This North Shore Itinerary is one of the prettiest drives you can do in Minnesota. Imagine sparkling water to your right, majestic evergreen trees to your left, and the curvy road ahead of you. Bliss.
On this itinerary, you will drive along the scenic highway 61, which starts in Duluth and ends shortly after Grand Portage State Park.
One of the best parts of the drive, is that it hugs along Lake Superior for much of the way north. Therefore, you will have stunning lake vistas, discover hiking trails, waterfalls and the most adorable towns you can imagine along the North Shore. Seriously, it’s one of the best drives in the state.
When is the best time to go to the North Shore?
The best time to go is in the spring (April, May) when the waterfalls are roaring and the bugs are not biting yet. But honestly, you can go all year round. Winter time is especially pretty with frozen waterfalls and perfect for skiing or snowshoeing. And as you would expect, summer is most popular for the warm weather and optimal weather for camping. Finally, fall is gorgeous with the changing of the leaves.
This itinerary can be done over a couple days, or you can totally make it a week-long vacation as well.
So, scroll along on this North Shore Itinerary to find all the places worth a stop on your journey north!
1. Tobies in Hinckley
Now, before you get to Duluth, you’ll most likely travel up highway 35W North for a little over 2 hours from the Twin Cities.
But that’s ok, because that gives you a chance to have the best rolls and doughnuts at the best halfway point in Minnesota… Tobies in Hinckley!
No drive up north is complete without stopping at Tobies for some scrumptious doughnuts. And you’ll probably need a bathroom break anyways. So, perfect excuse to stop!
Oh, and maybe more importantly, for those of us that need the coffee… There is a Caribou Coffee shop hiding in Tobies gas station as well. Just perfect.
For a more detailed guide on what to do in Hinckley and the surrounding areas, check out my guide on Hinckley.
2. Canal Park in Duluth
As you can probably tell by now, Lake Superior is HUGE. And with Duluth being at the very southwesterly point, it is the perfect gateway to this beautiful lake and the North shore.
Because Duluth is nestled right next to Lake Superior, you really feel like you are in a seaside town next to the ocean. To further capture that seaside feeling, be sure to check out Canal Park. Which is famous for its iconic lift bridge, cute shops, eateries and neat places to stay.
Duluth is also a perfect base from which to explore the North Shore. Stay at Pier B hotel, for the best view and ambience, Fitgers Inn, for a romantic stay and The Edgewater waterpark hotel for families.
If you just wanted to stop for lunch, try Northern Waters Smokehaus (order ahead) in Canal Park or New Scenic Café off of Hwy 61.
For a more in depth look at Duluth, read my post on things to do in Duluth.
3. Betty’s Pies
Betty’s humble beginnings started with a fish shack in 1957 and grew into the beloved Betty’s pies that it is today. Famous for their pies, but they also have an eatery menu worth stopping for as well. Try a veggie pastie, a delicious concoction of rutabaga, broccoli, spinach, cheddar and cream cheese baked in a flakey pastry.
4. Gooseberry Falls
Gooseberry Falls has a spectacular waterfall that is a short, easy, paved walk to the falls. You can gain closer access to the water by taking the stairs to the top of the falls or down to the river area. While the falls are amazing, the trees are equally neat to look at with tree roots going every which way.
Be sure to stop here to visit one of the most impressive waterfalls in Minnesota. Oh, and the best part? It’s free to visit!
5. Split Rock Lighthouse
Split Rock Lighthouse is a clifftop beauty that graces many Minnesotan photographs. You are able to tour the lighthouse and fog signal building (for a fee). But, you should also really explore the grounds and try your best photographers pose of this majestic view.
Lady’s tip: There are two ways to get down to the rocky shoreline area (for that primo picture). The first way, is down a LOT of steps that are right next to the buildings. Or, the second way, is taking the trail by the parking lot that is a dirt path with no steps (but a gradual incline on your way back). Personally, I like the no steps route!
♦ Side note: Campgrounds on the North Shore
For those of you that want to camp on the North Shore
This handy North Shore Campground guide shows you all the places along the North Shore where you can camp.
Little something to note- at some of these campgrounds you actually have to hike to get to your campsite. We have some pretty hardy campers in Minnesota that like to take the “roughing it” to a whole other level. So be sure to read the fine print or call and ask detailed questions of your campsite before booking.
6. Black Beach
Black Beach is a beach that actually has sand that is black. This was caused by the dumping of taconite by mining companies in years past.
