Innsjøhus Guide: Our North Shore Favorites
State Parks & Scenic Spots
Mostly, folks want to see the North Shore of Lake Superior - its waterfalls, lighthouse, cliffside views and rugged beaches. Here are our top nearby parks and landmarks.
Just 6 minutes away, this popular state park is a must-see any season of the year. Enjoy spectacular four-level waterfalls, a wonderful visitor center and scenic overlooks.
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Gooseberry Falls State Park
3206 MN-61Just 6 minutes away, this popular state park is a must-see any season of the year. Enjoy spectacular four-level waterfalls, a wonderful visitor center and scenic overlooks.
Just 12 minutes away, the iconic lighthouse was built after the shipwrecks of 1905. Explore the history and hikes.
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Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
3755 Split Rock Lighthouse RdJust 12 minutes away, the iconic lighthouse was built after the shipwrecks of 1905. Explore the history and hikes.
A short stop and walk awards you with expansive views of Lake Superior including Shovel Point. Past Silver Bay, look for milepost 57 and the small sign pointing toward the peak. Limited parking, and be careful on the cliffs.
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Palisade Head
A short stop and walk awards you with expansive views of Lake Superior including Shovel Point. Past Silver Bay, look for milepost 57 and the small sign pointing toward the peak. Limited parking, and be careful on the cliffs.
Of course you've got access to our private pebble beach, but fine dark sand (blackened by taconite tailings), protected coves, and rugged cliffs make this a unique beach to visit in Silver Bay.
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Black Beach
Of course you've got access to our private pebble beach, but fine dark sand (blackened by taconite tailings), protected coves, and rugged cliffs make this a unique beach to visit in Silver Bay.
If forced to choose, Tettegouche is my favorite state park. magnificent waterfalls, trails and views with fewer people or pavement. Don't miss the short hike to Shovel Point. Note separate listing/entrance for Palisade Head.
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Tettegouche State Park
5702 MN-61If forced to choose, Tettegouche is my favorite state park. magnificent waterfalls, trails and views with fewer people or pavement. Don't miss the short hike to Shovel Point. Note separate listing/entrance for Palisade Head.
The smooth pink rocks tinkle at this "singing" beach just 10 minutes away (just south of Split Rock Lighthouse).
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Iona's Beach Scientific and Natural Area
3548 MN-61The smooth pink rocks tinkle at this "singing" beach just 10 minutes away (just south of Split Rock Lighthouse).
Eat, Drink & Take-away
We love good food. Here are our favorite spots to enjoy a meal or take it to go.
This popular gem along old highway 61 features sophisticated, seasonal New American cuisine (lunch/dinner; currently a mobile kitchen + meal kits to go).
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New Scenic Café
5461 N Shore DrThis popular gem along old highway 61 features sophisticated, seasonal New American cuisine (lunch/dinner; currently a mobile kitchen + meal kits to go).
In Duluth, we like to stop at Canal Park’s Northern Waters Smokehaus for their Cajun Finn sandwich. Best sandwich ever.
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Northern Waters Smokehaus
394 S Lake AveIn Duluth, we like to stop at Canal Park’s Northern Waters Smokehaus for their Cajun Finn sandwich. Best sandwich ever.
This Two Harbors take-away cafe also has pantry provisions for foodies to bring back to the cabin (Tues-Sat, 8a-3p)
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Louise's Place Cafe + Pantry Provisions
19 Waterfront DrThis Two Harbors take-away cafe also has pantry provisions for foodies to bring back to the cabin (Tues-Sat, 8a-3p)
Originally a commercial fishing shanty, we recommend the harbor view deck and the catch of the day as sandwich, entrée, or salad. No reservations, but call up to 15 minutes before you arrive to be added to the seating list (seasonal, lunch/dinner).
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Angry Trout Cafe
408 W Hwy 61Originally a commercial fishing shanty, we recommend the harbor view deck and the catch of the day as sandwich, entrée, or salad. No reservations, but call up to 15 minutes before you arrive to be added to the seating list (seasonal, lunch/dinner).
The taproom is in downtown Two Harbors overlooking Lake Superior. They do not serve food (besides popcorn and pretzels), but you can bring your own or order nearby take-out. Come for the Cream Ale, stay for the patio.
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Castle Danger Brewery
17 7th StThe taproom is in downtown Two Harbors overlooking Lake Superior. They do not serve food (besides popcorn and pretzels), but you can bring your own or order nearby take-out. Come for the Cream Ale, stay for the patio.
Just north of our place in Castle Danger, this 1920s log-cabin cafe is open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But mostly go for (and take home) the pies - simply the best.
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Rustic Inn Cafe
2773 MN-61Just north of our place in Castle Danger, this 1920s log-cabin cafe is open year-round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But mostly go for (and take home) the pies - simply the best.
Neighborhoods, Towns & Routes
These communities are great to stroll, shop, sip and snack.
Check out the shops, restaurants and breweries of Duluth's revitalized Lincoln Park Craft District - our favorites are Love Creamery, OMC Smokehouse, and Frost River Trading Co.
