LAKE SUPERIOR Experience
Duluth, the Tip of Superior * Along the North Shore * Grand Marais: Artist’s Muse * Experience Thunder Bay * South Bay Destination
Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world, holds an astonishing 10 percent of the world’s fresh surface water, enough to flood North and South America to a depth of one foot. All of the lake’s incredible statistics are paled by the experience of simply standing on its shore mesmerized by its ever-changing moods. Experiencing Lake Superior is calming, refreshing, restorative, and nothing short of awe-inspiring.
The lake can provide a breathtaking backdrop for a relaxing getaway or the setting for an adventure. Sea kayaking, canoeing, hiking, sailing, fishing and rock climbing are just a few ways to enjoy its natural beauty.
The 2,726-mile shoreline is characterized by agate beaches, sand peninsulas, dramatic rock faces and river and stream outlets. The breathtaking combination of the North Shore’s mountain ranges and an inland sea make it unparalleled in the Midwest.
The area’s cultural history, shaped by American Indians, European explorers, missionaries and fur traders, is evident in the communities that have formed along its shore. Industry has also left its mark in the form of mining, lumber, shipping and commercial fishing.
DULUTH, THE TIP OF SUPERIOR
Duluth, an international port city located two and a half hours north of the Twin Cities, is a natural starting point for visitors to Lake Superior. Built into a steep, rocky hillside, the city overlooks the lake.
From 600 feet above the shoreline, Skyline Parkway provides spectacular views of Lake Superior and the city. At Hawk’s Ridge, a stop along the Parkway, birdwatchers can see impressive numbers of raptors during fall migration-an average of 93,000 per season.
A close-up view of the lake along Duluth’s three-mile Lakewalk is a healthy way to take in the scenery. Stretching from 27th Avenue east to Bayfront Festival Park, the paved path takes visitors past Leif Erickson Park, the Rose Garden, Canal Park and area attractions and restaurants.
The Vista Fleet makes getting out on the water possible with several daily tours offered May 14 through October 16. The Vista King and Vista Star depart from the Duluth harbor, taking tourists past the harbor activity then under the famous Aerial Lift Bridge and a mile into Lake Superior (weather permitting). This summer the Vista Queen, a yacht-style boat, will make her debut with tours departing from Barker’s Island in Superior.
The narrated tours provide historic and maritime information as well as views of freighters, ocean-going ships, lighthouses, iron ore and coal docks, and breathtaking scenery. In addition to the narrated sightseeing cruises, the Vista Fleet also offers luncheon and dinner cruises, Sundae Fun Cruises, late evening Pizza Moonlight Cruises, and special events for Mother’s and Father’s Day, Fourth of July, a fall colors brunch, and Oktoberfest.
Listed on the National Register of Historical Places, Fitger’s Brewery Complex in Duluth, once a functioning brewery, is now the site of restaurants, shops and the Fitger’s Inn.
Fitger’s is the only hotel north of the Twin Cities to receive the AAA four-diamond rating, which Jim Makitalo, hotel manager, says is all about their level of service. “Literally, we will do whatever it takes to make sure our guests are happy and have an enjoyable stay,” he says.
For Fitger’s, this level of service starts with free valet parking before guests even get to the door .
Each room is individually styled offering either city or lake views, with optional amenities such as balconies, fireplaces, wet bars, double whirlpools, and skylights.
The complex serves as a multifaceted facility offering unique restaurants, including the only microbrewery in town, specialized shopping, and events like dinner theaters, concerts, and festivals. It is also steps from the Lakewalk.
ALONG THE NORTH SHORE
The North Shore Scenic Drive, an All-American Road, takes travelers all the way from Duluth to Grand Portage, on its 154 miles of highway. For most of the journey, this route hugs Lake Superior’s rugged shore. With the lake’s beaches and rocky cliffs on one side, and the Sawtooth Mountains and thousands of acres of forest on the other, the scenery is truly breathtaking.
Along the way, visitors find historic lighthouses, eight state parks, the Superior National Forest, the 200-mile Superior Hiking Trail, rivers and streams, stunning cliffs, and friendly communities.
A multitude of accommodations along the North Shore speak to the magnetic power of the lake and the infinite interpretations of the ideal Lake Superior experience. Travelers find romantic getaways, secluded hideouts, adventure hubs, and historic lodges.
Grand Superior Lodge’s serene setting on Lake Superior is an ideal place to get away from it all. Melissa Dressely, marketing coordinator, calls it a place where you can ” be quiet for a little while and remember why.”
Accommodations include the main lodge with hotel-style rooms, as well as luxury lakeside log cabins with up to four bedrooms.
