19 Exciting Things to Do in Grand Marais, MN
Are you searching for the best things to do in Grand Marais, MN? This is the list for you!
There are so many fun activities and stops to make in Grand Marais, and as someone who has visited this small town more times than I can count, I have a few favorites.
I grew up just 2 hours from Grand Marais and we visited at least once a month, and still do, so Tyler and I have tons of experience here!
In this post, I’ll share all of my personal favorites (spoiler alert – my top favorite is White Sky Rock) to help you plan your trip to this amazing North Shore destination.
Best Things to Do in Grand Marais
1. Visit Artist Point
This is likely one of the first stops that you’ll make in Grand Marais, as it’s one of the most popular and easiest to access!
Artist Point is a piece of land that juts out into Lake Superior, right in town. There’s a breakwater that you can walk out onto or there’s an area to the other side where you can walk along the rocky shoreline through the trees.
I typically prefer to go near the trees, as there are fewer people!
This is a really nice spot for sunrise or sunset, and there are typically quite a few people because of how beautiful the views are off of the shoreline.
2. See the Grand Marais Lighthouse
While you’re at Artist Point, you’ll also get to see the Grand Marais Lighthouse, whichs sits on the breakwater.
You can actually walk right up to it, and it’s really nothing crazy, just a small white lighhthouse at the end of town.
This lighthouse always impresses me because Lake Superior can have some pretty nasty waves, and it still stands!
3. Hike Pincushion Mountain
This easy 4 mile roundtrip trail through the Superior National Forest leads you to a stunning overlook of the trees and lake.
The trailhead is just a few miles up the Gunflint Trail, and the views from the top are really beautiful!
I’ve found that this trail can get busy, but it’s not as busy as other trails around here. Which makes it a good one to escape some crowds.
I also always recommend visiting these overlook trails during the fall months when the leaves are changing color because the North Shore in fall is phenomenal!
4. Grab a Donut at World’s Best Donuts
There’s a reason that this small shop has been named ‘World’s Best Donuts.’ They seriously make some of the world’s best donuts.
I personally love their Skizzles, but a lot of people head in just for a classic cake donut.
The shop opened way back in the 1960s and ever since, pretty much everyone that visits Grand Marais makes a stop in to grab a treat. It’s well worth the visit!
5. Hike to Devil’s Kettle
What used to be one of the North Shore’s biggest mysteries has always been a super popular spot to visit.
Devil’s Kettle is a waterfall that looks like half of the water disappears into a random hole in the rock, never to be seen again.
Hydrologists and scientists have solved the mystery recently and figured out where the water goes, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting to visit.
It’s a really gorgeous North Shore waterfall and because the trail is only 2 miles long, there are often lots of people out on it!
6. Explore the Superior Hiking Trail
If you’re looking for some great hikes near Grand Marais, the Superior Hiking Trail really has you covered.
This 300+ mile trail has tons of sections to hike, or you can pack up and hike the entire thing, starting in Duluth and ending in Grand Portage!
I’ve personally never thruhiked this trail, but I have hiked many, many sections! My favorite near Grand Marais is the sections from Britton Peak to Lutsen Mountain.
My favorite part about the Superior Hiking Trail is that there are quite a few different sections that you can hike to escape the crowds and find a few great hidden gems!
7. Eat Dinner at The Fisherman’s Daughter
A trip to Grand Marais wouldn’t be complete for Tyler and I without a trip to The Fisherman’s Daughter.
This is our favorite North Shore restaurant, and we always go in and grab a basket of shrimp and chips!
My favorite part (besides the food!) is that you can sit out on the patio and watch the waves on Lake Superior. It’s really beautiful, and a nice, relaxing spot for dinner.
8. Hike to Oberg Mountain
This is one of the most popular trails to hike while visiting Grand Marais because of how incredibly beautiful it is.
It’s only a 2.3 mile trail, but there is a bit more elevation gain. Although it’s fairly easy, especially if you go clockwise and get the elevation done right away!
There are a ton of overlooks, the most popular being the overlook of Oberg Lake. But my favorite is a bit further once you come to an opening near a fence, looking out at the Superior National Forest.
Tyler and I sat here and just stared for probably a good 20 minutes because of how stunning it is, espeically when the leaves change color!
9. Browse the Cook County Market
I love myself a good farmers market, and the Cook County Market is basically that! It takes place on Saturdays from May to October.
At the market you’ll find tons of different vendors with locally made goods like jewelry, pottery, art, soaps, clothing, paintings, food, and more.
