Looking for the best things to do in Grand Marais, Minnesota? This small harbour town on the shore of Lake Superior makes a brilliant base for exploring Minnesota’s North Shore, the Gunflint Trail and the Boundary Waters.
But Grand Marais is much more than just a base. The town has a wonderful mix of dramatic Lake Superior scenery, independent shops, galleries, local food and easy access to some incredible hiking and waterfalls. In fact, Budget Travel named Grand Marais America’s Coolest Small Town in 2015, and it’s easy to see why.
Grand Marais itself is very walkable, with shops, galleries, restaurants, Artist’s Point and the harbour all relatively close together. Some of the places on this list are farther out, but they worth the extra effort.
Grand Marais makes a brilliant base for exploring Minnesota’s North Shore, the Gunflint Trail and the Boundary Waters.
Oh and just so you know weather on Lake Superior can change quickly, even in summer. Bring layers and a waterproof jacket. Whatever time of year you visit.
So let me walk you through my favorite Grand Marais attractions, grab a cold drink and lets get going.
Things to Do in Grand Marais MN at a Glance
If you’re trying to decide what to do first, this quick guide gives you an overview of the best things to do in Grand Marais and nearby. Some are right in town and easy to reach on foot, while others make better half-day or day trips.
| Thing to do | Best for | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Explore Artist’s Point | Lake Superior views, photography | Grand Marais |
| Walk to Grand Marais Lighthouse | Harbour views, local history | Grand Marais |
| Kayak Lake Superior | Outdoor adventure, seeing the shoreline from the water | Grand Marais |
| Explore the local art scene | Galleries, local culture, creative events | Grand Marais |
| Visit North House Folk School | Traditional crafts, workshops, something distinctive | Grand Marais |
| Hike the Superior Hiking Trail | Hiking, wilderness and Pincushion Mountain views | Near Grand Marais |
| Drive the Gunflint Trail | Scenic driving, lakes, forests and wildlife | Starts in Grand Marais |
| Sample the local food | Lake Superior fish, local favourites, casual dining | Grand Marais |
| Explore Downtown Grand Marais | Independent shops, Drury Lane Books, wandering | Grand Marais |
| Visit Naniboujou Lodge | History, architecture, unusual interiors | North of Grand Marais |
| Visit Grand Portage National Monument | Anishinaabe history, fur-trade history and culture | North of Grand Marais |
| Hike Oberg Mountain Loop | Shorter hike, big views, fall colour | South of Grand Marais |
| Go waterfall hunting | High Falls, Devil’s Kettle, photography | North Shore |
| Explore the Boundary Waters | Canoeing, wilderness and longer adventures | Inland from Grand Marais |
14 Best Things to Do in Grand Marais, MN You Shouldn’t Miss
Explore Artist’s Point
Artist’s Point is one of the places you really shouldn’t miss in Grand Marais. This rocky peninsula stretches out into Lake Superior beside the harbour and is an easy place to explore while you’re in town.
It is a favorite spot for photographers and when you visit you will see why. The rugged basalt shoreline, harbour, lighthouse and huge views across Lake Superior are just perfect. You may even see painters working here, capturing the scenery that has helped make Grand Marais such a creative town.
Take some time to wander out over the rocks, enjoy the lake views and explore the harbour area.
Enjoy The View Of The Lighthouse
One of the most popular things to do in Grand Marais is walk along the breakwater to the lighthouse at the entrance to the harbour.
The current lighthouse dates from 1922 and makes a great viewpoint across Lake Superior, the harbour and back towards Grand Marais. The walk itself is part of the experience, especially on a clear day when you can really appreciate the scale of the lake.
Take care on the breakwater, particularly in wet or windy weather, as the surface is uneven and exposed.
Back on shore, the former lightkeeper’s residence is now home to the Cook County History Museum. Built in 1896, the house contains exhibits exploring the history and culture of the area. Admission to the museum is currently free, although donations are welcomed.
Cook County Historical Society runs free Harbor History Walking Tours, which explore the harbour and some of the historical remains you can still see around the breakwall.
Kayak Lake Superior
The best ways to see Grand Marais from a completely different perspective is from the water.
The calmer waters of Grand Marais Harbor are a good place to start, particularly if you are relatively new to kayaking. From the water you get wonderful views back towards the town and the Lake Superior shoreline.
More experienced paddlers can venture farther along the North Shore or explore sections of the Lake Superior Water Trail. Local outfitters offer kayak rentals and guided trips, so you don’t necessarily need to bring your own equipment.
Lake Superior is a huge body of water and conditions can change quickly, so check the weather and local advice before heading out.
Enjoy The Local Art Scene
Grand Marais has a surprisingly strong arts scene for such a small town, inspired in no small part by the dramatic Lake Superior landscape.
Spend some time wandering through the local galleries and studios, where you’ll find everything from painting and ceramics to printmaking and contemporary work by local and regional artists.
The Grand Marais Art Colony is an important part of the town’s creative community and offers exhibitions, workshops and events throughout the year.
