Travel Destinations Minnesota North Shore, Minnesota Fall Getaway to Minnesota's North Shore Join the residents of Grand Marais, the artsy hub of Minnesota's Lake Superior shore, as they greet autumn with song. By Hannah Agran Hannah Agran Hannah Agran is executive editor at Midwest Living, where she oversees travel, food, home, garden and culture content. Born in Wisconsin, raised in Ohio, and now living in Iowa, she's a proud lifelong Midwesterner (aside from that stint in Massachusetts for a B.A. in American Studies from Brandeis University). On her off time, she loves to travel, here and abroad. (A perfect trip involves hiking, art museums and pastries, in equal measure.) At home, she's either puttering in the kitchen or garden--or on the couch with her cat, Clementine, bingeing a good show when she should be reading her book club book. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 22, 2022 The cafe has closed, but no one rushes to leave. At one table, singer-songwriter Lindsay Mac celebrates her performance that evening at Unplugged, an annual festival at the North House Folk School. She and a friend burst into an impromptu rendition of Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecilia," and soon, everyone in the restaurant joins her, voices raised in laughing song. Scenic Artists’ Point hides behind the red-roofed Coast Guard station. Jay Wilde You could blame the wine-or you could credit Grand Marais, a one-stoplight oasis of great food and culture 110 miles northeast of Duluth. The town (population: 1,400) brings out the joie de vivre in anyone, especially in fall. Summer crowds thin, and with them go the insects, replaced by bald eagles, burnished foliage and bracing, pine-scented air. Top Things to Do Along Minnesota's North Shore What to Do in the North Shore in Fall North House Folk School Classes at North House Folk School cover basket making, blacksmithing and more, and the school's schooner sails daily. Unplugged features concerts and workshops. Artists Point. Jay Wilde Artists' Point An almost magical serenity hangs over this rocky spit jutting out into Lake Superior. Celebrate Winter with Art and Photography in Grand Marais, Minnesota Lutsen Mountains Ski Resort At Lutsen Mountains, race down Moose Mountain on the alpine slide (like a sled with no snow) or ride up in a windowed gondola for sweeping views in all directions and pleasant hiking. A short hike leads to waterfall views in Grand Portage State Park. Photo: Ginger Crichton.. State Parks Top-notch parks line the entire North Shore. Easy trails lead to waterfalls, rivers and scenic overlooks in parks such as Cascade River, Grand Portage, Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche and Temperance River. 9 Favorite Minnesota State Parks Where to Eat in the North Shore Angry Trout Cafe The Angry Trout Cafe is local to the core: Lake Superior fish and artisan-made decor. Gunflint Tavern Follow the crowds to this tavern for a craft beer and tasty appetizers. An Editor's Fall Getaway to Minnesota's North Shore Where to Stay in the North Shore East Bay Suites A posh renovation has updated a more than 100-year-old downtown hotel along the Lake Superior shore. Lutsen Resort A historical lodge anchors this large resort in Lutsen (19 miles southwest of Grand Marais). Activities such as guided sea-kayak trips are complimentary. For more information: Cook County Visitors Bureau Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit