Tips for Visiting the Minnesota North Shore with Kids
Take the Scenic Route
No trip to the Minnesota North Shore is complete without enjoying the drive and the views of Lake Superior. After passing through the main area of Duluth, you’ll have the opportunity to take I-35 (faster) or Old Highway 61, known as the Scenic Route. If you have never taken the scenic route before, I highly recommend taking it on your way TO the north shore. When traveling north, you’ll be on the right side of the road making scenic pull offs and stops much easier than on your way back.
Research Trails Before Attempting with Little Kids
While there are many trails that are great for kids, there are also many trails that are not. Some trails do not have railings and can lead to unexpected drop offs. Research each trail before going to make sure it works for your family and your children depending on their ages. You know your kids best – do not attempt any unknown trails with small children who cannot be trusted walking on their own. Always keep younger children close and use hiking backpacks when needed.
Download Maps/Bring a Map
The Minnesota North Shore is relatively remote which can lead to very spotty cell service. Be sure to download offline Google Maps to your phone before your trip or bring a hard copy map of the area. It’s not out of the ordinary to go quite awhile without service and you don’t want to be stuck not knowing where you are and where you are going. Trust me, we’ve been there.
Minnesota State Parks Pass
You’ll need a Minnesota State Parks Pass for multiple stops on the North Shore. Save yourself time by purchasing a pass ahead of your trip. Otherwise, you can purchase a pass during business hours at the ranger station upon entering the state parks.
Vehicle Permits: You can purchase a one day pass for $7 or a yearly pass for $35. Buy permits ahead of time here.
Where to Stay on the Minnesota North Shore
Duluth
Two Harbors
Lutsen
Grand Marais
Best Time to Visit the Minnesota North Shore
- Spring (April-May): Waterfalls are at their peak due to snowmelt. Shoulder season means fewer crowds and mild temperatures. Spring weather can still be a bit chilly.
- Summer (June-August): Ideal weather for hiking and kayaking. This is high season on the North Shore so expect expensive accommodations and crowds.
- Fall (September-October): Stunning fall foliage and shoulder season makes fall an excellent time to visit. Temperatures are mild but can start getting cool by late September.
- Winter (December-March): Great for a mountain skiing/snowboarding adventure, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or hiking to see frozen waterfalls. Off-peak season means you’ll find cheaper accommodations and fewer crowds in areas besides Lutsen but you may also encounter closed businesses and fewer available activities overall.
One-Week on the Minnesota North Shore with Kids
Here we go folks – the main event. We completed this itinerary with two kids (3 and 1) and another on the way. We found it offered plenty to do without being overly busy. This itinerary assumes you are starting your trip south of Duluth and staying near Grand Marais. If staying further south in Lutsen or Tofte, plan on increased drive times for some of these days.
Travel Tip: When traveling with kids, it’s great to have a lot of plans but also a lot of flexibility. Have an idea of what you want to do every day but be ready to change plans if your kids are seeming run down or in need of a slower pace.
Day 1: Duluth + Silver Bay
Duluth + Lunch
Start your trip with a stop in Duluth for Lunch. Ursa Minor Brewing is an awesome spot to visit with kids as they have a play area in back. Let your kids to play while you enjoy beer and pizza.
Split Rock State Park + Lighthouse
Drive to the Split Rock State Park. When you enter the park follow the wayfinding signage to the Pebble Beach parking lot. Park here and walk the short trail to the rock beach where you can explore the shore, hike around and rock scramble a bit. This is a great option with kids as they can throw rocks in the lake and run around. From here you will see the lighthouse from afar.
The lighthouse itself is managed by the Minnesota Historical Society (not the state park). If you would like to see the lighthouse up close, you can pay separately to walk the historic grounds and/or take a keepers tour inside the lighthouse.
Tip: Check times and dates for tour and grounds availability and buy tickets here. Children 4 and under are free!
Black Beach
Make a stop at Black Beach in Silver Bay. This is a really fun stop with kids. The black sand here is very unique and provides beautiful views of the north shore. When you pull in, you need to head all the way to the southern parking lot where the road dead ends, from here you can walk to the REAL black beach.
Day 2: Explore Downtown Grand Marais
Java Moose Cafe
Start your day overlooking the harbor with a nordic miel or cold brew coffee and pastry at Java Moose Espresso Cafe in Grand Marais.