If you visit in September, look out for Plein Air Grand Marais, when artists work outdoors around the area before exhibiting their finished pieces in town.
Visit North House Folk School
North House Folk School is one of the more unique places to visit in Grand Marais. Set right on the harbour, it is dedicated to traditional northern crafts, with classes covering everything from blacksmithing and boatbuilding to woodcarving, baking and fibre arts.
You don’t need to book a full course to enjoy it. During the summer there are craft demonstrations, family drop-in activities, campus tours, sailing and other public events, making it easy to include North House even if you are only in Grand Marais for a day or two.
The campus itself is worth wandering around, with colourful timber-frame buildings, workshops, wooden boats along the shore and the schooner Hjordis moored beside Lake Superior.
If you have more time, check the course calendar before your trip. Classes range from short workshops to much more immersive traditional craft experiences.
Hike The Superior Trail
If you want to experience the wilderness around Grand Marais on foot, the Superior Hiking Trail is one of the best ways to do it.
The trail runs for hundreds of miles along Minnesota’s North Shore, passing through forests, river valleys, rocky ridges and dramatic overlooks.
One of the easiest places to access the Superior Hiking Trail from Grand Marais is Pincushion Mountain Trailhead, just two miles up the Gunflint Trail. From here, a steep quarter-mile spur leads to the Pincushion Mountain summit and panoramic views across the surrounding forest. There are also longer routes from the trailhead, including sections that descend towards the Devil Track River gorge.
You don’t need to tackle a long-distance hike. There are plenty of shorter sections that work well as day hikes, with views over Lake Superior and the surrounding forest.
Trail conditions can change, so check the current Superior Hiking Trail conditions before setting out, particularly after bad weather or outside the main summer season.
f you want to explore farther afield, I also have a guide to some of my favourite hiking trails in Minnesota.
Drive The Gunflint Trail
The Gunflint Trail is one of the best scenic drives from Grand Marais and a brilliant way to experience the wilderness of northern Minnesota without needing to head deep into the backcountry.
This 57-mile paved National Scenic Byway begins in Grand Marais and winds through the Superior National Forest towards Saganaga Lake, close to the Canadian border and the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
Allow plenty of time for the drive because there are lots of reasons to stop along the way, including lakes, hiking trails, picnic areas, lodges and wildlife viewing spots. Moose are regularly seen along the route, particularly around wetland areas, although sightings are never guaranteed.
If you are visiting in autumn, this is also one of the best drives near Grand Marais for fall colour in Minnesota, with aspen, birch and tamarack lining much of the route.
If you drive all the way to the end of the trail, consider stopping at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center, where you can learn more about the history and natural environment of the Gunflint Trail.
Sample the Local Food in Grand Marais
Grand Marais has a great food scene for such a small town, and eating somewhere local should definitely be part of your visit.
For Lake Superior fish, Angry Trout Cafe is one of the town’s best-known restaurants. Set in an old commercial fishing shanty beside the harbor, it focuses on locally sourced produce, wild rice and fresh Lake Superior fish.
Another great option is The Fisherman’s Daughter at Dockside Fish Market, where you can get fish and chips as well as fresh and smoked wild-caught Lake Superior fish. It is particularly good if you want something casual to eat beside the harbor or to take on a picnic.
For something completely different, Sven and Ole’s Pizza is a long-standing Grand Marais favorite and an easy option for pizza after a day exploring the North Shore.
And you can’t really write about food in Grand Marais without mentioning World’s Best Donuts. This little donut shop is something of a local institution, although it operates seasonally, so check opening dates if you are visiting outside the summer and early fall.
If you fancy a locally brewed beer, Voyageur Brewing Company has a taproom close to the harbor with its own beers and a casual food menu.
If you enjoy bookshops, make time for Drury Lane Books, a small independent bookstore in a historic building close to Lake Superior. It regularly hosts author events, story hours and poetry readings, making it feel very much part of the local community rather than simply a shop.
Explore Downtown Grand Marais
Grand Marais is a wonderfully walkable town, so allow some time simply to wander around the downtown streets and harbour area. You’ll find independent shops, galleries, cafés and plenty of places selling locally made and Minnesota-inspired products.
Lake Superior Trading Post has been part of Grand Marais since 1971 and is a great place to browse for outdoor gear, books, maps, gifts and work by local artisans.
A newer addition is Northern Goods, which opened its Grand Marais flagship store in 2025. It focuses on Minnesota-made and northern-inspired gifts, clothing and outdoor products.
Rather than rushing between attractions, take some time to explore. The small shops, galleries and views towards Lake Superior are a big part of the character of Grand Marais and make the downtown area enjoyable even when you don’t have a particular destination in mind.
Visit Historic Naniboujou Lodge
About 15 minutes north of Grand Marais on Highway 61 is Naniboujou Lodge. It is one of the most unusual historic places to visit along this stretch of Lake Superior.
Originally conceived in the 1920s as an exclusive private club, its early members included names such as Babe Ruth and Jack Dempsey. The plans never quite survived the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, but the remarkable clubhouse remains.
