Things to do
Near Into the Woods
Our Cozy
Cabin Retreat
Cascade River State Park Loop
(2.5 miles away)
Distance: 3.5 mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Waterfalls, scenic river views, and diverse forest ecosystems.
Pincushion Mountain Trail
(8 miles away)
Distance: 3.9 mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Views of Lake Superior, the town of Grand Marais, and the surrounding wilderness from the summit.
Eagle Mountain Trail
(14 miles away)
Distance: 6.9 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Offers stunning views from the highest point in Minnesota, scenic forests, and lake views.
Onion River Trail at Ray Berglund State Wayside (17 miles away)
Distance: 1.1 miles
Difficulty: easy to moderate
Highlights: Super scenic trail along the onion river. River drops 200 ft in elevation in less than 1/4 mile as it flows to lake superior which results in a spectacular stair step waterfall. Gorgeous views of lake superior towards the end of the trail.
Oberg Mountain Loop
(18 miles away)
Distance: 2.2 miles loop
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: Panoramic views of Lake Superior, maple forests, and the Sawtooth Mountains. Ideal for fall foliage.
Devil's Kettle Trail
(21 miles away)
Distance: 2.25 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Features a unique waterfall where half the river disappears into a pothole, beautiful river views, and lush forests.
Judge C.R. Magney State Park
(Lower Falls Trail - 21 miles away)
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: The trail to the Lower Falls is scenic, offering river views, forested paths, and opportunities to spot wildlife.
Kadunce River Wayside Trail
(22 miles away)
Distance: 1.1 miles
Difficulty: easy to moderate Highlights: beautiful hike that follows the Kadunce river with views of waterfalls and a great photo op bridge! lots of areas to dip your feet into the water so we recommend water shoes or hiking sandals.
Superior Hiking Trail
(Section to Britton Peak - 23 miles away)
Distance: Varies (suggested 4 miles round trip)
Difficulty: Moderate
Highlights: Offers stunning views of the Lake Superior shoreline, forested paths, and a variety of wildlife.
Temperance River State Park
(26 miles away)
Distance: Varies (several shorter trails)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: Dramatic gorges, waterfalls, and scenic river views. Ideal for shorter, family-friendly hikes.
Caribou Falls State Wayside
(33 miles away)
Distance: 1.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Highlights: A short hike to a stunning waterfall, with beautiful river and forest views along the way.
Honeymoon Bluff Trail
(36 miles away - up the gunflint trail)
Distance: 1.5 miles loop
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Offers views of Hungry Jack Lake and the surrounding area, particularly beautiful at sunset.
our favorite HIKES
Raven’s Rock Bar & Grill at Skyport Lodge
One of our absolute favorites. All around just a great vibe. Beautiful setting on Devil’s Track Lake, amazing views, awesome menu, craft cocktails, and the best people. Sisu and Loyly even has a floating sauna and mobile sauna on-site! See their website for more details and to book: skyportlodge.com/sauna
Skyportlodge.com
Cascade Lodge Restaurant
We usually have a hard time deciding Cascade or Raven’s Rock (see above) so we end up hitting both whenever we’re in town. Great views of the Big Lake, best cocktails in town, seriously well-done menu that is updated seasonally and some of our favorite people on staff.
Cascadelodgemn.com
Angry Trout Café
A Grand Marais classic. Set right on the water in the harbor, it’s a pretty magical setting with out of this world food. They tout ‘dock to table seafood and farm to table food.’ Plus, how do you not love a restaurant with ‘Angry’ in its name?
Angrytroutcafe.com
The Fisherman’s Daughter
Fresh and smoked fish, deli items, beer, wine, coffee, and desserts
Thefishermansdaughtergm.com
Voyageur Brewing Company
Variety of craft beers and small plate appetizers
voyageurbrewing.com
Gunflint Tavern
A diverse menu with a mix of American and international cuisine
Gunflinttavern.com
My Sister’s Place
Variety of homemade comfort food
Mysistersplacerestaurant.com
Blue Water Café
Family-friendly atmosphere with a menu that includes a variety of American-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner options
Bluewatercafe.com
Restaurants
OUR FAVORITES
OTHER Restaurants worth Checking out
Crosby Bakery in Grand Marais
Enjoy scratch-made breads, croissants, cookies, and other sweet treats—all baked fresh daily using quality ingredients. Their new downtown storefront offers a small but evolving menu and is becoming a beloved stop for locals and visitors alike.
Java Moose in Grand Marais
Cute coffee shop in downtown Grand Marais with a variety of coffee and tea options. Made to order breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
Fika Coffee in Lutsen
Some of the best coffee in the country. Hands down. Highly recommend grabbing a bag of their beans to take home, as well as their cardamom honey latte. If you’re visiting during the holidays, the merrimint mocha is a MUST!
coffee
World’s Best Donuts
They are really, REALLY good donuts. You need one. Or three. Pro tip - order 24 hours in advance for quick pick up or go EARLY. Also note that they are open approx. May - Oct.
Shook Smoothie Truck
Seriously good smoothies, smoothie bowls, breakfast burritos, and poke bowls. Usually set up on 61 just behind Java Moose.
Crosby Bakery
Crosby Bakery features daily baked croissants, scones, muffins, cookies, and bread.
Superior Creamery
This ice cream is made in house and done right with creative flavors that are updated all the time. Also serving affogato, homemade fudge, coffee, and tea.
Sydney’s Pizza & Frozen Custard
Wood fired, artisan pizza and dreamy, creamy frozen custard.
other
Oddz & Ends
This is the only ‘retail’ store I’ll call out specifically and for good reason. It’s a volunteer-driven community resale store dedicated to environmental preservation, economic accessibility, and community empathy. The kids and I have the best time ‘treasure hunting’ here and pouring over the thousands of books, household goods, and gadgets. It’s a must see, for sure, especially if you love thrifting.
Drive the Gunflint Trail
Looking for one of the prettiest scenic drives on the North Shore and the best place to see wildlife in the Midwest? A drive up the Gunflint Trail is your best chance to see foxes, lynx, wolves, moose, and more. Your best chance of spotting wildlife is to go early in the morning, drive slowly, and be respectful of other drivers.
Artist’s Point in Grand Marais
Looking for one of the most iconic lighthouse hikes on the North Shore? Head up to Grand Marais, Minnesota and check out Artist’s Point. Here, you can walk the breakwater or the tombolo trails and check out the Lighthouse itself and all the fun boats moored in the harbor for the summer!
Sauna at Sisu & Loyly
Right on Lake Superior in Grand Marais - one of the best sauna experiences you’ll find anywhere. They offer both luxury private and community style sauna. Sisu & Loyly also offers seasonal saunas at Skyport Lodge on Devil’s Track Lake (summer/fall) and North Shore Winery/Cidery (winter).
Lutsen Mountains
Winter, spring, summer, fall, there is always something to do at Lutsen. Hiking, duh. Skiing and snowboarding, for sure. It’s also the home of a 1/2 mile course alpine slide and a gondola that takes you from the mountain base to the top of Moose Mountain. I highly recommend you check out their website for specifics on dates, pricing, and seasonality: lutsen.com
other THings to do
