I gave myself less than 7 days to plan a trip to Lutsen, MN – a ski resort town on the North Shore of Lake Superior. What started as a weekend retreat returned into a complete adventure of heated hikes, cool waters, and a night of crystallized skies. Below I’ve outlined 16 things to do if you, like me, have 36 hours in the North Shore!
1. Take the scenic route.
One of the joys of the North Shore is the drive. There are so many overlook stops along Lake Superior. Take it all in, and enjoy the journey!
2. Have a picnic lunch on the Black Beach.
It’s exactly what it says it is – a beach with black sand! Located in Silver Bay, MN, Black Beach has everything you need for a great picnic: Tables, fire pits, and beautiful scenery. The waters are shallow and chilled, and the cliffs provide a gorgeous contrast to the greens of the trees.
3. Explore Tettegouche State Park.
Fabulous hikes (see #4 and #5), gorgeous views, clean bathrooms, a water bottle station and a cafe! AND it’s open all day, every day. You’re welcome!
4. Visit the High Falls.
I mean… we’re talking about an oasis here. 1.5 miles from the trailhead to the cool mist from these falls. You can’t beat that! I suggest an early start – I sat here taking photos for maybe 45 minutes between 11 – 11:45 a.m. and it got really busy!
5. Hike to Palisade Head.
Beautiful blue waters cut by the cliffs of the North Shore, what more could you ask for? This hike is short, but mainly uphill. The trail is well-kept, you won’t find garbage or broken stairs on your route. AND your fitness tracker will be so proud of you for climbing through some elevation.
6. Take a Gondola ride up to Moose Mountain.
No, not like the gondolas in Italy! In the winter, the Summit Express Gondola serves as a ski lift. In the summers however, it turns into a gorgeous way to see the mountains. Round trip you’ll pay $24, but it was well worth it IMO! (Pro tip: They also have an alpine slide if you’re looking for a bit of a thrill).
7. Have brunch at Betty’s Pies.
Pie. Do I really need to say anything else? It’s a northern Minnesota staple. Your only regret will be that you didn’t get two slices.
8. Have a glass of wine at the North Shore Winery.
This was a pleasant surprise. After a long day of hiking, having a winery/cider house just down the road from my hotel was kind of brilliant. They beautiful outdoor seating and bonfire! You could do a tasting for $9, or full glasses for between $6 – $9. I enjoyed some unique flavors (the Honeymoon Trail Rose was fabulous!) and, bonus, the artwork on the bottles is all from local artists!
9. Enjoy live music at Papa Charlie’s.
An unexpected highlight. I had originally gone here for dinner, but when my waiter suggested I pop over to their bar for some music, I couldn’t say no! Papa Charlie’s had some of the friendliest staff, and the clientele was awesome too! You can equate the vibe to that of “Dirty Dancing” resort style, except nobody put Baby in the corner.
10. Hike the Superior Hiking Trail.
Where, you ask? Honestly, anywhere! I hiked it at Temperance River State Park, but no matter where you go, you are sure to have an amazing view!
They have a lot of trails here at Temperance, I could’ve spent an entire day here if I wanted!
11. Ride the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
A train ride is a lovely classic experience, but add in the scenery of Lake Superior between April and October and you’ll be sure to take home memories and photos to last a lifetime. The North Shore Scenic Railroad is something I have enjoyed as both a kid and an adult, so it’s fun for everyone!
12. Sit and enjoy the peaceful sounds of the Temperance River Gorge.
13. Camp at Gooseberry Falls.
I didn’t get a chance to do this, but I’ve visited Gooseberry Falls a number of times and will guarantee cool nights and gorgeous views. Plus their visitor center is nice, with full functioning bathrooms and a nature store!
14. Snack on some ice cream at the Big Dipper ice cream shoppe.
I scream…you scream…get yo’self some ICE CREAM. Especially after a long day of adventuring.
15. Go see the Split Rock Lighthouse.
$10 for a history lesson and a view to boot? I’ll take it! You can see this sight by tour, trail, waterway, or even camp on the grounds. Either way, the Split Rock Lighthouse is a must for first-time North Shore visitors.
16. Stargazing.
I was lucky. The one night that I was in Lutsen, the skies were clear and the crispness of the air held a breath of romance. Now, I’m a sky lover. Everything from the sparkle of the stars glittering the night sky to the moon’s light kissing the blades of grass. Even if you don’t love the night sky as much as I do, you’ll see millions of stars with a clear night and a good glass of wine. Enjoy it a bit, let your mind wander, and marvel at this beautiful world we live in.