Explore Downtown Grand Marais
Spend your morning exploring some of the many cute shops in the downtown Grand Marais area. A few favorites include the Lake Superior Trading Post, The Market, Moose Tracks, and Joynes Ben Franklin. Do a little shopping and walk the trail along the coast of the harbor. Kids will have a great time collecting rocks and throwing them into the water.
Voyageur Brewing Co
Make a stop at Voyageur Brewing Co. where you can enjoy a beer brewed with water from Lake Superior. Find a spot on the rooftop and enjoy some lunch with awesome views of the Grand Marais harbor.
Artist’s Point and Grand Marais Lighthouse
In the afternoon, venture out to the southernmost point of the Grand Marais harbor to view Artist’s Point and then follow the walking path out to the lighthouse. We were glad we did this but it was a bit tricky with young kids – see safety note.
Safety Note: The pathway out to the lighthouse can be a bit dicey with little ones. The path itself is very uneven and certain spots are single lane so you will have to wait for people to finish passing before you can pass the same area. We carried both kids for a good chunk of this to keep them safe from edges. This would be a better option for older kids and kids that can be carried in hiking backpacks/carriers. This is not stroller accessible.
Day 3: Hiking Cascade River State Park + Grand Marais
Cascade River State Park
Explore Cascade River State Park where the Cascade River descends into Lake Superior. Here you’ll find a few different hiking options. We enjoyed the half mile lower falls loop but and the trail along the coastline. There are a handful of other trails to choose from as well if you would like to spend more time here. Bring a picnic and enjoy lunch at the state park. Otherwise, grab lunch at Hungry Hippie Tacos in Grand Marais.
Putt n Pets Mini Golf
Check out this unique 18-hole mini golf course in Grand Marais complete with furry and feathered friends along the way. A perfect evening stop the kiddos will love.
Dinner at Angry Trout in Grand Marais
Enjoy the rocky beachfront before sitting on the patio on a warm evening to enjoy dinner with views of the harbor at Angry Trout Cafe. We loved the wrap around porch and vibe of this classic small restaurant in Grand Marais.
Day 4: Day trip to Grand Portage
World’s Best Donuts
Okay, the name says it all. These are truly the best donuts you’ll ever have. I put it here as a breakfast option but let’s be real, we got donuts four mornings on this trip. Do not miss this iconic Grand Marais stop. You’ll often find the line out the door but it’ll move quickly.
Grand Portage State Park
As far north as you can go on the Minnesota North Shore before crossing the border to Canada. This is a really fun little hiking spot with paved walking trails to overlook High Falls, the highest waterfall in Minnesota. Overlook stops have railings so this is safe for all ages. Don’t skip the opportunity to walk down to the river where you can throw rocks across to hit Canada – our favorite part. Because this state park has all paved trails, this stop is stroller friendly.
There are not many food options in Grand Portage. We chose to bring a cooler of our own food and eat lunch in the park after we finished exploring.
Grand Portage National Monument
While you’re all the way north, don’t miss a stop at Grand Portage National Monument – A reconstructed fur trade post showcasing the region’s role in the North American fur trade. It includes the Heritage Center and trails leading to the historic Grand Portage. Our kids had a great time running around the outdoor building and checking out the dock – spoiler alert, there was a lot more lake side rock throwing.
Overall, Grand Portage was absolutely beautiful and one of our favorite stops during on the Minnesota North Shore. If you can make it all the way here, it’ll be worth your while.
Day 5: Explore Superior National Forest + Gunflint Trail
Chik-wauk Museum and Nature Center
Located in a stone lodge near the end of the Gunflint Trail, the Chik-wauk Museum and Nature Center provides insight into the cultural and natural history of the Gunflint Trail. Stop by the interpretive lodge, nature center, and/or explore the walking trails to see what life was like for indigenous people, voyagers and trappers. Keep your eyes open for a moose sighting and bonus points for visiting in late July/August for prime blueberry picking along the trails.
Magnetic Rock Trail
Along the Gunflint Trail, in the heart of Superior National Forest, you’ll find the Magnetic Rock Hiking Trail. A trail leading to a building sized magnetic rock. Bring a compass along to test the magnetic attraction. As an easy 3-mile out and back hike, this is a great one with the kids. The terrain is pretty flat with some great views of the forest. The hike took us about an hour and a half to complete.
Honeymoon Bluff Trail or Moose Viewing Trail
If you still have more time to spend in the area, consider adding on another Gunflint Trail area Hike. The following short trails can be great options for kids.
