mileage from Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge Stops Along Old Highway "Scenic" 61 0.0 North Shore Scenic Railroad Ride 5.2 Brighton Beach A cobblestone beach perfect for skipping stones, agate-hunting, ship-watching and picniking. Summer-use restrooms, too. 10.5 McQuade Harbor Rest Area A spanky little safe harbor with a boat launch, kayak ramp, restrooms, and walkway with tunnel out along the east breakwall, which includes three fishing platforms. 12.1 French River Fish Hatchery The MN Separtment of Natural Resources (DNR) incubates a variety of fish here. Self-guided tours available weekdays. 13.8 Bluebird Landing Stop at this old landing area and dock and try some shorecasting! You can also Fish the Talmade, French and Sucker Rivers. 15.0 Stoney Point Loop Drive the one-mile scenic road; ideal for wave watching on stormy days and relaxing on calm days. 19.5 Knife River A DNR-run marina, the river and beach back the little burg of Knife River, home to a few shops and excellent smoked fish. That's Knife Island sitting just offshore in Lake Superior 22.0 Larsmont Home of the Little Red Schoolhouse, on the National Register of Historic Places, which acts as a community hub for area residents - stop and see what's happening. To Do in Two Harbors On the Waterfront Watch lakers [Great Lakes ships, salties are ocean-bound ships] maneuver in and out of Agate Bay Visit the Two Harbors Light Station, the oldest operating light station in Minnesota Tour the Edna G, the last coal-fed, steam-powered tugboat in operation on the Great Lakes Expereince local history at the 3M Museum and the Depot Museum Ride the North Shore Scenic Railroad from the lakeside depot Walk or bike the waterfront Sonju Trail Look for an agate in Agate Bay! On or Near Highway 61 Shop the town! Stop at the Superior Hiking Trail headquarters for trail maps and information Attend a weekly summer concert at Thomas Owens Park, or one the festivals and events Go touring on a back-country snowmobile trail Fuel up for the day on excellent fare Cross-country ski at night on the Erkki Harju Trail mileage from Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge 8 Great State Parks 39.5 Gooseberry Falls State Park . . .Gooseberry River is pictured above 46.0 Split Rock Lighthouse State Park 58.5 Tettegouche State Park 60.2 + 14 miles inland George H. Crosby Manitou State Park 80.4 Temperance River State Park 99.8 Cascade River State Park 123.8 Judge C. R. Magney State Park 150.8 Grand Portage State Park Gooseberry to Beaver Bay Hike to Wolf Rock Kayak a section of the Lake Superior Water Trail Ride the Gitchi Gami Bike Trail 50.0 Beaver Bay Enjoy the eclectic mix of shops and restaurants Admire the splendid Beaver River, Falls and Bay Pay your respects to John Beargrease, legendary mail carrier along the North Shore. The burial site is just north of Hwy 61 on Old Towne Road. Drive the back roads to Silver Bay! mileage from Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge Silver Bay, Finland, Little Marais Area 53.7 From the Silver Bay Marina, watch ships being loaded with taconite 54.0 Drive the backwoods from Silver Bay to Finland and back to Hwy 61 56.0 Drive to the top of Palisade Head (seasonally), look over the cliffs and pick blueberries 58.5 Walk the spur trails to Shovel Point and the mouth of the Baptism River at Tettegouche State Park 58.5 Snowmobile over Palisade Creek to the valley overlook and connect with three other trails 60.2 [+ 14 miles] Plan a picnic and day hike to the Manitou River at Crosby Manitou State Park 65.2 [+ 7 miles] Have your picture taken with St. Urho in Finland, MN mileage from Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge To Do in Schroeder & Tofte 73.3 Learn area natural and human history at Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center 77.0 Drive down to Taconite Harbor, a Lake Superior safe harbor. 78.8 Snap photos of the Cross River Falls from the wayside areas and bridge. 78.8 Check out the Cross River heritage Center near the river on Hwy 61. 78.8 Ride the Gitch Gami Trail past Tofte to the Onion River R and back [11 miles round trip]. 79.0 Visit Father Baraga's Cross at the moouth of the Cross River and find out who he was. 80.4 Hike to the gorges at Temperance River State Park. 80.4 Cross the footbridge over the Temperance River. 80.4 During Fall Color season, drive up the Temperance River Road, turn east on the 600 Road and return ot Hwy 61 south on the Sawbill Trail. 82.4 Get info about everything to do in the woods at the Tofte Ranger Station. 83.0 Picnic on Lake Superior at Tofte Park. 83.0 Rent snowshoes and tramp out in the woods. 83.0 Check out the parade, music, Tofte Trek and other fun at the 4th of July celebration. 83.4 Learn about commercial fishing, past and present, on the Lakewalk and at the North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum. 83.4 Hike the quick, steep trail to Britton's Peak [2.5 miles north of Hwy 61 on the Sawbill Trail]. mileage from Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge Lutsen Activities List 86.1 Hike the Oberg Mountain Loop during Fall Colors. 86.1 Mountain bike on the Onion River Road [north of the parking lot] to Barker Lake and on! 90.0 Golf a round at "The Cadillac of Golf Courses," Superior National at Lutsen 90.1 Ride the Gondola over the Poplar River Valley to the Moose Mountain summit, especially during Fall Colors. 90.1 Alpine ski all four mountains at Lutsen Mountains. 90.1 Wet a line at the mouth of the Poplar Rover. 