The Best Stops Along the North Shore in Minnesota

The drive along Highway 61 from Duluth to Grand Marais is one of the most scenic in the U.S. and is definitely the best drive in Minnesota. This road trip has it all – great restaurants, scenic overlooks, hiking trails, breweries, beaches, and more. There are so many amazing places to stop along Lake Superior’s North Shore in Minnesota. This scenic drive is an easy road trip from Minneapolis, and the final stop, Grand Marais, is located just four hours north of the Twin Cities.

Because there’s so much to see and do along this epic drive, I’m breaking down all of the best stops along Minnesota’s North Shore so you don’t miss out on a thing.

How Much Time Do You Need for this Drive?

I hate to give this non-answer, but…it depends. If you’re starting in Minneapolis, you can technically make the entire drive up to Grand Marais in a day. However, you’re going to want to take at least three to four days (you could easily take longer) if you really want to enjoy all of the stops listed below. Some places on this list can be enjoyed with just a quick stop, but for others, you may want extra time to hike and explore. Here’s my recommended itinerary, starting from Minneapolis:

Day 1: Drive from Minneapolis to Duluth where you’ll stay for the night to explore the town before continuing on your journey the following day.

Day 2: After grabbing breakfast in Duluth, continue north on Highway 61, enjoying the stops along the way. If you’re planning to get some exploring in at the state parks, you’ll want to add an extra day to your trip. Tofte is a good location to stay between Duluth and Grand Marais. If you’re going to skip the hikes, you can continue all the way up to Grand Marais.

Day 3 (or 4): Give yourself one or two nights in Grand Marais and at least one full day to explore the town. On your last morning, you can spend some extra time in Grand Marais or you can head out early to stop anywhere you may have missed on the way up.

The Best Stops Along Minnesota’s North Shore

Duluth

The journey along the North Shore begins in Duluth, a port town about two hours north of Minneapolis. Head down to the waterfront to visit Canal Park where you’ll find restaurants, breweries, a lighthouse, the Lakewalk trail, and views of Duluth’s most famous landmark – the Aerial Lift Bridge.

Fun Fact: Duluth is the birthplace of one of Minnesota’s most famous residents – Bob Dylan. You can spot his old boyhood home on North Third Avenue.

PACKING TIP: You all know that Minnesota is cold, but the winds that come off Lake Superior can make Duluth extra chilly – even in the summer. Be sure to bring layers in case you get hit with some wind chill.

Stoney Point

Distance from Duluth: 20 minutes

On the outskirts of Duluth along the shoreline of Lake Superior lies the inviting ledge rocks of Stoney Point. On a nice day, this is a relaxing spot to sprawl out on the rocks and listen to the ebb and flow of the waves while you gaze out at the largest of the Great Lakes. If the weather is a bit more on the moody side, this is still a great stop. On a stormy day, getting up close to watch the large Lake Superior waves crash into the rocks is a real treat.

Two Harbors

Distance from Duluth: 30 minutes

The next town over is Two Harbors. You’ll definitely want to pay a visit to Castle Danger Brewery while you’re here. Minnesotans love their craft beer, and Castle Danger’s Cream Ale is a favorite amongst many locals. They also serve 8oz pours, so go ahead a try a few others as well. Grab a spot outside on the patio if it’s nice! Afterward, walk off those beers with a stroll to the Lighthouse at the end of the Breakwater.

Locals swear by Betty’s Pies, located just outside of Two Harbors. The line here is always long, but if you’re willing to wait, I’ve been told it’s worth it.

Bonus Stop : Gooseberry Falls State Park

Distance from Duluth: 45 minutes

If you’re a fan of waterfalls, make time on your road trip to check out Gooseberry Falls State Park. This is a popular stop along the North Shore featuring hiking trails, overlooks, and (of course) waterfalls. Click here to grab a State Park Permit.

Split Rock Lighthouse along the North Shore in Minnesota — Photo Courtesy of Unsplash

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Distance from Duluth: 1 hour

The Split Rock Lighthouse is perhaps the most iconic stop along the North Shore and is a must-see. This Minnesota landmark is beautiful in any season, which is probably why it’s one of the most photographed spots in the state. The lighthouse is actually part of the eponymous state park, so you’ll need a State Park Permit to capture it from the best vantage points.

This state park also features miles of hiking trails, bike trails, canoeing, snowshoeing, and more.

Lake Superior agate beach in Grand Marais, Minnesota

Agate Beaches

Many of the beaches along Lake Superior aren’t lined with fine sand but rather agate rocks. 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.

Black Beach

Distance from Duluth: 1 hour, 5 minutes

You don’t have to go all the way to Iceland to walk along a black sand beach. Black Beach is one of the most unique stops along the North Shore and should not be missed! The towering rocks, black sand, and clear water make Black Beach one of my favorite stops along the North Shore. This is a good swimming beach during the summer. You’ll find it filled with locals and fellow travelers cooling off in the Lake Superior waters from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

At first glance, it appears you need to park about a mile from the entrance to the beach, but keep driving – there’s another parking lot right by the beach.

TIP: If you’re not here to swim, I recommend wearing closed-toe shoes and avoiding walking barefoot. The “sand” on this beach is more like pebbles. They’re smooth, but take it from me, those suckers will fill your sandals and get uncomfortable to walk on pretty quickly.

Palisade Head

Distance from Duluth: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Palisade Head is another of the most photographed spots in Minnesota and for good reason – it’s one of the most impressive views along the North Shore. From the top of the lookout area, this spot doesn’t look like much, but walk all the way down and this towering cliff will emerge to produce an incredible view. It’s technically within Tettegouche State Park, but it’s not contiguous with the rest of the park, so you won’t need a Park Permit to stop here.

From the viewpoint area, you can walk over to Palisade Head itself to look out over the lake that sits 300ft below. Watch your step and don’t get too close to the edge – there are no safety barriers on Palisade Head.

Bonus Stop: Tettegouche State Park

Distance from Duluth: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Tettegouche (pronounced “tet-a-gooch”) is another beautiful Minnesota State Park. If you have time on your road trip, this is a great spot to enjoy hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic lake views. Shovel Point and Baptism River are popular spots in the park. Click here to get a State Park Permit.

Grand Marais

Distance from Duluth: 2 hours

Grand Marais is, without a doubt, my favorite place in Minnesota, and I’m not alone. Grand Marais has repeatedly been named one of the best small towns in America. Walking along the shore in Grand Marais, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to a small coastal town on the ocean. Grand Marais is very walkable, so grab a parking spot and meander through the town’s cool shops, restaurants, and scenery. There’s so much to see and do in Grand Marais. You can easily fill a couple of days exploring all this town has to offer!

The Greatest of the Lakes

Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world! It’s also the cleanest and the clearest of the Great Lakes. The expansive blue water gives the North Shore some serious ocean vibes, but if you look closely you can just make out the coast of Wisconsin on the horizon.

As a Minnesota local, I can tell you that the drive along the North Shore is a pretty epic way to spend a weekend. It’s also beautiful at any time of year! You’ll find yourself wanting to make the trip multiple times to see how the changing seasons transform the scenery.

Have any questions about your road trip up the North Shore? Let me know in the comments below!