Duluth to Grand Marais: Best Stops to Make for a North Shore Road Trip (2023)
Are you planning to visit Northern Minnesota and make the drive from Duluth to Grand Marais?
Lucky you! This is one of my favorite drives and places to be in all of Minnesota, and I know that you’ll have a blast.
While the two towns themselves are fantastic, you’ll find even more to do between them as you make your way up the North Shore.
Plus, you’ll get to enjoy amazing Lake Superior views for the entire drive, which is a treat in it of itself.
In this post, I’m going to share with you the very best stops to make on your North Shore road trip between Duluth and Grand Marais.
I’ve lived in Minnesota for my entire life and visit the North Shore often, so I have so much to share with you!
Duluth to Grand Marais: Distance
The driving distance between Duluth and Grand Marais is very short and can easily be done as a day trip!
You’ll only drive for about 2 hours if you were to drive straight from one to the other, which is about 110 miles.
I would recommend making quite a few stops along the way though because as you’ll see in this post, there are so many things to see!
Driving Directions Between Grand Marais and Duluth
Lucky for you, the driving directions between these two cities are very straightforward and the only turn you’ll have to make is into Grand Marais!
Depending on where you’re at in Duluth, you’ll start heading northeast toward Canada on Highway 61. You can reach this by merging off of I-35 North.
Follow Highway 61 for about 110 miles, along Lake Superior’s shoreline, and you’ll have reached the small town of Grand Marais!
If you’d like to see a bit more scenery, you can turn off onto the old Highway 61, what is now known as the North Shore Scenic Drive.
This road leads you off of the main highway and along the shoreline from Duluth to Two Harbors, where you’ll then join back up with the main highway.
Map of the Drive
Below you’ll find a map of the drive between Grand Marais to Duluth and the two routes that you can take.
I recommend taking the most direct route, which follows Highway 61 for the entire Lake Superior shoreline. It takes about 2 hours.
Best Things to Do in Duluth
Before leaving Duluth, be sure to stop at some of the best attractions in the city and experience all that there is to do in the city!
Aerial Lift Bridge
If you’re visiting Duluth, there’s no way that you’ll miss seeing the Aerial Lift Bridge as it rises and falls to let large ships pass through.
You’ll find it right in Canal Park, and you can wander across it to visit places like Park Point swimming beach or just to watch the ships cross.
Canal Park
One of the best stops in Duluth is Canal Park, where you can find endless delicious restaurants, small local shops, and great views.
While you’re visiting, stop down by the water and walk across the North and South Breakwater Lighthouses and visit the Lake Superior Maritime Museum.
Canal Park will leave you with plenty to do before leaving Duluth.
Great Lake Aquarium
A stop at the Great Lakes Aquarium is a great way to spend a rainy day in Duluth, where you can learn all about freshwater animals and habitats in the Great Lakes region.
On top of the freshwater regions, you’ll also learn about other faraway places like the Amazon River, and get to see other unique exhibits of places like Isle Royale.
It’s fantastic for kids and adults.
Spirit Mountain Recreation Area
Are you a skier or snowboarder? Then a day at Spirit Mountain is just what you need to get rid of the winter blues in Duluth.
This great ski resort has 22 runs to check out, the largest terrain park in the Midwest, and of course, beautiful views of Lake Superior from the top of the hill.
Glensheen Mansion
This beautiful mansion sits on a large estate just off the coast of Lake Superior, and since 1979 has been open for tours.
Inside, you’ll find beautifully decorated rooms that were set by the Congdon family who used to live here.
You can also wander through the 22 acres of lakeshore property with walking trails. And in the winter, the entire building is lit up with thousands of lights for the holidays.
Best Things to Do in Grand Marais
Grand Marais is loved by outdoor lovers, foodies, and people who love a good view. So be sure to spend some time exploring the small North Shore town!
Artist Point
Of course, you should take in some Lake Superior views during your visit, and you can do it best at Artist Point in Grand Marais.
Here you’ll find the Grand Marais Lighthouse, plenty of shorelines to walk along, and restaurants nearby.
Be sure to keep an eye out in the water for some Lake Superior sharks (😉).
Grab a Bite to Eat
Aside from all of the beautiful views within Grand Marais, there are also some really great places to grab a bite to eat.
Whether you’re craving a juicy burger, a creamy cup of custard, or some seafood, there are plenty of options!