- Honeymoon Bluff Trail: This 0.4 mile loop is short and only takes about 12 minutes to complete. It can be a bit steep so perhaps better for kids that are a bit older and better at climbing. This short hike offers great views of Hungry Jack Lake.
- Moose Viewing Trail: A 0.7 mile out and back trail is considered an easy route and only takes about 16 minutes. This is an easy walk for younger kids. Keep your eyes open for moose of course.
Dinner on the Gunflint Trail
Since we stayed on the Gunflint Trail (instead of in Downtown Grand Marais) we explored a few restaurants in this area. Our favorites for dinner were:
- Trail Center Lodge – Right on Poplar Lake, this full service restaurant with a large menu has something for everyone. Don’t miss the malts for dessert – or just stop for a malt to enjoy on your drive back to Grand Marais. This is also a great breakfast spot if you would rather start your morning at the Trail Center Lodge.
- White Pine Lodge – Only open Tuesday/Friday/Saturday from 4-7 p.m. but if you can work this in your schedule the food is awesome. Due to the small space of this restaurant, reservations are highly recommended.
Day 6: Lutsen
Lutsen Gondola Ride + Summit Lunch
Take a gondola ride to the to the top of Moose Mountain where you can take in the 100 mile views of Lake Superior and Superior National Forest. This 8-minute ride is an expensive activity ($36 for teens and adults and $26 for kids 5-12) but can be really for kids. Explore the peak and grab lunch at the Summit Chalet which has a full lunch menu.
More Information: Be sure to double check hours and ticket information before visiting as they vary by season. You can purchase tickets ahead of time. However, note that one-way tickets can only be purchased on-site.
Hike Down Lutsen Mountain via Superior Hiking Trail
You can save $4 a person on the gondola experience by buying one-way tickets instead of round trip. At the top of Moose Mountain you’ll find about one mile of hiking trails offering beautiful views. After spending time exploring the peak, make your way back down by following Superior Hiking Trail. This is suggested for older kids only as some parts of the trail can be a bit challenging.
Dinner at Fisherman’s Daughter
The Fisherman’s Daughter is known as dock to table serving up locally caught fish from Lake Superior paired with chips (fries). You can also pick up fresh and smoked locally caught fish by the pound. This is a great little stop in Downtown Grand Marais.
Day 7: Duluth + Head Home
Tettegouche State Park
Hike along the lakeside cliffs for beautiful views over Lake Superior or down to a gravel beach where the Baptism River meets Lake Superior. Throw some rocks and explore before you make your way to Duluth for your last stop on this itinerary.
With more time: Palisade Head is very close and can be an easy additional stop to pair with Tettegouche if you have more time to spend in this area.
Lunch in Duluth + Canal Park
End your trip spending the afternoon in Duluth. Feed the birds in Canal Park, walk to the aerial lift bridge, and explore the lake walk along the shores of Lake Superior. This is a must stop with kids to stretch the legs after a morning of driving.
While you’re here, don’t miss Northern Waters Smokehaus offering a huge menu of gourmet sandwiches. You’ll seriously be talking about these sandwiches for years to come.
Other Must See Stops on the Minnesota North Shore with Kids
Palisade Head
A 0.9 mile out and back trail near Silver Bay. This hike offers some incredible views of the cliffs on Lake Superior. However, please note that with many steep drop offs, this trail is not an ideal hike for littles ones. But if you have older kids or kids young enough for a carrier, this is a gorgeous stop.
Gooseberry Falls State Park
We’ve been going to Gooseberry Falls since we were kids so this feels like a quintessential North Shore stop. Be prepared for crowds as Gooseberry is a very popular destination on the North Shore in the summer. Try to get there earlier in the morning before it’s too packed. The trail to the main falls is paved and well accessible for little kids and strollers. The brave can venture into the water and near the falls in the warm summer months. There are many other hiking routes for those who want to spend more time exploring the trails.
Betty’s Pies
A classic stop in Two Harbors on the scenic route of Old Highway 61. Betty’s Pies has a fun story of how it came to be starting as a fish shack in the 1950’s and slowly evolving into what it is today. Stop by for breakfast or lunch and grab a pie to eat throughout your trip.
Castle Danger
For all the beer lovers out there, don’t come to the North Shore without a stop at the Castle Danger Taproom in downtown Two Harbors. Brewed with water from Lake Superior, their beers have a very approachable taste and are perfect for sipping down on a warm summer day on the outdoor patio. Bring a card game to play with the kids and enjoy views of Lake Superior while you relax.
Other Reads
Pin Now, Read Later
Leave a Reply