The 154-mile North Shore Scenic Byway, which runs alongside the shoreline between Duluth and Grand Portage, Minnesota, close to the Canadian border, makes it straightforward to benefit from the breathtaking scenery. The U.S. Secretary of Transportation has even named the route an “All-American Highway.”
On their journey, guests meander alongside the shores of Lake Superior, the place waves crash towards jagged cliffs and waterfalls tumble into the good lake. The route passes by a complete of eight state parks and several other small lakeside villages recognized for his or her contemporary fish and picturesque surroundings. It’s additionally extra tempting to get out of the automotive and take a hike by the Superior Nationwide Forest when it’s cool and autumnal outdoors.
What actions to do and see
We suggest beginning your journey in Duluth, house to the most important freshwater estuary in North America, a 12,000-acre wetland at present being restored and nice for kayaking and canoeing. The Boundary Waters Canoe Space Wilderness, probably the North Shore’s largest attraction, could be reached by turning north in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
Nonetheless, if you wish to proceed on the gorgeous Byway, drive by Two Harbors till you attain the pebble seashores of Kelsey Seaside, the place you may as well eat a slice of Betty’s Pie. On the way in which to the seaside, you’ll cross Break up Rock Lighthouse State Park, house to the well-known Break up Rock Lighthouse, one of many state’s hottest vacationer locations, and Gooseberry State Park.
The place to remain
Though you’ll be able to full the journey in just some hours, we suggest that you just break up it over a number of days so that you could absolutely expertise the North Shore and this well-known drive. A five-room and mattress and breakfast with entry to Lake Superior’s seaside, Solglimt, or the Fitger’s Hotel on town’s waterfront are each good locations to remain in Duluth.
Campgrounds abound alongside the highway as effectively.
The place to eat
Don’t skip a go to to Lake Superior Brewing in Duluth, which underwent a redesign in 2022 and now has a brand new location and a wider choice of drinks.
The New Scenic Café, a small restaurant with a backyard and a view of the lake, is simply off the scenic Byway, additional down the highway. North of Two Harbors, throughout the road from Kelsey’s Seaside, is Betty’s Pies, a well-known pie attraction that has been round since 1956.
When to go
The North Shore scenic byway is most enchanting throughout autumn, because the climate cools and vibrant fall hues emerge. The Sawtooth Mountains’ maple bushes sometimes lead the transformation, reaching their pinnacle coloration from mid-September to early October. Alongside Lake Superior’s shoreline, the place vacationers will discover, the aspens and birch bushes normally attain their peak splendor between late September and mid-October.
