31 Fun Things to Do on the North Shore, MN (Complete Guide From a Minnesotan)

If you’re looking for the best things to do on the North Shore, Minnesota, you’re in for a treat!

From the tallest waterfall in the state to local restaurants and thrilling alpine slides, there are adventures for everyone of all ages in this area of Minnesota.

We grew up just 1.5 hours from the North Shore and have spent nearly half of our summer weekends exploring it since we were just little. We love exploring the outdoors here and have come across some pretty amazing activities during our years spent.

Now let’s dive into some of the best North Shore activities so you too can see why this area of Minnesota is one of our favorite spots in the state!

Things To Do on the North Shore, Minnesota

1. See the Waterfalls at Gooseberry Falls

The North Shore is absolutely jam packed with waterfalls which I think is really what draws most people there! And one of the most popular is Gooseberry Falls.

This waterfall can be reached just a short walk away from the parking lot. It drops in 3 tiers and is really gorgeous.

But there are usually a lot of people there, which is why Tyler and I like to hike to Fifth Falls which is about a 3 mile loop trail and gets you away from the crowds.

Whenever we’ve hiked it, we’ve only seen 3-5 people on the trail which is amazing considering the group that gathers at the main falls.

2. Visit Split Rock Lighthouse

Another crowd favorite on the North Shore is Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Two Harbors.

This waterfall sits perched high above Lake Superior and you can take a tour of it in the summer or just go look at it from down on the beach.

We always like to take the spur trails that wind down to the beach and then search for sea glass while looking at the lighthouse.

The Day Hill loop in the park is also really beautiful and a great North Shore hike to add to your list.

3. Wander Around Black Beach

There are a lot of great hidden gems on the North Shore, but one of the most unique is Black Beach.

This small beach is the only of its kind in Minnesota and is what the name suggests – a beach with black sand.

It’s become pretty popular in recent years, but it’s still worth the stop. There are picnic tables and fire rings on the beach so it’s a perfect spot for a picnic lunch.

Be sure to kind of ignore Google Map’s directions and go all the way down the road to the last parking lot to make sure you’re at the right beach!

4. Grab a Donut at World’s Best Donuts

If you have a sweet tooth all the time like I do, then you’re definitley going to want to stop at World’s Best Donuts in Grand Marais.

This tiny shop is only open during the summer and has some of the best donuts that you’ll ever have.

I personally love their skizzles but I know a lot of people go in just for the cake donuts. I would recommend grabbing a few and taking them to go because you’re going to want to come back for more, and they are usually pretty busy!

5. Go Brewery Hopping

If you like breweries, there are quite a few in Duluth and along the North Shore that are perfect for stopping at during your visit!

Starting in Duluth you’ll find Bent Paddle, Ursa Minor, Lake Superior, Hoops, Canal Park, and quite a few others.

Along the North Shore there’s Castle Danger in Two Harbors and Voyageurs in Grand Marais!

There’s also the North Shore Winery in Lutsen which is a great stop to see their vineyard!

6. Check Out Glensheen Mansion

This huge historic mansion sits right on the shores of Lake Superior and is known as one of the most beautiful historic homes in Minnesota.

You can take a tour of the mansion and see the 20th century decor and craftsmanship as well as learn about the Congdons who once called Glensheen home.

There’s quite a lot to learn about the history here from murders (visit during October for a spooky tour) and weddings, plus in the winter it’s decked out in lights and you can take a candlelit tour through the decorated halls!

7. Hike to Minnesota’s Tallest Waterfall

If you know me, you’ll know that I love to hike! Which is why my favorite thing to do on the North Shore is hike to Minnesota’s tallest waterfall.

Found in Tettegouche State Park, High Falls is 60 feet tall and you can reach it with about a 3 mile hike through the forest.

My favorite time of year to visit High Falls is the spring because it is flowing super strong from snowmelt. I’ve even taken my dog Bella here a few times and she has loved it!

I will say that this trail gets pretty busy in the summer though, so I recommend starting your hike earlier in the day!

8. Ride the Lutsen Gondola

Lutsen and the North Shore in general are known for incredible fall colors, and taking a ride on the Lutsen Gondola is one of the best and easiest ways to see them.