I love just browsing through and seeing what’s new, because there is always something!
10. Drive the Gunflint Trail
If it’s a rainy day, driving the Gunflint Trail is a really great option for something to do in Grand Marais!
This long road (yes, it’s a paved road, even though it’s called a trail) leads from Grand Marais to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Along the way there are tons of different hiking trails that lead to beautiful views, but the most fun part, in my opinion, is the wildlife!
There are often moose and bear out along the Gunflint Trail, so always keep your eyes open!
11. Have a Drink at Voyageur Brewing
One way that many people like to end the day is with a drink, so visiting Voyageur Brewing Company in Grand Marais is perfect for that!
They have a pretty wide selection of craft beers to choose from and you can enjoy it all in their taproom, which also serves food.
They also have tours that you can take, if you’re interested in learning more about how the brewery works!
12. Visit Cascade River State Park
The North Shore has 8 different state parks, but Cascade River is the closest to Grand Marais!
And what I love about it so much is that even though it’s closest, it’s almost always less busy than others like Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock, and Tettegouche.
There are a ton of small waterfalls in the park and you can follow the Cascade River along a bunch of different trails.
And since hiking is one of the best things to do in Grand Marais, this is a perfect way to spend your day!
13. Enjoy Dessert at Sydney’s Frozen Custard
I’d be lieing if I said that I was able to turn down ice cream or frozen custard. I just can’t. So we always make a stop at Sydney’s Frozen Custard!
They make homemade custard that is perfect for a cool summer treat. I always order a sundae, specifically the Savanah Split.
We actually sometimes like to grab out sundaes and take them down to Artist Point since it’s close by!
14. Explore Downtown Grand Marais
If you’re not much for hikes or being too far into nature, then spending time right in Grand Marais may be great for you!
There are quite a few small shops right in Downtown Grand Marais, and because of how small the town is, you can walk right to all of them!
My favorite shop is Lake Superior Trading Post, which is a huge store that sells everything from souvenirs to outdoor gear, clothing, snacks, and more.
15. Go Skiing at Lutsen Mountain
Although you can’t do this in the summer, winter on the North Shore is honestly just as great!
Skiing at Lutsen Mountain is some of the best in the state, so if you’re visiting Grand Marais in winter, you have to check it out.
It’s great for skiiers and snowboarders, and my favorite runs are on the face of Moose Mountain.
Another way to enjoy Lutsen Mountain not in the winter is by taking a gondola or alpine slide ride during summer or fall!
And if downhill skiing isn’t your thing, then you could also check out some of the hundreds of miles of cross country ski trails.
16. Hike to White Sky Rock
One of my favorite hikes that I’ve ever done is to White Sky Rock. This stunning hike is somewhere that I only heard of a few years ago, and I can’t believe it.
It’s really short, but really steep. But also has REALLY great views!
The trailhead is just outside of Grand Marais, and in the fall months, the colors are just spectacular as they surround Caribou Lake.
But it’s amazing any time of year, and I pretty much hike it everytime I visit because I can’t get enough.
17. Have a Sauna at Sisu and Loyly
This is probably one of the most unique Grand Marais things to do on this list, but it’s perfect for relaxing, especially after a full day of exploring.
Sisu and Loyly have saunas that you can relax in, either private or communal.
And they have one of the most unique things ever – a floating sauna, right on Devil Track Lake. It’s actually the first floating sauna open to the public in the United States!
18. Go Mountain Biking
I recently had a newfound love for mountain biking after giving it another shot in the Superior National Forest (my first time I went, I faceplanted into the ground).
And the trails are just beautiful! My favorite part is that there are plenty of trails for beginners (like myself) and more advanced riders (like Tyler).
Plus we visited in fall and it was breathtaking as we rode through forests of bright yellow and orange.
And if you don’t have your own bike, we recommend renting from Sawtooth Outfitters! We got ours there, and they were so easy to work with!
19. Eat Pizza at Sven and Oles
A classic place to eat while in Grand Marais is Sven and Oles, which serves the best pizza in town!
They really embrace their Scandinavian roots here, and I know so many people that visit Grand Marais just to grab a bite to eat here.
I personally love their Bacon Ranch pizza, although all of their creations are honestly delicious.
Conclusion: Grand Marais, MN Things to Do
There are so many amazing things to do during a visit to Grand Marais, and you couldn’t possibly fit it into one weekend!
Now that you have all of your activities locked down, you’re ready to explore and take on one of the best small towns on the North Shore – Grand Marais, MN!
