On the Shores of Gitchi Gumee
Here are four distinct guides to some of my favorite destinations along the shore of Lake Superior. Depending on where you’re coming from you can make these trips into a day trip or weekend adventure.
I really don’t like it when people write a lot of fluffy stuff when recommending travel itineraries, so I’ve done my best to avoid that in this post. If you have questions about any of it, please reach out. Also worth noting this isn’t an advertisement in any way, I just really love all of these places so much and think everyone should check them out!
DULUTH, MINNESOTA
Drive time from the cities: 2.5 hours
Duluth is the starting place for many a Lake Superior adventure, but do your best to not let it be just a stopover on your way to something else. Some of my favorite days on Superior have been when I slowed down and explored what Duluth has to offer. There’s still so much more to discover about this historic city.
STAY
Pier B Resort (connected with Cedar Stone Sauna)
Enger Lofts
Historic Cotton Mansion
Amnicon Falls State Park (technically in Wisconsin and a half hour away, but still the best camping near Duluth that I’ve found!)
COFFEE
Duluth Coffee Co.
190° Coffee and Tea
The Back Alley Surf Shop
FOOD & DRINK
Burrito Union
Fitger’s Boat Club
Ursa Minor Brewery
Vikre Distillery
Northern Waters Smokehouse
Va Bene
HIKING & EXPLORING
Ely’s Peak and Tunnel (just south of Duluth on the SHT)
Seven Bridges Road (near Lester park, hidden away… but don’t miss it!)
Hartley Nature Center (hike up to Rock Knob on the SHT)
Duluth Rose Garden
BONUS: Duluth Winter Village happens every year at the DECC by Canal Park (by the blue bridge!) It’s typically the first weekend of December and the very best holiday market in Minnesota.
BAYFIELD, WISCONSIN
Drive time from the cities: 4 hours
Drive time from Duluth: 2 hours
Bayfield is known for its proximity to the Apostle Islands and while small, it’s a quaint and beachy town with quite a bit to offer.
STAY
Seagull Bay Motel
Farmhouse Inn (on Madeline Island)
Big Bay State Park (on Madeline Island)
FOOD & DRINK
Manypenny Bistro
Pier Plaza Restaurant
The Deck at Bayfield Inn
HIKING & EXPLORING
Guided trips with Trek & Trail
kayak the sea caves along the shore
spend a full day kayaking to the island
Big Bay State Park
walk the boardwalk
hike the Bayview Trail and Point Loop Trails
MARQUETTE & MUNISING, MICHIGAN
Drive time from the cities: 7 Hours
Drive time from Duluth: 5 hours
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located in Munising, Michigan but Marquette is the closest city and has a lot of history and beauty in its own right. When visiting one, you can’t help but visit the other!
STAY
Munising Tourist Park Campground (get a site right on the beach)
Pictured Rocks Nat’l Lakeshore (thru hike a part of the NCT)
FOOD & DRINK
Ore Dock Brewing Co.
Zephyr Wine Bar and Cafe
HIKING & EXPLORING
Pictured Rocks Nat’l Lake shore
visit the Miner’s Castle overlook
hike to Munising Falls
hike to Chapel Beach via the NCT
South Beach Park (Marquette)
Presque Isle Park (Marquette)
BONUS: Try a meat pastie! And remember Michigan is in Eastern Standard Time!
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA
Drive time from the cities: 6 hours
Drive time from Duluth: 3.5 hours
Thunder Bay is really truly one of my favorite spots on the North Shore and it’s a place a lot of people don’t even think to visit. If you had to choose only of of these places to visit this year, I encourage you to choose Thunder Bay!
STAY
Haven Hostel (best value, so clean, so fun, so friendly!)
The Courthouse Hotel
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park (camping)
FOOD & DRINK
The Bean Fiend
Lake Head Beer
Silver Islet General Store
HIKING & EXPLORING
Sleeping Giant Provincial park
hike to the Sea Lion
hike to the Top of the Giant
Kakabeka Falls
Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park
Silver Harbor Conservation Area (a nordic mermaid lagoon!)
BONUS: Take the boat out to Porphyry Island for a tour and visit the Island where I got to spend a week as Artist-in-Residence in 2024!
The Song of Hiawatha
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
On the shores of Gitche Gumee,
Of the shining Big-Sea-Water,
Stood Nokomis, the old woman,
Pointing with her finger westward,
O'er the water pointing westward,
To the purple clouds of sunset.