The gondola takes you to the top of Moose Mountain which overlooks a sea of red, yellow, and orange in September and October.

You can also take the gondola up to Moose Mountain in the summer and pass over the fields of purple, pink, and white lupines which is on my bucket list.

Once you’ve made it to the top, I recommend straying from the overlook and taking a short spur trail off the main path. This gets you away from some crowds and you can find your own incredible viewpoints!

9. Go Downhill Skiing at Lutsen Mountain

Skiing is one of my favorite parts of winter on the North Shore, especially because we’re spoiled with an amazing ski resort like Lutsen Mountain.

Lutsen Mountain is the largest ski resort in the midwest and has almost 100 runs that overlook Lake Superior.

It’s really a beautiful resort and perfect for spending some time on the North Shore in the winter months.

My favorite runs go right down Moose Mountain, which is beautiful and perfect for intermediate skiiers and snowboarders.

10. Walk the Duluth Lakewalk

Not only are there amazing hikes on the North Shore, but right in Duluth you’ll find the Lakewalk, which runs right along Lake Superior!

This is a paved trail, so it’s not as much of a ‘hike,’ but we love either biking or walking down this path that stretched from Bayfront Park to Brighton Beach.

You’ll go pass Canal Park, Glensheen Mansion, Leif Erickson Park, and Lester Park while walking along this, and there are plenty of places to start and stop, since it is an 8 mile trail.

11. See the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth

Before you make your way up the North Shore, making a stop at the Aerial Lift Bridge is a must, since it’s one of the few operating lift bridges in the state.

You can either drive over the bridge onto Park Point or walk over.

I typically like to actually just see the Aerial Lift Bridge from Canal Park since there are some pretty amazing views of it there. You can also watch as the shipping containers and boats pass under the bridge, which is pretty interesting to see.

12. Visit Grand Portage National Monument

Minnesota is only home to a couple of national parks/monuments, and one of them is found in Grand Portage!

This is a pretty interesting monument where you can learn the history of the fur trade and colonization of the northwest.

There are trails, a museum, programs, and a depot to wander through that will teach you more of the history.

While you’re in Grand Portage, be sure to also go visit High Falls of the Pigeon River, the state’s second tallest waterfall.

13. Take a Day Trip to Isle Royale National Park

My family loves checking national parks off of our to-visit list, and Isle Royale was one that was easy to do!

You can take a day trip to Isle Royale from Grand Portage on one of their boats. The island is really unique with no inhabitants and a population of around 1,000 moose and about 30 wolves, according to Michigan Tech.

We were lucky enough to see quite a few moose on our visit (we even heard them crunching on leaves outside of our tent at night) but didn’t see any wolves.

However, it’s a super fun trip and worth the quick day trip if you have the time!

14. Drive the Gunflint Trail

While the North Shore Scenic Drive (Highway 61) is beautiful, there are a few other scenic drives on the North Shore, like the Gunflint Trail to check out too!

The Gunflint Trail starts in Grand Marais and stretches across the entire northern point of Minnesota up into the Boundary Waters.

It passes by tons of hiking trails, beautiful stopping points, and gives you the best chance of any to see wildlife like moose and bear.

The Gunflint Trail, unlike the name suggests, is a paved road, and is particularly beautiful in the fall!

15. Grab a Bite to Eat at The Fisherman’s Daughter

There are tons of amazing places to eat on the North Shore, but my personal favorite is The Fisherman’s Daughter and we always make a point to stop!

The little restaurant is located right in Grand Marais on the shores of Lake Superior and sells baskets of fish or shrimp and fries (chips).

I highly recommend the shrimp and chips and then taking that outside to sit on the patio.

If you’re not a fish and chips type of person, other places like Angry Trout and Hungry Hippie are great places to eat in Grand Marais.

16. Enjoy Pie at Betty’s Pies or Rustic Inn

I’m not sure what it is about pie and the North Shore, but a stop at Betty’s Pies or Rustic Inn will gives you one of the best treats to enjoy.

Now it’s a hard choice to decide which is better, but honestly Tyler and I both prefer Rustic Inn (shhh… don’t tell Betty).

