I planned your North Shore trip so you don't have to
Here's some stuff I love to visit along the North Shore in Minnesota
Map
Parks/Sites
Imagine being completely surrounding by sparkling waters, as far as the eye can see--that's Artist's Point. Walk down Broadway Ave, away from the buildings, until the road ends. To your right is a path to the harbor and lighthouse, to your left is Artist's Point. You can choose to climb the rocks to get to the farthest point on the water, or walk a narrow and tree-lined trail through the middle of the land. I'd take younger kids and anyone with mobility/balance issues through the center. Otherwise, the rocks are very climbable, just take your time. It's a beautiful spot with lots of great photo opportunities. I saw a family having a picnic out there--so that's definitely an option if you plan for it. This is a pretty short hike with gorgeous views.
This is a great halfway point between Duluth and Grand Marais to stop and eat and stretch your legs. They've got picnic tables with great views of the black sand/pebble beach. There are rocks to climb on, so kids and adults can get some physical activity in before heading back to the car. The bathroom situation is minimal--they have toilets, but nothing special. Sometimes there's a woman selling Black Beach merchandise at a little tent on the way to the beach, so you can always pick up some sweatshirts or hats to remember your journey.
Talk about a breath of fresh air. This is a great final stop on the way home--to get some more beach time in and take a break from the car. Across the bridge in Duluth, on this tiny little peninsula is a beautiful beach with soft sand, driftwood, a clean bathroom inside a large pavillion, and lots of room to spread out. Bring a cooler with lunch and make an afternoon of it! There are plenty of places to grab food and shop just across the bridge, so stop there first.
Just a stone's throw from Canada, this park has some easy and longer trails to get to various waterfalls. There are picnic tables and clean bathrooms. This is a lovely place to explore! Pigeon river's rocky shore is fun to hike along. This is about 40 min north of Grand Marais
This is a fun and quick stop on the way to Grand Portage State Park. It's located at Hollow Rock Resort, which is a private resort, but as long as you're not blocking anyone's access to their cabin, you should be good. Drive all the way down the driveway until it ends at the beach. It's a beach with a lot of great skipping rocks--be sure to listen to the sound they make when the waves recede.
This has a low effort, high rewards trail 600ft from the visitor's center--beautiful beach with rocky shoreline to explore. Nice for a quick stretch of the legs, or stay longer and really get to know the place. Clean bathrooms in the Visitor's Center. Also has a picnic tables and a gift shop.
Food
This is a great healthy option for breakfast items--vegan smoothie bowls with gluten-free granola, vegan and meat burritos, poke bowls, and lots of other options. It's in a food truck parked behind The Harbor Inn. It's a 30 second walk to the beach, so you can eat there if you like. It's pricy and sometimes there's a wait (on the weekend), but it's pretty unique for the area and everything is super pretty and ...
I can't speak to the custard, but my husband LOVES their wood-fired pizzas. They have unique topping combos that go beyond the basic. They recently moved locations due to a building fire--just a couple blocks away. Check online to see where they are before you go. Great vegetarian options.
Activities
E-bikes are a great way to explore the trails without needing to be super fit. There's a rental shop in Shroeder, which is 30 min south of Grand Marais--they have a 2 hour rental package that sends you on a loop to a waterfall. The bikes are easy to use and it's a lot of fun! 18+ can use, 15+ with adult's consent. Recommend bringing a backpack to hold your water, snacks and other items needed for the ride.
This is mainly a summertime offering--free Saturday morning yoga on the rooftop of Voyageur Brewing in Grand Marais. You get a great view of the lake; they're just a block away from it. Afterwards, you can grab a smoothie from the Shook Smoothies food truck directly across the street!
Such an adorable and fun activity for all ages--there are goats, chickens, roosters, exotic pheasants, and other creatures in enclosures throughout the mini-golf course. You can buy feed to interact with them. The course itself is fun with lots of hole variety in challenge levels and obstacles. It's right on the edge of town, so not a far drive. They have ice cream too, if you need a treat.
Their rentals are great--you get a paddle board for $60 for 24 hours; so you can use it in multiple places and really explore. They also have kayaks and other fun equipment to rent, which means you can pack lighter. If the water's calm enough, you could paddleboard around Artist's Point
Hotel
This is a great budget hotel for the area--around $130/night. Imagine you're glamping, and the whole experience will feel much better. It's dated, and needs some fixes, BUT the view and location can't be beat. It's a great place to rest, and keep your things while you're exploring the area. Grand Marais is such a cute town, and this puts you right at it's heart.
This one is nice, updated, and family-friendly. They have a pool, air conditioning, and everything is in working order. PLUS you're on the beach. It's about $300+/night, depending on when you. plan to visit.
Helpful Items
Lightweight, lots of compartments, stows into it's own tiny bag. This is a must for hiking--keep your hands free, carry your water, stacks, and necessary items with you.
Keep your drinks cool on those hot hikes. A smaller bottle is easier to carry in your side pocket--you can bring a larger bottle for the main compartment, or to leave in your car.
Leak-proof and keeps your beverages cool for ages
A backpack cooler! So great for bringing perishables along on your hikes, or if you're spending time at the beach.
Helpful for long roadtrips--make ahead some meals and snacks so that you don't get hangry. Love the wheels and handle, so that you can transport it easily. Great size too.