In the area:
To Minnesotans, the "North Shore" means Lake Superior, in all its majesty, its shining waters stretching to the horizon. The North Shore is where Superior's craggy shoreline meets Minnesota's forested wilderness. Miniature mountains blanketed by pine and birch stand watch along the shore. Wilderness streams plunge over waterfalls.. Harbor towns rest here and there along the shore.
The North Shore Drive, Hwy. 61, runs for about 150 miles from Duluth to Grand Portage. Along the way is some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere. Seven state parks show off the natural treasures of the shoreline, including Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, and the state's highest waterfalls at Tettegouche and Grand Portage state parks (list state parks and waterfalls).
Each of the parks has beautiful hiking trails, and the Superior Hiking Trail winds along the wooded ridgeline for 200 miles (list trails). Lodge-to-lodge hiking treks can be arranged. For those who want to get out on the big lake itself, there's charter fishing, sailing, kayaking, and excursion boats (list fishing charters/excursions).
Giant ore boats pull up to the docks at Two Harbors, and the much smaller, 100-year old tugboat the Edna G. is also displayed here. Small museums in town tell the history of the area.
From Tofte, the Sawbill Trail is a roadway leading through the Superior National Forest to the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The back roads around Tofte are popular fall color routes, as is the shoreline itself.
Lutsen offers a variety of recreation: an alpine slide, a gondola skyride, and a championship golf course. Winter recreation is a highlight too: Lutsen Mountains is the largest and highest downhill ski area in the Midwest (list ski areas). Grand Marais is a quaint harbor town that's the entrance to the Gunflint Trail, a paved road leading inland to the resorts and campgrounds bordering the Boundary Waters. And at the tip of the North Shore, Grand Portage National Monument features a reconstructed Great Lakes Fur Trade Museum (list historic attractions). The Grand Portage Casino offers gaming action.
In the winter, the North Shore draws outdoor enthusiasts for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, downhill skiing and snowshoeing.