The Splashing Rock Restaurant and Lounge features gourmet fare, which incorporates fresh, local ingredients.
Proximity to golf, Split Rock Lighthouse, the Superior Hiking Trail, and Grandpa Woo Lake Superior Cruises, there are many opportunities to experience the best of the North Shore.
The lodge is just two miles south of Gooseberry Falls State Park, known for its series of waterfalls. Riverside trails wind through aspen, cedar, spruce and pine forests.
Named for the natural cove and rock point it overlooks, Cove Point Lodge’s secluded location is the perfect romantic getaway. Located 50 miles north of Duluth, the Cove Point experience is focused on providing a quiet, relaxing atmosphere.
The Scandinavian-style lodge rooms, all with a view of the lake, are offered with a variety of layouts and amenities. The lodge also features a pool, spa, sauna and cozy great hall with a fireplace and sitting area. The intimate dining room is as close to the water as possible, and features local cuisine and an extensive wine list.
In addition to the lodge rooms, there are deluxe two-bedroom, two- bath cottages available with Jacuzzis, fireplaces, decks, hardwood floors, and kitchens featuring granite countertops.
From the cove, Split Rock, Palisade Head and Shovel Point are just a short paddle by kayak. These rocky cliffs are part of Tettegouche State Park-over 9,000 acres of semi-mountainous terrain, a mile of shoreline, six inland lakes, rivers and waterfalls, and a pristine northern hardwood forest. The High Falls, a dramatic 60- foot drop on the Baptism River, can be seen from one of the many hiking trails.
Sea Kayak instruction and tours on Lake Superior at Lutsen Resort
Caribou Highlands Lodge, a four-season resort, sits on Lutsen Mountain and provides a unique ambiance because of its mountain and lake setting. The family-friendly resort offers complimentary activities for kids so parents can be free to take advantage of activities like guided canoeing, pool volleyball, or water workouts. The lodge also features a heated outdoor three-season pool, an indoor pool, three spa areas, two saunas, tennis courts, volleyball, basketball, picnic areas, and game rooms.
Accommodations include up to four-bedroom luxury log homes designed for privacy, town homes that sleep up to 12, condos which sleep up to six, and hotel-style rooms in the lodge, all with optional whirlpools and fireplaces.
Lutsen Resort and Sea Villas has the distinction of being the oldest resort in Minnesota, with origins dating back to the late 1800s when a Scandinavian family opened its home to guests. Lutsen has maintained that tradition of hospitality and Scandinavian charm while growing to what it is today-”a classic, beautiful, traditional resort,” says owner Nancy Burns.
Beach campfires at Lutsen Resort
Located right on Lake Superior in a cove along the Poplar River, the resort sits between the water and the Sawtooth Mountain range. Accommodations include Sea Villas; luxury condos; log homes; and hotel-style rooms at the Historic Lutsen Lodge, complete with restaurant, pub, pool, whirlpool, sauna and game rooms.
The resort offers a variety of activities and programs, including half-day kids camps, a par-3 golf course, guided kayaking and hikes, naturalist programs around the lakeside, an evening campfire and night hikes to look at the stars.
“Lutsen Resort and Sea Villas is the tradition of the North Shore visit, and still represents the true North Shore experience,” says Burns.
GRAND MARAIS: ARTIST’S MUSE
Grand Marais, the only North Shore community with a downtown right on the lake, is located two and a half hours north of Duluth on Highway 61, the North Shore Scenic Drive.
“With Lake Superior stretching off into the distance and the Sawtooth Mountains rising in the background, it feels like you’re on a sea shore,” says Nora Livesay, director of the Grand Marais Area Tourism Association.
The town offers an eclectic mix of shopping and dining and proximity to the area’s natural attractions, such as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the cedar groves, multiple falls of Cascade River State Park, and Minnesota’s highest waterfall at Grand Portage State Park.
Grand Marais is home to many artists inspired by the area’s natural beauty.
“Artists have their pick of deep forests, rocky shoreline, racing waterfalls, beau\tiful sunsets, northern lights, and all that the North Shore of Lake Superior has to offer,” says Jane Johnson, executive director of the Grand Marais Art Colony.
The organization provides services to artists, promotes art education, and nurtures art in the community. A new building expansion, scheduled to open in June, will provide studio space for ceramics, glass, print-making, and individual artists.
In addition to workshops and gallery shows, the group sponsors the Grand Marais Arts Festival on the second weekend in July, and will host a Plein Air Competition for artists September 6-10.
The award-winning Best Western Superior Inn and Suites is located right on the shore in Grand Marais. All of its rooms overlook the lake and the picturesque Artist’s Point, named for the many artists who have captured its beauty.