A few favorites are Hungry Hippie Tacos, the Fisherman’s Daughter, World’s Best Donuts, and Sydney’s Frozen Custard.
Go for a Hike
The North Shore is well known for its hikes, so during your visit, you should definitely take advantage of that!
From short trails to long ones like the Superior Hiking Trail that stretch for miles, there are so many to choose from!
A few of my favorites near the city are Pincushion Mountain, Devil’s Kettle, and Lookout Mountain.
Drive the Gunflint Trail
There are a lot of things to do right in Grand Marais, but if you end up with some extra time, consider driving up the Gunflint Trail.
This beautiful road stretches for almost 60 miles between Grand Marais and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Along the road, you’ll have the chance to spot wildlife, stop and go for a hike, or just enjoy nature.
Best Stops to Make Between Duluth and Grand Marais
If you’re taking a road trip along the North Shore from Duluth to Grand Marais, MN, there are so many great stops to make along the way.
Below are the absolute best places to go. There are so many that I couldn’t ever list them all, but these are the heavy hitters.
Brighton Beach
Distance from Duluth: 15 minutes
Distance from Grand Marais: 1 hour 50 minutes
If you’re searching for a place to go swimming in Lake Superior, Brighton Beach is the perfect place to do it before heading up the shore!
This beach is found in Kitchi Gammi Park and features a nice area with picnic tables and barbeques to enjoy the warm summer weather.
Betty’s Pies & Rustic Inn
Distance from Duluth: 30 minutes
Distance from Grand Marais: 1 hour 30 minutes
These two restaurants are must-dos if you’re looking for a yummy meal and a delicious piece of pie for dessert.
Stop in at either Betty’s Pies or the Rustic Inn (usually less busy) and fuel up on at least one, but maybe a few slices of their pies that Minnesota has become well-known for.
I personally love the Great Lakes Crunch at Betty’s Pies and the Caramel Apple Pecan at Rustic Inn.
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Distance from Duluth: 45 minutes
Distance from Grand Marais: 1 hour 15 minutes
There are many waterfalls in the state of Minnesota, but Gooseberry Falls makes up one of the closest waterfalls to Duluth.
Just a short walk from the parking lot will put you right in front of Upper, Middle, and Lower Gooseberry Falls.
You’ll also have access to some of the best hiking trails along the shore and an easy way to walk along Lake Superior’s shoreline.
Iona’s Beach
Distance from Duluth: 50 minutes
Distance from Grand Marais: 1 hour 10 minutes
Iona’s Beach is a stretch of land along the North Shore that is covered in light pink-colored rocks that seem to sing when the water hits them.
As waves crash into shore, the rocks tumble underneath the water and make low humming sounds, which you can hear if you’re quiet.
This peaceful location is a great place to enjoy a picnic as you make your way up the North Shore Scenic Drive.
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Distance from Duluth: 55 minutes
Distance from Grand Marais: 1 hour 10 minutes
A trip to the North Shore wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the iconic Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.
This lighthouse is perched high on a rock cliff overlooking Lake Superior and can be seen from below, or you can tour the lighthouse for a fee.
I love walking along the shoreline and looking at the lighthouse as the waves crash into the rock that it sits on. There are also many hiking trails in the park to check out.
Silver Bay
Distance from Duluth: 1 hour 5 minutes
Distance from Grand Marais: 1 hour
Silver Bay is about halfway between these two North Shore towns, and is a nice place to get out and explore a few things.
Black Beach and Palisade Head are the two top attractions here (more on these below) but another great thing to do with kids is the North Shore Adventure Park.
Beaver Bay is also a short distance away with a few nice restaurants and a small waterfall along the river.
Black Beach
Distance from Duluth: 1 hour 5 minutes
Distance from Grand Marais: 1 hour
While this isn’t the best swimming beach along the shoreline, you have to stop at this unique hidden gem, which is a nice place to relax.
Black Beach is made of small black pebbles, making the entire beach look black, hence the name.
You can wander along the shore, take a dip into the lake, relax on the sand, or just admire the views during your visit.
Palisade Head
Distance from Duluth: 1 hour
Distance from Grand Marais: 55 minutes
Do you love epic viewpoints but don’t want to have to hike very far to see them? Well, Palisade Head is the place for you!
This amazing Lake Superior viewpoint is right off of Highway 61 and offers some of the best 180-degree views.