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Lincoln Park
Check out the shops, restaurants and breweries of Duluth's revitalized Lincoln Park Craft District - our favorites are Love Creamery, OMC Smokehouse, and Frost River Trading Co.
It's worth a trip to this charming harbor town that welcomes creatives, families and adventure-seekers alike. Our favorites include Angry Trout Cafe, Voyageur Brewing and World's Best Donuts (try a Skizzle). Be sure to hike out to Artists Point.
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Grand Marais
It's worth a trip to this charming harbor town that welcomes creatives, families and adventure-seekers alike. Our favorites include Angry Trout Cafe, Voyageur Brewing and World's Best Donuts (try a Skizzle). Be sure to hike out to Artists Point.
Turn off Highway 61 to visit the downtown and waterfront areas for restaurants, shops and history (Depot, Lighthouse and 3M Birthplace Museums). Walk from Agate Bay near the iron ore docks along a 1-mile paved walkway, the Sonju Trail, to Burlington Bay.
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Two Harbors
Turn off Highway 61 to visit the downtown and waterfront areas for restaurants, shops and history (Depot, Lighthouse and 3M Birthplace Museums). Walk from Agate Bay near the iron ore docks along a 1-mile paved walkway, the Sonju Trail, to Burlington Bay.
Definitely a must for first-timers for the iconic aerial lift bridge, lakewalk, restaurants, shops and galleries. See separate listing for the aquarium.
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Canal Park
Definitely a must for first-timers for the iconic aerial lift bridge, lakewalk, restaurants, shops and galleries. See separate listing for the aquarium.
Why not slow down and take the scenic route from Duluth to Two Harbors? Don't miss New Scenic Cafe (see separate listing). Stop at Stoney Point and the quirky Tom's Logging Camp for views, history and souvenirs. Grab smoked fish from Russ Kendall's Smoke House (Brown Sugar Trout & Salmon are their specialty) and handmade chocolates from the Great Lakes Candy Kitchen.
Old Highway 61
Old Highway 61Why not slow down and take the scenic route from Duluth to Two Harbors? Don't miss New Scenic Cafe (see separate listing). Stop at Stoney Point and the quirky Tom's Logging Camp for views, history and souvenirs. Grab smoked fish from Russ Kendall's Smoke House (Brown Sugar Trout & Salmon are their specialty) and handmade chocolates from the Great Lakes Candy Kitchen.
Whether driving Highway 61 or biking the Gitchi-Gami trail, pull over for an eclectic mix of shops (Agate Shop & Museum, Second Hand Rose) and restaurants as you enjoy Split Rock Lighthouse, Iona's Beach and Beaver Falls.
Beaver Bay Township
Whether driving Highway 61 or biking the Gitchi-Gami trail, pull over for an eclectic mix of shops (Agate Shop & Museum, Second Hand Rose) and restaurants as you enjoy Split Rock Lighthouse, Iona's Beach and Beaver Falls.
Unique Experiences & Adventures
If you're looking for a thrilling adventure, a unique experience or to learn something new, we've got you covered.
Modeled after Danish folk schools from the 1800s, this educational site offers courses and demos (paddle making, fiber arts, wood-fired baking) as well as 1-hour group sails.
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North House Folk School
500 W Hwy 61Modeled after Danish folk schools from the 1800s, this educational site offers courses and demos (paddle making, fiber arts, wood-fired baking) as well as 1-hour group sails.
A family adventure of high ropes courses and ziplines for ages 3+.
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The Adventure Park on the North Shore
42 Outer DrA family adventure of high ropes courses and ziplines for ages 3+.
Adventure-seekers will love riding the alpine slide (May-October) or hitting the slopes (November-March) at Minnesota's top ski resort.
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Lutsen Mountains
467 Ski Hill RdAdventure-seekers will love riding the alpine slide (May-October) or hitting the slopes (November-March) at Minnesota's top ski resort.
This aquarium features animals and habitats from the Great Lakes Basin and other freshwater ecosystems. Open daily 1-6p, this is a great indoor, all-ages attraction.
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Great Lakes Aquarium
353 Harbor DrThis aquarium features animals and habitats from the Great Lakes Basin and other freshwater ecosystems. Open daily 1-6p, this is a great indoor, all-ages attraction.
This impressive mansion offers a rare and intact glimpse into the early 20th-century life of one of Minnesota's most notable families. The tour won't mention the mysterious 1977 murders, so read up in advance! Open daily, this is a great indoor, all-ages attraction.
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Glensheen
3300 London RdThis impressive mansion offers a rare and intact glimpse into the early 20th-century life of one of Minnesota's most notable families. The tour won't mention the mysterious 1977 murders, so read up in advance! Open daily, this is a great indoor, all-ages attraction.
Oh how we wish we had a sauna on site. But instead, you can book an authentic Finnish wood-fired sauna experience in Duluth (on the Canal Park Lakewalk - or ask about the hidden forest sauna). Trust us, this is not your typical gym or hotel sauna!
Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna
800 Canal Park DrOh how we wish we had a sauna on site. But instead, you can book an authentic Finnish wood-fired sauna experience in Duluth (on the Canal Park Lakewalk - or ask about the hidden forest sauna). Trust us, this is not your typical gym or hotel sauna!