91.9 Browse books, gifts, treats, necessities and fine art; then stop for a latte break or lunch. 99.8 Find the cascades on the Cascade River. Grand Marais To Do Walk out to Artist's Point along the east breakwall to the lighthouse Learn about the area's past at the Cook County Historical Museum Watch, or better yet ride, the two-masted schooner 50-foot Hjordis; board at North House Folk School Skip stones in the harbor and along the East Bay Hike to Sweetheart's Bluff in the municipal campground Pick up a game of tennis Mountain bike ride, hike and ski the Pincushion Mountain trails See who or what is playing at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts Pick up treats in town and picnic shoreside at Cut Face Rest Area East, drink, shop and relax! Stroll through the Johnson Heritage Post Eat a fishburger at Fisherman's Picnic [1st full weekend in August] Take the kids to all 3 playgrounds Side Trip up the Gunflint Trail The Gunflint Trail is now a National Scenic Byway! Spend the day traveling this 57-mile, paved roadway up over the ridgeline and through the woods. Fish! Cast a line in the lakes scattered throughout the area. Paddle! Bring your canoe or cal an outfitter and rent one! Paddle any of the lakes. Shop! Shop at the cluster of shops mid-trail near Poplar Lake, on the south side of Gunflint Lake and towards the end of the trail. Dine! Bearskin Lodge, Trail Center Lodge, Windigo Lodge, Gunflint Pines and Trails End all offer meals. Call ahead for hours. Hike! All the resorts have marked trails and the Gunflint Ranger Station in Grand Marais can provide trail maps. See a moose! Be sure to look at dawn and dusk in swampy areas for moose. mileage from Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge Northeast to the Border 112.5 Stroll the walking road, County Road 87, a 1-1/2 mile stretch along Superior's shores 115.0 Enjoy the wide open vistas at Five Mile Rock, a landmark for early travelers 118.7 Picnic, hike, skip stones and relax at Kadunce River Wayside 123.8 Tip your hat to Judge Magney, namesake of this state park and visionary who helped establish 11 North Shore state parks and waysides 142.0 Admire the panorama of Lake Superior, the Susie Islands, Isle Royale and the Rock of Ages Lighthouse from any of the Mount Josephine pull-offs 145.0 Learn art, culture and history at the Grand Portage National Monument Heritage Center 145 - 150.8 Climb the 1/2-mile trail from the Monument to Mount Rose, hike the historic 17-mile round-trip Grand Portage or amble the 1/2-mile paved walk to the High Falls at the state park 151.0 Make your trip international - cross the border and spend some time in Canada [you will need a passport to retunr to the U.S.] Great Things to Do All Along the Shore Relax Fish the big lake - Lake Superior Listen for coyotes howling Sleep in really late Go out for Happy Hour Do some shopping Try locally made maple syrup Count the points on a white-tail deer's antlers River ski Take a nap Watch the freshwater whale migration Check out stunning coastal ice formations Buy a souvenir Admire one-of-a-kind art and jewelry Attend a Pow Wow Take lots of pictures Have a cuppa joe at a local cafe Marvel at the Northern Lights Browse books by local authors Find a wildflower and identify it Get sprayed by crashing waves Snowshoe through the woods Find the Mily Way, Orion and the North Star Watch the sled dog race Rainy Day Activities Visit Historical Museums in Duluth, Two Harbors, Schroeder, Tofte, Grand Marais, Grand Portage and seasonally in Beaver Bay and silver Bay Buy a rain poncho and go puddle jumping! Browse the wonderful libraries in Two Harbors, Silver Bay and Grand Marais If it's windy, drive to Lake Superior and wave watch Go swimming in the indoor pool at the Grand Marais Recreation Area Take a scenic drive: North Shore Scenic Drive, Superior National Forest Scenic Byway out of Silver Bay, or the Gunflint Scenic Byway out of Grand Marais Admire regional art at local galleries Buy and read a book by local author Drive the backroads and check out swamps for moose Read the local newspaper at a local coffee shop Tour the Grand Portage National Monument Buy area postcards and send them View the animal mounts, ask questions and learn something new at the Tofte and Gunflint Ranger Stations Play in the rain, get soaked to the bone and take a long sauna Sample local smoked fish and choose your favorite Head to the Two harbors waterfront to se if any ships are being loaded with taconite Find and inland lake and skinny dip [unless there's lightning] Play a board game all the way to the end Choose which class you would like to take at North House folk School Stop in at a Visitor Center and visit! Check out the brand new [in mid-201] visitor center at the Grand Portage State Park Take a big ol' nap More Activities to Choose From! Hiking Golfing Kayaking State Parks Calendar of Events Mountain Biking Fishing Picnic Spots 101 Things To Do Whale Watching Here are links to everything you need for your next North Shore visit! Lodging Lodging Specials Snow Reports Calendar of Events Weather Activities Attractions Winter Activities State Parks Real Estate Shopping Dining Fall Colors Shipwrecks new! Canoe Outfitters Site Map North Shore Photos   Sign Up Now!   Created and updated on a hill outside of Grand Marais, overlooking Lake Superior by NinaWorks! All Text, Images and Content Copyright © 2010 NorthShoreVisitor.com / Nina Simonowicz All Rights Reserved New! Download and print the North Shore Visitor brochure -> the best free print guide to MN's North Shore of Lake Superior.