9 Best Things to Do on the North Shore, Minnesota, in the Winter

The North Shore is easily one of the most visited areas in Minnesota. With incredible shorelines, cliffs, hiking and wildlife - there's no wonder it's so popular. However, most people only visit in the summer - even though in our personal opinion winter is the best time to visit! With no crowds, peaceful winter views, and more wildlife encounters, winter visitors even have the chance to be amazed by the northern lights!

Our Essential Travel Resources :
​There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are our favorite websites and resources to help you plan an incredible trip.

For flights, we recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to your destination.

Car rentals comparisons are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you if you're heading somewhere international!

We always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, we always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required), and always use NordVPN to stay safe while connecting to different wifi connections.

For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick, especially for tours in Asia.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for your international or domestic travels.

Planning a Winter Trip to the North Shore

Like we mentioned above, visiting the North Shore during the winter is one of our favorite things to do. Not only is there a lot to do (see below), but there's also no crowds to fight. Whether this is your first visit to the North Shore, or your first visit in the winter, or neither, we've gathered together some of our best tips to make your winter visit as enjoyable as it can be.

• Bring Groceries : make sure to choose a place to stay that has a kitchenette and make sure to bring groceries, options can be fairly limited during wintertime on the North Shore, so it can be a real life saver to have something you can cook where you're staying
• Wear Layers : weather in Minnesota can change on a dime, especially off the shores of Lake Superior - which is why we recommend dressing in multiple layers to make sure you stay warm, that means thermals, rain proof layers, warm socks, shoes, hats, and gloves are essential​
• ​Winter Gear : if you're planning to spend time in the outdoors, make sure to bring ice cleats, hand warmers, and any and all winter clothing that'll help you stay warm, if you're looking to enjoy outdoor sports then make sure to bring what you're planning to use for that as well! (snowshoes, hiking poles, skis, etc.)

Finding a place to stay along the North Shore can be a bit trickier in the winter since camping isn't always an option. Lucky for you, on our most recent winter trip we found the perfect cozy cabin that faces and sits above Lake Superior. Tofte Trails is a collection of 1-2 person cabins that have thought of every detail to make your trip as cozy as can be - from private solo stoves to a community bonfire pit, cozy gas fireplaces, full kitchenettes, they've really thought of everything plus a few of the cabins are dog friendly!

​Personally, we stayed at the Gitchi Cabin and were told this is the cabin with the best view. Plus, each cabin has it's own heated gear shed, making it perfect for the winter time! Owners Kelsey & Cris also own Cuyuna Cove - another set of cabins we've stayed at and loved over near the Cuyuna Recreation Area!

​Our Favorite Tours on the North Shore : 
- Two Harbors Kayaking Tour
- North Shore Helicopter Ride
- Paddleboard Day Rental

9 Best Winter Things to Do on the North Shore

1. Enjoy Lutsen Mountain
​Lutsen Mountain is an adventure lovers paradise. They of course have snowboarding and skiing for a daily lift rate of about $100 per person, but they also have other activities onsite if you're not looking to go speeding down a mountain side. The Summit Express Gondola brings you over to Moose Mountain and costs $29 per person, giving you some of the most epic views of Lake Superior. They also have a few restaurants onsite for an all around stay! (p.s. - Tofte Trails is only a 5 minute drive to the top of Lutsen Mountain!

2. Explore the Local Cuisine
​The North Shore has an amazing amount of incredible places to eat. Although a large portion of them can close down in the winter, there's still plenty of places to explore. Right now our favorite recommendation is Cascade Falls Restaurant - but we've listed all our recommendations below!

• Cascade Falls Restaurant & Pub - this is hands down our new favorite along the North Shore, their food is some of the best we've had EVER and we highly recommend trying their Winter Crostinis, their Salmon dinner, and their Irish Stew! 
• Fika Coffee - this coffee shop in Lutsen has fairly cheap coffees, teas, and a few snacks if you're feeling hungry!
• Rustic Inn Cafe - a great place to sit in for a meal or one of their famous pies!
• ​Fisherman's Daughter - located in Grand Marais, they have some great locally caught fish meals like chowder and smoked salmon
• Hungry Hippie Tacos - one of our North Shore favorites, they've recently opened up a second shop in Duluth, they're famously known for their fry bread tacos!
• Java Moose Espresso - another coffee shop located in Grand Marais, they have excellent views overlooking Lake Superior and a good selection of coffees and teas as well!

3. Head Out on on a Hike
​Depending on how much snowfall the North Shore has accumulated, you might be able to head out on a hike! Although there are plenty to choose from, some of our favorites are Oberg Mountain, Bean & Bear, Sugarloaf Cove, and Black Sand Beach. Of course, there are plenty of waterfalls to explore as well (scroll down to #8!). If you plan to go hiking during your winter visit to the North Shore, then we recommend bringing some ice cleats with you. Some of the paths can get pretty slippery depending on how many times they've melted/thawed.

4. Visit the Local Beaches
​Lake Superior is considered the largest freshwater lake in the world, meaning there's plenty of coastlines and beaches and the North Shore just happens to have some of the most colorful! From the pink shoreline at Iona's Beach, to the black sand at Black Sand Beach, to Sugarloaf Cove's earth toned rocks - there's plenty of places to explore along the North Shore. Just make sure to watch out for the rogue wave!

5. Drive the Gunflint Trail
​If you have enough time, and the roads are nice enough, then we recommend driving down the Gunflint Trail! This is the best place to try to see some wildlife, and the views here are some of my personal favorite in all of Minnesota. We've seen deer, moose, and even wolves here before! Just keep in mind that there are no gas stations once you leave Grand Marais, and that cell service is spotty at best along the Gunflint.

6. Try Snowshoeing or Cross Country Skiing
​If there's enough snow along the North Shore, then snowshoeing and cross country skiing are some great ways to enjoy the great outdoors! There are multi-purpose trails at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Lutsen Mountain, and along the Gunflint! Just make sure to dress warm, and download the trail map before hand incase there's no service once you head out! (If parking at a State Park, make sure to purchase your daily permit. You may also need a MN Ski Pass.)

7. Search for the Northern Lights
​The North Shore is one of the best areas in Minnesota to go Northern Lights chasing. With it's dark skies and clear horizons, if you're lucky you'll get an incredible show. Many people choose to try their luck at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park or at the Palisade Head Cliffs - just make sure to watch the edge in the dark. You can see our best tips for Northern Lights watching here, just make sure to dress warm and even if they don't show up you'll have an incredible time star gazing!

8. Go Waterfall Chasing
​The North Shore has plenty of coastlines, beaches, and of course - waterfalls. Although they're stunning in the summer, they're even more beautiful in the winter. If it's cold enough, they'll freeze over and creating a stunning cascade of white against the brown rocks the North Shore is famous for. Some of our favorites are Cascade Falls (very short hike), Gooseberry Falls (tier of 3 falls, very popular and fairly easy), Caribou Falls (moderate hike with some hills), and Temperance Falls (super short hike on some boardwalks with a few stairs).

9. Bike the Gitchi Gami Trail
If you're up for some fat tire biking, the Gitchi Gami Trail is the best in the area. With fat tire bike rentals at Red Raven North in Beaver Bay and Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte, the Gitchi Gami Trail is a paved trail that will eventually connect Two Harbors to Grand Marais. Currently, the longest section is from Schroeder to Lutsen.

Watch our Winter North Shore Adventures here!

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