7 Tips for Your First Trip to Grand Marais, MN

7 Tips for Your First Trip to Grand Marais, Minnesota - The Awayist. Small towns always have their quirks, and Grand Marais in Minnesota is no exception. Sometimes the lack of information available online can make planning a trip to a small town even harder than planning for a big city. Before you head out on your first trip to Minnesota's coolest small town, knowing these tips about Grand Marais will make your trip run more smoothly.

Small towns always have their quirks, and Grand Marais in Minnesota is no exception. Sometimes the lack of information available online can make planning a trip to a small town even harder than planning for a big city. Before you head out on your first trip to Minnesota’s coolest small town, knowing these tips about Grand Marais will make your trip run more smoothly.

These are seven tips for your first trip to Grand Marais, Minnesota.

7 Things to Know for Your First Trip to Grand Marais, MN

Standing on the rocks at Artist's Point in Grand Marais, MN overlooking Lake Superior

Tip #1: Layer up! Even in the summer

The winds off of Lake Superior keep Grand Marais summers so much more comfortable than the muggy summer temps in the Twin Cities. However, it can also be downright chilly – especially in the mornings and evenings. Each time I’ve visited in the summer, there’s always been at least one cloudy and moody day, and those days feel a lot more like fall sweater weather than an afternoon in July. No matter what time of year you visit, pack layers. You’re going to need them.

Tip #2: Book your accommodations early

Despite there being a good amount of accommodation options in this small town, availability can be tough to come by. Places book up fast, even in the winter, so planning a spontaneous trip to Grand Marais can be nearly impossible. You’ll have much better luck if you book your stay well in advance.

Tip #3: Explore downtown on foot

One of the best ways to spend an afternoon in Grand Marais is just strolling around downtown, popping into the various shops and restaurants by the waterfront. Although there’s a lot to explore, the entire downtown area is pretty small and super walkable. If you’re staying outside of the main street area, pick a spot to park and spend the rest of the day on foot.

Agate beach shoreline along the coast of Lake Superior

Tip #4: Don’t expect sand at the beaches

You won’t find warm, cushy sand to sink your toes into on these Lake Superior shores. Instead, the coast here is lined with smooth, flat rocks (which make them perfect for skipping, by the way). The beaches around here are called Agate Beaches, named for the agate rocks you’ll find all along the shore. These eye-catching gemstones were formed by volcanic activity that occurred about a billion years ago. Lake Superior agates are typically rich in iron, giving them a red, orange, or yellow hue.

Tip #5: Prepare for summer crowds

Grand Marais is a popular destination for Minnesotans in the summer, so the small town can get crowded – particularly on weekends and holidays. We’ve had good luck with avoiding crowds by visiting mid-week during the summer months, but keep in mind that many businesses are closed earlier in the week.

Tip #6: Check business hours

Speaking of business hours, the ones in Grand Marais are a little funky. Most restaurants are closed by 7-8:30 pm, so don’t wait too long to have dinner. We’ve been told this is because AirBnBs have taken over so many homes in the area that many of the employees aren’t able to live in town. Some drive from as far as Duluth, so the shortened hours are to accommodate their long drive home in the evening.

As I mentioned above, many places are also closed earlier in the week, so your options will be more limited if your visit falls on a Monday-Wednesday. Additionally, many businesses operate with seasonal hours. Starting in mid-October, you’ll see places having shortened hours for the winter or just closing altogether for the season. Come late May, they start to open back up again for the summer.

Seagull mural in Grand Marais, Minnesota

Tip #7: Public restrooms are easy to find

There are well-kept public restrooms right in the center of downtown. Look for the mural of the seagull, and that’s where you’ll find them. Although this doesn’t really have any impact on planning your trip to Grand Marais, it’s still nice to know. This is also where we typically park our car for the day since it’s in such a good, central spot.

I was surprised by a number of things on this list during my first visit to Grand Marais. Knowing these ahead of time would have altered how I would have planned or packed for that first trip. Having this info in your back pocket will help set you up for an amazing trip Up North. Grand Marais truly is something special!

If you’ve already been to Grand Marais and have any more tips, be sure to leave them in the comments below!