Minnesota. Land of 10,000 Lakes. 1 of those 10,000 is really big and it’s called Lake Superior. The North Shore of Minnesota is easily one of the Midwest’s best travel destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. The North Country trail follows Lake Superior and weaves through Minnesota for about 850 miles.

The rest of Minnesota has eluded me to this point. I’ve done a show in Excelsior and Minneapolis, but that’s it. While I stand behind my opinion that the North Shore is the most beautiful part of the state, there is much to explore away from the shores of Lake Superior. I encourage you to research places like Boundary Waters, Voyageurs National Park, and the Twin Cities metro area if you are interested in spending more time in Minnesota.

Duluth

Duluth is typically the starting point for many who are doing a North Shore road trip or the Lake Superior Circle Tour. While it may just be a starting point for most, this little city has a lot to offer as well. The Aerial Lift Bridge is an iconic landmark of the region. Often, you can find a handful of photographers rising early to capture a gorgeous sunrise, or staying out late to photograph a stunning sunset.

While walking around town is not a typical activity of mine, it’s worth it in Duluth. A lot of houses are smaller but have incredible views of Lake Superior. The city reminds me of Montreal, QC and Burlington. VT in ways. Aside from the Aerial Lift Bridge, the lakeshore has nice paths and a couple of parks to explore.

Two Harbors

Heading East on 61, Two Harbors is the next population center. I adore this place. It’s a cute town right on Lake Superior. Agate Bay Beach is located here so there is some beautiful scenery right along the harbor. The Two Harbors Lighthouse would be my choice for the best attraction in this small town. It overlooks Agate Bay and a couple of Ore Docks, similar to the ones in Marquette, Michigan.

Upon leaving Two Harbors, a lot of the most popular natural attractions will start coming up quickly. Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, and Silver Bay Beach are all a short drive up 61.

The influence of Instagram is evident as all three aforementioned places have become extremely popular destinations. Gooseberry Falls is arguably the most popular natural site along the North Shore, but for good reason. With numerous waterfalls, camping spots, and swimming holes, there is something for everyone here.

Silver Bay Beach is well known due to the sand being dark gray or black. With Iceland’s explosion in popularity, black sand beaches have become increasingly popular destinations. While it’s a nice place to check out, the sheer number of visitors makes Silver Bay Beach a crowded place to visit when it’s nice out. However, I’m sure that in the evenings or just before/after a storm, it’s a fantastic place to be!

Grand Marais

Grand Marais was the last town I made it to on my North Shore road trip. A cute town with a stunning view of Lake Superior. The Grand Marais Lighthouse is located here as well as a place called Artist’s Point. This area of Minnesota has so many amazing views. As a photographer, I could have spent three days here and walked away with over 20 different images.

Fun side note - a lot of people come up to me at shows and love my photograph from Grand Marais. They often think it’s from Minnesota. However, it’s from Michigan near Pictured Rocks. My photographs from Grand Marais (below) aren’t up to my standards to sell at my shows.

Besides the town, Cascade River State Park and Judge C.R. Magney State Park are both a short drive away. Just as with most other state parks along the Superior Coast, both are laden with waterfalls and beautiful cascades. I would imagine the camping in this area is more peaceful than in other state parks closer to Duluth. I hope to provide an update in regards to camping within the next year or two.

Other

Ideally, I would have done a proper road trip along 61 as opposed to driving back to Duluth each night. Given my limited ability to camp in 2020, there are places I wasn’t able to check out. One week isn’t enough time to cross everything off the list of must-see places along the North Shore. Other places to look up are, Hollow Rock, Grand Portage State Park, and Beaver River Falls among others.

Besides singular destinations, the North Country Trail as a whole is worth checking out. The hike follows the Superior Coast closely and cuts through many of the aforementioned parks and landmarks. As someone who has been here before - it may be ideal to avoid the North Country Trail in June and July. I ended up with hundreds of bug bites, even with the use of insect repellents.

Along with many beautiful destinations, there are a host of resorts/bed and breakfast style stays along 61. While I can’t speak for any one in particular, it’s worth doing the research to see what is available along the drive.

Conclusion

With the explosion of Social Media over the last two decades, the North Shore of Minnesota has inevitably become a popular tourist destination. Lake Superior is a beautiful place, whether it be along the Minnesota, Michigan, or Canadian coasts. Completing the Lake Superior Circle Tour is on my list for the next few years. While that may be an extensive undertaking for many, the Minnesota North Shore is a much more feasible trip for those looking to spend a week in one of the Midwest’s best destinations.

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