Lady’s tip: There is no fee for this beach, and there is a small parking lot close to the entrance. People don’t normally stay long, so you should be able to park close to the entrance if you wait. Otherwise, you can park on the road as well.
Additionally, there is another beach down the road that is worth visiting with amazing views and a rocky shoreline. In fact, I accidently stopped here first thinking this was the black beach and I am glad I found this gem! It is a really beautiful spot and not as busy as Black beach. And they also have a bigger parking lot with outhouse toilets if the need arises.
Black Beach, along with the next two stops, (Palisade Head and Tettegouche State Park) are within five miles of one another so you can hit them all right in a row.
7. Palisade Head
Palisade Head is a clifftop look out area, where you can feel like a bird with amazing 180-degree views of cliffsides, and Lake Superior.
Lady’s tip #1: When you pull into the first (tiny) parking lot, you need to drive up the road that is adjacent to the parking lot. However, the road is very narrow, like VERY narrow. If you have an RV or even a truck, you may just want to park in the first tiny parking lot and walk up to the lookout area.
Lady’s tip #2: There are no guardrails and it’s a sheer drop down when you are on the cliffs. So, be sure to take extra caution with children and dogs.
8. Tettegouche State Park
Tettegouche State Park can totally be an all-day destination. The park has waterfalls, rocky beaches, many trails, and a stellar visitor center. And bonus, parking at the visitor center is free.
Lady’s tip: The quickest way to get to the High Falls is by driving past the visitor center and OVER the bridge up to the trailhead parking lot. You will need a day pass or a yearly state pass to park in this parking lot. You will then have a somewhat challenging 1.5-mile hike round trip to the falls. Or, you can park at the little parking lot BEFORE the bridge (or the visitor center), but it will be a longer hike at 3 miles round trip.
On the longer hike, about halfway through, you can go down 200 hundred stairs to visit the 2 step falls. I was too much of a wuss to do this on this visit… but, maybe next time!
9. Cross River Waterfall
This is the easiest waterfall you will find in Minnesota. It’s right off of Hwy 61, and you don’t even need to get out of your car as you can see it while driving. But you should totally park the car and marvel at this beauty!
10. North Shore Winery
This winery is super fun and has easy access to get to from Hwy 61. They offer wine flights and also cider flights for purchase. After ordering at the counter, you can take your time tasting your flights on their outdoor patio, or indoors in their neat little wine barrel seating area. We tried the cider flight and loved it.
Make reservations ahead of time here.
♦ Bonus stop- Much needed coffee at Fika Coffee
Ok, so seriously, Fika coffee shop is in the most perfect location. I swear it should’ve had rainbows shooting out of it for how excited I was that it was here and that it was open. We had just made it before it closed at 2:00pm, but beware as it’s closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Also, right next door, is a market for any last-minute food items you may have forgotten. They have some cute souvenirs worth checking out as well.
11. Cascade River State Park
This waterfall and its surroundings feel like you’ve stepped right on into a fairytale. And it’s an easy .5-mile hike to the falls from the trailhead parking lot. But, if you are craving a longer hike, you can do the 3.5-mile loop to Lookout Mountain for a spectacular view of Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains.
12. Grand Marais
Grand Marais is one of those towns that will stay in your memories and you’ll dream of coming back here as soon as you leave. From the sheer happiness of the people waiting in line for their doughnuts at World’s Best Doughnuts… To the excitement of scrabbling over the rocks at Artist Point… it’s truly a memorable town that you must visit. Oh, and don’t forget to visit Java Moose for an amazing latte.
And if you want to stay here (which I highly recommend) East Bay Suites is an amazing hotel and the views from the balcony are absolutely gorgeous. You can also bring your pup along, as the hotel is dog friendly as well.
13. Grand Portage State Park
What better grand finale could this itinerary have but this magnificent waterfall? This waterfall is literally the end of the road for Minnesota. In fact, you can see the Border patrol for Canada as you turn into the parking lot!
This waterfall is an easy, paved hike and it’s free to visit the park. There is also a nice visitor center with bathrooms available to use as well.
If you are looking to stay in a hotel up in this area, Grand Portage Lodge and Casino is only about 10 minutes away.
Last thoughts at the end of the road
I hope you get to go on this amazing drive! You will be in awe of Lake Superior’s beauty, and the relaxing drive will put you right in a calm state of mind.
And there is so much more to discover on this North Shore drive! Like the town of Two Harbors and it’s adorableness, or Temperance State Park with its bridge and cute little waterfall. I can’t wait to see what you find! Have fun making those memories!!
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