GRAND VIEW. Artist's Point along the harbor at Grand Marais, Minnesota. (Photo by WisconsinKaasKop | CC BY-ND 2.0)

A good vacation should have a healthy mix of relaxation, exploring, and good food. Grand Marais, Minnesota, certainly has all those things and more.

Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Superior – about a 4½-hour drive from the Chippewa Valley – the first thing you’ll see when you hit Grand Marais are the beautiful lake views. Grand Marais has a large rock beach – which is perfect for rock skipping – looking out into the harbor. There is a lighthouse that you can walk up to and several bluffs you can venture out to and explore.

Along with the beautiful outdoor views, Grand Marais also has many iconic stores you can browse through. There is a giant, two-story Lake Superior Trading Post, Moose Tracks, That Little Red House, White Pine North, and so many more. 

Grand Marais has some of the most sought after eateries as well, including Sven and Ole’s Pizza, Beth’s Fudge and Gifts, My Sister’s Place (home of the peanut butter and mayo Goober Burger), Angry Trout Cafe, Hungry Hippie Tacos, Blue Water Cafe, and one of their most notable, the World’s Best Donut store, located in a tiny trailer in the middle of town. 

There are many beautiful, shoreside lodging options available such as East Bay Suites, Best Western Plus Superior, Cobblestone Cove Villas, and several cabins available at Trailside. If you prefer to rough it on your getaways, there are also several camping sites within close proximity to Grand Marais.

To learn more about Grand Marais and to plan your next trip, go to exploreminnesota.com.