12 10, 2021

Moose Madness
Moose Madness

Moose Madness

Jaye2025-10-09T14:43:34+00:00Events & Holidays, Grand Marais|

Hosted by Visit Cook County, Moose Madness is an annual family-friendly festival that takes place over MEA weekend each October in Grand Marais. A popular favorite amongst visitors, the festival includes several scheduled events and activities and various ways for participants to earn "Moose Bucks". You then redeem your Moose Bucks collection at participating stores around Grand Marais. During Moose Madness you have the best chances of spotting Murray the Moose, the mascot of Visit Cook County. He gets called to town each year at the start of the festival and can be found walking around the downtown area [...]

12 10, 2021

Grand Marais Lighthouse
Grand Marais Lighthouse

Grand Marais Lighthouse

Martha Finley2024-03-21T15:23:50+00:00Grand Marais, History|

The lighthouse that sits in Grand Marais has become a destination for many visitors in the area. If you’ve been to Grand Marais, it’s likely you’ve walked along the breakwall to visit the square pyramidal structure, but do you know the history behind it? The Grand Marais lighthouse was built in 1885 on the eastern end of the harbor breakwater. In the year or two prior, construction was completed on the piers that guarded the harbor entry. These new piers required a light and fog signal to guide mariners through the opening, so congress allotted just over $9,500 for [...]

12 10, 2021

Grand Marais Breakwall
Grand Marais Breakwall

Grand Marais Breakwall

Martha Finley2024-03-21T15:25:05+00:00Grand Marais, History|

What looks just like a bunch of rocks in the middle of the water is actually one of Grand Marais’ best attractions! What spurred the development of the Grand Marais Breakwall and the Lighthouse you might ask? Well, in 1881 the Schooner Stranger wrecked just outside of the Grand Marais Harbor. Unfortunately, all of the crewmen were killed in this wreck. The people knew something had to be done to make it more safe. In 1882, the development of the first breakwater and lighthouse began. The breakwall was to be stretched around 300 feet of rocks of all sizes. [...]

7 10, 2021

Duluth Haunted Ship
Duluth Haunted Ship

Duluth Haunted Ship

Jaye2025-10-02T13:36:24+00:00Activities & Attractions, Duluth, Spooky Places on the North Shore|

It's baaaack! Duluth's favorite haunted Spooky Season attraction is back! What does a city do when its historic Iron Ore floating museum is reportedly haunted? Decorate it, throw in some actors, and welcome hundred of visitors on board each night for a true scare. The William A Irvin floating museum usually acts as a look into the rich iron ore mining history along the North Shore. But, each October, it transforms into the Duluth Haunted Ship. History of the Haunted Ship The Haunting of the William A Irvin was an area hit since 1992. It started as a marketing [...]

2 09, 2021

Fall Colors on the North Shore
Fall Colors on the North Shore

Fall Colors on the North Shore

Jaye2025-09-03T15:02:23+00:00Activities & Attractions, Nature|

Once September rolls around the questions about Fall Colors on the North Shore begin. When will they start? Why do leaves change colors? Have they started? When will they hit their peak? Where is the best place to go to see them? Have they started?! In this post, we will be answering those very questions and more! Fall Colors on the North Shore: When Will They Start? Fall Colors on either side of Temperance Road near Tofte Answering this question is usually one big guess, with some basic knowledge and science to back up our response. It's [...]

19 08, 2021

Molly and Andy
Molly and Andy

Molly and Andy

Jaye2021-09-14T15:53:37+00:00Misc.|

Molly and Andy Walking on the Aspenwood Beach For years now we've been discussing featuring some guests and share their stories and special connections to the North Shore. We decided to make this happen to start in the summer of 2021. I happily present to you our first Guest Feature: Molly and Andy. Molly and Andy Say "I Do" Ten Years Ago Molly and Andy on the Aspenwood Beach On July 3, 2011, Molly and Andy said their "I Do"s on the front lawn of Lutsen Resort in front of their closest family and friends. After [...]

1 07, 2021

Geocaching on the North Shore
Geocaching on the North Shore

Geocaching on the North Shore

Jaye2021-07-07T20:41:36+00:00Activities & Attractions|

A couple placed this geocache after getting engaged at the Grand Marais Lighthouse Two loons spotted while geocaching at the GM Rec Park Recently, we added "Go Geocaching" to our list of Free Things to do on the North Shore. This family-friendly activity came highly recommended by many but was something we hadn't actually tried ourselves. So, this week, we decided to go Geocaching! This is our experience Geocaching on the North Shore. What Is Geocaching Explore Minnesota describes it as "a global scavenger hunt in the modern era". To start your journey, download the official [...]

9 06, 2021

The Bad Seed Food Truck
The Bad Seed Food Truck

The Bad Seed Food Truck

Jaye2021-06-09T19:28:10+00:00Dining and Food, Grand Marais, News & Updates|

Last year, we announced some changes to the Grand Marais food scene. One of these changes was the addition of The Bad Seed, a food tent that was previously located next to The Beaver House. Now, we are ecstatic to announce the addition of The Bad Seed Food Truck to downtown Grand Marais. Now located behind Joy & Co. at 16 1st Ave W, The Bad Seed Food Truck offers the same amazing food options that the food tent offered, but in a more wind-proof setting. No more having to close during windy weather! Christina Hartley-Conroy, the mastermind behind The [...]

3 06, 2021

Canal Park
Canal Park

Canal Park

Jaye2021-06-03T17:55:54+00:00Activities & Attractions, Duluth|

Canal Park is one of the most visited areas of Duluth. Home to iconic Duluth landmarks like the Aerial Lift Bridge and William A Irvin, Canal Park offers a wide variety of activities to do. You could easily spend a day, or even a week, at Canal Park and still never run out of things to do. This article focuses on the areas on and around Canal Park Drive and South Lake Street. Here are our favorite things to do in Canal Park. Take a Tour on the William A Irvin The SS William A Irvin is a decommissioned iron [...]

27 05, 2021

Once and Future Art Installation
Once and Future Art Installation

Once and Future Art Installation

Jaye2021-05-27T13:55:16+00:00Activities & Attractions, Animals, Grand Marais|

If you have visited, or are planning to visit, Grand Marais in the next year you may notice that caribou have returned to the city limits in the form of an art installation called "Once and Future". The "Once and Future" Art Installation "Once and Future" is a 3-part art installation created by artist Corrie Steckelberg. According to her website: “Once and Future” is a large scale public artwork that contemplates the realities of an ongoing mass extinction and climate change, while still holding home for the possibility of growth and rebirth. Caribou once lived in the Lake superior basin [...]