Inside, the enormous dining room is the real showstopper. It contains a huge stone fireplace built from more than 200 tons of native Lake Superior rock, alongside the lodge’s distinctive painted interior.
You can stay at Naniboujou, but you do not necessarily need to be an overnight guest to experience it. The restaurant accepts some outside breakfast and dinner reservations, although availability and arrangements vary, so check directly with the lodge before visiting.
Visit Grand Portage National Monument
Around 36 miles north of Grand Marais, Grand Portage National Monument is well worth the drive if you are interested in the history and culture of Minnesota’s North Shore.
The site preserves the historic Grand Portage, an 8.5-mile route that connected Lake Superior with the inland waterways beyond the Pigeon River. It became a major centre of the North American fur trade and was used by the North West Company during the late 18th century.
Today you can explore the Heritage Center, which has exhibits on Anishinaabe culture and the fur trade, as well as the reconstructed historic depot, including the Great Hall and canoe warehouse. The monument is co-managed with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, so I’d make sure the section doesn’t frame the story simply as European traders arriving in an empty landscape.
The Heritage Center is open year-round, while the historic depot operates seasonally.
If you have more time, there are also trails around the monument, including the short Mount Rose Trail and the much more demanding historic Grand Portage Trail itself.
Hike Oberg Mountain Loop
If you want a relatively short hike with some seriously impressive views, Oberg Mountain Loop is one of the best options near Grand Marais.
The 2.5-mile loop forms part of the Superior Hiking Trail and has nine viewpoints overlooking Lake Superior, Oberg Lake and the surrounding ridges and forest.
It is particularly beautiful in fall, when the forest around the mountain turns red, orange and gold, but the views make this a worthwhile hike at other times of year too.
The trail does involve some climbing and uneven terrain, so wear proper footwear and allow time to stop at the overlooks rather than rushing around the loop.
Before setting out, check the latest Superior Hiking Trail conditions, particularly after poor weather or if you are visiting outside the main summer season.
Go Waterfall Hunting Near Grand Marais
There are some spectacular waterfalls within easy driving distance of Grand Marais, and two are especially worth adding to your trip.
High Falls at Grand Portage State Park is the tallest waterfall in Minnesota, dropping 120 feet on the Pigeon River along the Canadian border. The one-mile round-trip trail from the visitor centre is paved, with a 700-foot boardwalk leading to the viewing area. One of the platforms is wheelchair accessible, making this one of the easier major waterfalls to visit along the North Shore.
For something very different, head to Judge C.R. Magney State Park to see Devil’s Kettle. Here the Brule River splits around volcanic rock. One side drops about 50 feet into a pool, while the other disappears into a deep pothole.
The hike to Devil’s Kettle is much more strenuous than the walk to High Falls, with elevation changes and a long, steep staircase, so allow plenty of time and wear proper footwear.
If you love waterfalls in Minnesota, there are two spectacular ones within easy driving distance of Grand Marais.
Canoe the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
If you are looking for a real wilderness experience, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is hard to beat.
Covering more than one million acres of lakes, forest and wetlands along the Canadian border, the wilderness has over 1,200 miles of canoe routes and more than 2,000 designated campsites.
Canoeing here can be anything from a day paddle to a multi-day wilderness trip involving a series of lakes and portages. Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail make a useful gateway to several Boundary Waters entry points, with local outfitters available if you need canoe rental, equipment or help planning a route.
You do need to plan ahead. A permit is required to enter the Boundary Waters, and overnight paddle trips between May 1 and September 30 require a quota permit. Non-motorised day visitors also need a self-issued permit, so check the current Boundary Waters permit requirements before planning your trip.
Most of the wilderness is paddle-only, although motorboats are permitted on a limited number of designated lakes, so check the regulations for your chosen route before setting out.
Grand Marais might be a small town, but there is a lot packed into it. You can spend the morning wandering around the harbour and Artist’s Point, browse galleries and independent shops, then be out on a hiking trail, scenic drive or wilderness lake by the afternoon.
Grand Marais is easily one of my favourite small towns in Minnesota, particularly if you love being close to both Lake Superior and the wilderness.
What makes Grand Marais special is that mix of town, lake and wilderness. You don’t have to choose between having somewhere interesting to explore and being surrounded by incredible scenery. You get both.
Whether you stay close to town or use Grand Marais as a base for exploring the Gunflint Trail, waterfalls, Grand Portage and the Boundary Waters, it is one of those places where it is very easy to fill a few days.
If you have been to Grand Marais, I’d love to know what your favorite place was.
If you are exploring more of the state, there are plenty more things to do in Minnesota to add to your trip.
Packing List Of Useful Things
I never leave home on a trip without a non-disposable water bottle. This collapsible silicone foldable water bottle works well if you need to save space.
This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for a daily go-pack and perfect for waterfall exploring. These quick-dry slip-on Aqua shoes will be useful too.
These men’s quick-dry trunks are essential and for women, this one-strap one-piece bathing suit is amazing.
Consider bringing along quick-dry super-absorbent microfiber towels.
This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry on all my trips. My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday and it perfect if you are a solo traveller.
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