Amenities include a deluxe continental breakfast, served in the fireplace room, high-speed Internet, a private cobblestone beach, and a hot tub. The Superior Luxury Suites feature double whirlpools and gas fireplaces.
EXPERIENCE THUNDER BAY
Thunder Bay, Ontario, located just across the Canadian border and 90 minutes from Grand Marais, is the largest city on Lake Superior. A mix of metropolitan sophistication and natural beauty give it wide appeal.
“We value our reputation as a warm and exciting cultural center, the premier shopping center of Northwestern Ontario and a great culinary destination,” says RoseMarie Mancusa, marketing officer for the city.
The Thunder Bay region is home to spectacular outdoor attractions of Kakabeka Falls, Mount McKay, Quiment Canyon, and the Sleeping Giant. Visitors can sail, kayak or fish the lake and take in beautiful vistas from the area’s many hiking trails.
The city offers casino gaming, world-class entertainment, ethnic restaurants, premier golfing and unique shopping districts.
Fort William Historical Park is one of the area’s premier attractions. The park is a re-creation of the fur trade post of the North West Company as it was in 1815, with 42 buildings sprawled over 20 acres complete with costumed Ojibwa natives, Scottish gentlemen, and French Canadian voyageurs, craftsmen and farm laborers depicting the activities of the fort as they were 180 years ago.
Fort William, a unique fur trade post because of its large size, was an impressive stop for traders in its day. It was important not just in terms of fur trade, but also, historically played a key role in the foundation of Canada, explains Marty Mascarin, communications officer for Fort William. “Some of Canada’s most noteworthy explorers were members of the North West Company.”
This summer Thunder Bay is offering a Stay and Play package, which includes an overnight at Valhalla Inn and a round of golf at Strathcona, the city’s challenging 18-hole facility, and Whitewater Golf Club, Thunder Bay’s championship course.
Whitewater was designed by Tom Broom, an internationally renowned golf course architect, who developed the course utilizing the natural framework of the land. Its 18 holes are on a ridge between the Kaministiquia River and a protected wetland, giving it a quiet, isolated feel.
“It looks like it was there forever,” says Silvio Di Gregorio, president. “It doesn’t look like it was carved by a bulldozer; it looks like it was carved by God.”
The Valhalla Inn is equipped with 267 luxurious bedrooms and suites, an exclusive access floor, two on-site restaurants, a full lounge, room service, pool, whirlpool, sauna, and complimentary airport shuttle.
SOUTH SHORE DESTINATION
Bayfield, Wisconsin, on Lake Superior’s South Shore, is a tourist haven with great restaurants, arts and crafts festivals, first-rate accommodations and natural attractions. In addition, it is the gateway to the Apostle Islands.
“Kids Camp” at Lutsen Resort.
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore includes an archipelago of 21 islands and 12 miles of coast on the mainland. The islands are known for their sea caves, historic lighthouses, old-growth forests, red sandstone bluffs, and wildlife.
Madeline Island, one of the Apostles, is an under-commercialized destination focused on preserving its natural beauty. Accessible by the Madeline Island Ferry, it maintains a small-town character, and boasts several restaurants, friendly locals and miles of hiking trails. Visitors have access to kayaking, exploring the sea caves, biking, sailing, and beautiful beaches. Attractions include Big Bay State Park and the Madeline Island Historical Museum, a tribute to the for trade era.
The Inn on Madeline Island, open year-round, is the island’s largest provider of accommodations. In addition to their condominiums and rooms, they also rent out private homes and cottages.
“We have a variety of different options available,” says Harvest Morgan, general manager. “If you want luxury hotel-type accommodations, we’ve got that. If you want privacy and a little cottage in the woods or on the beach, we’ve got that, too.”
Guests enjoy Har-Tru tennis courts and a lakeside outdoor heated pool, Jacuzzi and sauna. The Pub Restaurant, open seasonally, offers gourmet fare from the former chef at Table of Contents. Specialties include steak and seafood with local fish caught daily.
Skye Golf in the Whitecap Mountains, in nearby Hurley, is an 18- hole course designed by renowned Midwest golf architect Garret Gill. In 2007, another nine holes will be added.
“Nestled 1,100 feet above the Lake Superior shoreline a few miles to the north, golfers enjoy rare, bent-grass fairways and signature holes in a natural environment featuring glacial springs, rolling meadows and scenic overlooks that take in the great lake and Apostle Islands,” says Gene Cisewski, Iron County Supervisor.
Skye also offers kayak excursions and nearby ATV and hiking trails. Lodging options include condominiums, chalets, suites and hotel rooms.
Copyright Minnesota Monthly Publications May 2005