8 Best Things to Do in Grand Marais (A Local's Complete Guide)

Grand Marais is a small town on the very North end of the North Shore. So far north that it's actually only about 38 miles from the Canadian Border. Known for fun festivals throughout the year, their celebration of the arts, and just for being a cute town in general, Grand Marais is one of our favorite towns on the North Shore. Even though it's usually very crowded in the summer, we still highly recommend visiting - just maybe try to visit in the shoulder seasons. There's also plenty of fun things to do, enough for the whole family.

Our Essential Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

For flights, we recommend Hopper to compare the cheapest travel dates.
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Car rentals comparisons are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you!

We always use Expedia's easy to use platform for hotels.

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

For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Get Your Guide also does the trick.

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

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

Getting to Grand Marais & Where to Stay

Getting to Grand Marais is very easy, the entire drive takes about 4 hours from the Twin Cities or about 2 hours from Duluth. I highly recommend taking your time to explore, there's so many great stops along the North Shore that you can easily take the whole day to get up there!

Honestly, we’ve only ever camped when visiting Grand Marais at the Grand Marais Campground & Marina, but there's plenty of options in Grand Marais, I would recommend looking into the East Bay Suites or the Mokki Downtown Cabins. If you don't mind a little drive, then you can also check out the Bluefin Bay Suites or the Eagle Ridge Resort at Lutsen Mountain.

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

8 Best Things to Do in Grand Marais

1. Try the Local Food
There's so many great spots to eat in Grand Marais, and trying local food is one of my favorite ways to explore a new city. Some of my favorites in Grand Marais are : 

• Sydney's Frozen Custard & Wood Fired Pizza - like their name says, great pizza and ice cream
• Hungry Hippie Tacos - delicious flatbread tacos
• ​Voyageur Brewing - great snacks and drinks (they also have a house kombucha option)
• Beth's Fudge & Gifts - their fudge is some of the best
• World's Best Donuts - go early, they usually sell out by midday
• Java Moose - great local coffee shop, try their maple latte!

2. Visit a Local Fish Market
At The Fisherman's Daughter you can either choose to dine in or browse their market and purchase some items to take home with you. From cute merch to fish by the pound and even everything you need for a cozy charcuterie board, it's the perfect stop if you want to try fish right from Lake Superior!

3. Go Mini Golfing
Not only can you try a round of 18 holes at Put n Pets Mini Golf, but they even have goats onsite to make the adventure a bit more interesting!

​4. Try Fly Fishing
Whether you're looking to stock up on fishing gear or head out on an guided trip, Fly Box is the perfect place to start your fishing adventures. You can even take their crash course (30 minutes) on fly fishing and then head out on your own.

​5. Go Shopping
Grand Marais has plenty of cute shops on the main streets in town. My personal favorites are The Sweetwater Co., and The Big Lake. You can find all kinds of souvenirs, clothes, and cute home decor.

6. Visit the Cook County Museum
Their hours change depending on the season, but if you visit you can step inside and explore the old lightkeeper's house that was built in 1896. They have a few different exhibits inside showcasing the area's history. If you're interested in learning more about the area, you can also visit the Gunflint Ranger Station.

7. Head Out on A Hike
Hiking along the North Shore is one of our favorite things to do in the area. We always love making our way out to the Grand Marais Lighthouse at Artists' Point and Falls Waterfall just out of town. Or, you could try checking out the Pincushion Mountain Trail System that connects to the Superior Hiking Trail! There's also plenty of fun hikes along the Gunflint Trail.

8. Enjoy a Picnic
​Enjoying a picnic while enjoying the beautiful views of Lake Supeior might be one of the best things to do in Grand Marais. You can either stay right on the beaches in town near the lighthouse or head out of town to any one of the wayside rests along the highway.

Watch our North Shore Adventures here!

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Other Minnesota Blog Posts :
-> 9 Best Winter Things to Do in Duluth
-> 9 Best Things to Do in Nisswa
-> 9 Best Things to Do in Ely

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