I recommend the Raspberry Cream (or any of the cream pies, honestly) and Tyler loves the North Shore Berry Crumb, which is comparable to Betty’s Great Lakes Crunch.

17. Swim at Park Point Beach

There aren’t many beaches on Lake Superior that are sandy and nice to swim in, but Park Point Beach in Duluth is actually a really nice spot!

Now that’s not to say that the water won’t be cold, because it will be. All year long. But it can be nice for a quick dip on a really hot day.

I actually just like sitting on the beach and listening to the waves crash in. It’s not often that you can find a spot in Minnesota that feels like you’re at the ocean. And this is it!

18. Visit the Unique Iona’s Beach

One of my favorite beaches on the North Shore for just sitting back and relaxing is Iona’s Beach.

It’s unique from the rest, since all of the rocks on the beach are a light pink color and as the tumble against each other, they make this light humming sound. You’ll have to listen carefully, but it’s really pretty!

During the few times that we’ve visited, there hasn’t been anyone on the beach, which is really nice. It’s not typically as popular of a spot as other beaches, so it’s nice for some solitude.

19. See the Views at Palisade Head

I absolutely love a good viewpoint, which is why Palisade Head is one of my favorite stops on the entire North Shore.

It’s a steep road that leads you to the overlook, which has a small, busy parking lot. But once you’ve made it, the views are astounding.

People go rock climbing on Palisade Head, you can see Tettegouche State Park from the top, and it’s just really unique to stand way up on this ledge and wonder how many miles out into the lake you’re looking.

My favorite time of year to visit here is fall since it’s pretty quiet in the morning and afternoon hours. Plus there are some small spots that change color and it’s quite beautiful.

20. Hike the Superior Hiking Trail

If you’re a hiker, then this is the ultimate hiking spot for you. The Superior Hiking Trail is a 300+ mile thru trail that stretches from Duluth to Grand Portage.

I have yet to hike the entire thing, but I’ve hiked many, many sections of it! And even if you’re not thru hiking, you can find trailheads that lead onto the SHT and loop back or end at another spot, to shorten the distance.

My favorite sections are between Silver Bay and Grand Marais, since they lead through places like Oberg Mountain, Bean and Bear Lakes, and Tettegouche State Park.

21. Wander Canal Park

Canal Park is such an adorable part of Duluth that sits right on the water. I have been finding time to wander through here every summer since I was just little.

There are dozens of small shops, restaurants, ice cream stores, and other activities like horse-drawn carriage rides.

You can also go see the Duluth Lighthouse, have a better view of the Aerial Lift Bridge, and have a picnic down on the lawn near the lake.

My favorite stops in Canal Park are Northern Waters Smokehaus, Love Creamery, I Love Duluth, and the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center and Museum.

22. See Artist Point

There are a lot of really great viewpoints of Lake Superior along the North Shore, but one of the best is right in Grand Marais at Artist Point.

This is a piece of land that just out into the lake and you can wander along it and see some beautiful views along the rocky cliffs of Lake Superior.

You can also check out the Grand Marais Lighthouse on the breakwater, one of the best activities in Grand Marais, from the area around Artist Point.

23. Hike to Shovel Point

As I mentioned above, I love a good viewpoint, especially when they’re easy to get to. Which is why I love Shovel Point in Tettegouche State Park!

This stunning overlook is only about a 1 mile roundtrip hike, and while there are some stairs, it’s fairly easy if you take your time.

The main view is the one you see above, looking out over the shoreline and the lake. You can even see Palisade Head in the distance.

I recommend continuing on past that as well to see a viewpoint in the other direction that looks into a small cove where the water turns into a bright turquoise. It’s amazing!

24. Go Snowshoeing in Winter

If you’re visiting during winter and aren’t much of a skier, there are also tons of places that you can take out snowshoes along the shore!

In fact, most of the state parks allow snowshoeing as long as you aren’t on a groomed hiking or cross country skiing trail.

I’d recommend checking out the High Falls trail in Tettegouche State Park, and just staying to the side of it.

Seeing the waterfall frozen is magical and something that’s on my bucket list for the upcoming winter!

25. Take the Kids to North Shore Adventure Park

If you’re visiting the North Shore with kids, there are tons of different activities to do that my brother and I did when we were younger!

