Grand Marais itinerary scene

Weekend itinerary

A Lake Superior weekend with harbor gravity

Let Grand Marais hold the meals and harbor walks, then choose one North Shore or Gunflint Trail outing that fits the weather and daylight.

By Cal Mercer — a Second Star Guide itinerary

Grand Marais combines a working Lake Superior harbor with North Shore waterfalls and the inland Gunflint corridor.

Best length

2 nights

Arrive Friday, spend Saturday on one longer outing, and keep Sunday for coffee and a short harbor walk.

Stay

East Bay Suites

Suite-style lodging on Grand Marais’s East Bay, close enough for harbor walks and restaurants while sitting just beyond the busiest downtown blocks.

Main activity

Gunflint or state-park day

The Gunflint Trail reaches inland lakes and lodge country; Cascade River and Devil's Kettle lead to defined waterfall trails.

Weekend outline

Harbor plus one long outing

Artist's Point and North House fill the town day; Saturday belongs to one forest road or waterfall trail.

Wooden boats and workshops on the North House Folk School waterfront campus
Friday and Saturday morning near the harbor
Cascade River dropping through dark rock and North Shore forest
A state-park alternative to the Gunflint Trail
Forest overlook above an inland lake along the Gunflint Trail corridor
The inland-lake choice for Saturday

Friday

Check in, eat, and walk Artist's Point.

After Highway 61, settle near the harbor, eat before kitchens close, and walk the breakwater or basalt shelves only while conditions are comfortable.

4:00 PM

Saturday

Start in town, then take one longer route.

Visit North House or the harbor early, then give the rest of the day to the Gunflint Trail, Cascade River, Judge C. R. Magney, or Pincushion.

8:30 AM

Breakfast

Start with Blue Water Café.

A family-owned downtown café serving breakfast all day plus lunch and dinner, suited to a sit-down morning before the harbor, Gunflint Trail, or a state-park drive.

Breakfast / coffee

Blue Water Café

A family-owned downtown café serving breakfast all day plus lunch and dinner, suited to a sit-down morning before the harbor, Gunflint Trail, or a state-park drive.

Open restaurant

Compare Grand Marais restaurants

See the full restaurant guide for additional options.

4:30 PM

Afternoon

Return to Grand Marais for the harbor evening.

Dry layers, a harbor meal, and a short waterfront walk are enough after the longer outing.

Highlight
The trip’s main event
Viator

Kayak Trips On Lake Superior Grand Marais MN Landing

A Lake Superior kayak outing from Grand Marais that puts visitors directly on the North Shore water, with guided structure for paddling the big lake safely.

Check availability

Sunday

Coffee, one harbor look, and Highway 61 south.

Repeat Artist's Point in new weather or choose one short southbound stop before the drive home.