You can walk just a short distance from the car and leave in awe after seeing the rugged shoreline that runs along Lake Superior.
Tettegouche State Park
Distance from Duluth: 1 hour 10 minutes
Distance from Grand Marais: 55 minutes
Tettegouche State Park is my personal favorite park in the entire state because it offers phenomenal views of Lake Superior and the surrounding forests.
A hike up Shovel Point gives some of the best views, or hiking to High Falls will show you the tallest waterfall in the state.
It’s also one of the best halfway points between Duluth and Grand Marais, making for a perfect spot to get out and stretch your legs!
Lutsen
Distance from Duluth: 1 hour 45 minutes
Distance from Grand Marais: 20 minutes
Lutsen is a year-round destination for everyone looking for a little thrill, or some fantastic views of the Sawtooth Mountains and Superior National Forest.
Head on up to Lutsen Moutain in the winter for some skiing and snowboarding, or in the summer, cruise down the hill on their alpine slide.
During the fall months, you can ride up the gondola for views from the top of Moose Mountain to admire the incredible fall colors.
There are also quite a few really great resorts in Lutsen that make for the perfect place to stay on the North Shore.
Cascade River State Park
Distance from Duluth: 1 hour 55 minutes
Distance from Grand Marais: 15 minutes
One of the last stops to make before arriving in Grand Marais from Duluth is at Cascade River State Park.
As one of the North Shore’s 8 state parks, this beautiful park features plenty of hiking trails, waterfalls, and rivers to explore.
The park also offers some great camping on the shore, if you’d like to spend even more time outdoors in nature!
Where to Stay Between Duluth and Grand Marais
Along with activities during your North Shore road trip, you’ll also need somewhere to stay.
Whether you decide to stay in Duluth or Grand Marais, or you want to stay in between, which would be around Silver Bay, there are a lot of great places to stay.
Duluth Accommodations
Below are my top 2 picks for places to stay right in the beautiful city of Duluth.
⭐ Pier B Resort: Relax in an outdoor hot tub that overlooks Superior, sit around the lakeside fire pit, and take advantage of their on-site restaurant and bar.
⭐ Canal Park Lodge: This luxurious hotel offers an indoor pool and hot tub, as well as a delicious breakfast. A stay here also gives you easy access to Canal Park.
Silver Bay Accommodations
Halfway between Duluth and Grand Marais is Silver Bay, which also features a whole variety of great resorts and hotels along Lake Superior.
⭐ Cove Point Lodge: This beautiful lodge sits right on the lake and is within a short distance of a few state parks. Enjoy the great views and continental breakfast.
⭐ Americinn by Wyndham: This affordable hotel is right downtown in Silver Bay and features a pool and small waterslide, which is perfect for kids visiting with you.
Grand Marais Accommodations
Once you’ve made it to Grand Marais, there are even more great accommodations to choose from. Here are my top 2 picks!
⭐ Caribou Highlands Lodge: Located near Lutsen Mountain, you’ll have amazing views year-round. You can book a pet-friendly room and have plenty to do nearby.
⭐ East Bay Suites: Enjoy sitting on the outdoor patio, enjoy the views of the lake, and be right within the town. Plus, there are some guided experiences to take advantage of.
FAQs
No, there is currently not a bus that runs from Duluth to Grand Marais. The best way to get between these two cities is to either use your own car or a rental car.
There is a lot to do between Duluth and Grand Marais. From hiking at the state parks to admiring Lake Superior to eating some great food, you can find plenty of activities on this list for year-round fun.
Grand Marais, MN is known for being one of the best towns on the North Shore. It has a lighthouse, hiking trails, plenty of great food, and a great small community.
Grand Marais is only about 50 minutes from the Canadian border.
The North Shore Scenic Drive is a slower and more scenic byway route between Duluth and Two Harbors. It offers more lake views and pull-offs for viewpoints. It does take longer to drive than on the highway.
Wrap-Up: Duluth to Grand Marais
If you’re visiting the North Shore in Minnesota, the best stretch of land is from Duluth to Grand Marais, which offers so much to do.
From amazing hiking trails to beautiful Lake Superior viewpoints to delicious restaurants, you’ll never run out of fun activities.
Whether you’re just taking a day trip or are spending a whole weekend on the shore, you’ll have a blast in the most beautiful part of Minnesota.