Something that I wish was around when we were younger is the North Shore Adventure Park!

Here you’ll find a ropes course and zipline right in Silver Bay. It’s pretty fun to walk along the beams, ropes, and make your way through the course.

And when I say bring the kids… that doesn’t mean that it’s only for kids. Because if I’m being honest, Tyler and I have definitely done a ropes course or two in our adult lives.

26. Hike to Oberg Mountain

Another favorite hike along the North Shore is Oberg Mountain, which leads to the stunning overlook in the photo.

That’s Oberg Lake in the background, during the fall when it’s most popular.

However, I recommend checking this spot out and then continuing along the loop until you reach an open area with a fence. This is the real winner, in my book. It’s a stunning viewpoint that opens up and you can see those beautiful fall colors for miles!

The loop is actually pretty easy and we recommend going clockwise to get the elevation done right away! After that, it’s fairly flat and downhill.

27. Go Camping on Lake Superior’s Shoreline

If you’re an outdoors lover like us, then you’ll probably be up for doing some camping along the North Shore!

And lucky for you, this is the most beautiful spot to go in the entire state.

Especially if you choose a campground like the Lake Superior Cart-In Campground near Tettegouche State Park or the Burlington Bay Campground in Two Harbors, which are both right on the lake!

We’ve actually only stayed in hotels and the North Shore’s cabins a few times along the shoreline because we love visiting and staying in different campsites!

28. Go Mountain Biking in Lutsen

Lutsen was the first place that Tyler and I went mountain biking, and it was such an incredible experience that we’ve been back again and again!

There are miles upon miles of mountain bike trails around the North Shore, and they all lead you through and to some pretty great views.

We rode the Jackpot and High Climber Trails which are great for all levels of riders (I’m saying that because I’m beginner and did just fine!) and a ton of fun!

29. Grab Ice Cream at Portland Malt Shoppe

If you’re an ice cream lover like myself, then you’re going to want to make a stop at the Portland Malt Shoppe in Duluth.

This small shop is only open in the summer and you can tell how good it is by the line that’s usually down the block.

It’s near Leif Erickson Park and they have all sorts of treats, but of course they’re most well known for their malts. My favorite has always been the Cookies and Cream malt, but I’m sure all of the other flavors are just as great.

30. See the Northern Lights

If you’re looking for a place to see the northern lights without booking a flight to Iceland, you’re in luck.

The North Shore is an incredible spot to see the northern lights when they’re out, and since there is minimal light pollution and tons of open spaces, you can find many places to see them.

I personally love the Gunflint Trail and any of the state parks for watching for the lights.

Check out those incredible green lights that we saw last year during one of the peak times of year! It was a night I’ll never forget!

31. Go Down the Alpine Slide in Lutsen

Another pretty fun adventure is the alpine slide at Lutsen Mountain. It’s great for kids and adults, trust me.

It winds down the forest in Lutsen and you actually get to control the speed, so you can go as slow or fast as you like.

It’s really a lot of fun and honestly, I think I’ve seen more adults have fun on it than kids, so don’t be ashamed and let your inner child out to play!

Frequently Asked Questions About the North Shore, MN

How Long is the North Shore Scenic Drive?

The North Shore Scenic Drive is nearly 150 miles and stretches from Duluth to Grand Portage.

What is Considered the North Shore of Minnesota?

The North Shore of Minnesota is considred to be the stretch of land between Duluth and Grand Portage that lines Lake Superior.

Where Does the North Shore Scenic Drive Start?

The North Shore Scenic Drive technically starts right around the edge of Duluth, although it switches from 4-lane to 2-lane just before Two Harbors.

Is the North Shore Worth Visiting?

Yes, the North Shore, Minnesota is absolutely worth visiting as there are so many amazing things to do! From waterfalls to hikes, camping, great restaurants, and more, there’s fun to be had for everyone.

Conclusion: North Shore, MN

Whether you’re visiting in the middle of summer or the dead of winter, there are so many amazing things to do on the North Shore, MN that you’ll never be bored.

If you’re looking for outdoor adventures or time spent at a luxurious resort, there’s something for everyone, and as a local to the area, I hope that you enjoy your time exploring!