Cindy's Summer Bucket List
Nothing says summer in Minnesota like a trip to the North Shore!
I have been struck by the magic of the great Gitchi Gumee since I was a little girl, vacationing with my family. The sense of wild adventure and longing for savage places has always stayed with me, and I have just as much fun experiencing the wonder of it all with my closest friends and family as I do on solo trips.
This love for the North Shore goes back generations as I recall the stories from my grandmother of her adventures there as a little girl in the 1920’s and 1930’s, and her honeymoon with my grandpa at the iconic Lamb’s Resort in 1940.
My summer North Shore Vacation Guide features my personal favorite spots for adventure and relaxation, my favorite restaurants and my brand new cabin rental in Lutsen!
where to stay
Tallens Stuga has been a labor of love for the past four years. A passion project I’ve been working on with dear friends, that has finally come to completion. Positioned three miles past Lutsen Mountains, our special “cabin of the pines” sits just 40 feet off the shores of Lake Superior and we are now officially open for summer and fall bookings. Please visit our website https://tallensstuga.com/ for photos and booking information.
Take a hike
Summer, fall, winter, no matter the season, I love hiking our beautiful trails along the North Shore. Ask me about my recommendations for a 40 mile through-hike from Lutsen trail head to Pincushion that I did last summer.
Check out Superior Hiking Trail website for planning per section of the trail from Duluth to the Canadian Border, conditions, shuttles, etc. I recommend Hiking the North Shore by Andrew Slade for a great hiking guide.
One of my favorite spots to hike off the beaten path is on Mount Josephine, located just past Grand Portage.
The views into Canada and across Lake Superior will absolutely take your breath away. Pro-tip: pack a lunch and binoculars and take a break at the spectacular overlook toward Canada and on a clear day if you’re lucky, Isle Royale (pictured above). You will be so far east at this location, your phone will switch to eastern time zone, and it will say “Welcome to Canada!
Favorite places to go
On the way up north, just past Duluth, one absolutely must stop along the way at the New Scenic Cafe. This is a ritual for me, every time. Other places that you can find me dining are The Fisherman’s Daughter , Angry Trout Cafe, and Crosby Bakery all in Grand Marais.
I’ll be shopping at Upstate MN for Artist-made home goods, jewelry, and art, and I love WatersEdge Trading Company in Tofte for all my outdoor gear.
You simply cannot miss unwinding and calming with the most darling sauna overlooking Lake Superior at Sisu and Loyly. For more active relaxation time I can also highly recommend visiting North House Folk School in Grand Marais for classes or to take in the creative atmosphere, and doing a wine Tasting at North Shore Winery.