Where to Stay on Minnesota’s North Shore
Because most towns on the North Shore range from small to itty-bitty, it’s nice to reserve lodging that includes a kitchen, allowing you to eat in if you choose. Be sure to choose a place with a good view of the dramatic Lake Superior!
Regardless of where you stay, reservations as early as possible are essential, particularly from late-May through September.
We are partial to the towns northeast of Beaver Bay due to lower traffic levels, a rugged, striking shoreline, abundant access to parks and hiking, lovely drives, and, of course, all of those waterfalls.
Tofte
The Tofte area is a good, central area to base your stay on the North Shore. It provides easy access to some of the best waterfalls and other activities both to the northeast and the southwest. (Of course in this area, anything under a half-hour drive is considered easy access.)
Tofte has a modest-sized grocery/liquor store, two good restaurants, and a couple of retail shops. Another handful of stores and restaurants, along with a winery, can be found in Lutsen, just 9 miles to the northeast.
For a private cabin on a lovely bluff overlooking Lake Superior, consider Cobblestone Cabins. The family-owned cabin complex provides 8 simple but peaceful, clean, and comfortable cabins in varying sizes with great views. Each cabin has a small kitchen. They feature a beach, firepits, grills, a playground, and a wood-burning sauna. The owners provide complimentary use of row boats, canoes, and kayaks. Seeking to give guests a place to “unplug”, there is no wifi.
If you enjoy slightly more elevated lodgings and being walking distance to the restaurants and grocery store, Bluefin Bay fits the bill. Most accommodations are lakefront with kitchens, and range from studios to 3-BR units.
Bluefin offers a host of amenities, including pools and hot tubs, a beach with a fire pit, a lakewalk, and complimentary recreation equipment (including bicycles, tennis, badminton, and bocce ball equipment, and snowshoes and cross-country skis in the winter). They also offer a varying schedule of free daily guided activities such as kayaking, hiking, and candle-making.
Grand Marais
For those seeking to be in a larger (but still quite small) town setting, Grand Marais is a positively charming place to base a trip. It is a little further away from some of the extraordinary waterfalls such as Caribou Falls, the falls in Tettegouche State Park, and Temprence Falls. But it is closer to others, including Cascade Falls, the Brule River Falls, and the show-stopping High Falls on the Pigeon River.
The scenic and walkable harbor town is a delight, with a dozen or more casual restaurants, many independent art galleries and shops, the huge Lake Superior Trading Post, two grocery stores, the heavenly Crosby Bakery, and the fabulous Fisherman’s Daughter, specializing in fresh and smoked wild-caught Lake Superior fish.
Breathtaking Artist’s Point is the focal point of the town. It is a peninsula that forms the two harbors, and has a lighthouse at one end and a gorgeous basalt rock shoreline and forest on the other end. It takes about 45 minutes (with stops to play on the rocks, admire the scenery, and take photos) to walk from one end to the other. We find ourselves walking the peninsula at least once per day when we’re in town.
Even if you don’t stay in Grand Marais, consider popping in for a couple of hours during your trip.
In Grand Marais, the East Bay Suites is an excellent and relatively affordable lodging choice. The small hotel offers waterfront suites ranging from studios to 3-BR’s. They have small but functional kitchens, fireplaces, and comfortable furniture. Most have a private washer and dryer. Dogs are allowed in many of the suites; dog bowls and bedding are provided. They offer niceties in the comfortable lakeside lobby, such as a DVD borrowing library, fresh popcorn afternoons, coffee starting at about 6:45 am, a little hot-cocoa bar with a variety of sprinkles for kids, and TAZO tea bags.
The beach area in front features a fire pit (s’mores kits available), a propane grill, and Adirondack chairs. The hotel is within walking distance of everything Grand Marais has to offer.
Private Cabin and Home Rentals
Private home and cabin rentals dot the North Shore, ranging from rustic to luxurious. It can be a wonderful way to experience the area. Companies such as Cascade Vacations specialize in this type of rentals.
When renting a private cabin, be sure to check the listing and reviews for things such as proximity to Hwy 61 (traffic noise), access to the shoreline, lake views, heat/air-conditioning depending on the season, whether bedding and kitchen items are supplied, internet access, and whether there is a sewer-connected restroom (unless you’re comfortable with a septic system).
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